Students on exchange pay in-state tuition directly to USC and do not pay tuition to CityU. All housing, food, and personal expenses are paid by the student in Hong Kong. While costs at CityU are comparable to USC, Hong Kong is an expensive city and students should plan accordingly, especially if they plan to travel or frequently go into downtown Hong Kong. CityU has estimated that students should budget approximately $1296-$1456 per month for living and accomodation expenses. To get an idea of ​​life on site, you will find on the numbeo website indications on the cost of living in Hong Kong compared to 250 other countries in the world.

As CityU is a multi-lingual university, courses may be taught in English or Cantonese. UofSC students will typically take all coursework in English. Students wishing to take courses taught in Chinese must have successfully completed a minimum of five semesters of college-level Chinese. Students typically earn 12-15 USC credit hours per semester. Instruction at CityU is typically lecture-based and requires students to study independently outside of class. Students are expected to take courses from the Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA) program. To see courses UofSC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table. 

CityU offers plenty of additional programming to meet every student's interests. They have over 15 intramural sports teams, volunteer opportunities, more than 60 student associations, and a buddy system to help exchange students become more acquainted with life at CityU and Hong Kong.

Per university policy, all UofSC students will be charged emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for their time abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.

As an exchange student, you may apply for on-campus student residence. Applications should be made online when you apply for your exchange studies. Please note that there is no guarantee of accommodation in the student residence because of limited capacity. Exchange students should be prepared to arrange their own off-campus accommodation, if necessary.

CityU operates on an academic calendar similar to that of the United States. Fall classes (Semester A) begin in late August and end in late November, with exams lasting through December. Spring classes (Semester B) begin in early January and end in late April, with exams lasting through mid-May. A detailed academic calendar can be found here. The final examination timetable will be released to all CityU students by Week 10 of each semester. All exchange students should make flight arrangements only when they receive the personalized final exam timetable from the university. IB students will attend CityU during the spring semester only.

The universiy organizes a mandatory orientation program for exchange students one week before the semester starts. Topics include academic information, visa regulations, course registration, student life, technology support, introduction to student clubs, etc. Each exchange student will be assigned a buddy and are encouraged to contact their buddy before they depart the U.S.

All exchange students must apply for a HK student visa before arriving in Hong Kong. Students should apply approximately two months prior to their arrival in Hong Kong. Students apply directly to the CityU Global Engagement Office. Students wishing to travel into mainland China should also apply for a Chinese visa prior to departure.