Arrival Guidefor International Students

Arrival Guidefor International Students

2012-13

Established in 1984

7 Colleges and Schools

College of Business

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

College of Science and Engineering

School of Creative Media

School of Energy and Environment

School of Law

Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies

World rankings:

110th in QS World University Rankings 2011

12th in QS Asian University Rankings 2012

Facts about CityU

Welcome to City University of Hong Kong 2

Visa Apply for Hong Kong student visa Visa restriction

3

Accommodation Student Residence Private housing

7

Money Settling the fees Banking

11

Insurance 15

Arrival Pre-departure checklist Getting to CityU

17

Get Started Student Residence check-in Student orientation Enrolment and student ID Course registration “Student status” Octopus Card Hong Kong Identity Card

21

Settling In Safety Weather / climate Electricity Telephone Post Religion Smoking Transport

25

Academic Advising 29

Campus Resources 33

Contacts 37

Contents

VThis guide is compiled by the Mainland and External Affairs Office (MEAO) to

provide you information that you might want to know before and after arrival in

Hong Kong. It is by no means all-inclusive, but serves as a quick tool to navigate

you at the beginning of your living and studying in a new country and university

environment. Please use this guide as well as the other sources of information

available at the CityU website while embarking on your educational journey

with us!

Contact MEAOAddress: Mainland and External Affairs Office

2/F, Block 2, To Yuen Building

City University of Hong Kong

Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

Tel: (852) 3442 8089

Email: [email protected]

Website: www.cityu.edu.hk/meao

Welcome to City University of Hong Kong

CityU Arrival Guide 2012-132 3

Vision and Mission

Vision: City University of Hong Kong aspires to become a leading

global university, excelling in research and professional education

Mission: To nurture and develop the talents of students and to create applicable knowledge in order to

support social and economic advancement

Visa

Vis

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Apply for Hong Kong student visaIf you don’t have the right of abode or the right to land in Hong Kong, you must

obtain a student visa (or entry permit for mainland Chinese students) from the

Hong Kong Immigration Department before you can formally register as a student

at CityU. Apply early as an application may take as long as six weeks to process at

the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

CityU will assist students with their student visa application. Send the following

documents to MEAO by post if you need CityU to sponsor your student visa:

Original documents required

Hong Kong Immigration Department form ID995A, with all relevant parts

completed and signed

Letter of consent completed and signed by your parent if you are under the

age of 18

A declaration by financial sponsor if you are financially sponsored by another

person

A Request for Visa Sponsorship and Student's Agreement form

Templates and forms can be downloaded from www.cityu.edu.hk/meao.

Visa Apply for

HK student visa as soon as

possible

Vis

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Photocopies required

Your travel document or identity card containing personal particulars

Letter of admission issued by CityU (keep the original letter with you as you

may be asked to produce the letter for inspection upon entry to Hong Kong)

Your acknowledgement of acceptance of the admission offer (not applicable to

exchange students)

Financial documents, e.g. bank statements, savings account passbook,

scholarship award notification, etc. If you are financially sponsored by someone

else, provide proofs of deposit, income statements, tax receipts, etc. of the

financial sponsor (don’t send original documents as all documents, once

submitted, will not be returned)

If you are a resident of the mainland of China and possess an Exit-entry Permit

for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao《往來港澳通行證》, enclose

the page with your personal particulars

For Macao residents, your Macao identity card

For Taiwan residents, your household registration in Taiwan (戶籍謄本) and

Taiwan identity card

Visa fee & postage

A non-refundable and non-transferable payment

of HK$450 will be charged for student visa (or

entry permit) application and courier fees.

Enclose a bank draft payable to "City University

of Hong Kong" together with your visa

application, or fill out the payment section

in the Request for Visa Sponsorship and

Student's Agreement to authorize payment

by credit card

CityU Arrival Guide 2012-13 4 5

Remember

to present

your student visa /

entry permit to the

Immigration Officer

upon entering

Hong Kong

Vis

a

Community and Integration ”Poon Choi“ sharing

AIf you are a permanent resident of the

mainland of China, you will need to apply for

an Exit-entry Permit for Travelling to and from

Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) plus an exit

endorsement from an office of the Public Security

Bureau after receiving your Hong Kong entry permit.

Visa restrictionWith a student visa issued by the Immigration Department, you must:

attend the educational institution and undertake the programme or course of study

that were named in the letter of admission issued by the University

not take up any employment, whether paid or unpaid, or establish or join in any

business, unless you have special permission granted by Hong Kong Immigration

Department

For detailed information about visa application, visit this website

http://www.cityu.edu.hk/meao/pns_stdvisa.htm.

Possessing

a Hong Kong visa does

not mean that you have

the right to enter the mainland

of China. If you wish to travel to

the mainland during your stay

in Hong Kong, a separate visa

is needed. Contact the China

Travel Services for more

information


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Student ResidenceApplication method and deadline

How to Apply

Exchange students(Undergraduate)Deadline: 15 May 2012

Apply online www.admo.cityu.edu.hk/exchange_visiting/exchange/apply/

Exchange students(Postgraduate)Deadline: 15 May 2012

Application form is obtainable fromwww.cityu.edu.hk/sro/htm/e_download.htm

Degree-pursuing students from overseasDeadline: 30 May 2012

Degree-pursuing students from mainland ChinaDeadline: 29 July 2012

Accommodation

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FacilitiesInside the room…

Common area…

Desk lamp

Study desk

Bookshelves

Air-conditioner (operated with a fee card)

Telephone (free for local calls)

Computer network connection port

Single bed with mattress

Wardrobe

Rubbish bin

A shared shower room

A shared toilet

Mirror cabinet

Wash basin

Chair

Pedestal

Laundry room

Common roomson most floors

Meeting room

Computer room

Music room


Acc

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MResidence fees

Undergraduates

Double Room: HK$4,840 per semester per person.

Single Room: HK$7,260 per semester per person.

3-person Apartment: HK$6,450 per semester per person.

Postgraduates of government-funded programmes

Fees vary from HK$1,350 to HK$3,000 per month per person.

Air-conditioning, laundry and bedding fees are not included.

Private housingThe rental for off-campus accommodation could range from HK$5,000 to

HK$12,000 a month depending on the size, location and type of accommodation.

For more information about finding an off-campus accommodation,

please visit http://www.cityu.edu.hk/sro.


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Legal tender in Hong Kong is the

Hong Kong dollar (HK$), which is linked to

the US dollar at a rate about HK$7.8 to US$1,

although exchange rates may fluctuate slightly.

Estimated Cost of Living

Food HK$3,000

Local transportation HK$300

Laundry HK$200

Books & stationery HK$200

Personal toiletries HK$300

Total: HK$4,000

Note: The cost of living is for reference only.

Settling the fees

New students will receive one payment notice during the first month after

enrolment, which may cover tuition, student residence fee and insurance

premium, whichever applicable

Payment can be made at the Hang Seng Bank on campus by means of cash or

a personal cheque in Hong Kong dollars, or by a transfer in Hong Kong dollars

from a local bank account

Money

Mo

ney

Don’t bring too much cash with you while travelling to Hong Kong! About

HK$10,000 in cash should be enough to cover basic necessities for the first two

months in Hong Kong.

Banking

Banks nearby:

˙ Hang Seng Bank on campus

˙ Citibank, HSBC and the Bank of China can be found in the nearby Festival

Walk shopping mall

To open a bank account, you need to produce your CityU Student Identity

Card, travel document, student visa (or entry permit), and a proof of residence

24-hour Automated Teller Machines (ATMs) are available nearly everywhere

in Hong Kong. They are connected to global networks such as Cirrus, Global

Access, Plus, Visa or MasterCard. ATM cards can be used to withdraw cash in

Hong Kong dollars. Some ATMs also provide cash in Renminbi


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International Exposure Internship at London Olympics

ICityU Arrival Guide 2012-1314 15

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AIt is mandatory for non-local students to have suitable and adequate insurance

throughout the entire period of their studies at City University of Hong Kong. You

should purchase your own insurance policy that includes, but not limited to, travel,

personal accidents, medical expenses (accident and non-accident), hospitalization

and emergency evacuation / repatriation before coming to CityU.

If you don’t have your own insurance, or wish to have additional coverage, you

may enrol in the Group Personal Accident and Medical Benefits Insurance Plan

for Non-local Students contracted by CityU. However, the Plan provides only

basic and minimal coverage and does not include medical and health insurance.

Students who have special concerns or wish to have better protection should

take out insurance policies that will meet their specific needs

It is always in your best interest to obtain and maintain a suitable and adequate

insurance coverage before coming to CityU. Failure to do so may put your well-

being at risk. The University and its staff are not liable for any loss, damage or

injury, cost or expense arising from your failure to maintain adequate insurance

Insurance Take outtravel and health

insurancebefore coming

to HK

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Pre-departure checklist Apply for student visa / entry permit to Hong Kong

Apply for Student Residence or find an off-campus accommodation

Purchase travel and health insurance before departure

Complete online pre-enrolment process and activate your electronic ID (EID) to

login the CityU Student e-Portal and access information relating to your studies

Read course registration information and follow the instructions on add / drop

of courses

Bring the following things with you to Hong Kong:

˙ valid passport / travel document

˙ original letter of admission issued by CityU

˙ copy of your insurance policy (Leave the original with your next of kin)

˙ cash, traveller’s cheque and / or credit card

˙ medication prescribed by your physician for personal use

˙ a few recent passport-size photos

˙ clothes fitting the weather in Hong Kong

˙ useful telephone numbers in case you need to seek help

Arrival

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Getting to CityU From Hong Kong International Airport

˙ By bus - take bus number E22 (do not take A22, E22A or E22P) from the

public bus terminal at the airport and get off at the CityU Student Hostel

Station which is located at Cornwall Street in Kowloon Tong

˙ By Mass Transit Railway (MTR) – take the MTR from the Airport Station to

Kowloon Tong Station, where CityU is located. You will need to change the

line at Tsing Yi, Lai King, and Prince Edward stations. Please visit www.mtr.

com.hk to check the route and fare

˙ By taxi – it will cost about HK$220 to get to CityU or the Student Residence.

There will have an extra charge for each piece of luggage and toll fees for

crossing bridges or tunnels

From Hung Hom Railway Station

˙ By MTR – take the East Rail Line and get off at Kowloon Tong Station

˙ By Taxi – it will cost about HK$50. There will have an extra charge for each

piece of luggage

From Airport toKowloon Tong

BusE22


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Students Clinch International Awards

GCityU Arrival Guide 2012-1320 21

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Student Residence check-in

If you have secured a place in the Student Residence or in the Jockey Club

House of the Academic Exchange Building, you should plan to arrive in Hong

Kong and check in to your room at the start of the housing term

Housing Term

Semester A 27 August 2012 – 29 December 2012

Semester B 7 January 2013 – 27 May 2013

Full-year 27 August 2012 – 27 May 2013

Please check www.cityu.edu.hk/sro for the latest information.

Student orientation

The University’s orientation programme normally starts

one week before the first teaching week, unless specified

otherwise. Join the orientation to get yourself familiarized

with the campus environment and make new friends

After settling in at the Student Residence, visit MEAO to get your orientation

pack, which contains useful information about the orientation week

Orientation programme schedule will be posted at the MEAO website

one month before the semester begins

Check out for more at www.cityu.edu.hk/meao.

Get Started

Come to MEAOand get your

welcome pack

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Important Dates

Semester A Semester B

Student orientation 27 August 2012 7 January 2013

First teaching date

3 September 2012Applicable to exchange students,

students admitted with Advanced

Standing II and postgraduate students

10 September 2012Applicable to new undergraduate

students other than students admitted

with Advanced Standing II

14 January 2013

Last enrolment date 15 September 2012 26 January 2013

Course registerationdeadline 15 September 2012 21 January 2013

Enrolment and student ID

New students are required to complete the

enrolment process. Bachelor’s degree, exchange

and visiting students should follow the instruction

for enrolment as indicated in their enrolment letter

Course registration

Most of the courses can be registered online via AIMS (Administrative

Information Management System), the University's intranet system. If online

registration is not available for the course you intend to take, you will need to

select the course on the AIMS platform, print out your selection (Add / Drop

Form) and then submit the printout to the teaching department for approval

As a non-local student, you should register for 12 up to 18 credits in one

semester, or 6 up to 7 credits during the summer term to fulfil the student visa

requirements

Minimum study loadper academic

semester

12 credits


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Cross-culture Experience

S“Student status” Octopus Card

Full-time students aged 25 or below are eligible to apply for a personalized

Octopus Card with "student status" to enjoy discounts on the MTR

Octopus application form can be obtained from Student Development Services

at the beginning of the semester, or you may get the form from any one of the

MTR stations

Hong Kong Identity Card

It is required by law to apply for a Hong

Kong Identity Card within 30 days after

entering Hong Kong if you will stay in Hong

Kong for more than 180 days

Make an appointment to apply for Hong

Kong Identity Card at www.gov.hk/icbooking


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Safety Although Hong Kong is comparatively a safe city, it is

always in your best interest to stay vigilant and safeguard your

personal well-being at all times

Hong Kong is left-hand traffic in driving. Always remember to check the traffic

on your right hand side and then the left before crossing the road

In the event of an emergency, call 999 for help (police, fire, ambulance)

Weather / Climate

Season Months Temperatures Humidity

Spring March to mid-May 20°C to 28°C About 80%

Summer mid-May to mid-September 28°C to 35°C About 90%

Autumn mid-September to mid-December 20°C to 28°C About 70%

Winter mid-December to February 15°C to 20°C About 70%

Settling In 999For Help

(Police, Fire,Ambulance)

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Electricity The standard electrical voltage in Hong Kong is

220 volts AC, 50Hz. The majority of electrical sockets

take a three-pronged plug. Transformers and adaptors

for electrical / electronic devices can be purchased in Hong Kong

Telephone Local calls are free from private landlines

and cost only HK$1 for five minutes from

public telephones

Telephone at the Student Residence can

make free local calls

Mobile phones which operate on networks

such as GSM 900 / 1800, CDMA2000 and

WCDMA can be used in Hong Kong (Phones

operate on GSM 1900 network do not

work in Hong Kong)

Post The postage of a regular letter via airmail charges from HK$2.5

The nearest post office to CityU is located at 11A, Fa Po Street, a 15-minute

walk from campus along Tat Chee Avenue in Kowloon Tong

Religion Hong Kong is a multicultural city and people are free to worship according to

their beliefs

A quiet room is available on CityU campus (Room R7206, 7/F, Amenities

Building, via Lift 19) for quiet reflection, meditation and prayer


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ASmoking Smoking is prohibited in most indoor areas,

including the university campus and its buildings

Some outdoor and public areas are designated as statutory no smoking

areas, such as public beaches, swimming pools, public transport facilities and

escalators

Any person who smokes or carries a lighted tobacco product in the prohibited

area commits an offence and is liable on summary conviction to a maximum

fine of HK$5,000

Transport Public transport system

˙ The Mass Transit Railway (MTR) is one of the most convenient means of

public transport in Hong Kong. CityU is located right next to Kowloon Tong

MTR Station

˙ Buses, minibuses, trams, ferries and taxis are also

widely used in Hong Kong

Octopus Card

˙ Octopus is an electronic stored-value card that can

be accepted by most public transport including

buses, minibuses, trains, ferries, and the Peak Tram

˙ It can also be used in convenience stores, e.g.

7-Eleven, Circle K and some fast food restaurants, e.g. Maxim’s, McDonald’s

HK$5,000Maximum penaltyfor smoking in the

prohibited area


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For academic advice, students may contact their college or school.

College of Business

Room G7502, 7/F, Academic 1

(852) 3442 8525

www.cityu.edu.hk/cb

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences


(852) 3442 7151

www.cityu.edu.hk/class

College of Science and Engineering

Room B6518, 6/F, Academic 1

(852) 3442 7124

www.cityu.edu.hk/cse

School of Creative Media

Level 7, Run Run Shaw Creative Media Centre

(852) 3442 8049

www.cityu.edu.hk/scm

School of Energy and Environment


(852) 3442 2410

www.cityu.edu.hk/see

Academic Advising

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School of Law

Room P5300, 5/F, Academic 1

(852) 3442 8008

www.cityu.edu.hk/slw


Taught Postgraduate and Visiting Postgraduate Studies


(852) 3442 5588

www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs

Research Degree, Professional Doctorate and Visiting Research Studies7/F, Block 1, To Yuen Building

(852) 3442 9076

www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs


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Whole Person Development Olympic Torch Relay


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Campus Resources

Academic Regulations and Records Office (ARRO)

Services for undergraduate students˙ Student identity card application˙ Course registration matters˙ Certificate of study / graduation application˙ Transcript application

5/F, Fong Yun-wah Building www.cityu.edu.hk/arro

Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies (SGS)

Services for postgraduate students˙ Student identity card application˙ Course registration matters˙ Certificate of study / graduation application˙ Transcript application

7/F, Block 1, To Yuen Building www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs

English Language Centre (ELC)

˙ English language enhancement programmes and workshops

˙ English Language Mentoring Scheme˙ IELTS preparation courses˙ Self-study online resources

2/F, Green Zone, Academic 1 www.cityu.edu.hk/elc

Student Development Services (SDS)

˙ Scholarships˙ Personal counselling˙ Leadership training programmes˙ Physical education and sports˙ Student and cultural activities˙ Services for disabled students

6/F, Amenities Building www.cityu.edu.hk/sds

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Campus Catering

City Express (Student Canteen) 5/F, Amenities Building

AC2 Canteen 3/F, Academic 2 (Halal food packs available)

Garden Cafe G/F, Academic Exchange Building

City Chinese Restaurant 8/F, Amenities Building

City Top 9/F, Amenities Building

Homey Kitchen Student Residence, Cornwall Street

Library

˙ Books, serials, journals, and electronic resources

˙ Workshops on citing sources of information and preventing plagiarism

3/F, Academic 1 www.cityu.edu.hk/lib

Hu Fa Kuang Sports Centre

˙ Indoor sports facilities˙ Training for the university sports teams˙ Physical education courses

4/F, Amenities Building

http://www.cityu.edu.

hk/sds/home/service/

pes/facb0001.htm


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East Meets West Chinese New Year Celebration

Computer and internet Wi-Fi is available in most parts of the campus including the ground area of the

Student Residence

Free internet service is available inside the room of Student Residence

E-portal Access various online services ranging from academic matters to campus

facilities booking via e-portal

AIMS (Administrative Information Management System)

View or manage your course registration, class schedule, examination

timetable, grades, Student Residence application, personal information,

student financial account, campus job application, application for certain

student services, etc.

Service for the disabled Student counselling and study aids are available on campus. Please contact

Student Development Services for details


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C Contacts

Contacts

On-campus contacts

24-hour Campus SecurityMain CampusStudent Residence, Cornwall StreetJockey Club House, Academic Exchange Building

(852) 2788 8888(852) 3442 1111(852) 3442 4509

Young Chung Yee Health Centre (852) 3442 6066 (Medical) (852) 3442 6052 (Dental)

Mainland and External Affairs Office (International and Non-local Students)

(852) 3442 8089

Student Residence Office(852) 3442 7658(Help Desk)

Academic Regulations and Records Office (852) 3442 2300

Computing Services Centre(852) 3442 7658(Help Desk)


(852) 3442 5588(852) 3442 9076

College of Business (852) 3442 8525

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (852) 3442 7151

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College of Science and Engineering (852) 3442 7124

School of Creative Media (852) 3442 8049

School of Energy and Environment (852) 3442 2410

School of Law (852) 3442 8008

Off-campus contacts

Police, Fire, Ambulance 999

Hong Kong Baptist Hospital (Private hospital) (852) 2339 8888

Caritas Medical Centre (Public hospital) (852) 3408 5678

Hong Kong Immigration Department(For HK identity card application)

(852) 2829 3253

China Travel Services(For China visa application) (852) 2315 7171

Consulates General in Hong Kong(Protocol Division of HK) www.protocol.gov.hk


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Campus Map


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Mainland and External Affairs Office



Tat Chee Avenue, Kowloon, Hong Kong SAR

Tel: (852) 3442 8089

Fax: (852) 3442 0223

Email: [email protected]

CityU Arrival Guide 2012-13for International Students

June 2012

Mainland and External Affairs Office


We strive to provide the most updated information in this guidebook as far as possible at the time of

printing. However, the University cannot accept responsibility for any changes that may occur. For the latest

information, please visit our website at www.cityu.edu.hk/meao and the websites as provided in this Guide.

Documents

Arrival Guidefor International Students