Admissions

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The University of Hong Kong

Admission to the program is highly competitive. Students must be approved for admission by both UC Berkeley and HKU to be considered for the Dual Degree Program. Students are evaluated according to the following criteria: academic achievement, perceived intellectual readiness, and the applicant’s own representation of their experience, ideas, and aspirations.

All students are admitted to the program as freshmen (first-year students). Students may not transfer into the program. Applicants complete the HKU Supplemental Application and the standard University of California (UC) Application. Complete information on how to apply to UC Berkeley can be found on the UC Berkeley Office of Undergraduate Admissions website.

Candidates must meet UC Berkeley and HKU admissions requirements, including English proficiency requirements.

Note: By applying to the program, you have also applied to UC Berkeley as a 4-year degree-seeking student and to HKU as a 4-year degree-seeking student. It is possible to gain admission to UC Berkeley or HKU and be denied admission to the Dual Degree Program.

Admissions Timeline
August 1UC Application opens
September 3HKU Supplemental Application opens
October 1Submission opens for both applications (UC Application must be submitted first)
DecemberDeadline to take English proficiency tests (if required)
December 2Deadline to submit both applications
MarchAdmissions decisions announced!
May 1Deadline to accept offer of admission

Applications

Applications for 2025 admission are now OPEN.

Application Links

Access the University of California Application
Access the HKU Supplemental Application*

*You will be prompted to create an account through UC Berkeley before you can access the HKU Supplemental Application. This account is not linked to the account you will create for the University of California application.

UC Berkeley Application

Students apply directly to the University of California and select Berkeley as a campus. Students must meet all of the guidelines to apply based on their residency, whether California resident, out-of-state, or international student. Please see the Freshman Admission page for more information.

For information on the Personal Insight Questions, see this Guide for Freshman Applicants.

Please note that SAT/ACT test scores are not used for any part of the UC Berkeley admission process, including evaluation/holistic review, selection, or scholarship processes. If you provide a SAT or ACT score, it will be seen only by the University of Hong Kong for consideration of the Dual Degree program. For more information, please visit this University of California admissions page.

HKU Supplemental Application

You are required to have first completed the application to the University of California before launching this Supplemental Application. No separate application is required except for students completing the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).

Supplemental Application Essay

In 750 to 1,000 words, describe the motivations that have led you to apply to the Dual Degree program.

Explain how and why the multidisciplinary educational environments at HKU (within the Faculty of Arts or Faculty of Social Sciences) and at Berkeley (within the College of Letters & Science) will help you to achieve your intellectual, personal, and professional aspirations. Be sure to explain how you foresee your involvement in campus life outside of the classroom at both institutions.

The essay should be written in English.

Special note for Hong Kong students completing the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education: HKDSE students are also required to submit an application for the relevant bachelor degree program at HKU via JUPAS.

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