FAQs about HSS Bachelor-Master Programs

1、 How to apply through the internal application process? What are the advantages of internal application compared to individual application?

（1） The procedure for internal application is as follows:

Position Open To: Fourth-year undergraduates and first-year graduate students intending to pursue further education.

Application Period: From the end of October of the current year to mid-January of the following year, depending on programs’ requirements.

Application Method: Submit applications through the official email of HSS International Programs Team (hssstudyabroad@cuhk.edu.cn).

Workflow:

1. A notification email will be sent by HSS International Programs Team (hssstudyabroad@cuhk.edu.cn) to inform students of the start of the internal application for HSS Bachelor-Master Programs;

2. Students should read and follow the notification email of the start of internal application and the instruction documents for internal application;

3. The application for each program will close within 5-7 working days after the notification email is released. Students should submit their application documents via email to hssstudyabroad@cuhk.edu.cn before the deadline;

4. After the internal application deadline, the submitted application documents will be reviewed by HSS International Programs Team within 3 working days and subsequently sent to International Programs Committee;

5. After discussion by International Programs Committee, the list of internally nominated students will be finalized within 5 working days;

6. A notification email will be sent by HSS International Programs Team  (hssstudyabroad@cuhk.edu.cn) to notify the nominated students;

7. Nominated students should confirm their internal nomination by replying to the email within a specified period, usually within 5 working days. After that, they should submit documents and complete an online application under the specific requirements of each program on the official websites.

（2） Nominated students for HSS Bachelor-Master Programs are entitled to priority review by the programs. Meanwhile, students who are nominated and ultimately admitted may receive a certain percentage of scholarships according to the preferential policies of different programs.

2、 What supporting documents are required to apply for HSS Bachelor-Master Programs?

Students can find Internal Application Checklist in the instruction documents for internal application. The checklist includes:

（1） Personal Information: Name, Student ID, Telephone Number, Program Preference, CGPA, and MGPA

（2） TOEFL/IELTS Transcript: A valid language test report should be submitted.

（3） Unofficial Transcript

（4） Curriculum Vitae (CV)

（5） Specific additional documents required by the programs

3、 Can applicants submit both the internal application and the individual application for the same program simultaneously? Are the two procedures the same?

If students choose to apply through the internal application, they should first follow the internal application procedure for HSS Bachelor-Master Programs. Once students are nominated and accept their nomination, they should submit documents and complete an online application on the university's official website under each program's procedures.

Differences between internal application and individual application are as follows: For internal application, students need to wait for an internal nomination review and confirm their nomination before they can proceed to the online application of each program. However, students who apply as individual applicants can directly submit an online application to their target program without waiting for the internal nomination results. It is recommended that students who need to submit applications early to maximize their chances of acceptance, especially when they apply to programs with rolling admission, should apply as individual applicants and don’t need to wait for the start of the internal application.

Students should refer to the requirements on the universities’ official websites whether they are applying through internal or individual application. The final admission decision is made by the universities. HSS does not have the authority to determine admission outcomes.

4、 Do applicants need to submit only the documents listed on Internal Application Checklist for internal application? Are additional documents mentioned in Requirements also needed?

During the internal application, students are only required to submit the documents listed on Internal Application Checklist. After confirming their internal nomination, students should then complete an online application, during which they submit all documents required by the university on the official website.

5、 How should applicants provide Personal Information?

According to the internal application requirements, students should submit Personal Information in a separate Word document, including Name, Student ID, Telephone Number, Program Preference, Cumulative GPA (CGPA), and Major GPA (MGPA). The Word document with student’s personal information should be compressed into a folder along with other documents listed on Internal Application Checklist.

6、 What does “unofficial transcript” refer to?

Both hard-copy and digital version transcripts provided by Student Information System (SIS) can be accepted as valid proof of grades (as shown in the pictures).

 Hard-copy transcript

Digital version transcript provided by SIS 

7、 Regarding the statement in the instruction documents for internal application saying “students can only apply to ONE program”, does it mean students can only apply to one program across all partner universities, or to one program at each partner university?

The statement “students can only apply to ONE program” means every student can only apply to one program at each partner university.

8、 How many working days does it normally take to inform applicants of the internal nomination results?

Normally, successful applicants will be informed of the internal nomination results within 5 working days after the internal application closes.

9、 Can nominated students decline a program offer if they apply through the internal application?

Students are advised to assess their situations to determine whether they are suitable to proceed with the application or accept the nomination when they receive the notification emails about the start of the internal application or the confirmation of the internal nomination. If, after thorough consideration, students still decide to decline the offer, they are expected to convey gratitude to the partner university and provide reasons for their decision, leaving the opportunity to other students.