HKUST to launch five new programs and dual-track admission

Adelyn Lau

The University of Science and Technology will introduce five new programs starting next year, focusing on biomedical and health sciences, data analytics, artificial intelligence, microelectronics, and energy.

The School of Science will offer two new programs - data analytics and AI in science, as well as biomedical and health sciences.

Meanwhile, the School of Engineering will add three programs - AI, microelectronics and integrated circuits, and energy and environmental engineering.

Candidates wishing to enroll in these programs will be assessed based on their scores in the best five subjects from the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education exams.

Those with a third elective scoring level three or above will receive a bonus added to their admission score.

Graduates of these programs can find diverse career opportunities in fields such as medical technology, data science, and quantum technology, as well as have the opportunity to pursue further education in clinical medicine, genetic counseling, and biomedical research.

Also, the School of Engineering will implement a dual-track admission framework for the 2025-26 academic year, catering to students who have a specific major in mind.

Students can choose between two entry pathways - department-based and school-based.

"For over a decade, the Department of Engineering has utilized a school-based admission approach," said Henry Lam Hei-ning, director of the Centre for Engineering Education Innovation.

"However, many students often have specific majors in mind. The department-based admission aims to help them enter their desired programs sooner, while still allowing undecided students to explore options for up to one year," Lam added.

The department-based entry will grant immediate admission to six departments - chemical and biological engineering, civil and environmental engineering, computer science and engineering, electronic and computer engineering, industrial engineering and decision analytics, and mechanical and aerospace engineering.

Students may also pursue a Bachelor of Engineering in Computer Engineering, jointly offered by the Departments of Computer Science and Engineering, and Electronic and Computer Engineering.

They will also have the option to add an extended major in AI to their engineering major.

As a result of these updates, the number of programs HKUST offers through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System for the 2025-26 academic year will increase to 33 from 26, providing a total of 45 majors, 22 minors, and two extended majors - AI, and digital media and creative arts.