CUHK

The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Hong Kong SAR, China

The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a comprehensive research university with a global vision. As the second oldest university in the territory, CUHK distinguishes itself from other local universities with its firmly rooted Chinese culture, bilingualism and multiculturalism, and a unique college system that complements the formal learning experience through whole-person development and pastoral care.

CUHK has been at the forefront of research. It boasts a galaxy of distinguished scholars and researchers, including Nobel Laureates, a Fields medalist, a Turing Award winner, and members of the Royal Society. In its latest strategic plan, CUHK has identified four research priorities to build on its strengths and leading advantages in those areas to address some of the most pressing issues of the world today. These areas are China Studies, Translational Biomedicine, Information and Automation Technology and Environment and Sustainability. The prowess, variety and impact of research at CUHK can be further demonstrated from its establishment of five state key laboratories, past and ongoing Areas of Excellence research projects, and the many research institutes and collaborations with eminent overseas research institutions.

The University engages in academic and research partnerships with over 340 universities and institutions from around the world, internationalizing education and advancing the frontiers of knowledge and technology to address the many global challenges of today.

Website: www.cuhk.edu.hk

VSE Season 1, 2022-23: Courses offered by The Chinese University of Hong Kong


Application Deadline

Students must submit an application to the VSE Central Office before:
Aug 12, 2022 12:00 noon Hong Kong Time (UTC+8)




English Language Proficiency Requirements

Before applying, please make sure you have fulfilled the course offering university's English language proficiency requirements listed below:

For students studying in NON-native English-speaking countries or territories ONLY:
TOEFL (iBT) score of at least 71, or
IELTS score of at least 6.0

For students from mainland China institutions ONLY:
College English Test Band-4 (CET-4) score of at least 550, or
College English Test Band-6 (CET-6) score of at least 520

Please upload the required proof(s) of English language proficiency in the online application to the VSE Central Office.

For more details, please contact the VSE coordinator at CUHK.



Course Information

Course information posted on this page are provided by the course offering university and may be changed or updated anytime without prior notice.

Click on the course titles to reveal full course details:

Number of Credits3
Offering DepartmentDepartment of Anthropology
Course TeacherProfessor Gordon Clark MATHEWS
Language of InstructionEnglish
First Day of ClassSep 8, 2022
Last Day of ClassDec 1, 2022
Course ComponentLectureTutorial
Mode of TeachingSynchronousSynchronous
Meeting TimeThu 1330-1515TBA
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionIn societies across the world, people have different culturally-shaped senses of what their lives mean: people may live for money, love, honor, or fame; for family, company, country, or religion. This course examines the processes through which meanings of life are formulated and maintained in day-to-day life in societies past and present; it also explores life meaning as a way of comprehending the evolution of human societies. The course uses the concept of "meanings of life" as a window into the anthropological understanding of cultural difference and cultural evolution. Students will read intensively, and write an extensive paper exploring aspects of "meanings of life" as discussed by the course readings and by their own investigations.
Course OutlineANTH2350
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsN/A
Points to Note for StudentsN/A
Number of Credits3
Offering DepartmentYale-China Chinese Language Centre
Course TeacherMiss YU Jinping
Language of InstructionCantonese
First Day of ClassSep 6, 2022
Last Day of ClassNov 29, 2022
Course ComponentLectureWeb-enhanced Teaching
Mode of TeachingSynchronousAsynchronous
Meeting TimeTue 1430-1615N/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionThis is a foundation course on Cantonese which introduces Cantonese romanization systems to students. Course contents include basic daily conversation, vowels and tone exercises and pronunciation practice. It enables learners to engage in simple real-life conversation by using Cantonese.
Course OutlineTBA
Course Prerequisites/Restrictions1. Not for students who have taken CCAN2013, CLCC2703, CCAN1703 or CCAN2703;
2. For Putonghua speaking non-local students who are absolute beginners in Cantonese.
Points to Note for StudentsN/A
Fees to be Borne by StudentsOnline Textbook Fee: HK$ 62.56 Students can purchase the textbook by themselves on Google Play
Number of Credits3
Offering DepartmentYale-China Chinese Language Centre
Course TeacherTBA
Language of InstructionPutonghua with English
First Day of ClassSep 6, 2022
Last Day of ClassNov 29, 2022
Course ComponentLectureWeb-enhanced Teaching
Mode of TeachingSynchronousAsynchronous
Meeting TimeTue 1030-1215N/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionA beginners’ reading and writing course in Putonghua, focusing on acquiring elementary level vocabulary and grammar. Students are introduced to the romanization system of Putonghua (Pinyin) and the Chinese writing system (Chinese characters). Content covered in the course is based on daily situations. Appropriateness in application is emphasised.
Course OutlineTBA
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsNot for students who have taken CLCP1133/CPTH1133 or above.
Points to Note for StudentsN/A
Fees to be Borne by StudentsTBA
Number of Credits1
Offering DepartmentDepartment of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course TeacherTeachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of InstructionFrench with English
First Day of ClassSep 5, 2022
Last Day of ClassDec 3, 2022
Course ComponentLecture
Mode of TeachingAsynchronous
Meeting TimeN/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionThis course is for students without prior knowledge of French to discover some aspects of the French culture along with some basic elements of the French language. With the support of audio-visual materials, short textual information, different interactive tasks and online tests, it aims to help students get familiar with practical and cultural aspects of daily life in a French-speaking environment. It serves as a taster for students who might consider taking three-unit or six-unit French courses offered by the French programme of CUHK in the future.
Course OutlineFREN1001
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsNot for students who have taken FREN1000, 2000, 2001, 2050, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3050 or 3051
Points to Note for StudentsThis course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by StudentsN/A
Number of Credits1
Offering DepartmentDepartment of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course TeacherTeachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of InstructionGerman with English
First Day of ClassSep 5, 2022
Last Day of ClassDec 3, 2022
Course ComponentLecture
Mode of TeachingAsynchronous
Meeting TimeN/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionThis online self-learning course invites students without prior knowledge of German to explore some basic features of the German language and culture through a virtual journey. Based on texts, audio and video input, and interactive tasks, students will be able to practice both spoken and written German. This course serves as a taster course for students who might consider taking German courses at CUHK in the future.
Course OutlineGERM1001
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsNot for students who have taken GERM1000, 2000, 2001, 2050, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3050, 3051 or 4001
Points to Note for StudentsThis course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by StudentsN/A
Number of Credits1
Offering DepartmentDepartment of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course TeacherTeachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of InstructionHong Kong Sign Language with English
First Day of ClassSep 5, 2022
Last Day of ClassDec 3, 2022
Course ComponentLecture
Mode of TeachingAsynchronous
Meeting TimeN/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionThis online course enables students to acquire some basics of Hong Kong Sign Language and the general principles for communicating with deaf people in a visual-gestural modality. With different videoed scenarios, students are systematically guided to acquire elementary signing skills for fulfilling basic communication needs in everyday situations. Emphasis will be placed on a range of simple, general-purpose expressions, which allow students to converse with local deaf people, as well as prepare themselves for learning the language further.
Course OutlineHKSL1001
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsNot for students who have taken Not for students who have taken HKSL 1000, 2000, 2001, 2050, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3050
Points to Note for StudentsThis course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by StudentsN/A
Number of Credits1
Offering DepartmentDepartment of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Course TeacherTeachers from the Department of Linguistics and Modern Languages
Language of InstructionSpanish with English
First Day of ClassSep 5, 2022
Last Day of ClassDec 3, 2022
Course ComponentLecture
Mode of TeachingAsynchronous
Meeting TimeN/A
Time ZoneUTC+8
Course DescriptionThis online self-directed learning course invites students without prior knowledge of Spanish to explore the basic features of the Spanish language and briefly introduces them to the Hispanic world through a virtual journey. Supported by audio visual aids, students will receive training in spoken and written Spanish through interactive tasks and online exercises. They will learn some basic daily expressions in Spanish, which cover some Hispanic cultural topics. This course serves as a taster for students who may consider taking Spanish courses in the future.
Course OutlineSPAN1001
Course Prerequisites/RestrictionsNot for students who have taken SPAN1000, 2000, 2001, 2050, 3000, 3001, 3002, 3050, 3051, 4001 or 4002/td>
Points to Note for StudentsThis course is offered via asynchronous online mode. Students should register the course via KEEP, a CUHK eLearning platform where the course materials are uploaded.
Fees to be Borne by StudentsN/A


Before Making an Application

Make sure you have thoroughly read the information on this page and the Academics page before making an application. If you have a question, email us at [email protected] or contact the VSE Coordinators at your home university or course offering university,