Computing and Data Science (JS6999): BEng in Computer Science / BEng in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science / BASc in Applied AI

Entry requirements

Accepted English tests

IELTS Academic overall 6.5 with Writing and Speaking at least 6.0, in the same attempt (IELTS Indicator/Online not accepted). TOEFL iBT: for tests on or after 21 Jan 2026, overall 5.0 with Writing and Speaking at least 5.0 (new scale); for tests before 21 Jan 2026, overall 95 with Writing and Speaking at least 25 (legacy scale). TOEFL ITP and Home Edition not accepted. Tests must be taken within 2 years before 1 September of entry. Alternatives: GCSE/O-level English Language grade B/6; IGCSE English First Language (with Speaking and Listening) grade B/6; AS/A-level English Language or Literature grade C; IB English A grade 5 or English B grade 6; SAT Reading and Writing 610; one year of full-time study in an English-taught bachelor's degree.

How grades are compared

School located in Chinese Mainland: Expected Lower Boundary for Admissions is A-level 2A*1A, or IB Diploma 38 (https://admissions.hku.hk/apply/international-qualifications#admissions-standard). Gaokao applicants use the separate Mainland scheme, where HKU publishes no minimum score (https://admissions.hku.hk/zh-hans/apply/mainland)

Other requirements

A-level lower boundary 2A*1A excludes Chinese and English language subjects, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Global Perspectives and Research, Knowledge and Enquiry, Project Work, Thinking Skills and EPQ. IB Diploma: 38, with Maths AA or AI HL grade 6+ (or Maths AA/AI SL grade 7), and Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Economics or Computer Science HL 5+ (or SL 6+). No additional requirements and no interview for international applicants. HKU makes decisions on academic results plus interview, personal statement and references, and meeting the minimum does not guarantee admission. IAS application fee HKD 780; up to 3 programme choices; non-local tuition HK$280,000 per year for 2027-28 (STEM). Advanced standing of up to 30 credits for A-level/IB holders. Gaokao (NJCEE) applicants cannot use this international route. They apply through the separate 'Admission of Undergraduate Students from the Mainland' scheme. That scheme opens 2026-10-06, closes 2027-06-28 at 12:00 noon, has an HKD 780 fee, and asks applicants to upload gaokao results in late June. It weighs the gaokao total and English score, interview performance (if shortlisted) and overall qualities, with offers from late June to 7 July 2027. Its optional Multi-faceted Excellence Admissions Scheme has a first-round deadline of 2026-12-31 and a final deadline of 2027-03-22. No minimum gaokao score is published. 91 first-year places (combined JS6200 and JS6999).