General Information

Foundation and Development

For more than 60 years, Hong Kong Baptist University has developed world-class strengths across many disciplines with an enduring commitment to excellence in teaching and learning, research and scholarship, service and discovery.  Founded in 1956 as Hong Kong Baptist College, our Mission affirms the University's commitment to "Academic excellence in teaching, research and service, and to the development of whole person in all these endeavours built upon the heritage of Christian higher education."  In 1970, the University became the first institution to be recognised by the Hong Kong Government as an approved post-secondary college under the Post Secondary Colleges Ordinance (revised 1964).

In 1983, the Hong Kong Baptist College Ordinance was enacted by the Legislative Council, thus establishing the College as a statutory body and an autonomous institution.  In the same year the College became a fully government-funded institution within the ambit of the University and Polytechnic Grants Committee (renamed University Grants Committee with effect from November 1994).

With the improved funding base and strategic planning, in consultation with the UPGC, the College moved at a deliberate pace to introduce its first degree programmes (1986–87), to discontinue admissions to diploma-level programmes (1989–90), to introduce the MPhil (1988–89) and PhD (1991–92) research postgraduate degrees, and to introduce the postgraduate degrees by means of coursework (1992–93).  In November 1994, legislative amendments were made to the Ordinance and the Institution was renamed the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Through each transformative event in our brief history, we have balanced academic excellence with dedication to the holistic development of the person and society.  Today, the University is proud to be a leading, publicly-funded university in Hong Kong that is open to all talents from across the world regardless of race, nationality, gender, creed and religion.  Our vision is: "To be a leading liberal arts University in Asia for the world delivering academic excellence in a caring, creative and global culture."

Graduate Attributes

Graduate Attributes for Undergraduate Students
(https://chtl.hkbu.edu.hk/main/hkbu-ga/#ga)

An education at HKBU aims at developing all aspects of the whole person. In particular, it aims to foster the following attributes among its undergraduate graduates, who should:

1. Be responsible citizens with an international outlook and a sense of ethics and civility (Citizenship);
2. Have up-to-date, in-depth knowledge of an academic specialty, as well as a broad range of cultural and general knowledge (Knowledge);
3. Be independent, lifelong learners with an open mind and an inquiring spirit (Learning);
4. Have the necessary information literacy and IT skills, as well as numerical and problem-solving skills, to function effectively in work and everyday life (Skills);
5. Be able to think critically and creatively (Creativity);
6. Have trilingual and biliterate competence in English and Chinese, and the ability to articulate ideas clearly and coherently (Communication); and
7. Be ready to serve, lead and work in a team, and to pursue a healthy lifestyle (Teamwork).

Graduate Attributes for Taught Postgraduate Students
(https://gs.hkbu.edu.hk/prospective-students/why-hkbu/graduate-attributes)

On graduation, HKBU taught postgraduate graduates should have:

1. Mastery of knowledge of their academic specialty or profession that is in-depth, advanced and up-to-date and be able to apply the knowledge to their profession or disciplines (Knowledge);
2. The ability to evaluate and apply knowledge to make critical and independent judgement, and provide creative and innovative solutions to problems (Creativity);
3. The ability to apply appropriate theories, methodologies and techniques for professional or disciplinary advancement in their fields (Skills);
4. An on-going interest and capability in continuous learning for the purpose of tackling the complexities in their professional field or discipline through inquiry and critical reflection (Learning);
5. The ability to synthesize and articulate ideas clearly, coherently and in a logical way, with fluent communication skills (Communication);
6. A sense of upholding professional ethics and social responsibility consistent with their roles as local and global citizens (Citizenship).

Remark: HKBU's whole person education comprises seven elements. It is considered that “teamwork” should have been developed when students reach postgraduate level, therefore it is not highlighted in the Graduate Attributes for postgraduates. However, owing to the different nature of the programmes, “teamwork” may be one of the learning goals or programme outcomes as appropriate.

Graduate Attributes for Research Postgraduate Students
(https://gs.hkbu.edu.hk/prospective-students/why-hkbu/graduate-attributes)

On graduation, HKBU research postgraduate and professional doctorate degree graduates should have:

1. Mastery and creation of knowledge at the forefront of their field of specialisation, together with advanced knowledge in other related areas (Knowledge);
2. The ability to evaluate existing regimes and develop original research insights and methodology for advanced academic inquiry (Creativity);
3. The ability to apply appropriate theories, research methodologies and techniques to make informed judgement and solve problems in general and of different complex contexts in their fields (Skills);
4. A sustainable interest and autonomous initiative in the acquisition of advanced knowledge and in the exploration of new areas of research and professional environments (Learning);
5. The ability to communicate and exchange knowledge and ideas in their fields clearly and effectively with specialist and non-specialist audiences (Communication);
6. A sense of upholding professional ethics and social responsibility consistent with their roles as local and global citizens (Citizenship).

Remark: HKBU's whole person education comprises seven elements. It is considered that “teamwork” should have been developed when students reach postgraduate level, therefore it is not highlighted in the Graduate Attributes for postgraduates. However, owing to the different nature of the programmes, “teamwork” may be one of the learning goals or programme outcomes as appropriate.

HKBU Graduates—Whole Person

Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning

The ultimate aim of education at the University is to nurture students into whole persons; students are expected to attain all the 7 Graduate Attributes (GAs) on graduation and continue to develop these attributes as they progress in their lives. Towards this end, Outcomes-Based Teaching and Learning (OBTL) has been fully implemented by the University. OBTL focuses not on what the teachers intend to teach, but rather on what the learners are able to do after their learning and graduation at the required standards.

At the course level, the Teaching and Learning Activities (TLAs) and the Assessment Methods (AMs) are all constructively aligned with the Course Intended Learning Outcomes (CILOs), i.e. Constructive Alignment. At the programme level, there are also specific sets of Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs), as the aim of having students complete all courses within a programme is to ensure that they have achieved the PILOs, which are ultimately aligned to the GAs.

To implement OBTL effectively, the University has fully adopted Criterion-Referenced Assessment (CRA) to help assess how well students have achieved the learning outcomes based on objective criteria. Each student's grade is independent of any other students, and there is no pre-set distribution of grades for assessment.

OBTL characterized with Constructive Alignment enables students to become active learners who would not only apply what they have learned to practice, but also reflect on that application for continuing improvement. By actively engaging in their chosen academic programmes and participating in meaningful co-curricular and extra-curricular activities, it is envisaged that our students will become the whole persons who can contribute to, and lead, our society.

For details, please visit: https://chtl.hkbu.edu.hk/main/teaching-and-learning/obtl/.

Academic Advising

Academic advising at HKBU aims to offer quality first year experience to students and continue to provide advice and assistance to students throughout their studies.

For new students, the aim of academic advising is to help them to have a smooth transition to study life at HKBU.  Students receive advice on academic endeavours such as choosing the study majors and courses, developing effective study skills, mapping out study plans to satisfy requirements at different stages of studies, etc.

Continual support will be given to students after their first year of study so that they can update their study plans, relate what they have learnt to their future careers, and formulate their career goals or plans for further studies.

With the provision of academic advising and their active participation, students should be able to:

• adapt to the University learning environment effectively;
• identify study strategies and courses suitable for personal growth and professional development;
• develop sound study plans and enable them to monitor their own progress throughout their learning journeys in the University;
• plan for their careers or further studies; and
• find the available resources leading them to achieve the graduate attributes.

The following advising personnel/parties collaborate to enhance students’ success in their university studies at different levels:

1. Faculty Academic Advising Coordinator—assumes overall responsibility for coordinating all academic advising activities in the Faculty, works closely with academic and administrative advisors to take care of students' development during their University education;
2. Faculty Academic Advisors/Programme Advising Coordinators (for Year 1 students)—broad-based programme academic advisors at the Faculty level for freshmen to help them adjust to university life and plan their studies; and
3. Department Academic Advisors (for senior year entrants, Year 2 students and above, or some Year 1 students (programme-based admission))—advisor at the departmental level help students succeed in their studies, provide advice on course selection, study planning, career development, and assist in their successful transition to the workplace.

The full academic advising guidelines can be accessed in the BUniPort.

Medium of Instruction (MOI)

The medium of instruction for classroom teaching (in all forms) at HKBU is English, except for those courses that are granted exemption.

Exemptions to the language policy should adhere to the following general principles:

1. Materials, texts and courses related to Chinese language and culture, such as Chinese language and literature and journalism; Chinese philosophy and history; Chinese music; as well as Chinese medicine and other similar courses would be taught in Chinese (Cantonese or Putonghua).
2. For courses with a comparative or interdisciplinary element involving Chinese materials, text and culture, the use of Chinese would be considered as at least one of the languages of instruction.
3. For disciplines intended for training graduates to work in a Chinese language context, there would be a justification for some of the courses to be taught in Chinese.
4. Language classes for French, German, Spanish and Japanese would be conducted as far as feasible in the appropriate languages.

The Academic Year

The academic year of the University starts at the beginning of September and concludes by the end of August of the following calendar year.  For all undergraduate and most postgraduate programmes, the academic year normally includes two semesters, each of which consists of 16 weeks of academic work.  An Academic Calendar with dates of important University activities during the academic year is issued for ready reference.

Certification of Academic Assessment

Testimonials

Testimonials are issued by the Academic Registry (for undergraduate programmes)/Graduate School (for postgraduate programmes) as proof of student status at the University.  As for personal recommendations or references, students are advised to approach faculty or staff members who know them well.

Transcripts

Official transcripts serve to indicate students’ status, courses taken, grades attained, and grade point averages.  Transcripts bearing the signature of the Academic Registrar or his/her designate (for undergraduate programmes)/Dean of Graduate School or his/her designate (for postgraduate programmes) and the official stamp are the only form of official academic record to be issued by the University.  Official transcripts are sent directly to identifiable institutions upon a student's request.  They are not available to students as personal copies nor will they be despatched through students.  Transcripts (student copy) can be obtained by students.  A fee is charged for the issue of transcripts.

Diplomas

Graduates having completed all graduation requirements upon approval of the Senate will be given the relevant diploma as the official document of graduation.

Academic Dress for Graduates

Gown

Doctor (Honoris Causa)
A dark red velvet robe with 4.5” wide gold satin facings down each side in front trimmed with blue satin in the middle

Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy
A black robe with royal blue velvet facings down and three velvet strips of royal blue colour on the sleeves

Master of Philosophy and Taught Master
A black robe of the Oxford MA pattern

Postgraduate Diploma
A black robe of the Oxford MA pattern

Bachelor
A black robe of simple traditional style

Hood

Doctor (Honoris Causa)
A dark red velvet hood lined with gold satin

Doctor of Business Administration
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout and with a silver grey edge lining and an additional lining of the same colour of one centimetre wide running parallel at a distance of one centimetre from the edge lining

Doctor of Education
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout and with a citron edge lining and an additional lining of the same colour of one centimetre wide running parallel at a distance of one centimetre from the edge lining

Doctor of Philosophy
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout and with a royal blue velvet edge lining

Master of Philosophy
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout and with deep purple edge lining

Taught Master
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout and an edge lining of degree-oriented colour and an additional lining of the same degree colour of one centimetre wide running parallel at a distance of one centimetre from the edge lining

Bachelor
A black hood with blue and gold silk lining throughout, and an edge lining of degree-oriented colour

Cap

Doctor (Honoris Causa)
A black velvet bonnet with gold tassel

Doctor of Business Administration, Doctor of Education and Doctor of Philosophy
A cap of mortar-board pattern with gold tassel

Master of Philosophy, Taught Master, Postgraduate Diploma, and Bachelor
A cap of mortar-board pattern with black tassel

Stole

Postgraduate Diploma
A stole in discipline-specific colour

Degree colours

Changes and Modifications

The University reserves the right to change the courses offered and modify the academic programmes from time to time as approved by the Senate. For graduation requirements, a student should follow the University Student Handbook issued in the year of admission; however, under special circumstances, a student may follow the University Student Handbook issued in the year of completion of studies. For courses that are no longer offered, the Academic Registrar/Dean of Graduate School or his/her designate may grant approval for substitution of equivalent courses based on the recommendations of the respective departments/programmes.