It is the study of subjects in emerging areas or technologies.  It is not a major by itself but can enrich the major program pursued by students.  Extended Major is a practical balance for students to receive solid training in one discipline (e.g. civil engineering, mechanical engineering, etc.) while diving into an emerging area at the same time. 

For more details, please refer to our website.  

Programs at the School of Engineering are coupled with the following Extended Majors at the moment: –

1. Extended Major in Artificial Intelligent (AI)
  Applicable to the following engineering programs:

2. Extended Major in Digital Media and Creative Arts (DMCA) -Up to 2025 intake 
    Applicable to the following engineering programs:

3. Extended Major in Sustainability (SUST)
  Applicable to the following engineering programs:

Students can only enrol in one of the Extended Majors.

Being the first of its kind in Hong Kong, our Extended Major in AI is not a standalone major program, and must be studied together with a major program.  AI has wide applications in almost every industry, including all engineering fields. In this innovative, cross-disciplinary program, students will receive comprehensive training as a professional engineer in their major program (e.g. chemical engineering, electronic engineering, etc.) while also learning how AI can be applied in their major domains. This approach ensures our students are well-prepared to thrive in a future where the ability to harness AI in domain of expertise will give them a competitive edge in their careers. Upon satisfactory completion, students will earn a "BEng in one of the engineering disciplines with Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence".

The Extended Major in DMCA has undergone major revamp in 2026, and is detached from all engineering majors from 2026 intake onwards.  

This new extended major introduces sustainability concepts across all disciplines, not only in engineering but also in science, business management, humanities, and social sciences, enabling students to develop solutions to societal and environmental issues. Students will learn how to integrate these principles into their chosen major, fostering a holistic understanding of sustainability in various contexts. Graduates will develop a sustainability mindset and acquire the practical skills necessary to lead initiatives that positively impact their organizations and society as a whole.

The workload will only be slightly heavier than that without the Extended Major. On average, students take only one additional course per term throughout the 4 years of studies in comparison with students without an Extended Major.  According to our normative study pathway, students should have no problem in finishing both the degree requirements for their major and the Extended Major within 4 years.

Certainly, students who are admitted to an engineering department through department-based admission can apply for opting in to the Extended Major in AI at the end of Year 1, EXCEPT those admitted to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the BEng in Computer Engineering Program.   Vice versa, students who are admitted to Engineering with Extended Major in AI can also choose to opt out from the Extended Major during their studies if they find that they are no longer interested.

To enrol in the Extended Major in Sustainability (SUST), you should seek admission to the School of Engineering first, either through school-based admission or department-based admission.   Then, at the end of Year 1 study, you can apply for the Extended Major in SUST.  Studies in SUST will start from Year 2 onwards.  

As mentioned in Q.8 above, students of the 2026 intake cohort will no longer be able to enrol in the Extended Major in DMCA.

Please also note that, students cannot enrol in more than one Extended Major.  Students who are interested in Extended Major have to choose between AI and SUST.  If a student is admitted to Engineering with Extended Major in AI, the student would need to drop the Extended Major in AI if he/she chooses to enrol in the Extended Major in SUST. 

All undergraduate students have to complete a minimum of 120 credits for graduation. Dividing 120 credits into 4 years, students will take 30 credits each year or 15 credits each semester on average.  Each credit requires around 40-50 hours of work, including contact hours in class, self-study, and assessment, etc. For students enrolled in an Extended Major, they will take one more course per term on average.  

Most of our students can catch up with the university curriculum without problem.  We will provide professional advising for students who encounter academic difficulties.  Courses intended for students from diverse academic backgrounds are provided.  E.g. There are several versions of physics and chemistry courses that are tailor-made for students with different levels of preparation in the subject.

The University Common Core requirements aim to broaden the UG education by including courses on AI literacy,  communication, critical thinking, student well-being, and subjects outside a student’s major program. The HKUST Common Core framework consists of 30 credits. These 30 credits cannot be used to fulfill any other requirements at HKUST except the 120-credit graduation requirement that applies to all HKUST UG programs. 

Bioengineering is broader than biomedical engineering. The latter is more focused on medical applications. Our Bioengineering program also has a significant portion of biomedical content, but it also prepares students for careers in other bioengineering fields, such as synthetic biology (i.e. designing and modifying living cells to make products we want). Offered by the only chemical engineering department in Hong Kong, our Bioengineering program has a stronger emphasis on molecular design and biochemical engineering (e.g. pharmaceuticals, biomaterials, genetic and metabolic engineering, food, etc.), and less emphasis on biomechanics and medical devices and instruments (e.g. bioelectronics, prosthetics, etc.), compared to similar programs in Hong Kong.  Moreover, we recognize that life science and medicine are increasingly data-driven disciplines, and therefore, our Bioengineering curriculum also emphasizes training students in the fundamentals and applications of data science and informatics in the context of life science and medicine.

Computer Science focuses on the theoretical foundations of computing and programming, including algorithms, data structures, and software development. It also includes areas such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, cybersecurity, computer networks, databases, and software engineering. Electronic Engineering focuses on the development of hardware technologies spanning materials, devices, and systems such as microelectronic and photonic chips, integrated circuits, wireless networks, robotics, and quantum structures to provide physical electronics solutions for problems in a variety of domains such as artificial intelligence, communications, computation, automation, energy, and life sciences.  Computer engineering focuses on designing and developing hardware and software systems, bridging the gap between computer science and electronic engineering by integrating principles from both disciplines to create innovative computing solutions.

The BEng in Artificial Intelligence (AI) is a degree program that specifically emphasizes the field of artificial intelligence. This program provides a strong foundation in mathematics, engineering principles and AI technologies. It covers topics such as artificial intelligence, machine learning, deep learning, natural language processing, computer vision, robotics, and data science. The curriculum focuses on developing the technical skills and knowledge required to design, develop, and deploy intelligent systems and algorithms. Graduates of a BEng in AI are well-equipped to work in roles such as AI engineer/developer, data scientist, machine learning engineer, AI researcher, AI consultant, robotics engineer, natural language processing (NLP) engineer, AI product manager, AI ethicist and AI Entrepreneur. 

On the other hand, BEng in Computer Science (COMP) is a degree program that offers a broader education in Computer Science and Engineering as a whole. It covers fundamental aspects of computing, including programming methodology, computer organization, operating system, data structure, algorithm, software engineering, and theoretical computer science. The curriculum may also include elective courses in AI and machine learning, but it typically offers a more comprehensive understanding of computer science principles and applications beyond AI. Students may explore the areas of their interests, such as vision and graphics, knowledge and information management, human-computer interaction, cybersecurity, networking and computer systems. Graduates of a BEng in COMP can pursue careers as software developer/engineer, system analyst, data scientist/analyst, database administrator, network administrator/engineer, cybersecurity analyst, systems architect, web developer, IT project manager, AI/machine learning engineer, and various other fields within the computing industry.

In summary, a BEng in AI focuses specifically on artificial intelligence technologies and their applications, while a BEng in COMP provides a broader education in computer science, encompassing various aspects of computing beyond AI. The choice between the two depends on your specific interests and career goals within the field of technology.

BSc in Computer Science (COSC) is designed for students who are pursuing dual majors.  Students in COSC are required to take an additional major, e.g. Accounting, Chemistry, Global Business, Mathematics, Mechanical Engineering, etc.  On graduation, the student with 1st major in COSC will be awarded a single degree (i.e. BSc) with two majors.  Students outside the Department of Computer Science can also apply to declare COSC as a 2nd major. There are many possible combinations, e.g. BEng program (1st major) + COSC (2nd major), BSc program (1st major) + COSC (2nd major), BBA program (1st major) + COSC (2nd major), etc. The awarded degree is determined by the 1st major.

On the other hand, students who wish to attain professional status as an engineer should choose BEng in Computer Science (COMP), which is accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers (HKIE).  Students do not need to make the choice upon admission.  They will be invited to declare a specific major in due course after they enrol in the Department of Computer Science and Engineering.

Dual degree means two degrees while double major is one degree with two majors.  A degree at the undergraduate level refers to a bachelor’s degree, e.g. Bachelor of Engineering (BEng), Bachelor of Science (BSc), Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA), etc. Currently, HKUST offers one Dual Degree Program, which takes 5 years to finish.  Upon completion of the program, students are awarded two degrees – a Bachelor of Engineering (BEng) plus a Bachelor of Business Administration (BBA).

For double major, on the other hand, students are expected to finish two majors in a single degree in 4 years. Students who wish to take a 2nd major will need to achieve a certain level of academic performance and develop a feasible study plan, which enable them to fulfill the requirements of 2 majors within 4 years.  

No, apart from General Business Studies, students can also apply for other BBA programs including Global Business, Finance, etc. Please see the full list of programs available from the Dual Degree Program homepage.

The School of Engineering jointly offers a few programs in collaboration with other Schools, e.g. Data Science and Technology, Risk Management and Business Intelligence, Environmental Management and Technology, etc.  Students admitted through school-based admission can apply to enrol in these programs through major selection. 

Our Engineering program allows flexibility and room for students to take minors or even additional major(s).  Students can declare a minor program starting from the 2nd year of study (but there may be variations in timeline for some minor programs).  Some minor programs will have specific enrollment conditions which would be listed in the program curriculum.