HKU takes a holistic approach to education, as we believe that learning about life is just as important for students as academic learning. The University provides services and facilities to ensure that students have a comfortable, interesting, and rewarding campus experience, and enjoy an overall sense of well-being.

Library Service

The University Libraries is a central resource for research and knowledge discovery. It consists of one main library and six specialist branch libraries. The collections are strong and comprehensive, and include some very rare books. The libraries hold a total stock of over 2.5 million bound books and journals, plus a substantial holding of audio-visual items and a rich and rapidly expanding collection of electronic resources. The extensive services provided by the Libraries include circulation, reference, computing, photocopying and printing services, and thesis binding. It has one of the best online collections and access to materials you will find. Click here for one of the winning videos of the facilities from the "2009 Shoot the Libraries" competition.

Computer and Network Services

The Computer Centre provides comprehensive IT (Information and Technology) support and 7 x 24 computer and network services. A resilient 10-Gigabit Ethernet network backbone connects over 25,000 network points in the campus and halls of student residence. Over 600 wireless LAN access points are installed around the campus to provide wireless network coverage in centrally-administered classrooms, libraries, amenities centres, PC laboratories, offices and open areas. Through the "HKU Portal", students can easily access all University services with a single logon via a user-friendly web interface. An excellent web-based teaching and learning environment is established to support the IT activities of students. The Computer Centre also runs several high performance computer servers in support of pioneering research in parallel-computation projects and bioinformatics, including a 356-CPU Linux PC cluster with peak processing power of 2,045 Giga-FLOPS and a 32-CPU Windows PC cluster.

Careers Services

The Careers and Placement Section of the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) of HKU is the oldest university career service in Hong Kong and the trusted partner of many large organisations. Its clients include international investment banks, accounting firms, management consulting firms, Fortune 500 companies, local public listed companies, professional firms, the civil service and public non-government organisations. HKU students have abundant opportunities to meet employers from these fields and be considered for internship and graduate trainee positions by them. The CEDARS (Careers and Placement) provides one-to-one placement service for new graduates on a need basis to ensure full employment under any economic situations.

Counselling Service

The Counselling Section of the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) is predominantly staffed by clinical psychologists. Courses and workshops on personal growth and development are offered on a regular basis. Individual counselling is provided to help students resolve their personal issues and to facilitate psychological well-being and growth.

Student Development

The Student Development Section of the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS) supports the University's educational goal of whole-person education in non-academic and non-credit bearing courses, activities, resources, support and advice. These are divided into three broad areas: international perspective and global citizenship; volunteering service learning; and leadership development. The Student Development Section runs "A Global Action Network", leadership and volunteer training, and other programmes; and works with other units of the University on programmes such as the Intensified Learning Opportunity Programme (ILOP) and the Young Leaders of Tomorrow Community Leadership Programme. We aim to encourage students to develop a reflective and mature attitude and to become more aware of other cultures and other points of view.

Health Care

The University Health Service provides excellent primary care on campus. It also provides physiotherapy and a highly subsidised dental service. Health education and health promotion activities in the form of individual advice, classes/workshops, exhibitions, web information, posters and pamphlets are organised throughout the year.

Sports and Recreation

The University has a large number of well-equipped indoor and outdoor sports facilities. An extensive range of sports and recreational programmes are offered by the Institute of Human Performance (IHP), including golf, water sports, and mountaineering. Students have many opportunities to compete in sports and these are supported by IHP through the provision of professional coaching, facilities and subsidies. The University's Sports Scholarship Scheme allows talented local athletes to pursue studies while training and competing for The University of Hong Kong and Hong Kong national teams.

Student Amenities

There are four Amenities Centres and and the facilities are open for use by students and staff as individuals or in groups. A Global Lounge (an international centre for HKU students) was opened in . They provide facilities for relaxation, study, and a whole range of recreational activities. They also provide office space for student societies. The restaurants at these centres offer meals at very reasonable prices. For more information, visit the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS).

Further Information

You can get further information on the following topics by clicking here:

or here for maps of Hong Kong and the campus.

Need more info? 

Check out the Preparatory Guide for International Students by the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS).