Chinese Language and Communication Requirements

All undergraduate students (admitted in/after 2018/19) must successfully complete one 3-credit Chinese language subject* as stipulated by the University, according to their Chinese language proficiency level. All Chinese-speaking students will be required to take the same Chinese LCR subject.

Cantonese will be used as the Medium of Instruction (MoI) of a certain proportion of Chinese LCR subject (Table 1). Students taking the Cantonese version of the subjects will be offered a 39 hour non-credit bearing e-Learning course in Putonghua (optional). For the CLC subject selection procedures, please see here.

Table 1: Chinese LCR Subjects (3 credits each)

For non-Chinese speaking students or students whose Chinese standards are at junior secondary level or below:

For students admitted from 2024/25

Students of non-native Chinese language background, fulfilling any one of the following criteria with appropriate supporting certificate/document (if applicable), could be exempted from the CLCR at the time of admission. You may use a CLCR subject or free elective to fulfil the credit requirement. You are also exempted from fulfilling the CR/CW of CAR.

1. those with their first/native language as non-Chinese stated on the grade report of recognized tests (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.); OR
2. those admitted with international qualifications without taking any Chinese subject(s) in their secondary/ high school; OR
3. those taken Chinese B or Chinese AB(SL) in IB Diploma; OR
4. NCS status shown on the official proof provided by their secondary school.

Otherwise, one subject from Table 2 will be pre-assigned to you as Chinese LCR depending on your Chinese language proficiency and/or previous exam results. You might be given an assessment to ascertain that the pre-assigned subject is suitable for you. 

For students admitted from 2018/19 to 2023/24
Depending on your Chinese Language Centre entry assessment result, one subject from Table 2 will be pre-assigned to you as Chinese LCR. You are also exempted from the Chinese Reading and Writing Requirements of CAR.

Table 2: Chinese LCR Subjects for non-Chinese speakers or students whose Chinese standards are at junior secondary level or below

* Students entering the University with specified attainment grades in certain public examinations can be given credit transfer or exemption for the LCR Chinese subjects. For the subject exempted, students must take any other subject to make up the 3 credits. For the subject granted credit transfer, student do not need to take other subject to make up the credits. For details, please consult your Programme Offering Department.