Frequently Asked Questions

Your status as a local or non-local student at HKU is determined by your residency status in Hong Kong, not by your current or home address. If you are registered as a local student, you should apply for University accommodation during the Round II Hall Application in mid-August. Please check your registration record to confirm your residency status before applying.

Yes, you can still apply for residential halls in later years. Additionally, during the residential year, you may apply for any remaining vacancies through the "Hall/College Vacancies Available for Application in the Residential Year" (CCH) platform. While Year 1 students may have priority, there are still opportunities for upper-year students to be allocated hall places. For more information, please visit: https://w2.cedars.hku.hk/cch/hall_place.php.

You may apply for available hall vacancies using the "Hall/College Vacancies Available for Application in the Residential Year" (CCH) platform:
https://w2.cedars.hku.hk/cch/hall_place.php 
(Please use the application form under the section "Full-time Undergraduate/Postgraduate Students.")

Please note that admissions and selections are managed independently by the wardens/masters, tutors, and offices of each individual hall or college. Each hall has its own assessment and selection criteria, and applications are processed directly by the respective halls as vacancies arise. You may send your appeal email with the supporting document to the halls you have applied for their consideration. You may check here for the direct contact of individual halls, colleges and residences:
https://housing.cedars.hku.hk/about/contact-us.html 

Yes. To stay in the hall during the summer holiday (June to early August), you can apply for Summer Vacation Residence. Applications typically open in March and April. Please visit our website or contact the Hall’s General Office for the latest information.

On-campus hall offers are made on a yearly basis. For your first year, CEDARS will assist in assigning you to a hall. For subsequent years, students must apply for hall readmission each April. Admission for these years depends on your performance, participation, and contributions in the hall during the previous year. Each hall has its own assessment criteria and will make independent offers directly to applicants.

Please note that on-campus accommodation is highly competitive and availability may vary. For detailed information on eligibility, application procedures, potential financial aid, and alternative housing options around HKU and in Hong Kong, please visit our webpages or contact CEDARS directly.

HKU has adopted a policy to promote integration and cultural exchange among hall residents. Starting from the 2023-24 academic year, the Hall's General Offices will assign roommates in shared rooms, pairing local and non-local students whenever possible. This policy applies to both new and returning students who have previously lived in another hall.

While mutual roommate requests are not guaranteed, you and your fellow student can indicate your preferred hall in your application. If both of you are allocated to the same hall, you may then discuss with the Hall's General Office to explore the possibility of being assigned as roommates.

Check-in for students is typically available during office hours, Monday to Friday, from 9 am to 5 pm. If you need to move in outside these hours, please contact the Hall's General Office after receiving your hall offer to arrange for special check-in arrangements. We recommend discussing your situation with the Hall in advance to ensure a smooth check-in process.

A self-catering pantry is available, equipped with a sink, cupboard, hot plate, microwave oven, and refrigerator. You may use these facilities to prepare simple meals. Please note that cooking facilities may vary by hall and you are expected to follow the hall’s safety and cleanliness guidelines.

There is no direct hall transfer process. To move, you must check out from your current hall and submit a new application for your preferred hall. Please complete all checkout procedures with your Hall's General Office and return your keys. Note that semester lodging charges are non-refundable and non-transferable.

To apply for available halls, use the "Hall/College Vacancies" platform: https://w2.cedars.hku.hk/cch/hall_place.php (Select the "Full-time Undergraduate/Postgraduate Students" application form.)

Admissions are managed separately by each hall or college, which have their own criteria. You can contact individual halls directly for application updates or appeals: https://housing.cedars.hku.hk/about/contact-us.html 

Yes. If you have a confirmed hall offer for the residential year (from late August to May), you are allowed to stay in the hall during semester breaks and long holidays, as the hall remains open during these periods.

To stay in the hall during the summer holiday (June to early August), you must apply for Summer Vacation Residence. Applications usually open in March and April. Please check our website or contact the Hall’s General Office for the latest announcements.

No, university accommodation is available only to active, full-time students enrolled at HKU. If you are on a Leave of Absence (LOA) during your internship, you will not be eligible to stay in the hall. You can reapply once you resume your studies.

Hall fees are non-refundable and non-transferable. If you change to another hall within the same semester, you will need to pay the hall fee for the new hall separately.