Don’t panic if you can’t log into the Online Admission System…

• Click “Forgot password/username” in the login page of the Online Admission System to retrieve the information.
• Fill in the required information and you will receive the new password/username via your registered email address accordingly.
• Be sure to add “pgadmit@ust.hk” in your email address book so that you don’t miss our email notification.

Checking application status by…

• Logging into the Online Admission System.
• Individual program offices will issue offers according to their own schedules.
• Successful applicants will receive an email notification. Unsuccessful applicants will normally be notified of the outcome towards the end of the admission cycle. For instance, unsuccessful applicants who seek admission in Fall term will normally be notified in the summer right before the program commences.

Finding more tips about the reference as follows…

• Nominate at least two referees who can comment on your academic ability, personality and capacity for postgraduate study.
• For MPhil or PhD applicants, at least two academic referees are expected.
• For TPg applicants with extensive work experience, professional referee(s) may be accepted.

Why if your referee cannot receive the invitation email for the University…

• Reconfirm the referee’s email address and see if it is input correctly in the system.
• Request your referee to check his/her junk mail folder.
• Make use of the "Resend" button to send another invitation to your referee.

What if you would like to change the referee’s email address…

• To rectify the situation, please “add a referee” in the system, inviting the same referee but using the correct email address.
• If your referee has already submitted the online reference report for you with the correct email address, please ignore the previous system-generated email reminder.

Checking if the University has received the reference report as follows…

• Check the status online through the "References" page.
• If the referee's report has been received, the system will automatically change the status to "Reference report received".

Accepting your offer by paying the deposit…

• Deposit payment instructions will be available, after you click “Accept Offer and Pay” at your application in the system.  
• Please choose one of the methods to settle the deposit and upload the payment proof by the deadline stipulated in the offer letter.

Submitting official documents for admission…

At the Application Stage: 

• Do not send us any hard copies of the score reports and official documents.
• For public examination results (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, GRE, GMAT), you should enter the test scores and upload the score reports to the Online Admission System.

After Getting an Offer:

• Check the Document Checklist which will appear after you have accepted the offer.
• Refer to Document Requirements for details and tips.
• Arrange for official documents to be sent as soon as possible and no later than the deadline stipulated in the offer letter.
• Check the document receipt status and remarks in the Document Checklist.

Don’t worry if you can’t upload the documents…

• Error messages might pop up during document uploading process.
• Use another internet browser and disable any pop-up blocker.
• If the total file size exceeds the allowed size, you may try to reduce the file size or resolution for the documents you uploaded. Black and white version is also accepted as long as the documents are readable. Each file should not exceed 1.00 MB.

Checking document receipt status…

• Check the delivery status with the issuing authority or courier service provider; ensure that the documents have been sent to the right mailing address:
  HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School
  Room 6418 (Lifts 25/26)
  The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
  Hong Kong
• Login to the application system to check the document receipt statuses.

Checking application status…

• Check the most up-to-date status in the Visa System.
• Please take note of the following statuses which may be shown in the Visa System:
  • "Pending documents from applicant" – you have successfully submitted the application online.
  • "Processing by UST/Immigration" – your application materials are received and has been forwared to the Immigration Department.
  • "Approved" – your application has been approved and the visa label will be delivered to your mailing address.
• Approved visa/entry permit must be activated on or before the specified date on the e-Visa. 
• The University will advise you to download the e-Visa for entry to Hong Kong for study, upon the visa approval.
• To help us focus on processing your application, please do not write to inquire only if your application takes a lot longer than the normal processing time.
• Rough timeline for visa issuance as follows:

Checking document receipt status…

• Check the most up-to-date status in the Visa System.
• Please be assured that we’ll closely monitor the progress of your application and update your status in the system to the following as promptly as we can:
• "Pending documents from applicant" – you are advised to check with the courier service provider about the delivery status and ensure that you have sent the documents to the right mailing address:
  HKUST Fok Ying Tung Graduate School
  Room 6418 (Lifts 25/26)
  The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
  Clear Water Bay, Kowloon
  Hong Kong
• If delivery status shows that it has been delivered to correct address by your courier, please re-check the status in the HKUST visa system a week from now.
• “Processing by UST/Immigration” – things are in good order and we will further contact you when the application is approved.
• Otherwise, please write to us and provide the following information in your message:
  1. Name and Application No.
  2. Screenshot which could show the delivery status, tracking no., delivery address and recipient’s signature

You may wish to stay tuned for the latest updates from the University at https://covid19info.ust.hk.