Student Support, Resources and Student Life
CEDARS, your student service and resources centre,
AND your co-curricular learning hub
The Centre of Development and Resources for Students, or more popularly known as CEDARS, is committed to fostering an intellectually stimulating and culturally diverse campus to enrich students’ total learning experience at HKU. Bridging the boundary between classroom and the world, we provide support services, resources and educational programmes to all current undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Cedars are ornamental trees with durably scented wood and evergreen leaves; they signify growth, development and shelter which are the goals of our work for students. At CEDARS, we hope to nurture students with a durable scent of the intellect so that they are forever young and fresh.
At HKU, residential education forms part of the proud tradition of the University. It is part of the education system rather than a mere provision of accommodation. As members of halls and colleges have to learn to be independent and interact closely with students of various backgrounds under the same roof, halls are a community of students seeking social and intellectual enrichment.
Undergraduate students can apply to one of the undergraduate Halls and Residential Colleges. Amongst these 21 student residences, two of them are financially and administratively independent.
HKU halls are known for their strong hall spirit. Members identify strongly with their halls. Each hall has its own tradition, culture and unique characteristics. Hall members are expected to participate in various activities.
Jockey Club Student Village III on Lung Wah Street, Kennedy Town has 1,800 places for undergraduate and postgraduate students. They have strong representations of local, mainland and overseas students. There is a lot of in-depth cultural exchange. Students have very close engagement with the neighbourhood community.
Jockey Club Student Village IV in Wong Chuk Hang is the fourth cluster of residential complexes in the University named after The Hong Kong Jockey Club in recognition of a donation from the Club’s Charities Trust. The project has been selected as one of the two pilot projects for adopting Modular Integrated Construction (MiC) in Hong Kong. The Village comprises 4 student residences, distributed in two 17-floor towers, to provide a total of 1,238 hostel places.
The new High West Student Village in Pokfulam will launch in late August 2026. It will be open to both undergraduate and postgraduate students, offering private single-room accommodation in a vibrant and supportive living environment.
All Halls and Residential Colleges have common rooms and recreational facilities and quiet study area. Toilet facilities are communal.
Details about halls, colleges, and application procedures are available at: https://housing.cedars.hku.hk/university-accommodation/residence-options
The table lists out the websites of the HKU Undergraduate Halls and Residential Colleges:
Postgraduates can apply to the following Halls and Residential Colleges. Application procedure and other details can be found at https://housing.cedars.hku.hk/university-accommodation/residence-application/postgraduate-students/new-students-and-non-residents.
The table lists out the websites of the HKU Postgraduate Student Residences:
Student Flats (Undergraduate Students)
Located at 6 Sassoon Road, the 12 Student Flats provide 72 bedspaces. Each flat accommodates eight students and is self-contained, featuring an air-conditioned living room, bedrooms, bathroom, kitchen, washing machine, and a separate main entrance.
Mind and Wellbeing, CEDARS is committed to empowering students to develop social capability and emotional resilience, to capitalise on their character strengths, and to live a fulfiling and psychologically healthy life so that they are able to achieve personal success, overcome life challenges and contribute to the community by demonstrating integrity, sensitivity and leadership.
Peer Impact Network (PIN)
PIN celebrates the uniqueness of every individual and unites students to champion mutual support and social inclusion. By breaking down barriers and fostering connections, we cultivate an inclusive and empowering community on campus and beyond.
Seeking support and guidance during your time at HKU? Become a Seed Member to interact with Peer Supporters and begin your journey feeling more empowered, supported, and meaningfully connected.
If you are ready to support others, share your thoughts, and advocate for social inclusion, join us as a Peer Supporter and gain access to specialised training and resources to develop the skills needed to support your fellow HKUers.
Psychometer
Try Psychometer, an online platform offering quick psychological tests on university adjustment, learning, social life, personality, and mental health. Enhance your self-understanding and set achievable goals for a fulfilling and successful university experience. Start your journey of reflection and discovery at psyax.cedars.hku.hk.
Mental Health e-Workbooks
University is a time of growth and discovery, filled with opportunities and challenges. Level up with actionable tools and motivational hacks to navigate life events confidently and embrace opportunities with positivity with the “Life Hack” series of the Mental Health e-Workbooks.
Professional Counselling Support
Adjusting to university life takes time. Professional support is always here to help you – reach out to our counsellors for guidance and support. Counselling service at CEDARS is free and confidential for all current HKU students.
Language – Social Communication Enhancement
Starting conversations in a new environment can often be daunting. The Peer Impact Network offers a supportive space where you can partner with your peers to brush up your language skills, enhance your confidence, and expand your social network.
Peer English Tutoring – Get matched with a native or near-native English-speaking Peer Tutor and enjoy relaxed, friendly chats covering a variety of topics from food and films to travel and music. It is a fun and stress-free way to improve your spoken English and build fluency.
Survival Cantonese – New to Hong Kong? Join practice sessions conducted by Cantonese Peer Tutors to learn essential phrases for everyday scenarios. Ideal for non-Cantonese speakers who wish to learn the basics to navigate life in the city with greater ease and confidence.
Support to Student Groups
CEDARS offers support to individual student societies and groups in various ways from time to time. Under the umbrella of Support to Student Groups, for a maximum of three years, supported student groups which have not registered with the University via Co-curricular Support Office (CCSO) are able to enjoy services including booking of rooms and facilities; advertising through posting on various CEDARS publicity channels; advice on financial management / strategies (not involving any financial transaction); and advice on event management.
You are about to begin your university education at HKU. This transition involves some stress, but it provides opportunities for personal growth.
Treasure any new experience as a learning opportunity and appreciate differences to enrich your university life.
- Embrace your freedom and autonomy wisely: explore and experiment with caution and self-discipline.
- Set realistic goals for success: establish clear objectives at the beginning of each semester and monitor your progress regularly.
- Manage your time efficiently: use a daily planner to prioritise and schedule your tasks.
- Learn actively: participate in class, interact with professors, discuss with peers, read and reflect.
- Broaden your perspective: stay informed about local and global issues by reading news, engaging in discussions, and joining campaigns.
- Prioritise your well-being: maintain a healthy routine, exercise and relax daily, eat properly and get enough sleep.
- Expand your social support network: make friends from all backgrounds, join student societies, participate in social activities, and keep in touch with friends and family.
- Check how well-adjusted you are to university life regularly through taking assessments at Psychometer and contact Mind and Wellbeing, CEDARS for psychological support when needed (Tel: 3917 8388 / Email: cedars-mwb@hku.hk).
- Explore firstyear.hku.hk for activities tailored to first-year students.
- Bookmark cedars.hku.hk for student resources, career planning, adjustment advice, information on service opportunities, educational funds and programmes, leaders’ resources, general education and other co-curricular programmes.
At HKU, there are over 130 student societies, each with distinctive objectives and functions that cater to the diverse interests of the student population. Serving both undergraduate and postgraduate students, these organisations span a wide range of categories, including faculty and academic societies, sports clubs, cultural clubs, hall / college students’ associations, and groups focused on specialised areas of interest such as religion and community service. To find out more about HKU student societies, please visit HKU SOConnect at soconnect.cedars.hku.hk – your one-stop portal for student-led activities at HKU.
iMAP
iMAP is an online social networking platform for the HKU community exclusively. Members can search for private accommodation nearby, look for flatmates and other fellow students by interests, talent, nationality, current location and overseas experience etc. They can also stay in touch with the rest of the HKU community and share their travel experience while abroad.