Student Support, Resources and Student Life
- Financial Management and Financial Assistance
- Residential Halls, Residential Colleges and Student Residences
- Careers and Placement
- Counselling and Person Enrichment
- Support to Student Groups
- Tips on Adjustment
- Tips on Enjoying University Life
- Student Groups and Networks
- University Support Under COVID-19
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 17 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.
The four HKU Residential Colleges have 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.
All Halls and Residential Colleges have common rooms and recreational facilities and quiet study area. Toilet facilities are communal. Other accommodation options include CEDARS-administered non-hall housing and off-campus private accommodation.
Please refer to the website of CEDARS-Campus Life Section (cedars.hku.hk/cl) for applications and other information.
The table lists out the websites of the HKU Undergraduate Halls and Residential Colleges:
| Lady Ho Tung Hall | 91A Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/hotung |
| Lee Hysan Hall | 6B Sassoon Road | https://www.leehysan.hku.hk |
| Lee Shau Kee Hall | 109 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/lskhall |
| Morrison Hall | 109 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/morrison |
| R.C. Lee Hall | 6A Sassoon Road | www.hku.hk/rclhall |
| Ricci Hall | 93 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/ricci |
| Simon K.Y. Lee Hall | On Main Campus (Pokfulam Road) | www.hku.hk/skylee |
| St. John’s College | 82 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/stjohns |
| Starr Hall | 91B Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/starr |
| Suen Chi Sun Hall | 109 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/scsweb |
| Swire Hall | On Main Campus (90 Bonham Road) | www.hku.hk/swire |
| University Hall | 144 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/uhall |
| Wei Lun Hall | 6D Sassoon Road | www.hku.hk/weilun |
Residential Colleges:
| 9 Lung Wah Street | www.jockeyv3.hku.hk www.shunhingcollege.hku.hk www.chisuncollege.hku.hk www.lapcheecollege.hku.hk www.newcollege.hku.hk |
Postgraduates can apply to the following Halls and Residential Colleges. Application procedure and other details can be found at cedars.hku.hk/cl.
The table lists out the websites of the HKU Postgraduate Student Residences:
| Graduate House | All Postgraduates | On Main Campus (3 University Drive) | www.gradhse.hku.hk |
| St. John’s College (postgraduate wing) | All Postgraduates | 82 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/stjohns |
| Morrison Hall | UGC-funded programmes only | 109 Pokfulam Road | www.hku.hk/morrison |
Residential Colleges:
| UGC-funded programmes only | 9 Lung Wah Street | www.jockeyv3.hku.hk www.shunhingcollege.hku.hk www.chisuncollege.hku.hk www.lapcheecollege.hku.hk www.newcollege.hku.hk |
Jockey Club Student Village IV
If you do not want to reside in the university administered student residences, you can choose to find your own apartment or share a flat with your friends or other HKU students. Information on vacant flats and rooms can be found in local newspapers, real estate agencies or from the website of CEDARS. CEDARS gathers information on rooms and flats available for renting in the vicinity of the campus. The information is posted on an intranet database where all HKU members can get access to easily. CEDARS also compiles a monthly statistical report on rental information. Guidelines on signing a tenancy agreement are listed at cedars.hku.hk/offcampushousing.
As a general rule, the landlord will request the tenant to pay a two-month rental deposit and demand a contract that will last for a year or more. Places advertised in the newspapers are generally arranged by real estate agencies and they will levy a commission fee.
If you are interested in renting a flat near the University or finding a classmate to share a flat with you, visit and meet CEDARS staff at the enquiry sessions. The sessions aim to provide you with private accommodation information, gather students who want to find housemates to rent a flat together and provide information of property agencies near HKU if needed. For enquiry, please contact the CEDARS-Campus Life Section (cedars.housing@hku.hk).
CEDARS-Careers and Placement Section nurtures students to become global talent with enduring capabilities to create possibilities and embrace opportunities. The team is passionate in supporting HKU students to unleash their potential in a modern workplace, to explore different career configurations and to upskill continually through diverse career-driven learning experiences. There are also seamless collaborations with employers and community partners to identify and groom future-ready graduates who bring positive impacts on different organisations in Hong Kong and beyond.
Stay tuned to the daily emails and website for the career news, workshops and events.
CEDARS-Counselling and Person Enrichment Section (CEDARS-CoPE) is committed to empowering students to develop social capability and emotional resilience, to capitalise on their character strengths, and to live a fulfilling 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.
Psychometer
You are welcome to try Psychometer, an online platform of psychological tests on university adjustment, learning, social life, personality strengths, mental health etc., to gain a better self-understanding and identify ways to achieve a fruitful university life. Through these tests, you can have a more vivid self-reflection. You may use this for setting realistic goals for your university years and make practical plans for self-improvement. Visit psyax.cedars.hku.hk to start your journey of self-understanding.
Language – Social Communication Enhancement
Striking up conversation with a stranger may be difficult. Pair up with your peers to brush up your language skills and enhance your confidence.
“Peer English Tutoring” connects you with a native or near-native English speaking Language Partner to practise conversational English in a stress-free environment. Spoken English is made easy by chatting about food, movies, travel and music.
“Survival Cantonese” provides practice sessions conducted by Cantonese Student Tutors to cover essential day-to-day “Survival Cantonese” phrases for non-Cantonese speakers. It is ideal for newly arrived non-Cantonese speakers.
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.
- Make use of your freedom and autonomy wisely: explore and experiment with caution and self-discipline.
- Improve yourself: set realistic goals 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 and dialogue with professors, discuss with peers, read and reflect.
- Broaden your perspective: learn about local and world issues by reading news and participating in discussions and campaigns.
- Maintain good health: 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 CEDARS-Counselling and Person Enrichment Section (Tel: 3917 8388 / Email: cedars-cope@hku.hk) when any need arises.
- Visit firstyear.hku.hk for upcoming activities specially designed for 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.
In HKU, there are over 130 student organisations and each with distinctive objectives and functions that cater to the diverse interest of the student population. Serving from Undergraduates to Postgraduates, we have various categories of student bodies in service: Faculty and Academic Societies, Hall Students’ Associations, Sports Clubs, Cultural Clubs, Independent Clubs and Postgraduate Student Association (PGSA).
A list of student associations, clubs and societies is available at cedars.hku.hk/campuslife/societiesactivities/associations
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.
The COVID-19 pandemic has had a significant impact on many aspects of student life. Browse and share the GEARING UP website for the vital information and resources to gear up your psychological well-being, career skill sets, physical fitness and healthy living in times of COVID-19.