Students who apply to CityU through JUPAS (The Joint University Programmes Admissions System) are exempt from the EAP course if they have achieved the following grades or higher in the HKALE Use of English exam.
These requirements apply to new students from August 2011. Other students must meet the requirements that applied when they entered their programme.
Students who are not admitted through JUPAS are invited at registration to take the English Placement Test or provide proof that they took one of the following exams in the past three years and achieved at least the score below.
| Exam/Test | All Associate and Bachelor Degree Programmes |
|---|---|
| Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): English | 4 |
| IELTS | 6.5 - with no less than 6.0 in the Writing and Reading sections |
| TOEFL (paper-based) | 550 – with no less than 50 in the Reading and 49 in Writing |
| TOEFL (computer-based) | 213 – with no less than 17 in the Reading and Writing |
| TOEFL (internet-based) | 79 – with no less than 15 in the Reading and 12 in the Writing |
| Cambridge ESOL examinations e.g. Cambridge Proficiency in English or Cambridge Advanced English or Cambridge First Certificate |
CEFR B2+ pass levels in reading and writing |
Newly admitted students have until the end of Week 4 of their first semester to ask the ELC Head to consider other qualifications, but most students with other qualifications will have to take the English Placement Test. Requests after Week 4 will not be considered.
To be objective and fair to everyone, these rules apply to all students, including those who have lived in English-speaking countries, those who speak English at home, and even those whose only language is English.
Exception: Students who already have a degree from a university in an English-speaking country are exempt from EL0200 English for Academic Purposes.
Students who already hold a bachelor’s degree or have completed degree-level coursework in English at another institution may apply for exemption from GE1401, provided they are able to show evidence of attaining a level B in equivalent courses.
Exemptions may also be granted to students from the United States who have completed ‘Advanced Placement’ English courses in high school.
No exemptions will be granted on the bases of test scores (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL), language background or work experience.
