CityU is an English-medium university. To ensure that all students have the level of English they need to study and learn effectively, the University and College have English attainment requirements.

Some students’ level of English is already sufficient to meet the attainment requirement when they enter CityU. Most other students must take ELC courses to achieve the required level of attainment.

The University usually uses exam scores to decide who meets the English attainment requirement on entry.

Students who have not taken a recognized exam, or whose result dates back five years or more and no longer reflects their current level of English, must take the English Placement Test to qualify for exemption from ELC courses.

CityU also has University and College language requirements: All bachelor’s and associate degree students must attain six credits in language courses. Students who are required to take ELC courses worth a total of six credits can satisfy the English attainment requirement and the University or College language requirement at the same time.

Students who are not required to take ELC courses must take other approved language courses to satisfy the University or College language requirement.