Joint Bachelor's Degree Programme with Columbia University
About the Programme
City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) and Columbia University (Columbia) have collaborated for over a decade to recruit talented students via the Joint Bachelor's Degree Programme (JBDP), offering students an unparalleled international education experience and enhancing students’ intercultural competence in preparation for the global market. The programme draws upon elements both traditional and innovative, combining the academic rigor of two world-renowned universities with an attention to the roles that social and cultural traditions play in a student’s intellectual information.
Download FlyerAcademics Structure
- Years 1 – 2: Study Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at CityUHK.
- Years 3 – 4: Study Bachelor of Science in Computer Science at Columbia.
- Complete the internship requirements in Hong Kong in Year 2 Summer Term before going to Columbia.
- Upon Completion: awarded two graduation certificates, one conferred by CityUHK and one by Columbia.
Direct Admission
Starting in 2026/27, high school applicants applying for BSc Computer Science* (1204 / JS1204) can directly apply for Year 1 entry to the prestigious Joint Bachelor’s Degree Programme offered by CityUHK and Columbia University. Graduates will earn degrees from both institutions.
For JUPAS applicants, an application to BSc Computer Science* (1204 / JS1204) listed as one of the Band A choices via the JUPAS system and a separate online application form at Columbia University are required.
* Students are required to complete a mandatory one-year internship in Hong Kong prior to the commencement of study at Columbia University.
Please refer to the CityUHK website for more application details.
Entrance Requirements
Applicants must meet both the general entrance requirements and programme-specific requirements for CityUHK and Columbia.
Applicants are expected to obtain the following result:
| JUPAS applicants (HKDSE) | HKDSE overall score of 24.5 or above Remarks: The HKDSE score is calculated by adding the score of 3 core subjects and 2 elective subjects (except "Citizenship and Social Development") with best results (see Scoring Scale). |
| Applicants holding other qualifications | GCE A-Level: Grades 2A*1A or above in three A-level subjects International Baccalaureate: IB Diploma point score (include bonus points) 38 or above U.S.-patterned curriculum: High School Graduation with Unweighted CGPA 3.6 out of 4 AND one of the following: - SAT ≥ 1420 (out of 1600) or - ACT ≥ 32 (in one sitting) or - Grade 5 in three AP subjects Equivalent standard in an alternative qualification which satisfies CityUHK Entrance Requirements |
| English Language Requirements | TOEFL: A minimum total score of 79 in the Internet-based test in one sitting^; or IELTS: A minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS (Academic Module) in one sitting^; or Another acceptable English qualification ^ The test must be taken within two years prior to the start date of Semester A of the admission year at CityUHK. Note: The IELTS Indicator (home edition) / IELTS Online/ TOEFL Home Edition tests are not accepted to fulfill the English Language Requirement. |
Third Year Entry
Eligible students from BSc Computer Science must submit an internal application to the College Office in October of their second year of studies at CityUHK. After an initial departmental/college review to confirm eligibility, students will be granted access to submit the official online application via Columbia admission portal in mid-January for fall enrolment. The admissions process includes a review of the student’s academic history, letters of recommendation, official test scores, a personal essay, and an interview conducted in English.
Eligibility
- Full-time normative four-year programme students majoring in Computer Science
- Completed at least 31 credits within the first year at CityUHK with a minimum CGPA of 3.30 or above
(Completed credits must include a number of credit units specified by the College of Computing and the Department of Computer Science for its required courses as stipulated in the first-year curriculum)
- Fulfilled one of the following English Language Requirements1
- a minimum TOEFL total score of 100 (ibt); or
- a minimum IELTS over band score 7.0
1 The test must be taken within two years prior to the submission date of the online application via Columbia admission portal.
Finance and Scholarship
Joint Bachelor's Degree Programme students will be charged the tuition rate of the institution they are attending. Students in the first two years of the programme will be charged the City University of Hong Kong tuition rate, while students in the final two years of the programme will be charged the Columbia University School of General Studies tuition rate.
Eligible students may apply for scholarships at both institutions:
CityUHK:
Students with excellent academic performance are eligible for scholarships at CityUHK based on academic merit or financial need. CityUHK students accepted to the joint degree programme may also apply for scholarships/awards that are designated for studies at Columbia.
Columbia:
Students in the joint degree programme will be eligible to apply for need-based financial aid at Columbia University, consistent with other students enrolled at the School of General Studies.
Full details of tuition fees and funding at both institutions are available at CityUHK-Columbia website.