Program Overview
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 Program (JBDP), offering students an unparalleled international education experience and enhancing students’ intercultural competence in preparation for the global market. Students will spend two years at CityUHK and two years at Columbia University. On completion of the curriculum requirements of both universities, students will earn two bachelor’s degrees – one from CityUHK and one from Columbia.
Direct Admission for Joint Bachelor's Degree Program with Columbia University
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. |
Tuition Fees
Joint Bachelor's Degree Program students will be charged the tuition rate of the institution they are currently attending. Students in the first two years of the program will be charged the City University of Hong Kong tuition rate, while students in the final two years of the program will be charged the Columbia University School of General Studies tuition rate.
Full details of tuition fees and funding at both institutions are available at CityUHK-Columbia website.
At CityUHK, the tuition fee per year for local students is HK$47,000 and for non-local students is HK$190,000 for the 2026-27 intake. See the CityUHK website for more information about tuition, fees, living expenses and scholarships.
Third Year Entry to Joint Bachelor's Degree Program with Columbia University
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.