School of Engineering

Overview

World-Class Education

Our young, forward-looking university has one of the best schools of engineering in the world, with unfailingly high global rankings. Students learn from professors with Ph.D. degrees from first-class universities around the globe, who closely follow pedagogical developments to enhance their own teaching effectiveness. With its student-centric, whole-person approach and active career guidance, the School of Engineering (SENG) has achieved leadership in teaching in both established and emerging engineering fields. SENG is also globally renowned for its research excellence.

International Professional Recognition

Our high standards have won us recognition from a range of local and international professional bodies. Our programs are not only accredited by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers but also officially recognized by more than 20 countries under the Washington Accord. These countries span the globe and include Australia, Canada, Korea, Malaysia, Singapore, New Zealand, the U.K., and the U.S.

SENG programs related to IT and computing are also recognized under the Seoul Accord, with signatories including Australia, Canada, Japan, Korea, the U.K., and the U.S.

Engineering degrees obtained at HKUST are widely recognized, opening up a spectrum of international job and career prospects for graduates.

The Engineering Curriculum

The undergraduate engineering program lasts for 4 years. Students joining the School of Engineering via school-based admission will follow the Engineering fundamentals during their first year of study. The Engineering fundamentals comprise basic science courses, language courses, computing course and the University Common Core. In addition to these fundamentals, students will also be exposed to the applications of AI tools to various engineering disciplines through a specially designed introductory course offered by the School.

Conversely, students who gain direct admission to a specific engineering department or program will have the opportunity to enroll in courses related to their engineering discipline during their first year, alongside the Engineering fundamentals.

This broad-based, student-centered program allows students to take additional major or minor programs or dual degree programs covering both engineering and non-engineering topics. Students with substantial credit transfer upon admissions may be able to graduate in fewer than 4 years.

QS World University Rankings 2025

in Data Science and Artificial Intelligence

No. 1 in Hong Kong

in Civil and Structural Engineering

No.3 in Hong Kong

in Electrical and Electronic Engineering

No.1 in Hong Kong

in Computer Science & Information Systems

No.2 in Hong Kong

in Mechanical, Aeronautical & Manufacturing Engineering

No.1 in Hong Kong

in Statistics and Operational Research

No.2 in Hong Kong

in Engineering and Technology

No.1 in Hong Kong

in Chemical Engineering

No.2 in Hong Kong

Career Prospects

The School of Engineering (SENG) nurtures skilled communicators, analytical and inventive researchers, and adaptable problem-solvers capable of continuous learning. With their logical thinking, analytical skills, and creativity, graduates can excel in various positions in a range of industries, or as entrepreneurs running their own businesses. The transferable skills nurtured at SENG also enable graduates to adapt to the continuously evolving working environment of today’s fast-changing world.

Degree holders can become qualified professional engineers as soon as 4 years after graduation. After obtaining a recognized degree, graduates need to undertake 2-3 years of formal training under Graduate Training Scheme “A” of the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers. Through this scheme, trainees learn through practical activities in their respective companies. Next, students need to gain 1-2 years of experience with responsibility. After these 4 years of training and experience, students can apply for Professional Assessment to become qualified professional engineers.

HKUST engineering graduates are widely welcomed by employers in various sectors. Over 60% of our graduating class of 2024 had received more than one job offer at the time of graduation. While the majority of our graduates work in the engineering field and relevant industries, around 40% choose to embark on careers in the commerce and business sector, which also has a huge demand for engineering and IT talents. Those who decide to pursue further studies find themselves welcomed by programs at top universities around the world.

Admissions and Programs

The School of Engineering adopts a dual track admission framework to provide more choices to cater for the needs of students with different academic aspirations:

(1) School-based Admission

Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence (JS5282) is the school-based admission choice. Students admitted through school-based admission will be able to participate in major selection exercise through which they can enter one of the engineering departments, the BEng in Computer Engineering Program, or even one of the interdisciplinary programs that the School offers in collaboration with other Schools at HKUST. Entrance to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering or the BEng in Computer Engineering Program through major selection, though possible, is subject to competition due to a tight quota. Students with a keen interest to major in AI, computer science or computer engineering are encouraged to seek direct admission to the Department of Computer Science and Engineering or the BEng in Computer Engineering Program. Similarly, due to limited quota in the BEng in Microelectronics and Integrated Circuits Program, students with a strong interest in this area are encouraged to apply for direct admission to the Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering.

Students who are admitted to Engineering with an Extended Major in AI (i.e. the school-based admission choice) are also required to drop the Extended Major in AI if they join the BEng in Computer Engineering Program, the Department of Computer Science and Engineering, or the BSc in Data Science and Technology during their study at HKUST.

(2) Department-based Admission

Through department-based admission, students who have a confirmed interest in an engineering discipline can seek admission directly to an engineering department or the joint-department engineering program in Computer Engineering. There are 7 department-based choices –

Department of Chemical and Biological Engineering (JS5220)
Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering (JS5230)
Department of Computer Science and Engineering (JS5240) *
Department of Electronic and Computer Engineering (JS5250)
Department of Industrial Engineering and Decision Analytics (JS5260)
Department of Mechanical and Aerospace Engineering (JS5270)
BEng in Computer Engineering Program (JS5212) *
(jointly offered by the Department of Computer Science & Engineering and the Department of Electronic & Computer Engineering)

After spending one to a few semesters of study in the Department, students will declare a major within the department that they are admitted to.

With the exception of the Department of Computer Science and Engineering and the BEng in Computer Engineering Program, students admitted through department-based admission will also be able to apply to opt in the Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence after the first year of study.

(* The BEng in Computer Engineering Program and all programs offered by the Department of Computer Science and Engineering do not go along with the Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence.)

School of Engineering Jointly offered by the School of Science, and School of Engineering Jointly offered by the School of Science, School of Engineering, and School of Business and Management Interdisciplinary Programs

School of Engineering

Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence

Chemical and Biological Engineering

BEng in Bioengineering

BEng in Chemical Engineering

BEng in Energy and Environmental Engineering

Civil and Environmental Engineering

BEng in Civil Engineering

BEng in Civil and Environmental Engineering

Computer Science and Engineering

BEng in Artificial Intelligence ^

BEng/BSc in Computer Science ^