The Chinese University of Hong Kong broke the mould in 1966 when it became the first university to introduce an American-style MBA into Asia. Its aim: to develop Asian business leaders able to succeed in a Western business environment.A pioneer from the outset, CUHK looked firmly to the future while others were stuck in the past. Lawrence Chan, director of admissions at CUHK, describes “an uphill start”: “For our first intake we only had four students!”
Since then, CUHK has blossomed and thrived in an increasingly integrated professional world. The business school sits comfortably in 30th position in the Financial Times Global MBA Rankings, boasting more than 30,000 alumni — 6,000 of them MBAs.
“Of course, we have had a lot of changes in curriculum, focus and teaching process over these five decades”, says Lawrence.
Responding to demand, CUHK launched its part-time MBA program in 1977 and EMBA in 1993. It welcomed its first foreign MBA student in 1978. Under the Open Door Policy — which opened China up to foreign investment — and with the rise of the Chinese economy, it received its first mainland Chinese students in 1990.
CUHK prides itself on offering an international business education to a diverse student community. Today’s MBA students typically come from around 20 different countries. On the full-time program, 90% come from outside of Hong Kong and 20% from outside of Asia.
“The mission all along has been East meets West”, Lawrence explains. CUHK’s MBA program combines a comprehensive western business education with Chinese elements, helping students to understand Chinese management culture, markets, organizations and people.
“The beauty of it”, Lawrence stresses, “is that local people can explore and learn from somebody from India, somebody from Italy, somebody from Russia, and the foreign students can learn from locals.”
Complementing this inclusive campus culture is a Global Exchange Program, which connects CUHK students with 47 top business schools, including LBS, ESADE, HEC Paris, ESSEC and the UBC Sauder School of Business.
In recognition of its half-century milestone, the school has launched the 50th Anniversary Merit Scholarship, open to outstanding applicants with a minimum GMAT score of 700. Two will receive HKD 500,000 (around $64,500), and four will be granted 50% of the tuition fee.
Through its scholarships, CUHK aims to attract more female applicants and people from developing countries. There are challenges in enticing international students to study in Hong Kong. Living costs, the average graduate wage and the language barrier are the main issues.
However, the outlook is unquestionably positive. CUHK MBA graduates work in major companies around the world. An increasing number, profiting from the MBA’s entrepreneurship concentration, have established their own. Lawrence is pleased that CUHK graduates “have the guts to do it”.
Through its history, CUHK has been all about gutsy ambition. For those professionals who are prepared to challenge themselves and take the next step in their career development, the next fifty years of CUHK’s MBA program promise more exciting progression.
Student Reviews
One of a kind
I studied Bioinformatics at CUHK last year. It was the only Master's degree in Hong Kong in this field. This program developed my analytical skills and equipped me to be a Bioinformatician in a very practical way.
I enjoyed my year here and met classmates from different parts of the world. If you are thinking to enhance your profile, this degree program would be a good option.
general education courses, unique college system, large campus
The university facilitates multi-dimension and interdisciplinary learning. In social science faculty, we need to choose courses as our faculty package from other departments (architecture, psychology, sociology, etc.) to learn more than our major required courses. We are also required to finish general education courses, which aid our critical thinking and humanistic sensibilities. I do recommend the social science broad-based program, and the professors I met so far are all responsible and erudite.
LLM
The faculty of law is relatively new. You do not need to have a LLB to pursue a LLM, which is special. The taught programme is great for mature students who want to obtain legal knowledge.
CUHK has good teaching staff too.
Amazing Campus and Great Educational Environment
Not only is CUHK's main campus breathtaking, it provides for a good educational environment for students. The university is well-equipped with modern and up-to-date facilities to help students with their study. We have 8 libraries in total around the campus; one for media, one for architectural studies, the medical library and the law library. The Professors are always helpful and are happy to talk to students when needed.
Moreover, the college system within the university brings forth the uniqueness of CUHK. Each student belongs to a different college, and in that students are able to meet different peoples from different countries and students from different faculties.
I think CUHK provides for a well-rounded university life for all students.
exthrillating
One of the most down to earth places in HK. A great opportunity to learn and embody the local culture. Also had one the most beautiful campus in Hong Kong up on the hillside. Glad to have graduated here.
Innovative and Supportive
My university provided me with all the support I needed, and encouraged me to be up to date with all the new developments in the world. They also provided me with the incentive to excel at what I do, and they take much pride in my achievements. I have had a very rewarding university experience.
Small, New But Friendly Law School
To being with, I think the campus of CUHK is the best and the biggest in Hong Kong, with fresh air and trees everywhere.
I am an undergraduate Law student at CUHK and I think the teaching here is great, with very friendly and nice professors and the new Lee Shau Kee Building.
In terms of the courses offered by CUHK, as one of the largest universities in Hong Kong, CUHK is an all-rounded university, offering a wide range of courses to students. Students may take the introductory courses of discipline other than their own major, or even declare a minor.
For law electives, due to the small amount of intake, the variety of law electives are not that huge. However, the Faculty is offering some international programmes, which can be treated as law electives, but at the same time, provide us with an opportunity to travel and know more about the legal system of another country.
The career support from the Faculty of Law is also amazing. The Faculty will organise CV Sessions and talks on how to get an internship from law firms or mini-pupillage from barrister's chambers. Each student will also have a Distinguished Professional Mentor, which is a current legal profession, providing us with practical advices and updates of the legal field.
Finally, from my personal experience, I think the students in CUHK are friendly and genuine. As Law students, competition is inevitable for grades, GPAs, vacation schemes and training contract. However, I think the competition in CUHK Law School is a positive one, in a sense that help us grow together, instead of fighting with each other no matter what. That is the biggest reason why I am having a very good time here in CUHK Law School.
A place to explore your interests
As a law graduate from CUHK (both undergrad and post-grad), I realise that I had many opportunities to explore my areas of interests (legal and non-legal both). The faculty/university requires us to take a certain number of non-law electives, and offers a plethora of courses to choose from. Personally, I took 3 modules in Korean --I can't say it's made me highly proficient, but it's definitely given me a good foundation (I can walk into a Korean restaurant and confidently order food, at the very least). The fact that language courses are offered also provides students who are more financially constrained an opportunity to learn a language without having to shell out a premium for a decent language course. On top of that, we have a range of law electives as well. I know of classmates who have developed lasting interest in different areas of law because of the electives they took in school. The two electives that I would say have changed me is (i) mooting and (ii) family law. I think my experience in an international commercial arbitration moot competition has helped tremendously in formulating legal arguments and legal writing. On the other hand, taking a family law elective has made me very interested in the family law practice, especially in terms of child rights. For these experiences which I have gained, I'm grateful for the opportunities provided by the school.
One main issue most students I know have is with the way our GPA is calculated and the lack of transparency in terms of how the honours system works. As our GPA is marked on a curve. it's highly unrepresentative of what we have achieved as individuals. Given that our GPA is the only criteria that is looked at when we apply for the compulsory post-graduate law course (mandatory should we want to practise law and/or be trainees in Hong Kong), it will put our own students at a distinct disadvantage when we compete for limited spaces with students from schools where GPA is not on a bell curve.
Valuable time in CUHK
I like the learning environment and people at CUHK. Surrounded by hills and Tolo Harbour, CUHK provides a balance between nature and hustle. You can always escape from the busy study life and meet your friend around the big campus for different activities.
