Program Brochure

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Our HKDSE Subject Weighting

We adopt the Best 5 formula, which counts the scores of the best 5 subjects in HKDSE, with subject weighting as below.

CUHK HKDSE Score Conversion for Category A Subjects

Our Minimum Requirements (JUPAS code: JS4824)

Admission Timeline

Click here for details of the JUPAS admission timeline.

Interview Schedule

Application

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FAQ for JUPAS Applicants

A. Calculation method/Admission Results

• 1 .What is your calculation method?

  We use the Best 5 formula, which counts the scores of the best 5 subjects in HKDSE.
  
  The University has introduced a preferential HKDSE score conversion scale for applicants with outstanding HKDSE subject results. Students achieving Level 5, 5* and 5** in the HKDSE subjects will be giving bonus points.
  
  
  
  In addition, we have applied weights to the following HKDSE subjects.
  
  Mathematics (compulsory part) X 1.5
  And
  Best of M1/M2/Chemistry/Economics/Physics X1.5

• 2. How to increase the chance of being admitted?

  Put CUHK ECON (JS4824) in Band A, as we will only shortlist Band A applicants for interview.
  
  The University has introduced a preferential HKDSE score conversion scale for applicants with outstanding HKDSE subject results. Students achieving Level 5, 5* and 5** in the HKDSE subjects will be giving bonus points too.
  
  
  
  In addition, we have applied weights to the following HKDSE subjects. You will have huge advantage if you got high marks in these HKDSE subjects below.
  
  Mathematics (compulsory part) X 1.5
  And
  Best of M1/M2/Chemistry/Economics/Physics X1.5
  
  Also, if you are being nominated in the School Principal's Nominations and you have put CUHK ECON (JS4824) as your Band A choice, you may be granted a chance for interview and conditional offer.
  
  Other than the HKDSE Examination, we would also appreciate contributions to school clubs, and achievements at competitions or activities on and off campus. We will add bonus points to those who have awards or activities that are related to economics and mathematics. Here are some examples:
  
  • S.T. Yau High School Science Award in Subject Category Economic and Financial Modeling
  • Mathematical Olympiad
  • Other awards/activities in economics or mathematics
  
  You can submit OEA Information via your JUPAS account for our consideration.

• 3. What was the admission score of CUHK Economics in 2024?

  The Programme Weighted Total of Best 5 HKDSE subjects:
  Upper Quartile: 32.25
  Median: 30
  Lower Quartile: 29
  
  (where level 5** = 8.5, level 5* = 7, level 5 = 5.5, level 4 = 4, level 3 = 3, level 2 = 2, level 1 = 1 for Category A subjects.)
  
  Subject Weighting:
  • Mathematics (x 1.5)
  • The best one subject of M1/M2, Chemistry, Economics or Physics (x 1.5)

B. Interview

• 1. Will there be an admission interview?

  Yes, we are going to organize 2 rounds of interviews in late June and July (before and after the announcement of the HKDSE results). If you have already been interviewed in the first round, we will not invite you again in the second round. And if you had not participated in the first round, then you might be invited for the second round.

• 2. When will I receive interview notification? If I am not being invited for interview, does it mean that I will not be admitted?

  1st round: Before the announcement of the HKDSE: mid to late-June
  
  2nd round: After the announcement of the HKDSE: late July
  
  We attach great importance to your interview performance. If you are invited for an interview, but has been absent, we will take that into consideration. However, if you are not invited for interview, we will only consider your HKDSE results.

• 3. How are applicants shortlisted for interview?

  We will only shortlist Band A applicants for interview.
  
  Before the announcement of HKDSE: We shortlist applicants by their school academic results. And for non-school students, we shortlist applicants by their past HKDSE results.
  
  After the announcement of HKDSE: We will shortlist applicants by their HKDSE results.

• 4. Is the interview conducted in Chinese/English? What is the interview format and what kinds of questions will be covered?

  The interview will be conducted in English.
  
  We want to know if the applicant is interested in analyzing human behavior and will test the logical thinking of the applicants.

C. Program information

• 1. If I have not taken Economics in high school, can I take CUHK ECON? Can I handle it well?

  Yes of course, many of our students did not take Economics in high school as well.
  
  In high school, economics teachers will not teach the basic knowledge of mathematics, statistics, etc. But in university, we focus on building a strong foundation in mathematics, statistics, theories and quantitative analysis. So, students can link up all the knowledge they have learnt and study various economics topics thoroughly.

• 2. Why is CUHK ECON housed within the Faculty of Social Science?

  The application of economics is extremely broad, including many topics of social interests, on top of Business and Finance.
  
  In the US, almost all of the top economics departments are housed in their Faculties of Social Science. Examples include Yale University, Princeton University and University of Chicago, etc. This is because economics is an integral part of Social Science.

• 3. What are the differences between CUHK ECON and other Social Science programs?

  The essential parts and knowledge of economics can be linked up together. But for other subjects in social science, they may have different schools of thought and less common ground.

• 4. What are the differences between CUHK ECON and other Business programs?

  Economics could be applied in all different aspects of society. Our program includes all kinds of topics in the mainstream Economics while the Business Programs emphasize in knowledge of business/commercial activities. If CUHK ECON were to be housed in the Business School, many non-business topics might not be taught, which would limit students’ access to a comprehensive education in economics.
  
  For example, economics examines how to design an effective taxation system. Professor Sir James Mirrlees, Former Distinguished Professor-at-Large of the CUHK Economics Department, has pointed out that taxpayers would have more private information about themselves than the government, and would change their behaviours according to the prevailing tax system. Analyzing the tax system from the theories of accounting alone may not incorporate the importance of economic concepts such as asymmetric information. Professor Sir James Mirrlees and Professor Peter Diamond coauthored a series of pathbreaking research on the topic of optimal income taxation which had subsequently affected the tax policies of many countries. Such contribution was later mentioned in their award of the Nobel Prize in Economic Sciences!

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