Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM)

Application Guideline for Program-based Admission (PBA)

 

A.   Application Procedure

Under the 4-year academic program structure, applicants can be admitted directly in the first year through Program-based admission.  Applicants applying for admission to the BSc in Individualized Interdisciplinary Major (IIM) are required to submit a Program Proposal (PP) in addition to the nominal documentations.

(a) Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) Applicants

JUPAS candidates applying for admission to the IIM program are encouraged to upload the Program Proposal (PP) to demonstrate how the candidate’s interests, strengths and experiences connect to the academic goals they hope to achieve in the IIM program. The proposal should explain why the areas of study interest the candidate and how the proposed course area contribute to the proposed major. Please note that the submission of PP is mandatory; candidates who fail to submit will not be considered for the admission.

Application Opens

09:00, 7 October 2026

Application Closes

December 2026

PP Submission Period

October 2026 - May 2027

Modification of program choices by students

May 2027

PP Submission Period

(for New Applicants who apply for IDT between Jul 2027)

July 2027

JUPAS Offer Announcement

August 2027

(b) Applicants with International/ Post-secondary Qualifications

These applicants are required to submit their applications via the HKUST Online Application System for Undergraduate Programs and upload their PP under “Required Documents”. Candidates who fail to submit their PP by the application deadline will not be considered for the admission.

Application Opens

October 2026

Priority Round Application Closes

November 2026

Priority Round Offer Announcements

Late December 2026
(Applicants who do not receive our offer will be considered in the main round with other applicants)

Main Round Application Closes

January 2027

Main Round Offer Announcements
(for New Applicants who apply for IDT between 16-18 Jul 2027)

February 2027 and onwards

Late Round Application Closes

June 2027

(c) Mainland JEE Applicants

Mainland JEE applicants are required to submit their applications via the HKUST Online Application System for Undergraduate Programs and upload their PP to “PP Submission (IIM 課程計劃書)” under “Required Documents (上载补充文件)”. Candidates who fail to submit their PP by the application deadline will not be considered for the admission.

Application Opens

October 2026

Application Closes

June 2027

HKUST Offer Announcements

Late June to Early July 2027

B.   What is the IIM Program Proposal

The overall purpose of the proposal is to demonstrate how the applicant’s interests, strengths and experiences connect to the academic goals the applicant hope to achieve in the IIM program. The proposal should explain why the proposed areas of study interest the applicant and how each proposed course areas contribute to the proposed major. Applicants should follow this outline while drafting the proposal.

Attention: The purpose of this major is to allow students to design a major which is interdisciplinary, yet forms a conceptual holistic framework of study.  It is not intended to allow a student to randomly select courses which are of interest to them or to selectively omit one or two requirements from another major currently offered in HKUST.  The major must have a theme, an in-depth examination of a particular topic, or a defined field of study.

 

What should be included in the proposal?

  1. A cover sheet, listing your English full name, the School you are studying, application number, email address and the proposed IIM title.
  2. Introduction and background (approximately 1 page)
    Describe your interests, strength and background and explain how it is related to your proposed major.  Provide specific reasons why you are interested in the area you are chosen.
  3. A clear statement of the central academic purpose of your proposed IIM (approximately 3-4 pages)
    Discuss your academic purposes, and if appropriate, your personal and/or professional objectives - indicate what you will know at the end of your study, and how the courses you have chosen are related to your proposed major, why you cannot accomplish the program with a regular existing major, and how this program of study fits into your future plans.  [Be thorough, yet concise.]
  4. Conclusion (approximately 1 -2 paragraphs)
    Briefly summarize the strengths of your proposed program and demonstrate how your areas of study enable you to meet your academic goals. Explain how your plans for the future relate to your chosen course of study in IIM.

* More guidance will be provided to Year 1 HKUST students for preparation of their final program proposal, including the following supporting documents for University’s approval

  • Proposed course list
  • Proposed study pathway
  • Benchmarking Table
  • Signed faculty advisor evaluation form

Enquiries: iim@ust.hk