The Programme Entrance Requirements of MStat are stated on the websites of the Faculty of Science (https://www.scifac.hku.hk/prospective/tpg/MStat) and the Department of Statistics and Actuarial Science (http://www.saasweb.hku.hk/programme/mstat.php).

In addition, applicants are also expected to satisfy the University Entrance Requirements (including the University English language requirement, if applicable). For detail, please visit http://www.aal.hku.hk/tpg/university-entrance-requirements.

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2. How do I apply for the MStat Programme? When are the application deadlines?

For the application method and application deadline, please visit http://www.aal.hku.hk/tpg/programme/master-statistics.

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3. I meet the abovementioned entrance requirements (see Question 1). Does it mean that I would get an offer automatically if I apply for the MStat Programme?

The competition for a place in the MStat Programme is fierce. Therefore, meeting the entrance requirements does not guarantee an admission offer.

Meanwhile, we consider applications holistically. In other words, we are unable to provide you with any numerical references in terms of admission requirements.

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4. Are there any English language requirements for admission? Do I need to take any English tests? If so, what are the minimum scores required?

A candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, is expected to satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to higher degrees. Please refer to http://www.aal.hku.hk/tpg/university-entrance-requirements for more detailed requirements and information.

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5. I studied/am studying in a university in Hong Kong for my bachelor degree. Do I need to apply for exemption for the English admission requirement?

As you studied/are studying in a university in Hong Kong for your bachelor degree, the requirement for English test scores does not apply to you and no application of exemption is needed. You could however choose to include test scores in your application as a supplement.

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6. I have taken a GRE General Test / GMAT Exam. Should I include my GRE / GMAT scores and report?

GRE / GMAT is not required, and you are free to choose whether or not to include the report in your uploaded documents.

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7. Where could I enter my GRE General Test score?

Please note that GRE is not required for the MStat Programme. If you wish to include the GRE scores and report to support your application, you could fill in the GRE scores in the space under the section "Professional Qualifications", and upload the GRE report as part of your supporting documents to the online application system.

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8. I could not find in my online application form any methods to upload my documents.

You could only upload documents to the online system after submission of your online application form. In other words, it is normal that you do not see a field for uploading documents when filling out the application form, but only after submission. All supporting documents, including reference letters, should be uploaded to the online system within 4 weeks after the creation of your account, or by the deadline of the clearing round, whichever is earlier. You would not be able to upload any documents to the system afterwards.

Please upload all your supporting documents at http://www.aal.hku.hk/tpg/login.html after logging/re-logging in with your username and password.

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9. For some reasons, can I amend my application after submission? Or can the online system be re-opened for me to upload/replace supporting documents or reference letters, since the uploading period has lapsed?

We are afraid that you would neither be able to amend your application after submission, nor upload/replace supporting documents or reference letters through the online system after the uploading period has lapsed, in any way.

Therefore, please make sure that you have input the details accurately before submitting your application and upload all the (correct) supporting documents, including reference letters, within 4 weeks after the creation of your account, or by the deadline of the clearing round, whichever is earlier.

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10. Can I send my supporting documents (e.g. transcripts, graduation certificates, English test reports, reference letters) to the Department by mail or email instead, given that the uploading period has lapsed? Or do I need to mail or email my supporting documents to the Department after submitting my application?

We would only view the documents uploaded to the online system during the selection process. Any documents emailed or mailed to us would not be included in the selection process. Therefore, please do not email or mail any materials to the Department at this stage. Again, please be reminded to upload all the (correct) supporting documents, including reference letters, within 4 weeks after the creation of your account, or by the deadline of the clearing round, whichever is earlier.

However, if you are considered for an offer, you would be required by the University by mail to provide the necessary original or certified true copies of your qualifications subsequently.

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11. Do I need to provide reference letters in support of my application?

Reference letters are not required, and you could choose whether to include reference letters in your supporting documents. If you wish to include reference letters as the supporting documents of your application, please follow one of the following methods:

Ask your referee to send you the reference letter, so that you may upload the letter directly onto the online system on his/her behalf; or

If the referee prefers to keep the reference letter confidential, please provide him/her with the upload link and your account information (username and password), and ask him/her to directly upload the reference letter onto the online system. Please note that neither you nor the referee would be able to view the content of any uploaded documents, but only the file name(s).

Reference letters submitted using other methods would not be viewed during the selection process.

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12. Would my referee(s) receive email notifications to upload reference letters?

Please note that no email requests would be sent to your referees from the system requesting for reference letters. If you wish to include reference letters as the supporting documents of your applications, please follow the abovementioned methods (see Question 11).

Again, reference letters submitted using other methods would not be viewed during the selection process.

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13. I heard that graduates of the MStat Programme could only find jobs in the banking and financial sectors. Is it true?

More jobs can be found in banking and financial sectors, but many graduates also find jobs in consulting firms, healthcare sector, telcos and software companies, etc. The job market for students depends on many factors including their soft skills, communication skills, etc. In this regard, our Programme has a course for MStat students on career development to help polish the necessary skills, and students are welcome to enroll in the course of their own accord.

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14. Are there any international students studying in the University / MStat Programme?

The University admits a large number of international students. Please refer to http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/prospective-students/why-choose-hku for more details.

The MStat Programme receives applications originated from different countries and admits international students almost every year. For testimonials from selected graduates of our Programme (international graduates included), please refer to http://www.saasweb.hku.hk/programme/mstat-testimonial.php.

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15. Is language a serious barrier for international students to study for MStat or live in Hong Kong?

As the University uses English as the medium of instruction, language should not be a serious barrier during study. It is noteworthy that Hong Kong is an international city with English as one of the official languages.

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16. Do I need a VISA to study? What kind of VISA should I apply for? When should I apply for a VISA?

Please refer to the website of the Immigration Department, HKSAR Government (http://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html) for more details.

If you need a VISA to study in Hong Kong, you are advised to apply for one as soon as you receive and confirm the admission offer, as approval of VISA application takes time, and you would not be allowed to attend any lessons without a VISA.

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17. When would I be informed of my application results?

You would be informed of the results of your application as soon as possible, and no later than late August of the corresponding admission year. We appreciate enquiries on application results, although they would have little effect on the aforesaid arrangement.

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18. Where could I view my application status?

You would be informed if there are any updates on your application status.

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