UBC Sauder-HKU Dual Degree

International mobility and global perspective are assets valued by employers, and this dual degree offers you both through the experience of studying on two continents at two prestigious universities. In this four-year dual degree, you will spend two years in Vancouver and two years in Hong Kong, gaining a global business education, and graduating with two degrees: A Bachelor of Commerce from UBC Sauder and a Bachelor of Business Administration from the University of Hong Kong.

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Asia's Global University, attracts students from across Asia and the world. HKU is ranked the 21^st in the world in the QS World University Rankings 2023, and the 1^st Most International University in the World by the Times Higher Education World Most International University Rankings 2022.

The University's location at the heart of Asia, and in one of the world's most vibrant and cosmopolitan cities, leads to the generation of unique Asian insights into the major challenges faced by the world today. With an excellent academic environment, diversified cultures, as well as abundant exposure opportunities in the Mainland and overseas, HKU offers programmes to meet the latest global needs and trends. Undergraduate students can choose from 10 faculties offering 49 programmes and over 100 majors to suit their interests. From internships, learning and exchange programmes, to community engagement initiatives in Hong Kong and around the globe, the multifaceted opportunities offered by HKU nurture students to attain all-rounded development and secure promising career prospects.

Your undergraduate journey is enhanced through the distinct education offered by both institutions. Through the dual degree partnership between UBC Sauder and the University of Hong Kong, you will gain two degrees that, together, offer an extended network, unique extracurricular opportunities and multicultural experiences.

Curriculum:

You can choose to specialize in a different discipline at each university. For example, you can graduate from UBC Sauder with an option in Business Technology Management and graduate from HKU with a specialization in Finance.

Specializations at UBC Sauder* can be found here, and HKU’s specializations include:

• Entrepreneurship, Design and Innovation
• Human Resources Management
• Information Systems and Analytics
• Marketing
• Finance

The programming of this dual degree has been planned so that at each institution, you will learn a curriculum drawing from the strengths of each school that builds from the previous year. In other words, the programming at each school is unique, and you will not be taking the same or equivalent courses at each school.

*All UBC Sauder specializations are available to students of this dual degree program, with the exception of Global Supply Chain and Logistics Management.

Extracurricular Opportunities:

Outside of the classroom, you will have many options available to you across both institutions, including activities such as:

At UBC Sauder:

• Mentorship and training programs: Build your experience and develop new skills with the help of industry professionals
• UBC Sauder LIFT: Participate in a four-week exchange of business skills and knowledge with local entrepreneurs in Kenya. This unique program allows you to share your business acumen with aspiring entrepreneurs, while learning about other cultures and how businesses are created and grow in developing nations.
• Build your network: You will have many opportunities to network with your peers and industry leaders at conferences, events and industry-specific networking events.

At HKU:

HKU offers a range of enrichment opportunities, including:

• Learning and Internship Opportunities: Collaborating with renowned universities and corporate partners around the world, HKU offers ample opportunities to equip students to excel in the future and extend their industry networks through overseas studies, internships, and case competitions.
• Mentorships: HKU provides students with opportunities to enhance their skills and knowledge essential for future career development through direct and active interactions with seasoned professionals, executives, and entrepreneurs.
• Student-run organizations: HKU supports student-run organizations which provide out-of-classroom experiences for business students. Ranging from workshops, networking events, and competitions, different types of activities are arranged with the aim to enrich students’ university life and expand their personal network by reaching out to like-minded peers and industry leaders.

Click here for more detail on these enrichment opportunities.

Exchange Opportunities

While studying in this program, you can further your global experience by going on exchange. As a student of the dual degree program, there is a vast network of partner exchange schools to choose from while you are a student at either UBC Sauder or HKU.

As a dual-degree student, you will have access to career resources at UBC Sauder and HKU. Both schools offer a portal exclusive to their respective faculties where students can view and apply for job opportunities and sign-up for career-building events. You will also have access to the Co-op Program at UBC Sauder.

The UBC Sauder – HKU Dual Degree is a direct entry program, open to domestic and international applicants applying from a secondary school program. This program is not open to students with a previous degree or students who have already completed some post-secondary studies.

All students applying to the UBC Sauder – HKU Dual Degree program must meet UBC’s and HKU's general admission requirements and program-specific requirements for the UBC Sauder School of Business Bachelor of Commerce program and HKU Bachelor of Business Administration program. Applicants must also provide proof of English language competency.

Requirements will differ based on the curriculum of your secondary school. To learn more about general admission and program-specific requirements, please refer to the UBC Admission requirements page and HKU Admissions requirements page.

How to Apply

Applicants must submit two applications:

1. An online application to UBC through Education Planner BC choosing the Bachelor of Commerce as one of their program choices.*
2. A supplemental application for the UBC Sauder – HKU Dual Degree program.

Please note that in order to complete the supplemental application, you’ll be asked for the following information:

Biographical information

Name, UBC student number (this is issued to you once you submit your general application to UBC), residency, country of citizenship, school, curriculum, email, phone number.

Written response

A 250 to 500 word essay describing the motivations that have led you to apply to the Dual Degree program. You may explain how and why the multidisciplinary educational environments of the two universities will help you to achieve your intellectual, personal, and professional aspirations. You may also choose to explain how you foresee your involvement in campus life outside of the classroom.

Academic documents

Upload of one single PDF file which includes your TOEFL/IELTs scores if applicable; reference letters from the two referees named in the References section of your Personal Profile is preferable but letters from other referees are also acceptable; and your academic transcripts for the last two years (2021-2022 and your first report card or most recent grades for 2022-2023 prior to the application deadline). If you are not able to include certain documents in the upload because the provider does not wish to release it directly to you, the provider must email the document to us at bcomquestions@sauder.ubc.ca and include “UBC Sauder – HKU Dual Degree Document for <insert full name>” in the subject line.

Note: Applicants who do not submit a supplemental application with the required upload of documents by the deadline will not be considered for admission to the Dual Degree program.

*Submitting your required documents to UBC Admissions

Note that you are asked to upload copies of your transcripts and English Language Test scores to both UBC Admissions and to the UBC Sauder – HKU Dual Degree separately. In order to complete the admission process, all applicants must also submit a set of their required documents to UBC Admissions by the designated deadlines; these documents must be sent directly to UBC Admissions. This allows us to process your application for the regular BCOM at UBC and the Dual Degree at the same time.

If you are unsuccessful in your application to the Dual Degree program, you will automatically be considered for admission to UBC’s BCOM program and HKU’s BBA program independently.

Please note that by applying for this program, you are consenting to have your application (including your supplemental application and video interview) shared with HKU.

Timelines

Tuition is paid to UBC in Years 2 and 3 and to HKU in Years 1 and 4.

For UBC:
Tuition is reviewed annually by the Board of Governors, with fees calculated on a per-credit basis. For information on the UBC Sauder tuition, click here.

For HKU:
Tuition fees are calculated based on whether students are admitted as a “local” or “non-local” student. The tuition fee for 2023-2024 is HKD 42,100 (local)/ HKD 182,000 (non-local). More information on HKU fees can be found here.