Student
Residences
Guide
Student residences at HKU are more than places to live. They support academic excellence, personal development, leadership growth, and well‑being within a diverse and inclusive community.
Welcome
Welcome to student residential life at The University of Hong Kong (HKU), where your University journey is enriched by community, discovery, and growth.
Student residences at HKU are an integral part of University life. Through the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS), students are supported in exploring accommodation options and preparing for life in residence at HKU.
Each residence offers its own distinctive character, traditions, facilities, and living environment, allowing students to find a setting that best suits their needs and stage of study. Throughout their residential journey, students are also supported by Tutorial Teams, General Offices, and CEDARS, where appropriate.
How to use this guide
- Use the left menu to jump straight to any section.
- Press / or use the search box to find any topic, rule or residence.
- Go to Find a residence to filter all 21 residences by type, gender, room type, meal plan and location.
- The move-in checklist is tickable and remembers your progress on this device.
- Every QR code in the printed booklet is a button here — one tap opens the same official CEDARS page.
Where are the residences?
HKU residences sit in nine clusters across Pok Fu Lam, Sassoon Road, Kennedy Town, Sai Ying Pun and Wong Chuk Hang. Tap a cluster to see what is there and how long it takes to reach Main Campus.
1Main Campus
2Kennedy Town
3Sai Ying Pun
482 & 109 Pok Fu Lam Road
- Jockey Club Student Village II
5Wong Chuk Hang
691–93 Pok Fu Lam Road
- Jockey Club Student Village I
7Lung Wah Street
8Sassoon Road
Live, learn & lead
The HKU Residential Community aims to provide a safe, positive, and supportive living experience for all students — offering learning opportunities to acquire life skills, develop intellectually, and engage in multicultural exchanges.
Foster
Community
Nurture
Well-being
Celebrate
Diversity
Empower
Leadership
Support in residences
Each Residential Hall and College is supported by a Hall Warden or College Master, a Tutorial Team, and an administrative office, all of whom work together to support students throughout their residential life at the University.
Wardens, Masters & Tutorial Team
Each Residential Hall and College is led by a Hall Warden or College Master, supported by a team of live-in tutorial staff, including Senior Resident Tutors, Resident Tutors, and Junior Resident Tutors.
Reach out to your Tutorial Team for:
- Admissions and applications for residential membership
- Student support and pastoral care
- Settling in and getting to know the University and the local community
- Planning events and activities for the residential community
General Office
The General Office, led by the Residential Operations Manager, supports the Wardens and Masters in the overall administration and daily operation of the residences.
Approach the General Office for:
- Repair and maintenance requests
- Check-in and check-out procedures
- Payment of lodging fees
- Security, housekeeping and cleaning services
- Summer vacation residence applications
Find a residence
All 21 HKU residences and student villages. Filter by type, who can live there, room type, meal plan and location — then tap any card for the full details.
Halls vs Colleges
What are the differences between Residential Halls and Residential Colleges?
Residential Colleges
Residential Colleges offer an immersive residential-academic experience, combining modern living facilities with innovative educational programming. They support academic and personal growth through close-knit, co-educational communities of undergraduate and postgraduate students.
Rooms & facilities
Room types are generally defined by occupancy, bed configuration, and bathroom setup. Rooms are typically furnished with essential items such as a bed, desk, chair, and storage. In most residences bathrooms and pantry facilities are shared, and only a limited number of rooms have private bathrooms.
Occupancy
Bed configurations
Shared amenities & facilities
Photos are representative examples; layouts and availability vary by residence.
Fees & meal plans
Fees and charges
- Lodging fees vary according to residence and room type.
- In most residences, students are required to attend High Table Dinners, and the related charges will apply.
- Additional fees may be payable upon moving in, including student activity fees such as entrance fees, annual subscription fees, and floor fees for activities and events.
- In-room air-conditioning and laundry are not included in the lodging fee; charges apply only upon use.
Meal plans
Meal plans are available and compulsory in some residences. If you live in University Hall, Ricci Hall, or St. John's College, you will need to join your hall's meal plan, which is included as part of your accommodation.
Admission journey
How you get from application to a room — for new students, non-residents and current residents.
New Admission
Readmission
Accept or decline offer
Appeal & look for alternatives
Central Clearing House Round
- Places are limited and not guaranteed.
- Interview format and assessment criteria vary by residence.
- For readmission, criteria vary by residence and are assessed with reference to need, GPA, merit-based requirements (e.g. attendance at High Table Dinners), disciplinary record, and other hall-specific expectations.
- If your application is unsuccessful, plan your housing early and explore options on the CEDARS website.
Move-in checklist
Tick things off as you go — your progress is saved on this device.
📅 Before you arrive
🗺 Documents to bring
🎒 Packing essentials
🔑 On move-in day
Payments
What you will pay
- Lodging fee
- Depending on the residence, other fees payable after move-in may include the High Table Dinner fee, orientation fee, annual subscription fee, entrance fee, and floor fee.
- In-room air-conditioning and laundry are charged on a pay-per-use basis and are not included in the lodging fee.
When you will be billed
- Debit notes and invoices are issued by the HKU Finance and Enterprises Office (FEO) and posted to your HKU SIS portal.
- They are normally made available in mid-September (due mid-October) and mid-December (due mid-January).
How to pay
- Refer to the payment instructions on your debit note or as provided by your residence.
- Payment methods include bank transfer, bank counter, Alipay or WeChat Pay, depending on your residence and fee type.
Important policies to know
- All fees are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Residents are responsible for full payment for the committed period, even if they withdraw early.
- Penalties or compensation charges may apply in cases of misconduct or damage.
- Many residences also publish replacement charges for lost keys, access cards, or damaged items.
Rules & regulations
Adhering to the residence rules ensures a positive and harmonious living community for ALL.
🏠 Living together
- Respect staff and fellow residents at all times.
- Observe quiet hours (typically 11:00 PM to 7:00 AM, or as specified by your residence).
- Keep shared areas clean and follow the residence guidelines for using communal facilities.
👥 Visitor policy
- Visitors are usually allowed during non-quiet hours and must be properly registered.
- Overnight guests are not permitted.
- Residents are responsible for the conduct of their visitors while on the premises.
🚫 Prohibited items & behaviours
- Smoking and vaping are strictly prohibited.
- Alcohol may only be consumed with authorisation from the Hall Warden or College Master.
- Unauthorised electrical devices, candles, pets, and illegal substances are prohibited.
⚠️ If rules are breached
- Prohibited items may be confiscated, and fines or disciplinary action may apply.
- Serious or repeated breaches may result in suspension or termination of residency.
- You are expected to familiarise yourself with and abide by the Regulations set forth by the University, as well as the house rules of your assigned residence.
Health & safety
🔥 Fire safety and evacuation
- Familiarise yourself with your escape route and follow all posted instructions.
- Keep corridors and exits clear and unobstructed.
- If the fire alarm sounds, evacuate immediately and proceed to the designated assembly point.
- Never tamper with fire safety equipment.
🍳 Cooking & electrical safety
- Use pantries for simple meal preparation and follow all safety and cleanliness guidelines.
- Do not use unauthorised high-power electrical appliances.
- Do not use open flames or any item that may increase fire risk.
🔒 Personal safety and security
- Keep your room door locked and do not allow strangers to tailgate into secure areas.
- Do not share or lend your room key or access card. Report lost items immediately.
- Keep your valuables and personal data secure and remain alert to phone and online scams.
- Use well-lit routes at night and observe road safety rules in and around campus and residence areas.
🚑 Emergency readiness
- Save important contact numbers, including 999 and your residence emergency contact number.
- Know where the nearest first-aid kit and AED are located.
- Call 999 for ambulance service only in an emergency.
- If a situation feels urgent, act first and report it as soon as possible afterwards.
Terms & conditions
By accepting your residence offer and checking in, you are required to comply with the terms, conditions, and instructions set out in your offer letter and check-in notes issued by your assigned residence.
Room allocation
- Residents must occupy the room assigned to them by the University or residence.
- Room changes are not permitted unless prior approval has been granted by the Hall Warden / College Master.
Room maintenance
- Site staff and/or appointed personnel may conduct periodic room inspections, pest control, or maintenance during your stay to ensure that room conditions are properly maintained.
Penalty fees and compensation
- A penalty fee of HK$300 per case per day, plus the actual cost of any damage, loss, or additional expenses incurred by the site, may be charged for each incident of misconduct.
Refund and withdrawal policy
- All fees and charges are non-refundable and non-transferable.
- Residents are responsible for full payment for the entire offered period of residence, which is at least one semester.
Use of personal data
The University is committed to the secure and ethical handling of personal data throughout the residence admission process. In compliance with applicable privacy requirements, students are informed that their personal data may be used by the University for administrative, educational, academic, and research purposes, as well as for other purposes directly related to these functions.
Follow CEDARS
CEDARS supports HKU students well beyond accommodation.