LIST OF CONTENT
NOTES FOR NON-LOCAL STUDENTS
CEDARS provides a wide range of services to non-local students. Highlighted below are some of the major issues that new students from overseas may face. The CEDARS Website for Non-local Students cedars.hku.hk/wow and notice boards across the campus also help students keep in touch with the latest developments.

HOUSING

Due to severe shortage of residential places, taught course postgraduates do not normally get a place. These students are strongly advised to use the Accommodation Service to find their own accommodation outside the University.

Enquiries for short term accommodation in the Robert Black College, should be directed to the Master of the College.

Enquiries about Graduate House and the St John’s College postgraduate residence should be directed to the Master of Graduate House and the Master of St John’s College respectively.

Enquiries regarding Pokfield Road Residences should be directed to CEDARS and enquiries for a residential place in Morrison Hall should be directed to the Manager of the Hall.

Off-campus Housing

CEDARS has rented fully furnished private flats mainly in the vicinity of the University and we allocate these off-campus places directly. There are about 186 places for 2018-2019 in total. Each flat can accommodate 6 students of the same gender in shared bedrooms with furniture for each student. There are also air-conditioners, communal bathroom and pantry facilities in each flat. Priority is given to newly arrived non-local students.

These off-campus flats are operated on a cost-recovery basis, with the University providing all the administrative and management support at no costs to students. The monthly charges for 2018-2019 are around $4,800 per student. The charges are subject to review in July 2018. For more information and charge schedules of University-rented Off-campus Housing, please see: cedars.hku.hk/och.

Housing Service

CEDARS collects and compiles data on privately-owned rooms or flats in the vicinity of the university campus that are available for rental to students. Students can obtain such information from our intranet: cedars.hku.hk/sections/Accommodation/OffCampusHousing/onlineViewing.php or CEDARS Office. We also offer assistance in matters relating to the renting of rooms and flats.

Please note that private accommodation is extremely expensive. You are strongly advised to finalise arrangements before you arrive. A list of hostels managed by non-profit- making organizations is also available at the CEDARS website. You may make arrangements directly with these hostels for short-term accommodation.

Please write to cedars.housing@hku.hk for further enquiry.

Students Bringing Spouse and Children

A student bringing a spouse can apply for on-campus postgraduate housing. The University has 9 double rooms in Graduate House, 8 couple flats in Pokfield Road Residences and 21 double rooms in Ching Lin Terrace Residence for married couples and these tend to be filled up fast.

There is currently no on-campus housing for students with children. Suitable family housing nearby the campus is in general rather expensive. A 400 sq. ft. apartment with two bedrooms will cost a monthly rental of about HK$10,000. This does not include the costs of gas, water or electricity. These apartments are usually rented on a mandatory 12-month lease and many landlords require that you pay the first month's rent plus a security deposit equivalent to two months’ rent. The deposit will be kept by the landlord and returned to the tenant without interest when you leave if there is no damage to the property. 

It is essential that you have sufficient funds to support them here, including child care and medical costs if you have children and your spouse is not eligible for local employment.

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