FAQs

Except otherwise specified, the Online and Distance Learning courses offered by the School are open to all applicants.

* For students who would like to join "E-Learning Korean Course (Level 2-6)", you are advised to complete a "Self-evaluation Exercise". 

People living abroad are welcome to join our Online and Distance Learning courses. However,  students who wish to apply for courses in Postal Mode with non-local postal address, shall apply by paper form only and an extra postage of HK$200 must be paid. (Download Form).

Students will receive written course materials and learn in distance learning mode. To facilitate student’s learning, textbooks^* are required for some courses. Course materials generally comprise "Course Guide", "Course Notes" "Course Assignments" and "Study Schedule". Some online courses are provided with video clips. Students should read the Course Notes and Textbook (if any) and complete Course Assignments in accordance with the Study Schedule. Submitted assignments will be returned to students after instructor's marking.

^* Students are required to purchase the textbook on their own.

The curriculum and content for any given course is exactly the same regardless of delivery mode. Students in Postal Mode will receive printed course materials and submit assignments by post while students in Internet Mode are required to download course materials and submit assignments via the learning platform. Students in Internet Mode may also interact with the course instructor and other classmates at discussion forum on the learning platform.

Students who wish to choose the Internet Mode should be computer-literate, familiar with downloading and uploading files, installing software or browser plug-ins, etc. For courses delivered in Chinese, students should be familiar with Chinese input methods to accomplish the assignments.

During the study period, students can access their account whenever they want without any time restriction.

* For students who would like to join "E-Learning Korean Course", please refer to the Q.6 "Minimum PC Requirements" of the respective course.
 

Except "E-Learning Korean Course", our learning platform supports smart phones or tablets with Android 4 or greater with Chrome and Apple iOS 4 or greater Safari. Moreover, Adobe Acrobat Reader must be installed for opening PDF files. Make sure that your smart phones or tablets will have sufficient storage space for downloading course materials and uploading assignments.

Fee paid are not refundable unless the enroled course is full or cancelled.

Yes, the School offers a 20% discount to alumni of CUHK or CUSCS Higher Diploma Programmes, Top-up Degree Programmes, or Certificate and Diploma/Professional Programmes who wish to enrol in the General Courses.

Unless the enroled course is full or cancelled, transfer of enrolment from one course (or delivery mode) to another can only be made subject to the approval of the School, and an administrative charge of HK$100 is required.  Such request must be made at least a week before the commencement date of the enroled course (Download Form).

Students in Postal Mode will receive printed course materials by post 1 – 2 days prior to course commencement. For the Internet Mode, the log-in information will be emailed to students 1 – 2 days prior to course commencement. The email may be filtered to your junk mail, so please check there as well.

It varies. Each course normally lasts for 12 – 16 weeks.

Due to students' diversity, it is recommended that students should spend 2 – 3 hours every week on reading notes or textbook and preparing for assignments. Students may refer to the Study Schedule for details of progress suggested.

Students in Internet Mode can post their questions on Discussion Forum on the learning platform; email to the instructors directly, or send the inquiries to programme team by email (scs-deu@cuhk.edu.hk) or fax (852-2603-6565). The programme team will forward their questions to the course instructors.

For students in Postal Mode can send their questions to the programme team by post (Online and Distance Learning,  6/F, Railway Plaza, 39 Chatham Road South, Tsim Sha Tsui, Kowloon, Hong Kong), or fax (852-2603-6565), or email (scs-deu@cuhk.edu.hk). The programme team will forward their questions to the course instructors.

Yes. However, time management is important for students who wish to apply for more than one course as they are required to complete assignments for each course.

There are usually 2 – 5 assignments for one course. Students are required to complete and submit the assignments on or before the deadline specified in the Study Schedule.

No. Each assignment will only be marked once by the course instructor.

The turnaround time for assignments is 4 – 6 weeks. The School reserves the right not to mark any late assignments.

There is no examination for all online and distance learning courses.

All our distance learning courses are general short courses but NOT award-bearing. Students who achieve a pass in at least 70% of all assignments can apply for a “Certificate of Completion” within one year upon completion of the course. An administration fee of HK$50 will be charged on every request (Download Form). The course, “880162 Traditional Chinese Medicine: An Online Introduction”, does not provide assignments. Students who complete at least 70% of online chapters can apply for a “Certificate of Attendance” within one year upon completion of the course. An administration fee of HK$50 will be charged on every request (Download Form).

Textbooks are required for some courses and are on student’s own expenses. The School will NOT acquire textbooks for students. Most textbooks are available in local or online bookstores.  Students are advised to check the supply and price of the textbooks with bookstores in advance, then purchase the textbook or borrow from public libraries after receiving the course materials.

 Students can make a purchase order in local bookstores for out-of-stock textbooks. It usually takes 4 – 6 weeks for delivery. Students can also buy the textbook through online bookstores or borrow from public libraries. The study schedule can be adjusted if extra time is required for textbook delivery.