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🏠 Halls & campus
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Where you live: how to apply for a hall place in your first two years
Non-local undergraduates have priority for a hall place in their first two years, at HK$20,800 a year for a double room. The application window is only three weeks — miss it and it is gone.
The first two years are covered; from year three you find your own
- Non-local students may apply for student residence, and priority is given in the first two years at CityU.
- In later years (from year three onwards) you must find accommodation on the open market yourself, and CityU advises students and their families to plan the funding in advance.
Where you live: two places over two years
| Academic year | Residence |
|---|---|
| Year 1 (2026/27) | Ma On Shan (Choi Sha Street) Student Residence |
| Year 2 (2027/28) | Kowloon Tong (Cornwall Street) Student Residence |
Residence addresses:
- Ma On Shan (Choi Sha Street) Student Residence: `2 Choi Sha Street, Ma On Shan, New Territories`
- Kowloon Tong (Cornwall Street) Student Residence: `22 Cornwall Street, Kowloon`
Hall fee: HK$20,800 a year for a double room
- University-managed hall accommodation, calculated for Semesters A and B, double room, excluding summer, is HK$20,800 for the year.
- It is normally paid in two instalments.
- Rooms are double rooms, with shared bathrooms on single-sex floors.
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If you need a single room for health or medical reasons the fee is double (HK$41,600), and supporting documents must be submitted; the Student Residence Office considers and arranges these case by case. Students with a genuine need should raise it in the application, not after moving in.
Application timetable (for 2026 entry)
| When | What |
|---|---|
| 24 June 2026, 10:00 am | Applications open |
| 15 July 2026, 11:59 pm | Applications close |
| 22 July 2026 | Results released |
| 22–29 July 2026 | Confirm acceptance of the hall place |
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The window is only about three weeks, and it lands exactly when you are waiting for an offer, arranging a visa and booking flights. Put these three dates in a calendar reminder — do not rely on remembering them later.
How to apply
- Log in to AIMS
- Click Student Services
- Click the accommodation application and submit it
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Tip: CityU states specifically that if you do not submit the application in AIMS you will not be allocated a place and will have no priority. Saying it verbally or asking by email does not count — it has to go through the system.
Off-campus accommodation and proof of residence
- Rents near CityU are high (CityU's own words: Hong Kong rents are high, as in other international cities, particularly in the area around CityU).
- Students choosing off-campus accommodation, or who are not allocated a hall place, should look and arrange early. The Student Residence Office provides reference information on off-campus housing.
- Students who need proof of residence in Hong Kong can apply to the Student Residence Office for a certificate of residence.
Rules in the halls
- Hong Kong has indoor smoking legislation: both the campus and the residences are smoke-free areas, and naked flames are strictly prohibited.
- Even lit incense or a cigarette end can set off a fire alarm, endangering residence safety and causing inconvenience.
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Tip: the thing parents should remember above all — smoking in a hall is illegal in Hong Kong, not merely against University rules. If your child has the habit, make it clear before they leave.
Frequently asked questions
Is a CityU hall place guaranteed?
No. This page describes priority arrangements and application windows, not a guarantee. Apply on time and check the Student Residence Office’s current policy.
How much does CityU student accommodation cost?
The guide gives a stated-year hall-fee example. Room types, availability and charges can change, so verify the current residence fee schedule before budgeting.
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