3

The University Grants Committee (UGC) has launched the Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA Scheme) to support outstanding athletes who aspire to pursue dual-track career developments in the eight UGC-funded universities in the 2022/23 to 2024/25 triennium, with a commitment of up to $100 million for allocation among the eight UGC-funded universities. 

Student athletes admitted via the Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme and have fulfilled the criteria of the SALSA scheme will be entitled to the funding and support offered in the scheme. Please click here for details of the SALSA scheme.

Student-athletes nominees CANNOT simultaneously apply for admission to universities via the School Principal’s Nominations Scheme (SPN) under JUPAS or the respective direct admission schemes (i.e. SNDAS) for prospective student-athletes established by the eight University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded universities under the UGC’s Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme (SALSA).

 

Sports Scholarship Scheme (SSS)

HKU launched the “Sports Scholarship Scheme” in 1995 to facilitate outstanding athletes to pursue both academic and sports aspirations in parallel. Over the past 20 years, it has supported more than 600 young athletes. Students in the programme will receive support in various aspects of sports pursuit and academic development, targeting their personal development needs and allowing them to fully develop their potential. Please click here for details of the scheme.

 

Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme (TADAS)

Join HKU family if you are a Talented athlete with Outstanding sports achievement and a Perseverant mind!

Eligibility

Top athletes meeting all the following criteria will be eligible for nomination:

  1. Acknowledged sports ranking; and
  2. Nominated by the Hong Kong Sports Institute or other equivalent National Sports Associations; and
  3. Eligible to represent Hong Kong in regional or international competitions

Selection Criteria

Nominations will be reviewed and the eligibility of admissions will be determined in terms of:

  • Evidence of sports ranking
  • Sports competition level (local, national, or/ and international)
  • Coaches references or letters of recommendation
  • HKU interview performance
  • Personal statement to HKU

Programmes Admitted

The selected top athletes will be considered for admissions to ALL programmes in the University of Hong Kong. In the past, the programmes below provided offers to the Top Athletes.

Programme Code Programme Majors

6054

Bachelor of Arts

(Offered by the Faculty of Arts)

  • Art History
  • Chinese History and Culture
  • Chinese Language and Literature
  • Comparative Literature
  • English Studies
  • Gender Studies
  • General Linguistics
  • Global and Area Studies
  • Global Creative Industries
  • History
  • Hong Kong Studies
  • Japanese Studies
  • Korean Studies
  • Music
  • Philosophy
  • Translation
Programme Code Programme Majors

6755

Bachelor of Business and Administration

(Offered by HKU Business School)

  • Entrepreneurship, Design and Innovation
  • Finance
  • Human Resource Management
  • Information Systems and Analytics
  • Marketing
Programme Code Programme Majors

6901

Bachelor of Science

(Offered by the Faculty of Science)

  • Biochemistry
  • Biological Sciences
  • Chemistry
  • Decision Analytics
  • Earth System Science
  • Ecology & Biodiversity
  • Environmental Science
  • Food & Nutritional Science
  • Geology
  • Mathematics
  • Molecular Biology & Biotechnology
  • Physics
  • Risk Management
  • Statistics
Programme Code Programme Majors

6717

Bachelor of Social Sciences

(Offered by the Faculty of Social Sciences)

  • China Studies
  • Geography
  • Politics & Public Administration
  • Social Policy & Social Development Sociology
  • Cognitive Science
  • Counselling
  • Criminology
  • Media & Cultural Studies
  • Neuroscience
  • Psychology
  • Urban Governance
Programme Code Programme Majors

6456

Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery

(Offered by the Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine)

N/A

NOTE  Athletes who wish to be admitted by other programmes will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Important Dates

Period Event
23 September 2024 Open for nomination

4 December 2024
23:59 (Hong Kong Time)

Close for nomination
Early January 2025 Committee to review nominations
Mid - Late January 2025 Committee/ Programmes to interview nominees
End of February to Mid-March 2025 Release of results

 

Submission of Nomination

Nominations shall be made via the form below with the following supporting documents:

  1. Results of sports achievements; and
  2. Sports CV; and
  3. Reference letter or/ and Nomination letter; and
  4. Personal statement

 

The Application Process is closed

 

NOTE  Applicants will be evaluated through a holistic assessment, where academic merits may not be the major consideration.  All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

 

Enquiries

For enquiries, please email tadas@hku.hk.

 

 

 

HKU Sports Scholar Sharing

Cindy Cheung

Receiving an offer from HKU is a huge honor

which has motivated me to work even harder in the future. Through my studies in psychology, I aim to understand emotional management and stress coping strategies, aspiring to become a more resilient athlete.

Cindy Cheung Sum Yuet, Olympian (Swimming)
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Magnus

I hope to become an Olympian in the near future

while at the same time paving the way for my future career down the road. I feel grateful for the opportunity to study at HKU amongst the best, and I look forward to achieving more in both academics and sports with the unwavering support of the TADAS scheme.

Johannsson Magnus Prostur, Hong Kong 200 Metres Record Holder
Bachelor of Business and Administration
Nicole He

I am beyond excited to join HKU

not only because it is a world-leading university but also because it provides me with great support in balancing my academic and athletic pursuits. I am looking forward to engaging in research opportunities within the Faculty of Science!

Nicole He Jada, Wushu Athlete
Bachelor of Science
Nic Choi

Fencing has changed my life completely

and I am proud to compete in games representing Hong Kong. I am very grateful for the opportunity to study at HKU which is one of the best icons to represent Hong Kong with its long history. The reason I chose Bachelor of Arts is that it offers me options to study in areas that I am interested in, for example the social media and the fashion industry.

Nicholas Edward Choi Ho Yin, Olympian (Fencing)
Bachelor of Arts
HO Sze Long

Strive for excellence to win glory for Hong Kong

It is my honour to study in the HKU. With my gratitude to the TADAS, it allows me to have dual career development in sports and study. Owing to its flexible learning arrangement and support, I can continue my intensive training and overseas competitions. More importantly, I can strive for excellence to win glory for Hong Kong. 

Aaron Ho Sze Long, Fencer, Winner of the 2018 Asian Fencing Championships Men’s Sabre Team
Bachelor of Business and Administration
LAM Siu Hang

Accomplish both sports dreams and university dreams

HKU’s Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme provides me a platform to accomplish both sports dreams and university dreams. With the 100% support from HKU, it allows me to continue with my sports career and have a good balance between studies and training. I am sure that college life in HKU will be a meaningful and memorable one.

Lam Siu Hang, Olympian (Table Tennis)
Bachelor of Social Sciences
Liam Martin Doherty

I am passionate about rugby

I am a big believer of sport is not forever, I am passionate about rugby and want to have the opportunity to strive towards completing my goals, while still being able to plan my future. HKU has created this amazing program where they prioritise my sporting career whilst giving me the tools to create a life after sport. With their unwavering support, I can embark on an incredible journey of personal growth and success, both on and off the field.

Liam Martin Doherty, Rugby Player, Series Winner of the Asia Rugby Sevens Series
Bachelor of Business and Administration
Charlotte Emily Hall

Pursue both my sporting and academic goals simultaneously

With the amount of time and dedication sport requires, I have always found it difficult to balance my training and competition with my studies. Thanks to the great the support from HKU and their TADAS scheme, I now have the opportunity to Pursue both my sporting and academic goals simultaneously.

Charlotte Emily Hall, Triathlete, Gold Medal in Youth Triathlon Championships Mixed Relay Competition
Bachelor of Business and Administration
Adrian Yung

I am passionate about sports

because of the sense of achievement one gets from training. With the support from HKU’s Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme and the HKU Lee Shau Kee Top Athletes Scholarship, I have the chance to study nutrition and environmental science at one of the best universities in the world. The supportive environment here allows me to continue with my training and competition, which is valued by me and many other aspiring athletes.

Adrian Yung Hau Tsuen, Winter Olympian (Alpine Skiing)
Bachelor of Science
Sandy Choi_1

Winning a medal in the upcoming Asian Games

is my short-term goal. I also have a long-term goal of starting up a business. HKU’s Top Athletes Direct Admission Scheme provides me with the chance to achieve both – it offers me direct financial support and a platform to strike a balance between my business studies and sports training.

Sandy Choi Wing Chi, Silver Medalist, Asian 49er and 49erFX Championship
Bachelor of Business and Administration
Chan Hei Man Hayley Victoria - HKU Sports Scholar 2010 (Windsurfing)

Sport has changed my life

Thank you, HKU, for your support all these years, allowing me to realise my Olympic dreams. Although I did not get any medals at the two Olympic Games I participated in, I am proud that I gave my best. Sport has changed my life and I am grateful for the encouragement from the University. With the comprehensive support from HKU, I look forward to witnessing more fellow students strive for excellence in the world stadiums, to experience the Olympic spirit, and to enjoy the fun of sports.

*Quote from HKU Press Release

Hayley Chan Hei Man, Olympian (Windsurfing)
Bachelor of Arts
Oscar Coggins - HKU Sports Scholar 2020 (Triathlon )

Heading towards 2024 Paris Olympics

Representing Hong Kong and HKU at the Tokyo Olympics was such an amazing experience and honour for me. I’m sure many young people were inspired by Hong Kong’s most successful Olympics. The funding I receive will help me continue my studies and qualify for the 2024 Olympics in Paris.

*Quote from HKU Press Release

Oscar Coggins, Olympian (Triathlon)
Bachelor of Engineering