CityUHK–Columbia Joint Degree Program Welcomes First Full Four-Year Cohort

This fall, Columbia University School of General Studies (GS) and City University of Hong Kong (CityUHK) will welcome the first full cohort of students admitted directly to the new four-year Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program track. Students will spend their first two years in Hong Kong before completing their final two years in New York City and earn bachelor’s degrees from both institutions in just four years.

The program builds on a long-standing partnership between the two institutions while creating a new opportunity for high school students to begin a global undergraduate experience from day one. From the Program’s initial launch in 2012 until now, admission to the Program was only open to second-year students already enrolled at CityUHK.

"CityUHK has always felt like a natural partner for GS because its students embody the qualities we value most: intellectual curiosity, determination, and a willingness to embrace new opportunities,” said Dean Lisa Rosen-Metsch. “Over the years, we’ve seen firsthand the remarkable talent and global perspective that CityU students bring to the Columbia community. This program builds on a partnership that has already shown tremendous success and creates a direct pathway for even more students to benefit from the distinctive strengths of both institutions."

The strength of the Program is reflected in the accomplishments of CityUHK students at Columbia, like Class of 2024 valedictorian Xuezhen Wang ‘24GS and most recently, Gezi Fang ‘26GS, who was recognized with a Millennium Fellowship for her work empowering nontraditional students to access higher education. Their successes underscore the academic excellence and global perspective that have become hallmarks of the CityUHK–Columbia partnership.

One of the program’s distinguishing features is the complementary nature of the two institutions’ educational models. CityUHK’s undergraduate curriculum emphasizes applied learning and professional placements, while Columbia provides the breadth of a liberal arts education through its renowned Core Curriculum. Several majors incorporate professional certifications into a clearly defined academic pathway, providing both structure and depth in their chosen field of study.

Interest in the program has grown rapidly, with the first four-year cohort receiving a total of 462 applications, which resulted in 90 offers of admission (19%) and 42 enrolled students (47%), significantly outpacing the first application cycles for similar international programs at Columbia GS.* These early admissions outcomes reflect strong demand for an undergraduate experience that combines academic rigor, international mobility, and career preparation.

*Data as of July 15, 2026

 “This program creates an inspiring pathway for driven students to pursue a truly global education, equipping them with the knowledge, adaptability and international perspective needed to excel in an increasingly interconnected world,” said Professor Alan Wan Tze-kin, Associate Provost (Academic Affairs) at CityUHK.   

CityUHK Associate Vice President for International Strategy, Professor Jennifer Lin, also noted that “[a]s GS’s exclusive international dual degree partner in Asia, and the world’s Most International University for three consecutive years by THE, CityUHK is proud to continue the partnership with Columbia to inspire globally minded students through a transformative, boundary-crossing undergraduate journey.”

The inaugural four-year cohort represents an exciting milestone in the evolution of the CityUHK–Columbia partnership. With strong student interest and a growing community of successful alumni, the program continues to expand opportunities for ambitious students seeking a truly global undergraduate experience.

Applications for Fall 2027 are open now.

Learn more about the CityUHK-Columbia Joint Bachelor’s Degree Program