FAQ
Will students work full-time? Will they be concurrently studying?
Co-op students will be working full-time and are expected to fully dedicate themselves to their placement roles within the company. They are not be permitted to enrol in credit-bearing courses during their work term. However, they may take non-credit courses if they will further enhance their work performance. While Co-op students will have assignments related to their Co-op course under the Programme, these assignments are expected to be completed outside of the company hours.
How will employers select students for the job? Will there be interviews?
Employers will receive from the Co-op office a list of shortlisted candidates who have applied for the position and meet the programme’s requirements. Employers are expected to select candidates from this list for interviews, which can be conducted either in-person or via Zoom. After selecting a suitable candidate, employers are required to inform both the successful candidate and the Co-op Office via email.
Why is the work term seven months?
The seven-month work term is designed to provide more intensive and extensive learning and engagement opportunities to HKU students compared to shorter work experiences, such as summer internships. This duration allows students to be involved in longer-term projects and make substantial contributions, benefiting both the student and the employer. The seven-month period also aligns with the duration of two academic semesters.
Should I provide feedback to the student or to HKU on the student’s progress?
We highly encourage regular constructive feedback directly to the students throughout their work term. Two meetings will be arranged between the Student, Academic Advisor, Workplace Mentor to discuss the co-op programme progress midway and towards the end of the placement. At the end of the placement, employers are required to provide a formal feedback and assessment of the student’s performance. Additionally, the Faculty Academic Advisor or the Co-op Office may periodically check in to monitor the progress. But should any issues arise at any point, we encourage employers to contact us immediately.
Are there any special restrictions from Immigration if we hire a non-local student?
According to Hong Kong Immigration Department (ImmD), starting from 1 November 2024, full-time non-local undergraduate students would be temporarily exempted from the restrictions on taking up part-time jobs. This means that non-local students can participate in the Co-op Programme without the usual work restrictions imposed on part-time employment.