FAQ - CUHK Undergraduate Admissions

01 What is SALSA?

The Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission (SALSA) Scheme is launched to nurture elite student-athletes with an exceptional record of athletic achievements who aspire to maintaining a dual career in both professional sportsmanship, as well as in undergraduate studies leading to future specific career paths upon retirement from active sports.

Applications will be reviewed based on achievements in sports, with full holistic consideration given to study interests and career plans. Admitted student-athletes will enjoy full-fledged personalized guidance that supports them to excel at both sports and studies, enabled by an established network of sports, academic and career professionals, including a personal advisor and learning professionals at the University, departments and colleges.

Student-athletes participate in an extended normative study period (of up to 12 years for 4-year programme) where competing priorities in sports training, competitions and studies can be integrated seamlessly to enable focused success along their journey.

The excellent learning environment and unique college system at CUHK creates a holistic experience for all-rounded growth of student-athletes, who will fully immerse in CUHK’s learning community, enjoy all standard student benefits, and thrive in personalized pathways that integrate study interests and career aspirations.

02 Is there any minimum entrance requirement for admission of student-athletes under the SALSA Scheme?

There is no minimum academic or age requirement of student-athletes for applying for direct admission under the SALSA Scheme.

03 Does the applicant need to withdraw from study if he/she is a current S6 student in order to be eligible for the SALSA Scheme?

Prospective S6 students may continue to pursue their studies and sit for public examinations while applying for direct admission to undergraduate programmes under the SALSA Scheme.

04 If the athlete is a current JUPAS applicant, can he/she apply for direct admission to the university under the SALSA Scheme? Does the applicant need to withdraw from JUPAS?

Prospective S6 students applying for entry into undergraduate programmes under JUPAS may concurrently apply for direct admission under the SALSA Scheme. However, once he/she has accepted an offer made by any UGC-funded university under the direct admission scheme, he/she must withdraw his/her JUPAS application.

05 If the athlete is a current JUPAS applicant, can he/she apply for direct admission to the university under both the SALSA Scheme and the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme?

Student nominees CANNOT simultaneously apply for admission to universities via the School Principal’s Nominations Scheme (SPN) under JUPAS or the respective direct admission schemes 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.

06 If the athlete has acquired a local sub-degree qualification, can he/she apply for direct admission to the Senior Year of undergraduate programmes in universities under the SALSA Scheme?

Applicants possessing sub-degree qualifications may apply for admission to their undergraduate programmes as senior year intakes under their direct application schemes.