Hong Kong: Economics

Students take three Economics courses in succession, all of which satisfy the electives requirements in the standard Economics track and the methods and electives requirements in the Business Economics track. Program participants also take a Chinese language course, which runs at a normal pace through the quarter. In addition to classroom instruction, the program features a number of excursions to sites of historic and cultural interest both within and around Hong Kong.

As a prerequisite to this program, students must have completed the Economics core courses in either the Economics major Standard Track OR the Economics Business or Data Science Tracks prior to participation. Students who intend to complete the courses and are in the middle of the sequence at the time of application may be admitted on the condition of successful completion of these courses prior to enrollment. To confirm your eligibility for the program, please reach out to the Faculty Directors of the Economics program: Professor Victor Lima (vlima@uchicago.edu) and Professor Kotaro Yoshida (yoshidak@uchicago.edu).

Faculty who teach on this program rotate from year to year. The faculty roster is designated by the program faculty director.

The following courses will be taught in Winter 2026:

• Course I: Econ 14270/24270: Applied Price Theory: Individual and Family
• Course II: ECON 19300/29300: (Introduction to) Issues and Methods in Macroeconomics
• Course III: ECON 19200/29200: (Introduction to) Issues and Methods in Microeconomics

Students completing the Business Specialization track in the Economics major will normally be registered for the 10000-level version of the courses. Students completing the Standard or Data Science tracks in the Economics major will normally be registered for the 20000-level version of the courses.

These courses will satisfy elective requirements in the standard Economics major track OR the methods and electives requirements of the Business Economics major track.

All participants also take a Chinese language course.

The College’s study abroad programs in Hong Kong are based at The Hong Kong Jockey Club University of Chicago Academic Complex | The University of Chicago Francis and Rose Yuen Campus in Hong Kong. Located on Mount Davis, the campus in Hong Kong features classrooms, offices for faculty, student gathering spaces, computer facilities, and conference areas. For participants in Chicago’s programs, the campus in Hong Kong provides a focus for academic activities, a central meeting place, and a continuing Chicago “presence” within one of the most dynamic cities in Asia and the world.

Participants reside in program-provided housing within commuting distance of the Yuen Campus in Hong Kong. Public transportation is extensive in Hong Kong and it is normal for students to travel by train or bus every day. A Chicago Graduate Assistant will reside nearby.

It is important to recognize the cultural context of student housing in Hong Kong and understand that the amenities of the housing may vary. Housing in Hong Kong tends to be significantly smaller than what we are used to in Chicago. Although some of these differences may take some getting used to, remember that cultural differences extend to all aspects of your experience abroad. Having realistic expectations for your term in Hong Kong will help you approach the study abroad experience with a positive attitude.

Participants in the Hong Kong: Economics program remain registered as full-time students in the College. They take and receive credit for four courses: the three economics courses and the language class. The language course (Cantonese or Mandarin) will normally count as an elective. This course is neither keyed to Chicago’s Chinese language sequences nor equivalent to any specific on-campus course. It is possible, however, for a program participant to take a Chinese placement test after returning from Hong Kong and continue the study of Mandarin at Chicago (indeed this is very much encouraged). Course titles, units of credit, and grades are placed on the College transcript.

Study abroad students pay regular College tuition, a program fee, and a nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee. The tuition and program fee are paid in conformity with the home campus payment schedule, and a deposit toward the nonrefundable study abroad administrative fee is submitted when accepting a place in a program. Precise figures for the Hong Kong program during the 2024-2025 year are listed below:

Winter tuition: as set by the Bursar’s Office

Study abroad administrative fee: $675

Hong Kong: Economics program fee: $5,960

Previous program participants report spending in the range of $200 to $250 per week on meals and incidentals while on the program, though frugal students may spend less, and others could spend much more. Bear in mind that while the cost of living in Hong Kong is typically lower than in the US, it is also possible to run short of money if you are unwary. It is therefore essential that you budget your funds prudently, apportioning your resources so that they last for the duration of the program. If you are planning to travel before or after the program or on weekends, you should budget accordingly.

Study abroad students retain their financial aid eligibility. For more information about financial aid resources, please see our Tuition, Fees, and Funding section.

The Hong Kong: Economics program is open to University of Chicago undergraduate students only. Applications from outside the University are not accepted.

The program is designed for undergraduates in good academic and disciplinary standing who will have completed the Economics core courses in the appropriate track of their major by the time the program begins. Usually, this will be students in their third or fourth year of study. While the program stipulates no minimum grade-point average, an applicant’s transcript should demonstrate that they are a serious student who will make the most of this opportunity. Because the program courses (aside from the Chinese language class) are taught in English, there is no language prerequisite, although students are encouraged to take Chinese on campus before the program begins.

Each application is examined on the basis of the student’s scholastic record and personal statement. If you are interested in applying for this program please fill out the online application.

To discuss the Hong Kong: Economics program and the possibility of participating, please contact Naira Ovsepyan.