In mid-January 2025, I travelled to the UK to attend my graduation ceremony at the University of Hull.
This marked the completion of a programme I had been undertaking as a mature student in Hong Kong over the past few years. Although my studies took place entirely at the Hong Kong campus, I was given the wonderful opportunity to attend the formal commencement at the home campus in the UK. As this was my very first visit to Britain, it was a truly memorable and moving experience.
Studying in Hong Kong for a UK Degree
The programme I completed was a Bachelor’s degree in Marketing and Management, offered through HKU SPACE in Hong Kong. While the lectures were held in Hong Kong, the degree is officially awarded by the University of Hull in the UK. The curriculum and assessment standards are identical to those in the UK, focusing heavily on group projects and academic essays—making it both practical and academically rigorous.
Programme Details：https://hkuspace.hku.hk/prog/ba-hons-marketing-and-management
About the University of Hull
Founded in 1927, the University of Hull is a prestigious public research university and the 14th oldest in England. In the 2024 World University Rankings, it sits in the 401-500 bracket—a similar standing to Tokyo Medical and Dental University in Japan. Initially, I wondered if the UK connection was merely a name on a certificate. However, the university sent lecturers from the UK to Hong Kong for intensive sessions and took full responsibility for the final grading of our assignments. We also had full access to the same online systems and digital libraries as students in the UK, ensuring the highest standard of education.
Lifelong Learning as a Professional
The programme was filled with diverse students of all ages and backgrounds. Some were balancing full-time jobs, while others were seeking career changes. What we all shared was a clear sense of purpose: “learning because it is necessary for our growth.” I was particularly impressed that the focus was less on rote exam scores and more on developing logical thinking, research skills, and the ability to synthesise information.
The Hong Kong Campus: Life in Admiralty
Our classes were held in the heart of Hong Kong at Admiralty, specifically in the United Centre and Admiralty Centre, both of which are directly connected to the MTR station.
The common space used for self-study and lunch.
A “Dual-Mode” Classroom: English and Cantonese
Although the course was officially conducted in English, most students were local Hongkongers. As a result, many sessions were delivered in a “dual-mode” where the lecturer would explain a concept in English and then provide a follow-up summary in Cantonese. While this was helpful for clarifying difficult points, maintaining concentration through three-to-five-hour sessions was quite a challenge!
A Winter Graduation in the UK
The ceremony took place in Hull during a freezing January. I could have chosen the summer ceremony, but due to travel plans, I decided to brave the cold for my first-ever trip to the UK. Staying with a Hong Kong friend in London as my base, I took a three-day “graduation mini-trip” to Hull by train. Everywhere I went in the UK was breathtakingly beautiful.
Finishing my three years of study and holding my first-ever university degree was a major milestone in my life. With this sense of achievement, I headed straight into preparations for my talk at WordCamp Asia in Manila!
