Co-operative Education Scheme (CES)

The Co-operative Education Scheme (CES) is a placement programme for final year students and lasts for a period of 6-12 months. The CES comprises two components: final year project and industrial placement. The former is a graduation requirement. The training company is expected to provide appropriate technical support and allow students reasonable time to work on it. The placement component involves day-to-day work to familiarise students with the operation practices of the industry. During the training period, students take courses on a day-release basis for no more than one day per week. The distinct feature of the CES is that upon conclusion of the scheme, students are immediately available to continue employment with the host companies.

Content and Structure

Project component: students have an option to undertake an industry-based project at the host company, which is also their Final Year Project.

Industrial placement component: students gain relevant industrial experience through day-to-day work.

Support from industry

When recruiting an intern, the host company is expected to:

provide a training relevant to the student’s major study;
assign an industry-based project for the student who will take it as a Final Year Project;
allow a day-release of not more than one day per week for students to take coursework at CityUHK (only during term time);
provide a training subsidy to the student;
assign a company mentor to co-supervise the student with a CityUHK supervisor;
provide lodging, meal and free transportation between factory and dormitory/border checks for students posted to Mainland China

The host company needs to know:

Insurance

Students are covered under a Group Personal Accident Insurance Policy and for those who need to travel outside HK, a Group Travel Insurance Policy in addition.

Minimum Wage Ordinance

The Minimum Wage Ordinance does not apply to student interns.

MPF

During the attachment period, the interns maintain their status as full-time students of CityUHK. There is no employer-employee relationship between the interns and the company unless the two parties enter into such a relationship by way of an employment contract. If an employer-employee relationship is set up, contribution of MPF may be necessary.

Interested companies can email Ms. Janice Lam at jan.lam@cityu.edu.hk.

Student level and discipline

Students joining CES should be in their final year from the College of Science. Interested students should submit their application in March. Please refer to the Application page for further details.

CSCI4001/CSCI4001A - Co-operative Education Scheme for Science Students

All CES students will be registered on CSCI4001 (6 CUs) or CSCI4001A (8 CUs), depending on the placement duration.
The course is assessed on a Pass/Fail basis. Failure to complete the training will result in failure of the course and affect the CGPA significantly.
The status of the course in a programme or how each programme recognises this course is dependent upon individual programme requirements. Any related queries should be directed to students' home department.
The grade of the course will only be issued after the student has given the final presentation and submitted the duly completed logbook.

CSCI4003 - Co-operative Education Placement Project for Science Students

CSCI4003 is a 6 CU course and is equivalent to most of the Department Final Year Projects.
The project under CSCI4003 follows the assessment schedule and criteria of the parent department to which a student belongs. It is also supervised by the academic staff of the same department.
Failure to complete the training will result in failure of the project and possibly delay in graduation.

Beware of exceeding the maximum credit limit:

Please note that the maximum number of credit units permitted for a degree is as follows:

4-year degree: 144 credit units (AR 4.1)
Advanced Standing I: 114 credit units (AR 6.4.1)
Advanced Standing II: 84 credit units (AR 6.5.1)

Students who have completed the maximum credit units permitted as mentioned above cannot register for further courses in subsequent semesters/terms except for (a) those pursuing a double major or double degree paying the extra credits exceeding the above maximum credit limit on a self-financed basis; or (b) students who have been granted special approval to exceed the maximum credit limit due to their change of home major. For any queries on this issue. Please check with Academic Regulations and Records Office (ARRO) and/or students' parent department.

If students will exceed the maximum credit limit upon addition of CSCI4001(6 CUs) / CSCI4001A(8 CUs) and/or CSCI4003 (6 CUs), they should seek advice from the College and Department before they apply.