Master of GeoInformation Science and Smart Cities, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Accreditation

Professional Accreditation

Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS)

Master of GeoInformation Science and Smart Cities is recognized by the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS). “promoting and enforcing the highest international standards in the valuation, management and development of land, real estate, construction and infrastructure”with more than 130,000 RICS professionals worldwide. A RICS membership can help enhance graduates’ skills and employability, and build a global professional network. Find out more benefits of RICS membership at RICS membership.

Students of the Programme are eligible to apply for RICS Student Membership. Being an RICS student is free and can help connect students to other professionals and clients in local and global markets. Find out how to become a surveyor as a student with an accredited degree at https://www.rics.org/join-rics/apply-to-join-rics/student-before-you-enrol.

Graduates of the Programme are eligible to apply for Associate Member (AssocRICS) or Chartered Member(MRICS). When students apply to join RICS, they need to select the sector pathway most closely linked to their career experience. There are 35 sector pathways which cover the different specialisms within the surveying profession, such as planning and development, environmental surveying and valuation. Details of all the sector pathways and the skills required for each one can be found at https://www.rics.org/en-hk/surveying-profession/join-rics/sector-pathways/.

What students can get from RICS:

Trade marks of “MRICS” and “CHARTERED SURVEYOR” in the CV, name card or social media to clearly distinguish themselves from their competitors.

Knowledge from RICS with international practice standards, professional guidance, CPD and knowledge sharing.

A social network including 134,000 RICS professionals around the world.

Wider industry recognition, more job opportunities, and the latest insights.

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)

Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI)is the United Kingdom’s leading planning body for spatial, sustainable and inclusive planning and is the largest planning institute in Europe with over 23,000 members. It provides members with career guidance and professional development of planning professionals in collaboration with employers. Find out more member benefits at https://www.rtpi.org.uk/membership/join-us/member-benefits/.

Students of the Programme are eligible to apply for RTPI Student Membership.The membership is free until the end of the year you graduate.Your membership will give you access to RTPI student resources and will show employers your commitment to gaining professional qualifications. You'll also have access to networking and events as well as some fantastic member benefits and services.

Holding a partially accredited planning degree, graduates of the Programme are eligible to apply for Associate membership. It shows partial professional qualification, planning expertise and offers a pathway to Chartered status via Associate Assessment of Professional Competence (A-APC). Find more details at https://www.rtpi.org.uk/events/?Topic=APC.

What students can get from RTPI:

Post-nominal letters, member logo and membership designation in CV, name card or social media to clearly distinguish themselves from their competitors.

Mentoring platform, Financial Support, Career and Work Experience, etc., are provided to help the members in the long run.

Professional networks encourage informed discussion and debate, and the sharing of good practice and information.

Wider industry recognition, more job opportunities, and the latest insights.

THE HONG KONG INSTITUTE OF SURVEYORS (HKIS)

The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) is the only surveying professional body incorporated by ordinance in Hong Kong. Till now, the number of members has reached 11,170. HKIS membership can help enhance graduates’ skills and employability and build a global professional network. Find out more benefits of HKIS membership at HKIS membership.

Students of the Programme are eligible to apply for HKIS Student Membership. The membership will give you access to HKIS’s various resources and demonstrate to employers your commitment to becoming a qualified professional in the surveying industry. Find out how to become a surveyor as a student with an accredited degree at https://hkis.org.hk/hkis/general/pdf/member/2022/Student_AF202205.pdf

Graduates of the Programme are eligible to apply for Corporate Membership and the Young Surveyors Group. Members of HKIS will be admitted through the completion of the Assessment of Professional Competence Scheme (APC). As part of this, a Probationer has to complete suitable training for a minimum period of 24 months, depending on divisional requirements, and to satisfy the assessments before being considered for admission to HKIS. Details can be found at: https://hkis.org.hk/en/membership_become.html

What students can get from HKIS:

Reciprocal recognition agreements with domestic and overseas organisations, including the China Association of Engineering Consultants, New Zealand Property Institute, Canadian Institute of Quantity Surveyors and Chartered Institution of Civil Engineering Surveyors …… Having an HKIS accreditation means students can have recognition from others.

Various benefits, including Dining, Medical Benefits, Shopping, insurance, etc.

A social network including 11,170 RICS professionals around the world.

Wider industry recognition, more job opportunities, and the latest insights.

Scholarship and Fellowship

Scholarship

Admission Requirements

Outstanding applicants admitted to the programme will be considered for the MScGIS Admission Scholarship.

Amount of the Scholarship
The maximum amount of the scholarship shall be HK$10,000 per student per academic year. Up to 7 candidates will be considered for the scholarships each year.

Eligibility
The scholarship shall be awarded to a student who

is a full-time student registered for our programme, and
graduates from a good university with high GPA (first class honor or equivalent), and
has good English proficiency

Students with experience in large-scale projects or regional, national and international competitions in Geoinformation Science or relevant areas will be advantageous.

Fellowship

MScGIS Young Research Fellowship Scheme

It is set up to award ONE outstanding student from the MScGIS programme in the class of 2025-26. The fellowship recipient will be offered a cash award and the opportunity to conduct scholarly research under the supervision of our colleague in the Department of Geography Resource and Management.

The provisions are listed below

One student will be awarded, and
The cash award is HK$10,000, and
On top of the cash award, the fellowship recipient is offered the opportunity to work as a full-time research assistant (RA) for up to 12 months under the supervision of one of the professors upon successfully completing his/her MScGIS study.

Scholarship

Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies

The programme is offered under the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies. Eligible local students admitted under this scheme will only be required to pay a minimum tuition fee of HK$47,000 for the 2026/27 intake, which aligns with the prevailing tuition rates for UGC-funded programmes. The difference between the actual tuition fee and the amount paid by the student will be subsidised by the scholarship, subject to a cap of HK$100,000 per student, regardless of the actual duration or mode of study of the programme.