Columbia University 3+2 Initiative (Elite Class) | School of Science and Engineering

CUHK-Shenzhen and Columbia University proudly offer the CUHK-Shenzhen-Columbia Engineering 3+2 Initiative (Elite Class) — the only Columbia Engineering Combined Bachelor-Master Arrangement in Asia.

Columbia University in the City of New York is a top-tier private research university and one of the fourteen founding members of the Association of American Universities (AAU). It is also a member of the Ivy League. Since 1864, Columbia Engineering has been a resource to the world for major advances in human progress. Today, Columbia Engineering is a global leader in engineering education, research, and impact.

Open to all undergraduate programs at SSE.

Enrollment for 30-35 students in 2025.

Program Highlights

Honors Courses and Customized Study Scheme
Accelerated Education Path: Complete undergraduate and master's degrees within 5 years
Tuition:
Tuition fee follows the hosting university's guidelines
Only the degree retention fee for CUHK(SZ) is required in the fourth year
Waivers from Columbia University: English proficiency test scores, 3-6 credits tuition fees, application fees
Career Opportunities: Eligible to apply for CPT^* to intern at U.S. companies during the summer after the fourth year; Apply for 1-3 years of OPT^* to work in the U.S. after graduation
^*Please refer to the local policy.

Study Plan

Year 1-3, @ CUHK(SZ): One course per year taught by Columbia Engineering faculty during the second and third years; Summer research opportunities at Columbia University

Year 4, @ Columbia University: Academic exchanges at Columbia Engineering, Columbia University; Students who meet the prescribed requirements will receive a bachelor’s degree from CUHK(SZ)

Year 5, @ Columbia University: Enrollment in the master’s program at Columbia University; Students who meet the prescribed requirements will receive a master’s degree from Columbia University

Master's Programs at Columbia University

Students can apply to 10 - 17 master’s programs at Columbia University

Undergraduate Programs Master's Programs at Columbia University	Mathematics and Applied Mathematics (10 programs)	Physics (15 programs)	Chemistry (13 programs)	Materials Science and Engineering (13 programs)	New Energy Science and Engineering (15 programs)	Electrical and Computer Engineering (17 programs)
Applied Mathematics	√	√	√	√	√	√
Financial Engineering	√	√	√	√	√	√
Computer Engineering						√
Business Analytics	√	√	√	√	√	√
Operations Research	√	√	√	√	√	√
Industrial Engineering	√	√	√	√	√	√
Computer Science						√
Carbon Management	√	√	√	√	√	√
Electrical Engineering					√	√
Applied Physics		√	√	√	√	√
Quantum Science & Technology	√	√			√	√
Medical Physics		√				√
Chemical Engineering			√	√	√
Materials Science		√	√	√	√	√
Data Science	√	√	√	√	√	√
Mechanical Engineering		√			√	√
Management Science & Engineering	√	√	√	√	√	√
Earth & Environmental Engineering	√	√	√	√	√	√
Civil Engineering & Engineering Mechanics		√	√	√

Credit Requirements

The undergraduate program at CUHK-Shenzhen requires 120 credits (including some credits earned during the fourth year at Columbia University).
The master’s programs at Columbia University require 30 or 36 credits.

Admission

Pre-entry: Interview conducted by CUHK(SZ)
Post-entry: Interview before the start of the first and second summer semesters

Frequently Asked Questions

1. When does the program begin?

The program has been launched in the 2024/2025 academic year. Only undergraduate students matriculating in 2024 Fall and beyond are eligible to join this program.

2. What are the advantages of participating in this program compared to individually applying for a Master’s program at Columbia Engineering?

In the first three years at CUHK-Shenzhen, students will benefit from tailor-made honor courses, including one course per year taught by Columbia Engineering faculty during the second and third years
Students may complete both bachelor's and master's degrees within 5 years, accelerating the master's program by 1 or 2 semesters
Columbia University waives the English proficiency test requirement, application fee for the Master’s program, and up to 3 or 6 credits of tuition (valued at $7,752 or $15,504, depending on the program). The 6-credit tuition waiver applies to 36-credit master’s programs only
Students can apply for CPT^* (Curricular Practical Training) during the summer after their fourth year to intern in the U.S. After completing the fifth year, students can apply for OPT^** (Optional Practical Training) to work in the U.S. for 1-3 years.

^*CPT allows international students on F-1 visas to work temporarily in the U.S. while enrolled in a higher education institution.
^**OPT is a work authorization for international students in the U.S., permitting them to work in their field of study for up to 3 years.

3. How are the program fees calculated?

First three years: Students pay CUHK-Shenzhen's full tuition fee, along with fees for two 3-credit courses taught by Columbia Engineering faculty.
Fourth year: Students receive a 90% tuition waiver from CUHK-Shenzhen's tuition and pay Columbia Engineering’s full tuition. If students were awarded a CUHK-Shenzhen Entry scholarship, the scholarship for the fourth year will follow the policies for exchange/visiting programs.
Fifth year: Students pay Columbia Engineering’s full tuition fee.
*Note: Columbia University’s tuition is charged per credit. For the 2024-2025 academic year, the cost is $2,584 per credit.
⚪ A 30-credit master’s program requires 48 credits (after waiving 3 credits), with a total tuition cost of approximately $116,280.
⚪ A 36-credit master’s program requires 54 credits (after waiving 6 credits), with a total tuition cost of approximately $124,032.
Estimated additional expenses during Columbia enrollment (subject to individual circumstances):
⚪ Miscellaneous fees: $2,000
⚪ Health insurance: $6,000
⚪ Housing: $15,000–20,000
⚪ Personal expenses (food, books, transportation): $10,000
⚪ Total: Approximately $33,000–$38,000 per year

4. What are the program's withdrawal policies?

The program committee evaluates students annually. Most students will remain in the program, but those with poor performance may receive warnings. If their performance does not improve in the following semester, they may be required to withdraw and transfer to a regular program.

Students subject to disciplinary measures will be automatically removed from the program. Additionally, students may voluntarily withdraw at any time. For example, during the first three years, students can opt out of the 3+2 initiative. Similarly, students may choose not to enroll in Columbia’s Master’s program in the fifth year.

5. What are the credit requirements for the initiative?

Columbia Engineering offers Master's programs with two tracks:

A 30-credit track
A 36-credit track (which includes Financial Engineering, Management Science & Engineering, Medical Physics, and Business Analytics)

To complete the program successfully, students must:

Earn either 48 credits (for the 30-credit Master's track) or 54 credits (for the 36-credit track) at Columbia Engineering. This includes credits from courses taught by Columbia faculty during Years 2–3 at CUHK-Shenzhen.
Fulfill all CUHK-Shenzhen undergraduate credit requirements within the first four years. Credits earned at Columbia in Year 4 could be transferred back to count toward CUHK-Shenzhen's graduation requirements, subject to the rules and regulations of the university and schools

6. If I transfer to another school, will I remain eligible for the initiative?

Eligibility depends on whether the student's new major is part of the initiative, and the final decision will be made by the receiving school. In addition, the student must complete all required credits on time.

7. Can students freely choose their Master’s program at Columbia Engineering?

Master’s program options are restricted by students’ undergraduate major. Students should consult their School for details.

Updated to May 2025