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ENGL3040 – Internship in English studies (capstone experience)

Note on the application period

 

Students who wish to enroll in the internship course must identify and secure a suitable workplace and complete this form: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JlVuuCU4GCFf1A at least two weeks before the proposed internship period starts, and no later than the end of the add/drop period of the designated semester, whichever is earlier. Please note that all sections of the form are mandatory. You are encouraged to collect all the required documents and draft your responses in a Word document before transferring them to the form. Retroactive requests cannot be considered.

 

Note on the enrollment procedures

 

Students are not allowed to enroll in the course by themselves on HKU Student Information System (SIS); only the School Office can do so after getting the Internship Coordinator’s approval of the application. The School Office will inform students of the application result, and enroll successful applicants in the course on SIS.

 

This course offers students a capstone learning experience by allowing them to take their classroom knowledge into the community. Students will have an opportunity for experiential learning, earn credits toward their degree, and engage in a rich experience while working in an organization that demonstrates a real impact on society. Grasping this opportunity will be a challenge: students are responsible for identifying and securing a suitable internship opportunity, in consultation with the course coordinator, and they have to demonstrate their capability to turn a work placement into a learning experience for the major. The duration of the internship will depend on the arrangement between the student and the organization or company, but should involve at least 120 contact hours of service. Please note that the School only accepts work in office arrangement, while work from home arrangement is not accepted. Assessment will be made on a pass/fail basis, based on participation in coursework including written report, as well as feedback from the organization contact.

Organization

The internship course can be taken in the first or second semester of the final year, or the summer semester of the third year. The duration of the internship is to be determined by the host organization, but should involve at least 120 contact hours of service. Please note that the School only accepts work in office arrangement, while work from home arrangement is not accepted. Students will be required to meet with the course coordinator at least once in connection with their internship. Students who wish to enroll in the internship course must identify and secure a suitable workplace and complete this form: https://hku.au1.qualtrics.com/jfe/form/SV_0JlVuuCU4GCFf1A at least two weeks before the proposed internship period starts, and no later than the end of the add/drop period of the designated semester, whichever is earlier.

Please note that you will be required to upload the following documents to the form:

  1. a completed form “Confirmation of acceptance” signed by a representative from the host organization;
  2. A screenshot of your transcript [click here for how to access your transcript on the HKU Portal]

* If the internship is completed in the summer semester of 2025, the honours classification for the BA Degree will be considered in September 2025.

Students are responsible for securing a placement with a suitable organization at least two weeks before the internship period starts. They may propose their own arrangements, to be approved by the course coordinator, or set up an internship with an organization listed below. You will be required to explain the connection between your studies in your English Studies major and your job duties in the application form. In past semesters, students independently arranged internships with organizations such as the US Consulate General and the Irish Chamber of Commerce.

The following organizations are currently accepting applications for internships in connection with this course. Students are encouraged to write to the host organizations directly if they wish to present themselves for possible internship opportunities. Applications will be considered by the organizations in accordance with their selection process and requirements.

⇒ Note: Students may also refer to the “Career Activities & Internships” webpage of the Faculty of Arts for internship opportunities.

Students are encouraged to write to the host organizations directly if they wish to present themselves for possible internship opportunities. Applications will be considered by the organizations in accordance with their selection process and requirements.

Important Points
  1. The School Office will inform students of the application result, and enroll successful applicants in the course on SIS.
  2. With the mutual agreement from the host organization, a student can apply to drop an internship course via the School Office during the designated add/drop period of each semester, but he/she has to take the responsibility to enroll in another capstone course (subject to the number of seats available) to fulfill the major requirement.
  3. A student bears the responsibility to ensure that the working hours for the internship required by the host organization will not clash with the teaching and learning activities required by the course(s) enrolled at HKU.
  4. All full-time undergraduates of HKU are covered by the University’s insurance scheme during the internship period.
  5. The course coordinator or the School Office may contact the host organization in connection with the student’s performance during the internship on a need basis.

For further information or if you have any questions about the internship course, please contact us at ugenglish@hku.hk.

Instructor(s)

PROFESSOR TARA LEE

Semester

2025-2026 First Semester

Credits

6

Contact Hours per week

3

Form of Assessment

100% Coursework

Prerequisite

A minimum Level 5 in English Language HKDSE exam, or an equivalent score in another recognized English proficiency test.