HSBC Business School Q&AIncoming Class of 2014

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Table of Contents

(3) State of the School

(5) Calendar and Scheduling

(6) Course Selection

(7) Course Content

(8) Application Processes

(10) School Policies

(13) Technology Support

(14) Internships and Employment

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State of the School

As of spring 2014, how many students are enrolled in the Master of Management, Master of Economics, and Master of Economics in Quantitative Finance programs?

The total student body for the PHBS Master’s programs can be divided as follows:

Masters of Economics: 54 students (including 9 internationals)Masters of Econ. In Quant. Finance: 196 students (including 17 internationals)Masters of Management: 89 students (including 17 internationals)

*the data for international students only includes those in their first year of study

All students are full-time, and the majority of domestic students are participating in a dual degree program with HKU, CUHK or NUS.

From which undergraduate institutions do our domestic classmates come?

Your Chinese peers will be some of the most academically accomplished young people in the country. 25% of PHBS’ domestic students graduated from PKU’s main campus undergraduate program, while an additional 45% come from China’s other top 10 undergraduate programs.

International students will make up roughly 20% of the incoming class of 2014, so it is critical for overseas students to make an effort in getting to know their domestic peers and integrating in the academic and extracurricular pursuits of the PHBS student body.

How many students received scholarships? What is the matriculation rate?

HSBC Business School actively seeks to attract driven, dynamic graduate candidates from around the world. In recognition of the financial burden of pursuing a Master’s degree, PHBS awards an average 85% of all incoming international students some sort of scholarship. The scholarship partially or entirely covers the cost of tuition per academic year and is awarded based on students’ work experiences and academic records.

Is the school getting EPAS accreditation for the Master of Economics in Quant. Finance program? Yes, HSBC Business School is in the process of seeking EPAS Accreditation for its Master of Economics in Quantitative Finance, in addition to AACSB accreditation for all PHBS programs. It is anticipated that these processes will be successfully completed in 2016.

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What is the school’s relationship with HSBC? HSBC initially donated a large endowment to assist in the school’s establishment. Though there is no continued formal relationship between the bank and the school. However, a number of our alumni have gone on to work for HSBC.

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Calendar and Scheduling

What is the academic schedule for the 2014-2015 year? When are the midterms and finals?

The PKU Shenzhen Calendar for the 2013-2014 Academic Year can be found here: http://english.phbs.pku.edu.cn/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=613

It is possible that the PKU HSBC Business School academic calendar will vary slightly from that of the PKU Shenzhen calendar by one or two days, due to faculty or student needs. The PHBS academic calendar for the coming academic year will be confirmed in July 2014.

Each Module is composed of nine weeks of coursework, with midterms taking place roughly one month into each course. Finals are held during the last few days of each Module, and there is usually a 2-3 day break between each Module.

It is important to note that the Chinese academic calendar does not allot for a vacation during late December, but instead has a month-long holiday in February. While PHBS faculty members are forgiving about students missing class for religious/family purposes, it is difficult for international students to return home for the holidays outside of the prescribed vacation periods. Please plan your travels according to the PKU Shenzhen academic calendar and the dates of Orientation.

Can I finish the Master’s program in one year?

No. The Master’s Degree programs are all two-year programs. However, students sometimes opt to satisfy their course credits requirement during their first year so that they can participate in full-time internships during their second year. Students who choose to be off-campus during their second year must continue to work on their final thesis project, and are required to return to campus at the end of their second year (mid-April to late June) for the thesis defense process. Students will not receive their Master’s degree without successfully passing their thesis defense.

Is there a limited time that I must complete my studies?

If you're unable to graduate in the standard two-year period, the school will examine your case and you will have to pay a lower tuition fee for additional semesters of study.

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Course Selection

When can I register for classes? When can I see the syllabi for the next Module?

Students will be able to select their courses online several days prior to the beginning of each Module (for Module 1 this will be during Orientation). Each Module’s course schedule will be distributed online roughly two weeks in advance. The Administrative Office tracks student interest in specific courses and student demand for required courses within each program. Students very seldom are unable to register for their intended courses.

What is the limit of classes I can take in one Module?

The standing rule is that you may take 3 courses per module. When you arrive on campus you may talk to individual professors about possibly auditing courses for no credit, if you are looking to take extra classes.

On average, how many required classes do I have to take per module?

Students take between one and two mandatory classes per module. The remaining course slots are filled by elective courses which are directly applicable to the student’s major (this is determined based on the course listing and the consent of the student’s Faculty Advisor).

Can I take classes from other majors?

Yes, students may take classes from other majors within HSBC Business School, as well as one or two courses in the School of Transnational Law each module. Some of the school’s elective courses are cross-listed in two or more programs (for example, some courses are listed as both within the Economics and Finance Departments). While required courses may not be replaced with any alternative coursework, students may select any Elective courses within the three PHBS Master’s programs.

Can I audit classes from the HKU, NUS, CUHK or MBA programs?

International students cannot audit classes from the HKU, NUS or CUHK programs due to the limitations of the school’s contract. Similarly, the majority of MBA courses are not open to Master’s candidates, and they are conducted in Chinese anyway.

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Course Content

How large is the difference in course content between the three Master’s programs?

As one might expect, there are significant differences in course content between the Master’s programs in Management, Economics, and Quantitative Finance. While there is some overlap, especially in terms of each program’s reliance on a basic knowledge of economics and a discussion of the role of the Chinese market in global business, each program is distinct in terms of its cultivation of an expertise in a research field.

For course listings of each program and information on potential research specializations, please visit the webpage below:http://english.phbs.pku.edu.cn/index.php?m=content&c=index&a=lists&catid=614

Is the program the same for Chinese students and international students? Do they attend classes together?

Yes, Chinese and international students attend all classes together. However, the international students program is a two-year, accelerated track, while most Chinese students spread their coursework over three years in order to participate in part-time internships.

What are some examples of cases used in the courses? Are the classes case-heavy or math-heavy?

Classes tend to be a mix of mathematical analysis and case study work, though many international students (particularly those in Economics and Finance) have mentioned that the mathematics component is heavier than they thought it would be. If you have questions about specific course content, only individual professors would have the answers to those questions.

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Application Processes

How do I apply for the PhD program?

The Doctorate of Economics program is open to current Master of Economics candidates at PHBS. Currently PHBS only accepts two PhD candidates per year. Therefore, the application process is particularly selective. Domestic and international students alike are encouraged to apply. Students have the opportunity to apply for the PhD program at the beginning of their second year at PHBS. There's an interview process, and ultimately two professor advisers will choose two students.

Can I get a dual degree? How do I apply for the dual-degree program?

Two dual degree programs are currently open to international applicants.

The dual degree program between PHBS and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is a three-year program in which students receive a Master of Economics in Quant. Finance from PKU and a Master of Economics degree from CUHK. To be admitted to this program, you will need to apply to the Chinese University of Hong Kong during your first Module at PHBS. The admission cap for the 2014-2015 academic year has already been reached.

The dual degree program with the National University of Singapore is also open to international applicants. This three-year program offers a PKU Master of Finance and an NUS Master of Financial Engineering. For more information on applying, please contact int.admissions@phbs.pku.edu.cn

How do I apply for a leave of absence?

If a request for a leave of absence is for medical reasons, official documents from the school hospital or a hospital of county level or above must be submitted. If the leave of absence is not more than one week, the application needs to be approved by a student’s advisor as well as the teachers of the classes the student will miss. If it is more than one week, the application needs to be approved by the Executive Dean. If the cumulative leave of absence is more than one month in one semester, the case shall be reported to the Graduate School of Peking University. If the cumulative leave of absence is more than 1/3 of the total weeks of one semester, a compulsory suspension will be enforced.

If a request for a leave of absence is for personal reasons, students must first obtain approval from their instructors for up to one week, or the approval of the Executive Dean for up to one month. Students shall not apply for a leave of absence in cumulative of more than one month. Instead, they must apply for a suspension from the Graduate School of Peking University. Students returning from a leave of absence shall re-register at the PHBS Administrative Office before their leave of absence is due. If students require an extension of an existing leave of absence, they are required to undergo the same procedures as with their first application.

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When students plan to attend internship programs or other activities off campus, they shall first obtain approval from their instructors and the Executive Dean and report their intended leave to the PHBS Administrative Office. Those students leaving the school without approval will receive a penalty according to relevant regulations of the school.

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School Policies

Can I decide to change my major if I am not satisfied with the program I have chosen?

Peking University policy inhibits students from changing their major at any point before or during their studies. You must continue studying within the major program you have applied for.

How many courses does each student have to take to graduate?

Each Master’s program requires students to complete 12 Module-long courses, or 36 credits, in order to graduate. The proportion of required and elective courses is subject to variation based on which program a student is entering. In addition to these 12 courses, each student must participate in a Thesis Seminar in the final two months of their second academic year and successfully pass the oral thesis defense. Without completing the thesis project and defense, a student will only be given a Certificate of Course Completion, and will not receive a Peking University diploma.

What grade is required to pass a course?

Students are required to attain a cumulative grade of at least 70% (B-) to pass a course. Instances of excessive unwarranted absences, unapproved extended leaves, or academic dishonor will result in a failing grade.

How are course grades usually determined? Is there a school-wide standard for grade evaluation?

While PHBS does not monitor how faculty members decide to evaluate student performance in each course, there are school-wide standards which ensure transparency and accountability in the grading process.

PHBS students have the right to see supporting evidence for their grade breakdown. If a student does not understand how they earned their course grade, they may ask the course professor to provide a detailed breakdown of how the student’s grade was determined. All faculty members will also provide a breakdown of the course grade (composed of exams, projects, quizzes, participation, etc.) in the course syllabus.

What are the requirements for maintaining a scholarship from PHBS? If I fail a class, will I lose my scholarship?

In order for students to maintain their scholarships, they will need to maintain a grade average for the first academic year above 80%. In addition, students who fail a required course will automatically have their scholarships downgraded. Students are also expected to follow all rules and regulations set by Peking University and the Chinese government. A committee will convene at the end of every academic year to ensure that students receiving scholarships have met all requirements for

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scholarship renewal. If a scholarship is revoked, the student will be expected to pay his/her tuition in full for the following academic year.

A detailed explanation of scholarship maintenance and revocation guidelines will be explained during Academic Orientation and students will be provided a hard copy of the PHBS rules for personal reference.

How often are TA sessions conducted for each course? What about faculty office hours?

Each course with more than 10 students commonly has a TA. Whether or not a course offers a weekly TA session is dependent upon the professor and the specific course. TA sessions tend to be scheduled once a week for each class, and the TA session is scheduled depending on the availability of the Teaching Assistant and the students themselves.

Faculty members are required to have at least four hours of office hours per week to meet with students and thesis advisees. Professors can select their own office hours, and will distribute their office hours on course syllabi. Students should schedule one-on-one meetings with faculty members during office hours.

Can international students participate in PHBS’ exchange programs?

Absolutely! PHBS is adding new exchange programs every month, and these opportunities to study abroad are available to domestic and international students alike. PHBS policy states that only second-year students will be considered for exchange programs, which last one semester. Some programs are more competitive than others, and candidates are selected based on their academic performance at PHBS as well as their perceived ability to represent PHBS well during their time abroad.

Students may apply in the early spring to participate in an exchange program during the following academic year.

What happens if a student doesn’t pass the thesis defense process?

Master’s candidates who do not pass the thesis defense process at the end of their second year will have their case taken to the Peking University Academic Review Committee. The Committee reviews the candidate’s research paper along with comments from the faculty members on the student’s defense evaluation committee and decides whether to allow the candidate a second defense opportunity.

If a student is allowed to re-defend their thesis, the student must return to campus at the end of the following academic year to resubmit their revised thesis paper. PHBS does not allow for early re-

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defenses. If a student fails the defense process twice, they will not be given further opportunities to defend.

Candidates who fail the thesis defense twice, or who are not allowed to re-defend their thesis, will not be issued a graduation diploma from PHBS. Rather, these students will be provided with a Certificate of Completion of Coursework for the relevant Master’s program.

What are the policies in regards to participation in and the creation of academic clubs and organizations?

Student clubs and organizations that are academic in content are registered through the PHBS Student Union. Any student may create an academic organization, so long as they can provide evidence of sufficient student interest (collecting signatures). Academic organizations seek funding for visiting lecturers and on-campus events through the PHBS Student Union and the Administrative Office. Each funding opportunity is evaluated on a case-by-case basis, and student groups are required to submit post-event evaluations to demonstrate their contribution to the campus climate.

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Technology Support

Does PHBS have a Bloomberg terminal? How many terminals? Does the school have a financial research center?

The Financial Lab is a resource for students of Economics and Econ. Of Quant. Finance to track changes in financial markets the world over. The lab provides resources for students to tap into current market trends, including a Bloomberg Terminal, WIND, Eventus, Compustat, SRSP, and WRDS. Students use their school login information to access this research content, which is linked to national and international financial databases.

Are there training sessions for the Bloomberg terminal?

Yes, PHBS faculty members will conduct workshops during Orientation to familiarize new students with all on-campus resources, including the Bloomberg terminal. There is also a student manager of the finance lab that can offer assistance. What types of software are used in classes for each major? According to the students in the programs, only 2 or 3 courses use Matlab. SPSS, STATA, SAS, and AMOS are also commonly used, especially in economic courses.

Is it better to use a Mac or a PC for the software in the classes?

Matlab and Excel are used in some classes, for example macro- and microeconomics. You don't have to switch to a windows system for your coursework. Though it's more common to use Word systems in the classes, the software should be compatible with all Apple software.

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Internships and Employment

Can I hold an internship during the academic year?

First-year students are not permitted to hold internships during the academic year, but are urged to find internships for the following summer and their second year to supplement their graduate experience. Second-year students who have already satisfied their course credit requirements (with the exception of the thesis seminar) will be allowed to pursue long-distance internships, contingent on their return to campus in April to complete the thesis defense process.

PHBS alerts students to networking events, professional receptions, and job fairs in the area and provides students with job application counseling.

What on-campus employment is available to students?

Students are encouraged to apply for Teaching Assistant and Research Assistant positions within HSBC Business School, in addition to English tutoring opportunities around University Town. Though second-year students are usually given priority in filling TA and RA positions, qualified first-year students are sometimes considered for these positions. Additionally, first-year students will be considered for office internships around PKU Shenzhen.

Is off-campus employment allowed for PHBS students?

According to Chinese law, foreigners enrolled in a school in China cannot be employed by an external company or organization under the student (X) visa. Due to this law, PHBS cannot assist international students in finding outside employment. Still, several current international students have taken part-time jobs in language tutoring during their studies. PHBS does not recommend taking an outside job.

How many international students stay in China to work after graduating?

We expect a fairly large percentage of our 2014 international graduates to stay in mainland China to pursue internships or full-time positions. The advantage to studying at PKU Shenzhen is not only in Peking University’s name recognition, which takes students far in mainland China, but also in having the opportunity to network in mainland China and Hong Kong while still pursuing a Master’s degree.

However, all potential employers in China (domestic and foreign-owned) value Chinese language proficiency as well as an understanding of Chinese business culture. In this respect, many international graduates find it difficult to find a suitable position within mainland China, and look for opportunities elsewhere.

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What types of jobs do international students find after graduation?

At PHBS we take pride in being an extraordinarily young and dynamic graduate school, because this allows us to adjust quickly to meet the demands of our students and remain relevant in the academic landscape of each of our degree fields. However, being a new school, we don’t have a large alumni network from which we can draw statistical data.

PHBS has a Career Services Office dedicated to helping students find meaningful career and internship opportunities, and students have gone on to find work domestically and abroad in international trade, financial analysis, and corporate relations.

Past students have gone on to work for Deloitte, Philips, HSBC, ING, CitiBank, Towers Watson, General Electric, and Haygroup, among other organizations.

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