All undergraduate programmes are built on a flexible credit unit system. Students admitted through the National College Entrance Examination (Gaokao) have to complete 123 units, including units required for their majors, Physical Education, General Education, Digital Literacy and Computational Thinking, minors and free electives.

Students may, based on individual circumstances and interest, tailor the progress of their studies. Those who complete the required number of course units and satisfy the requirements of the major programme and of the University will be considered for the award of a Bachelor's degree. The normative period of study is four years, with the exception of a few special programmes.

CUHK undertakes a wide range of research programmes in many subject areas and strives to provide scope for all academic staff to undertake consultancy and collaborative projects with industry. The University's insistence on the highest standards of research has won it an enviable research reputation. Hong Kong's University Grants Committee (UGC) provides preferential grant funding to the local tertiary institutions to conduct research into 32 selected Areas of Excellence (AoEs). Eleven of these AoEs are being led by researchers from CUHK. The University houses five state key laboratories which are entrusted by the Ministry of Science and Technology of China to produce research of international quality and carry out important national research tasks.

The CUHK Strategic Plan 2016–2020 identified four research foci, which are of critical importance to the flourishing of humanity in the 21st century: Tradition and Modernity; Innovative Biomedicine; Information and Automation Technology; and Environmental and Sustainability. Considerable resources have been devoted to developing these areas, and they will continue to guide the University's research under "CUHK 2025".

"One brand, two campuses" may best sum it up. CUHK-Shenzhen was founded in accordance with the Regulations of the People's Republic of China on Chinese-foreign Cooperation in Running Schools upon approval by the Ministry of Education. It carries on the vision and the academic system of CUHK. The academic programmes of both universities are vetted and supervised by the Senate of CUHK, and the degree certificates of CUHK-Shenzhen's undergraduates are awarded by CUHK.

CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen have separate, independent admissions processes and different institution codes for applications. Mainland students admitted to CUHK are normally required to report to the university in Hong Kong in late August, except for those going for overseas exchange or internships. They spend the four years of undergraduate studies on the Hong Kong campus. Those admitted to CUHK-Shenzhen study on the Shenzhen campus during the four years of undergraduate studies, except for overseas exchange and internships.

In addition, CUHK and CUHK-Shenzhen will jointly provide a first-of-its-kind collaborative double major programme in the Greater Bay Area. The two institutions will admit a total of 40 to 50 students every year. Students will pursue a programme in Interdisciplinary Data Analytics and another major from among specific academic disciplines (Science, Engineering and Business) offered by either CUHK or CUHK-Shenzhen. During the four-year study period, students will enjoy flexibility in their choice of courses and spend two years on each campus for studies, research and field trips. They will also have internship opportunities with leading national and multi-national enterprises located in Hong Kong and Shenzhen. Students will enjoy the resources and competitive edges of both places. They will be well equipped to join those enterprises on graduation. See the programme details here.