University General Education (GE) is offered to all undergraduates at CUHK-Shenzhen. All students are required to complete a minimum of 18 units of GE courses. The GE curriculum is composed of two categories of courses—General Education Foundation (GEF) courses and General Education Elective (GEE) courses. The GEF Programme aims to provide all undergraduate students with a common learning experience and foundation for university learning. All students are required to complete these two courses which engage students in dialogues on perennial concerns of human existence through the reading of classics. Taught in seminar style, they are designed to help students cultivate knowledge, attitudes, and skills that are essential for independent learning.

The Language & Communication Division (LCD) is responsible for the planning and offering of language courses (including University-core courses) at CUHK-Shenzhen and the running of the newly-approved BA in English Studies program of HSS. LCD comprises of the English Language Teaching Unit (ELTU), the Chinese Language Teaching Unit (CLTU), the Modern Languages Teaching Unit (MLTU), and the Self-Access Language Learning Center which provides services to local and international students in English and Chinese learning. ELTU offers both general University-core (U-core) English courses to the whole university and specific foundation English courses to HSS undergraduate students majoring in language programs. It also supports the operation of the newly added BA in English Studies program. CLTU offers U-core Chinese courses to local and international students. MLTU offers language courses (other than English and Chinese) to HSS students studying language programs and students from other schools who want to learn a new foreign language. LCD also offers free elective courses in areas related to language acquisition, linguistics, literature, creative writing, culture, and communications.

Physical Education Unit (PEU) provides required and elective courses, which are offered to all undergraduates at CUHK-Shenzhen. As one of the core courses, physical education is divided into physical education and fitness and health, accounting for 2 credits (1 credit/semester). The objective of this course is to help students improve their interest in sports, enhance their sports ability, form sports habits, establish a healthy and active lifestyle, and cultivate their general skills such as innovation, communication, teamwork and so on. In addition, PEU has also set up elective courses such as rock climbing, golf and swimming for students.

To keep up with the rapid advancement of modern technology, HSS offers an Information Technology course to equip students with fundamental knowledge about computer science and information technology. The course aims at training students to master basic IT skills and enhancing their competence in using computers. In addition, students will get to know the most important technology breakthroughs, learn how to effectively search and properly utilize information, understand information security risks, protect themselves against common cyber-attacks, and become a good “Netizen”.