To keep pace with globalisation and broaden its students' international outlook, United College launched the comprehensive Globe-Oriented Active Learning Programme in 2008. Supported by a wide range of scholarships and financial awards, students have many opportunities to participate in non-local learning activities organised by the College or co-organised with other units of the University.

The GOAL Programme encompasses long-term and short-term student exchanges, language and cultural learning programmes, research and internship projects, and many more. Through engagement in various cultural settings, students can learn to live and interact with people from different parts of the world.

Founded in 1787, Williams College is renowned for its academic excellence and strong liberal arts tradition. Each year United College sends one student to Williams for a one-year exchange programme. Successful candidates receive a scholarship offered by Williams covering full tuition and accommodation fees at Williams College. In return, Williams College sends two graduate students to United College for one year to undertake research or assist with English Language teaching work.

Under the exchange agreement, United College sends 2 students to Sung Kyun Kwan University for a one-year exchange programme each year.

Soka University of Japan was founded in 1971. Under the exchange agreement signed between the Chinese University of Hong Kong and Soka University in 1985, United College sends one student to Soka University for a one-year exchange placement each year. Year 1 and 2 students of the College with good academic performance, knowledge of the Japanese language and Japanese culture are eligible to apply.

Under the exchange agreement, United College sends 2-3 students to Oulu University for a one-year exchange placement each year.

The College selects 25 students to attend a summer programme at University of Edinburgh. The programme includes morning formal language courses, afternoon cultural activities and a host family stay. It is designed to help students to enhance their language proficiencies in a native English environment.

The College selects 15 students to attend a summer programme at a renowned university in China. In addition to the formal teaching and introduction to Putonghua phonology, intensive interaction with native Putonghua-speaking students is arranged to provide students with opportunities for the purposeful use of Putonghua.

This programme was launched in 1989. Each year, United College invites a university outside Hong Kong to be partner in this bilateral exchange programme. Both sides select no more than 8 students as "budding scholars" who will be required to conduct research on a special topic. The findings of the research will be presented by the students when visiting the partner institution. Some of the exchange partners in the previous years include Jilin University, Nanjing University, the National University of Singapore, Shanghai Jiaotung University, Sichuan University, Tsinghua University, Zhejiang University, Shandong University, the University of Washington in Seattle and the University of Missouri, USA.

Jointly organised by the College and the Hong Kong America Center, the College selects about 20 students each year to participate in this 2-week study programme in Washington, DC. Through seminars and visits, students have the opportunity to gain a better understanding of American society in general.

This 2-week programme was established in 2008. The College selects 30 students to take part in a credit bearing intensive French course (elementary) at the Université Catholique de Lyon. Apart from attending language classes, the programme also includes some sight seeing and excursion activities to enable students to gain a better understanding of the local culture.

This programme was established in 2008. The College selects 25 students to attend a summer course organised by Utrecht University in the Netherlands. The main theme of the course is "European Cultures and Identities". Upon satisfactory completion of the course requirements, students can apply for exemption from the College's compulsory General Education Course, GEU 4011 "Senior Seminar".

The College will launch a new 2 -week culture and language programme at Barcelona, Spain in the summer of 2009. Under this new programme, the College will select 30 students to take part in a credit bearing intensive Spanish course (elementary) at the Universitat Autónoma de Barcelona. Apart from attending language classes, the programme also includes some sight seeing and excursion activities to enable students to gain a better understanding of the local culture.

This scheme was established in 2008 to provide scholarships for College students to attend credit bearing summer courses offered by the following universities: Australia - University of New South Wales; Canada - University of British Columbia, McGill University; Korea - Seoul National University, Sung Kyun Kwan University; Netherlands - Utrecht University; UK - University of Oxford, University of Cambridge; London School of Economics-University of London; USA - University of California at Berkeley, University of California at Irvine, University of California at Los Angeles, University of California at San Diego, Harvard University, University of Iowa, University of Pittsburgh, University of Texas at Austin, Yale University.

Supported by the College Endowment Fund, these studentships allow students to participate in short-term non-local study programmes and activities organised by the College, the University and other reputable outside organisations. Interested students are welcome to apply.

This award scheme is open for application to those students who are going to join a short-term non-local internship or research programme (including field trips) of the respective teaching Department/Faculty during summer or winter break.

This new Programme is jointly organised by United College, Shaw College and Zhejiang University. United College and Shaw College will send totally twenty students to attend a 3-week internship programme in Hangzhou and conduct academic research there. The second part of the programme will take place in Hong Kong, totally 40 students from both universities will visit different government departments and organizations in Hong Kong.

Five scholarships of HK$10,000 each were established through a donation by Mr and Mrs K L Wong to support undergraduate students of United College to go to an Ivy League school or an institution of comparable repute in the USA, during the summer break, to attend a short course of study or join a short training programme.

These scholarships of HK$20,000 each, were established to enable students to visit China and carry out independent research on its society, economy, culture, environment and education during the summer break.

With generous support from Mr Lam Yee Lung Wade, the Lam Yee Lung Wade China Employment Award Scheme is set up to provide financial support to students taking up summer internship in China to improve their understanding of the society and culture of China.

These scholarships were established through a donation from the China National Offshore Oil Corporation to provide financial assistance to United College students from mainland China who intend to participate in an overseas exchange programme organised by The Chinese University or by United College. The overseas tenure can be for one term or for the whole academic year. The value of each scholarship is expected to cover roughly one-third of the estimated cost of living during the student's stay in the host country.

These non-local study awards are established with donations from respective donors. Outstanding candidates joining different programmes of the College will be nominated by the Dean of Students’ Office to apply for these awards.

These scholarships of up to HK$10,000 each were established by the College Endowment Fund Committee to support undergraduate students who are participating in one-year or half-year non-local exchange programmes organised by the Chinese University or by United College.

One scholarship of HK$120,000 is awarded to a graduate of United College to pursue a full-time postgraduate programme in a reputable overseas educational institution. Preference will be given to those students who plan to pursue a higher degree in a human-service-related discipline. Students indicating willingness to return to Hong Kong after studies overseas will have a distinct advantage.

One to two scholarships, in a total amount of HK$40,000, are awarded to fresh graduates of United College to help start off their first year of postgraduate studies at recognised overseas universities.

One to two scholarships, in a total amount of HK$50,000, are awarded to graduates of United College to pursue postgraduate studies at recognised universities in Hong Kong or abroad. Applicants are preferably under 26 years of age.