Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) – 香港理工大学

Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is a public university in Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong. It began as the Government Trade School in 1937 and became a university in 1994. Learn more from PolyU’s official history.

More than 33,900 students study at PolyU across over 186 programmes in engineering, design, business, tourism, health sciences, and computing.

In addition, full-time undergraduate students complete Work-Integrated Education (WIE). This gives them practical work experience before graduation.

Why Choose Hong Kong Polytechnic University?

Hong Kong Polytechnic University offers several benefits for international students:

• Strong subjects: PolyU performs well in tourism, civil engineering, nursing, architecture, design, and environmental science.
• Career-focused learning: Undergraduate students complete Work-Integrated Education before graduation.
• International location: The Hung Hom campus offers easy access to central Kowloon and Hong Kong’s transport network.
• Scholarships: Eligible non-local students can apply for entry and post-entry awards

Undergraduate Admission Requirements

PolyU’s undergraduate admission requirements set the general rules for international students. However, some programmes have extra requirements.

Applicants generally need:

• A recognised secondary-school certificate
• Academic transcripts
• Passport or identity documents
• English language proof
• A portfolio or interview for some programmes

PolyU accepts credentials such as the IB Diploma and international A-Levels. For A-Levels, the general guideline is Grade B or above in three subjects.

Under PolyU’s English language requirements, the standard scores are IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80. Some programmes require higher scores

Postgraduate Admission Requirements

Under PolyU’s graduate admission requirements, most master’s programmes require a recognised bachelor’s degree. Some programmes also ask for English proof, an interview, or extra documents.

Common documents include:

• Bachelor’s degree certificate
• Academic transcripts
• English language proof, if required
• Programme-specific documents
• Interview or test, if required

Research degree applicants may also need a research proposal, CV, personal statement, and academic references.

Undergraduate Tuition Fees

For 2026/27, non-local students in government-funded bachelor’s programmes pay:

Fee	Amount
Annual tuition	HK$200,000
Initial fee when accepting an offer	HK$20,000

According to PolyU’s 2026/27 tuition fees, the HK$20,000 initial payment counts toward first-semester tuition.

Postgraduate Tuition Fees

Graduate tuition depends on the programme. For research degrees, PolyU lists these 2026/27 annual tuition fees:

Research programme	Annual Tuition
Full-time MPhil/PhD without stipend	HK$94,000
Full-time MPhil/PhD with stipend	HK$47,000
Part-time MPhil/PhD	HK$47,000

What Scholarships Does PolyU Offer?

PolyU scholarships for non-local students include renewable tuition awards and other financial support.

For 2026/27, eligible non-local students may receive:

• Renewable full tuition
• An annual allowance of up to HK$60,000
• A one-time HK$30,000 exchange scholarship

PolyU also offers faculty-specific awards and post-entry scholarships based on academic and non-academic achievement.

When Are PolyU Application Deadlines?

PolyU’s main undergraduate intake is in September.

For postgraduate study:

Intake	Current application information
January 2027 taught programmes	Deadline: 23 October 2026
September 2027 taught programmes	Early-round deadline: 20 October 2026
September 2027 research programmes	1 September 2026–31 May 2027

However, some departments may close applications earlier. Therefore, students should check PolyU’s official dates before applying.

PolyU’s main Hung Hom campus covers about 9.46 hectares.

• Food and Dining: Campus restaurants and cafés provide several dining options for students.
• Student Housing: First-year non-local students can usually apply for PolyU housing. From the second year, many students arrange private housing.
• Library: The Pao Yue-kong Library has about 1.1 million books and 8.1 million e-books. The library also provides journals, databases, and study spaces.
• Sports: Indoor and outdoor sports facilities are available on campus
• Research and Academic Support: PolyU supports strong research activity in AI, engineering, smart cities, health, aerospace, and materials.

What Is Hung Hom and Kowloon Like for Students?

PolyU is in Hung Hom, Kowloon, near Tsim Sha Tsui and Victoria Harbour. Hung Hom Station connects students to many parts of Hong Kong.

Hong Kong has strong public transport, widely used English, and an international student experience. The city is also a major centre for finance, technology, trade, design, and tourism.

For Mainland China, high-speed trains leave from Hong Kong West Kowloon Station, which connects to China’s high-speed rail network.

Living Expenses in Hong Kong

Expense	Official Reference
University-managed accommodation	HK$17,305/year*
Basic meals	HK$52,000/year
Personal expenses	HK$18,350/year
Tuition	HK$200,000/year
Estimated annual total	HK$287,655

The housing figure uses PolyU’s 2025/26 reference rate. The 2026/27 rate may change. In addition, private housing after the first year can cost more.

Students considering mainland China can also read our living in China guide. It covers housing, transport, daily costs, and local life.

Need Help Applying to Hong Kong Polytechnic University?

Planning to study in China or comparing PolyU with other universities? We can help with programmes, admissions, tuition, scholarships, and applications.

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