Hong Kong Polytechnic University

One of the largest and most ambitious universities in Asia is Hong Kong Polytechnic University. Its existence as a higher education institution dates back to 1994, but as a trading school - it was founded back in 1937 in the city of Hong Kong. At the moment, it is gaining momentum in its development.

How to proceed

For admission to the University of Hong Kong, you must first present a certificate in English or an existing diploma. Further, the responsible person of the admissions committee conducts a personal interview with each entrant. Such a conversation is very important, since the applicant can substantially increase his chances of enrolling in the presence of a list with low balls of the certificate. During the interview questions are asked about the chosen specialty and profile subject.
Foreign students are educated exclusively in English. Local citizens can study in Chinese (after passing the language exam).

Education

The academic year begins in September and is divided into two semesters. The tuition fee per year is 15,585 USD. Foreigners are offered a comfortable hostel costing 1,197-2,129 USD / month. If you rent an apartment in Hong Kong, then the price of accommodation will be several times higher. To its students the university offers various scholarship programs. When winning a victory in competitions and olympiads financial grants are provided. The total number of students is about 22,000.

Infrastructure Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The main building is built in a futuristic style. The beautiful view of the alleys, buildings and nature create an unforgettable impression.
The university is equipped with the largest library, which contains various collections of books from all directions.
There are also sports clubs, a bank, bookstores, a hostel, catering facilities and other buildings on the territory.

The university offers more than 150 undergraduate and graduate programs.

Master's and doctoral programs are divided into coursework-based programs and research programs, upon completion of which the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) are awarded — following the defense of a dissertation and an oral examination. Research programs are offered by six faculties and two academic schools.

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University has repeatedly appeared in international rankings:

• 17th place in the QS World University Rankings: Asia 2025,
• 75th place in the QS World University Rankings 2020,
• 129th place in the THE World University Rankings 2021, which is 42 positions higher than the 2020 result,
• 25th place in the QS Asia University Rankings 2020,
• 24th place in the THE Asia University Rankings 2020,
• 19th place in the world in the THE Young University Rankings 2020  — top 3 among Hong Kong universities,
• Top 50 in the world in six subject areas in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2020,
• 6th place in the QS «50 Best Young Universities in the World» ranking in 2021.

In 2022, the University of Waterloo (Canada) and the university jointly established the Centre for Eye and Vision Research — the world's first centre of this kind. Its research areas include myopia and eye growth, ophthalmic drug development and delivery, vision enhancement, tear film and ocular surface conditions, and optometric technologies.

In August 2023, the Asian Symposium on Medical Support for Children was held on campus, organized by the Department of Health Technology and Informatics together with a Hong Kong charitable foundation supporting children with cancer. The symposium featured an immersive virtual reality development for preparing children for radiation therapy, which reduced the need for general anesthesia among program participants by 81%.

The university has awarded honorary doctoral degrees to public figures, including Nobel Prize laureate in economics Robert Mundell (2009) and media mogul Sir Run Run Shaw (1991).

The extracurricular life of Hong Kong Polytechnic University students includes several areas:

• Participation in the university orchestra,
• Sports teams, including a swimming section,
• Exchange and overseas internship programs,
• Community service programs.

University advantages

When choosing a higher education institution, it is important for applicants to study in detail all the advantages and disadvantages. Concerning the Hong Kong University, the following advantages can be distinguished:

• Despite the short existence, the quality of education is at a high level. Especially popular are such areas as architecture, construction, electronics, IT-technologies, journalism, communications. They have the strongest programs that glorify the university around the world.
• Particular attention is paid to aviation. For this, there are special research institutes and programs.
• Do not lag behind in development and such areas as the technical safety of railways, food industry and sea routes. To increase the progress in research, the latest nanotechnologies are used.
• Hong Kong University is at 205 positions in the international rating, and in the country - at 5. A large number of teachers are foreign specialists.
  Famous graduates and teachers of the university are:
  Wong Karwai (film director, screenwriter);
  Alice Mack (artist, animator);
  Paul Wong (songwriter, singer, producer);
  Pinky Lai (automotive designer);
  Rebecca Lee Lok Shche.

Having graduated from university, graduates have a high demand in the market of employers, including well-known world companies. This opens up good prospects for building career growth.

When submitting application documents, an application processing fee is charged; upon enrollment — a registration fee: it is non-refundable and is applied toward the first semester's tuition.

Undergraduate tuition is paid in two installments — half of the annual amount before the start of each semester.

International undergraduate applicants may apply on the basis of one of the following international qualifications:

• International Baccalaureate,
• GCE A-Level or International A-Level qualification,
• Other international qualifications recognized by the university.

For some programs, the selection process may require a portfolio, additional documents, or an interview.

The university awards several types of scholarships for applicants and undergraduate students:

• Entrance scholarships — based on the academic and extracurricular achievements of applicants. In the 2018/19 academic year, approximately 365 local and 47 international first-year students received such scholarships,
• Merit scholarships for continuing students — based on academic and extracurricular achievements,
• Scholarships for participation in exchange programs and overseas internships for a semester or academic year,
• Scholarships for participation in community service programs — for students with high results in the relevant subjects,
• Sports scholarships — for students who have reached international level in their sport. The award amount may cover the full cost of tuition,
• International scholarships for international students — based on academic achievements, extracurricular accomplishments such as prizes at international competitions, and interview results.

Fully funded full-time master's and doctoral students (PhD and MPhil) have access to a research scholarship based on academic performance — a form of support that allows a postgraduate student to focus on their studies.

The amounts of named undergraduate scholarships vary, for example:

• A renewable scholarship of up to HK$60,000 per year,
• A renewable full tuition scholarship with an annual allowance of HK$60,000, a one-time exchange scholarship of HK$30,000, and the right to participate in the Undergraduate Research and Innovation Scheme student research program with an additional grant of up to HK$50,000,
• A scholarship of up to HK$500,000 for the entire duration of undergraduate study, exchange scholarships of up to HK$110,000, and the right to participate in the same program with an additional grant of up to HK$50,000.

Additional financial support from the university's international relations office and government subsidies is available for exchange programs and overseas internships. Individual faculties and schools may provide additional assistance for airfare, accommodation, and living expenses abroad.

• Guardianship services during the studies
• Student supervision