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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Graduate School


About

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) aspires to be an innovative world-class university with a strong sense of social responsibility, driven by its motto, “To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind”. The University's unwavering commitment to excellence has earned international recognition, consistently ranked among the top 100 universities worldwide.

As a world-leading research university, PolyU has a three-decade history of providing degree education. The establishment of the Graduate School in September 2020 further reinforced PolyU’s dedication to assisting research students in achieving scholarship excellence and success. [Learn about our research excellence and facilities]

PolyU offers a wide spectrum of research postgraduate programmes through six faculties and three schools, covering business, construction and environment, engineering, health and social sciences, humanities, science, design, fashion and textiles, and hotel and tourism management. These programmes are designed to provide a holistic research curriculum that equips students with niche discipline-specific knowledge and fundamental academic training. [Learn about research programmes]

Throughout their research journey, students are set to conduct impactful research at cutting-edge facilities with excellent supervision, student mobility opportunities and supportive resources. Located at the bustling heart of Asia in Hong Kong, the university’s convenient location offers a vibrant and dynamic living environment, enhancing the overall student experience.

General Entrance Requirements

 

Normal Study Period

Entrance Requirement

PhD Programme

FT 3 years / PT 6 years

Holder of an MPhil degree or equivalent (a research postgraduate degree with a dissertation as an award requirement), conferred by a recognised university

FT 4 years / PT 8 years

Holder of a Master's degree or Bachelor's degree with First Class Honours or equivalent, conferred by a recognised university

MPhil Programme

FT 2 years / PT 4 years

At least hold a Bachelor’s degree with Second Class Honours or above (or equivalent qualification) conferred by a recognised university

English Language Requirements

The requirements for those who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognised university are:

  • An overall score of at least 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); OR
  • A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or above for the Internet-based test.

All English language test scores are considered valid for two years after the date of the test.

Application

PolyU's research postgraduate programmes have a rolling admissions process with three entry points throughout the year.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowshow Scheme (HKPFS) Admissions (Single Round)

Preparations

1. Explore research programmes and admission procedures

2. Identify research interest and potential supervisor(s)

1st September -  Application Period Starts

1. Submit an HKPFS application (selecting PolyU as the first choice) through the RGC Application System

2. Obtain an HKPFS reference number

1st December - Application Deadline

1. Quote the HKPFS reference number to submit a full application through the PolyU eAdmission System

May - HKPFS Result Announcement by the Research Grants Council (RGC)

*HKPFS application timeline may vary every year. Please refer to the RGC for the most updated information.

Year-Round Admissions (3 Rounds)

September 2024 Entry

Application Period: 1 September 2023 to 31 May 2024

January 2025 Entry

Application Period: 1 January to 30 September 2024

 May 2025 Entry

Application Period: 1 May 2024 to 31 January 2025

Fellowship / Scholarship SchemeRGC Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)PolyU Presidential PhD Fellowship Scheme (PPPFS)PolyU Research Postgraduate Scholarship (PRPgS)

Objective

To support the best and brightest students in the world with a prestigious fellowship to pursue their full-time PhD studies

To offer an attractive scholarship package to outstanding PhD applicants to support their research studies at PolyU and living expenses in Hong Kong

To provide financial support to full-time PhD and MPhil students during their normal study period, allowing them to fully focus on their studies

Monthly Stipend

(for the entire normal study period)

HK$27,600

HK$27,290

HK$18,470

(HK$18,890 for PhD students who have confirmed their registration) 

Conference Grant

(for the entire normal study period)

HK$13,800 per year

HK$25,000

HK$25,000

Cash Award

HK$40,000 in the first year

HK$20,000 per year from the second year to the end of the normal study period

HK$40,000 in the first year

HK$20,000 per year from the second year to the end of the normal study period

N/A

Research Excellence Scholarship

(in the form of a tuition fee waiver)

Yes

Yes

No

(Students are required to pay the annual tuition fee.)

University Accommodation

A guaranteed hall place for 2 years

Please refer to this link for the hall admission policy and fees.

Please refer to this link for the hall admission policy and fees.

Please refer to this link for the hall admission policy and fees.

Selection Criteria

RGC’s HKPFS criteria

The quality of applicants in terms of academic merits and research credentials/potential 

The quality of applicants in terms of academic merits and research credentials/potential

Application Procedures

PolyU HKPFS Webpage

All HKPFS applicants will concurrently be considered for the award of PPPFS/PRPgS. No separate application for PPPFS/PRPgS is required.

 

PolyU e-Prospectus

All full-time PhD applicants will concurrently be considered for the award of PPPFS. No separate application for the fellowship is required.

 

PolyU e-Prospectus

All full-time MPhil/PhD applicants will concurrently be considered for the award of PRPgS. No separate application for the scholarship is required.

  • The fellowship/scholarship schemes are offered to PolyU full-time PhD and/or MPhil students only. They are mutually exclusive, and each student will be eligible to receive the fellowship/scholarship via ONE scheme only.
  • Renewal of the awarded fellowship/scholarship is subject to the student's satisfactory performance and funding availability.
  • PolyU reserves the right to revise the fellowship / scholarship / fees without prior notice.

With 85 years of proud tradition, PolyU ranks among the world’s top 100 institutions. Four disciplines ranked among the world’s top 50 in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

Rankings Highlight

65th in QS World University Rankings 2024

23rd in QS Asia University Rankings 2024

87th in Times Higher Education World University Rankings 2024

14th in Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2023

4th in Times Higher Education Young University Rankings 2023

  • Hung Hom

    14/F, Li Ka Shing Tower, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong, M1402, Hung Hom

Programs

Questions

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Graduate School