Hong Kong Polytechnic University

This 81-year-old varsity is ranked among the world’s Top 100 in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and among the Top 20 in THE Asia University Rankings 2018

Set on an expansive 23-acre campus in the heart of the eponymous island city, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (aka PolyU, estb. 1937) is a publicly-funded higher education institution focused on providing contemporary professional education and applied research opportunities to over 28,000 students. The 81-year-old varsity is ranked among the world’s Top 100 universities in the QS World University Rankings 2018 and among the Top 20 in the Times Higher Education Asia University Rankings 2018. 

Initially christened the Government Trade School, a post-secondary technical institution, it was conferred full university status in 1994. Currently, the university’s eight faculties and schools — applied science and textiles, business, construction and environment, engineering, health and social sciences, humanities, design, hotel and tourism management — offer over 220 undergrad, postgrad and doctoral programmes to 28,499 students mentored by 1,368 academics and 1,307 research personnel.

Hong Kong. Located on China’s south coast, Hong Kong (pop. 7.4 million) is one of two special administrative regions of the People’s Republic of China (PRC), the other being neighbouring Macau. A former British colony, Hong Kong was returned to PRC in 1997 after 156 years of British rule. Empowered by a low-crime and low-corruption environment, Hong Kong has developed into a premier global business and financial entrepot, serving as an important bridge between multinational corporations and mainland China. 

Ancient Chinese temples are juxtaposed against towering steel-and-glass skyscrapers in this island city famous for its street as well as high-end shopping. From the lively nightlife of Lan Kwai Fong on Hong Kong Island, to long distance walking trails in the hills of the New Territories, to Chinese festivals celebrated across the city, Hong Kong offers students an exciting mix of leisure options. The city also boasts a lively arts scene with a wide range of plays, concerts and creative events staged through the year. 

The climate is humid, sub-tropical with temperatures ranging from 10°C in winter to 33°C in summer.
Campus facilities. The PolyU campus sprawls across 23 acres in Kowloon, adjacent to the commercial district of Hung Hom and Tsim Sha Tsui, and is easily accessible by public transport. The campus hosts 20 interconnected buildings including state-of-the-art classrooms, laboratories, multi-purpose auditoriums, Industrial Centre, language learning centres, bookstore, convenience store, bank, ATM, postal services, health clinics and 12 catering establishments. The well-stocked university library hosts 5.32 million titles including 1.26 million volumes, 3 million e-books, 83,821 e-journals and 3,906 study spaces. 

Sports facilities include the Olympic-size Michael Clinton Swimming Pool; Fong Shu Chuen Hall, a multi-purpose sports hall for basketball, volleyball, martial arts and badminton; Keith Legg Sports Field featuring a five-a-side artificial turf soccer pitch; Kwong On Jubilee Sports Centre with basketball, badminton and squash courts, a laboratory for fitness testing; two golf practice bays; two rooftop tennis courts, and a table tennis room. In addition, students have access to the Joint Sports Centre at Kowloon Tong, which is shared with Hong Kong Baptist University and City University of Hong Kong. It features a 400 m all-weather athletics track, natural grass soccer pitch, and an outdoor multi-sports court. An Amenities Centre hosts music appreciation and practice rooms, karaoke room and mini-exhibition area.

Moreover, students have access to social and cultural events organised by dozens of clubs and societies including dancing society, drama club, excursion and travel affairs association, etc. 

Admission. Applications for admission into undergraduate study programmes should be submitted online (www38.polyu.edu.hk) together with a non-refundable fee of HKD 450 (Rs.3,900). The minimum eligibility criterion for Indian student applicants is a five-subject average of 75 percent in the class XII exams conducted by CBSE, CISCE or the National Institute of Open Schooling boards. Submission of English language proficiency test scores is waived for students scoring 75 percent-plus in English in class XII boards. Those who don’t fulfill this criterion are obliged to submit an IELTS test score of 6 or TOEFL score of 80. Applicant students are also required to be interviewed by email or other electronic media. For a detailed list of admission documents required by each of the university’s academic schools, visit http://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/ug/international/additional-documents-required. 

The admission deadline for September entry is January 15 in normal consideration and March 15 for extended consideration, which depends on availability of seats. For further information contact The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong; Ph: + 852 2766 5177; email: asnlocal@polyu.edu.hk; website: www.polyu.edu.hk.

Accommodation. Foreign undergrad students have the option of living in university-managed accommodation for their first two years of study. The university manages nine halls of residence accommodating 3,000 students in a 22-storey building, 15 minutes from the campus. All rooms are double occupancy, equipped with LAN ports, air-conditioners and furniture. In addition, the Homantin Hall houses 1,650 students in single, double or triple rooms. A variety of off-campus housing options are also available with the Non-local Student Services Team offering one-stop housing advisory services.

Degree programmes. PolyU’s eight faculties and schools offer 220 undergraduate, postgrad and sub-degree programmes (see box).

SRUTHY SUSAN ULLAS