The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

PolyU is a publicly funded Hong Kong university with an applied profile: engineering, design, fashion and textiles, hotel and tourism management, health sciences, business and computing. Applicants can enter straight from school: PolyU lists the Russian school certificate with Unified State Exam (EGE) results, Kazakhstan's certificate with UNT or NIS Grade 12, and Kyrgyzstan's certificate with ORT, alongside IB, A-levels and US qualifications. Applications for September 2027 opened on 23 September 2026, with an early round closing on 17 November 2026. Undergraduate tuition for non-local students is $30,590 (HK$240,000) a year, and PolyU estimates the full first year, including a hall place and living costs, at $42,100 (HK$330,272).

PolyU grew out of a government trade school founded in 1937 and became a university in 1994. Its campus is in Hung Hom, Kowloon. PolyU reports a 50th-place position in the QS World University Rankings 2027, and it ranks 80th in the THE World University Rankings 2026.

Who PolyU suits — and who should look elsewhere

PolyU fits students who want an applied degree with real placement experience. It has dedicated schools of design, of fashion and textiles and of hotel and tourism management, strong engineering, and health programmes such as optometry, physiotherapy, radiography and speech therapy. Placement is built in: Work-Integrated Education requires students to complete a major-related internship in Hong Kong or abroad.

Look elsewhere if you want medicine (MBBS) or law from year one — PolyU does not offer them at undergraduate level; HKU and CUHK do. Think twice if your budget cannot cover rent from year two, since PolyU offers hall places for the first year only. And if the lowest fee is the priority, CityUHK and Lingnan charge less; see universities in Hong Kong.

Undergraduate programmes and how majors are chosen

The 2027/28 application form offers 47 choices through two routes:

• a named programme or Departmental Scheme — for example BSc in Computer Science, BA in Design or BSc in Optometry — where your major is fixed from the start;
• a broad Bachelor's Degree Scheme in business, engineering, computer and mathematical sciences, construction and environment, humanities or science, or the interdisciplinary scheme of the College of Undergraduate Studies. Year one is common, and majors are allocated through a ranking assessment.

A broad scheme buys time, but popular majors within it are not guaranteed. If you know what you want, apply to the programme directly.

Some programmes can be combined with a secondary major in AI and data analytics or in innovation and entrepreneurship; several offer a fast-track integrated bachelor's and master's option, and some are dual degrees with partner universities. The Faculty of Business holds AACSB and EQUIS accreditation, and engineering degrees are recognised by professional bodies in Australia, Canada, Singapore, the UK, the US and elsewhere — useful if you plan to register as an engineer outside Hong Kong.

Entry from a Russian or CIS school

PolyU accepts the Russian certificate of secondary general education with EGE results for first-year entry. It does not publish EGE cut-offs, so focus on subjects relevant to the programme — mathematics with physics or informatics for engineering and IT.

IB and A-level holders may receive credit transfer from 9 credits up to 25% of the award requirements. For test choice, see SAT or ACT.

English. IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale for tests from 21 January 2026), taken no more than two years before study starts. IELTS Online, IELTS Indicator, One Skill Retake and TOEFL Home Edition are not accepted, and English-medium schooling does not replace a test.

Applying for 2027 entry

One application covers two programme choices for a non-refundable HK$600 ($76). Non-English documents need an official translation, and your school can submit predicted grades and a reference through the Academic Referee section. Interviews are by invitation only and may not be rescheduled. The STARS scheme (Special Talents Admission and Recognition Scheme) has its own deadline for applicants with outstanding sporting, artistic or leadership records.

You may hold only one accepted PolyU offer; if another arrives, the fee paid can be transferred. PolyU verifies original documents before registration and cancels places without refund if they do not match. The full cycle is covered in applying to Hong Kong universities.

What PolyU costs

One PolyU page prints the total of this same budget as HK$290,272, although its lines add up to HK$330,272. Plan with the higher figure, which matches PolyU's main fees page.

On accepting an offer you pay a HK$20,000 ($2,550) initial fee, credited towards the first semester but non-refundable; caution money is charged at first registration and later becomes the graduation fee. From year two non-local students rent privately, and PolyU suggests budgeting about HK$50,000 ($6,370) a year. There is no government or university financial aid for non-local students. Full comparisons are in the cost of studying in Hong Kong; lawful payment routes from Russia are in how to pay for studies abroad from Russia.

Scholarships for non-local undergraduates

Strong applicants are considered automatically; no separate form is needed.

• Academic entrance scholarships — half tuition, full tuition, or full tuition plus a living allowance, up to HK$310,000 ($39,520) a year. Every academic awardee also receives a one-off HK$30,000 ($3,820) for exchange.
• STARS — talent-based awards within the same range.
• Cultural Ambassador Scholarship — up to HK$60,000 ($7,650) a year for selected non-local students.

Awards are renewable subject to conditions. Students may hold several PolyU-administered awards, but the total normally may not exceed annual tuition plus HK$60,000.

Halls and campus life

PolyU has 15 student halls and 18 dining outlets on campus. Non-local undergraduates receive a place for year one and find housing in the city afterwards. With 400+ partner institutions in 45+ countries, an exchange semester is a normal part of many degrees.

Student visa through PolyU

Once you accept and pay the first debit note, PolyU acts as your sponsor with the Immigration Department. It asks for your visa documents straight away and warns that processing can take 8–10 weeks. PolyU pays the visa fee itself and recovers it from you, so do not pay the Immigration Department directly. Applicants under 18 need parental consent and a Hong Kong guardian, a role PolyU itself can take. Documents, funds, work rules and IANG are covered in the Hong Kong student visa and IANG guide.

Master's and PhD at PolyU

Taught master's. More than 120 programmes for 2027/28 across eleven faculties and schools, including five new ones such as Brain-Machine Interface and Advanced Photonic Technology and Materials. Applications are considered on a rolling basis; the early round closes on 20 October 2026. You need a recognised bachelor's degree and IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 80; the application fee is HK$600 (HK$800 for the MBA).

Most programmes charge local and non-local students the same, and taught master's students are not eligible for PolyU halls.

MPhil and PhD. The two-year MPhil requires a bachelor's with Second Class Honours or above; a three-year PhD normally requires an MPhil, and a four-year PhD a master's or First Class Honours bachelor's. English: IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80, from a test centre. Full-time students without a stipend pay HK$94,000 ($11,980) in 2026/27 and HK$99,000 ($12,620) in 2027/28, plus a HK$15,000 registration fee on acceptance. PolyU takes part in the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (2027/28 applications close on 1 December 2026). Formats and comparisons are in master's degrees in Hong Kong.

Academic year, work and after graduation

PolyU's year has two 13-week semesters and a seven-week summer term. Full-time undergraduates and postgraduates may currently work part-time without hour limits under a temporary exemption confirmed by an Immigration Department letter. After graduation, IANG allows 24 months to work or look for work without a job offer if you apply within six months.

Common mistakes

• Choosing a broad scheme while counting on one major. Allocation after year one is competitive.
• Not planning housing for year two. Hall places are offered for year one only.
• Taking IELTS Online or TOEFL Home Edition. PolyU does not accept them.
• Waiting until February. The early round to 17 November offers more places and more time for the visa.
• Paying the visa fee to the Immigration Department. At PolyU it goes through the university.

FAQ

Do I need a foundation year for PolyU?

No, if you hold a school certificate with EGE, UNT or ORT results and IELTS 6.0: PolyU lists these as sufficient for year one. Strong grades in relevant subjects matter more than the formal minimum.

How much does PolyU cost for international students?

HK$240,000 ($30,590) a year for undergraduate tuition in 2027/28; with a hall, meals and personal costs, PolyU estimates the first year at HK$330,272 ($42,100).

Can I get a PolyU scholarship without applying separately?

Yes. Academic awards for non-local students are decided through the admission process; separate applications are needed only for STARS and external scholarships.

Is there a spring intake?

Not for undergraduates, who start in September only. Some master's programmes also admit in January.

How does PolyU compare with CityUHK?

Both are applied universities. PolyU is stronger in design, fashion, hospitality and rehabilitation-related health fields, while CityUHK runs a six-year veterinary medicine degree and has its own law school. See our CityUHK profile.

What English level do PolyU master's programmes require?

IELTS Academic 6.0 or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale) for taught programmes, and IELTS 6.5 or TOEFL 80 for MPhil and PhD, from a single sitting within two years.

Does StudyU help with PolyU applications?

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step. Programme selection, document preparation, submission and visa support are provided under an agreement with StudyU; admission and scholarship decisions rest with PolyU alone.

Sources

• PolyU: History
• PolyU 2027/28 information sheet (PDF); International applicants brochure (PDF)
• PolyU: General Entrance Requirements; English Language Requirements; Application Procedures; FAQ
• PolyU: Fees; Tuition Fees (non-local); Scholarships; Accommodation
• PolyU: Student Visa Application; Students Under 18
• PolyU: Admission Requirements (TPg); Tuition Fees (TPg); FAQ (TPg); Applications Open for 2027/28
• PolyU: Admission Requirements (RPg); Tuition Fee and Registration Fee (RPg)
• THE World University Rankings 2026: PolyU
• RGC: Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
• Immigration Department: Students; IANG
• HKMA: Linked Exchange Rate System; ECB reference rates

USD amounts use the ECB reference rate of 28 September 2026 (HK$7.8448 per $1), rounded to $10; the Hong Kong dollar is pegged to the US dollar within a HK$7.75–7.85 band. All Hong Kong university profiles are listed on studying in Hong Kong.

If you want to know which PolyU programmes fit your school results and English, and whether you can make the early round, send us a request.

During the free initial consultation, we clarify your goal, profile, timing, and budget and identify the next realistic step.