The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
香港理工大學
Hong Kong's applied, professionally minded university in Hung Hom, with guaranteed internships and a top-50 QS rank.
- Students
- 32,000
- 14,000 undergraduates
- Tuition
- HK$240K
- 2027-28
- Founded
- 1937
- QS World Ranking
- #50
- 2027 edition
About PolyU
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University began in 1937 as the Government Trade School, the first institution to provide technical education in Hong Kong, became Hong Kong Polytechnic in 1972 and gained university status in 1994. It still carries that applied DNA: its motto is 'to learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind', every undergraduate completes a guaranteed internship, and PolyU reports a 97.8% graduate employment rate.
PolyU's compact red-brick campus in Hung Hom, Kowloon, houses a College of Undergraduate Studies, faculties of Business, Computer and Mathematical Sciences, Construction and Environment, Engineering, Health and Social Sciences, Humanities and Science, and specialist schools of Design, Fashion and Textiles, and Hotel and Tourism Management. Many students enter through broad Bachelor's Degree Schemes with a common first year before choosing a major; others apply directly to a departmental programme.
The university has about 32,000 students, including more than 14,000 undergraduates from over 45 countries and regions, and around 1,240 faculty. Its QS rank has climbed from 106th in 2019 to 50th in 2027. It suits students who want professionally oriented degrees, from optometry, physiotherapy and nursing to aviation, logistics, hotel management and fashion, with strong industry links and a central Kowloon location.
開物成務 勵學利民
“To learn and to apply, for the benefit of mankind” — university motto
Why students choose PolyU
Guaranteed internships for undergraduates, with PolyU reporting a 97.8% graduate employment rate.
Professional and applied programmes rarely found together elsewhere, such as Optometry, Radiography, Aviation Management and Finance, Hotel and Tourism Management, and Fashion and Textiles.
Generous scholarships for non-local students of up to HK$310,000 a year, plus a HK$30,000 overseas-exchange grant for academic entry scholars.
A central Kowloon campus with Zaha Hadid's Jockey Club Innovation Tower housing the School of Design.
Admissions
Entry in September 2027 (2027/28 intake)
Selectivity
PolyU does not publish an admit rate. Admission is competitive and programme-based; published entry requirements are general minimums, and applicants choose from 47 programme/scheme options.
Typical entry requirements
| HKDSE (via JUPAS) | Apply through JUPAS with programme-specific HKDSE requirements |
|---|---|
| IB Diploma | 32 points or above (general minimum) |
| GCE A-level / International A-level | Grade B or above in 3 subjects (general minimum) |
| US high school + SAT/ACT + AP | Diploma with 80%+ average, SAT 1190+ or ACT 24+, and 2 APs at grade 3+ |
| Mainland students | Separate admission route for Mainland gaokao candidates |
| English language | IELTS 6 · TOEFL iBT 80 IELTS Academic 6.0 overall in one sitting; TOEFL iBT 80 (tests before 21 January 2026) or 4.5 on the new scale; or IB English grade 4, GCSE/IGCSE English C/4, or SAT EBRW 590. TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Online are not accepted. |
Deadlines
- Early Round (international/other qualifications) Non-binding Next deadline · In 42 days17 November 2026
Applications open 23 September 2026.
- JUPAS (HKDSE applicants) Non-binding In 57 days2 December 2026, 5:00 pm HKT
JUPAS application period 7 October to 2 December 2026.
- Main Round and STARS Non-binding In ~4 months11 February 2027
PolyU accepts applications until 14 May 2027, subject to availability of places (extended round for international students).
Dates from PolyU's 2027/28 undergraduate information sheet and programme listings, and the JUPAS 2027 application period, checked 28 September 2026.
How to apply
HKDSE students apply via JUPAS. International and other-qualification applicants apply online at PolyU (HK$600 fee), choosing from 47 scheme or programme options; accepted students pay a HK$20,000 initial fee to secure their place. Talent-based applicants can also apply to the STARS scheme.
What admissions looks for
- School results meeting the general entrance requirements and programme preferred subjects.
- Demonstrated English proficiency for an English-medium education.
- For the STARS scheme, special talents and achievements beyond academics.
- Fit with the chosen scheme or programme, since places are allocated competitively.
Tips for applying to PolyU
- 1 Apply by the Early Round deadline of 17 November 2026: later rounds depend on remaining places.
- 2 Consider a Bachelor's Degree Scheme if you are unsure of your major; you choose a programme after a common first year through a ranking assessment.
- 3 If you have exceptional talents in sport, arts or leadership, apply to STARS by 11 February 2027 for a talent-based scholarship.
- 4 Budget for housing from year two: PolyU guarantees a hall place only in the first year and suggests about HK$50,000 a year off campus afterwards.
Costs & financial aid
2027-28 · figures in HKD
Outstanding non-local students can receive academic or STARS talent-based entrance scholarships worth up to HK$310,000 a year (half tuition, full tuition, or full tuition plus living allowance), and every academic entry scholarship includes a one-off HK$30,000 overseas exchange grant. The Cultural Ambassador Scholarship offers up to HK$60,000 a year to selected non-local students.
- Up to HK$310,000 per year
- Maximum entrance scholarship (non-local)
- HK$18,515
- Hall of residence, first year (2026/27 rate)
- About HK$50,000 per year
- Off-campus housing from year two (estimate)
- HK$600
- Application fee
Academics
Academic calendar: Two semesters plus summer term
BSc (Hons) in Optometry
A professional health programme in PolyU's Faculty of Health and Social Sciences, alongside physiotherapy, occupational therapy and radiography.
BBA (Hons) in Aviation Management and Finance
Part of a logistics and supply-chain scheme that also includes International Shipping and Transport Logistics.
School of Hotel and Tourism Management
A dedicated faculty-level school for hospitality and tourism; the campus also includes Hotel ICON.
School of Fashion and Textiles
A standalone school covering fashion design, textiles and related technology.
BEng (Hons) in Intelligent Robotics Engineering
A newer engineering degree with an optional secondary major in Artificial Intelligence and Data Analytics.
Research
- Over 200 PolyU scholars rank among the world's top 2% most-cited scientists, and 12 are Highly Cited Researchers.
- PolyU runs translational research institutes across 12 cities in mainland China.
- PolyU won first prize at the HICOOL 2026 global entrepreneurship competition.
Schools & faculties
- College of Undergraduate Studies
- Faculty of Business
- Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences
- Faculty of Construction and Environment
- Faculty of Engineering
- Faculty of Health and Social Sciences
- Faculty of Humanities
- Faculty of Science
- School of Design
- School of Fashion and Textiles
- School of Hotel and Tourism Management
PolyU reports a 97.8% graduate employment rate and guarantees internships for undergraduates.
Student life
PolyU's campus is compact and urban: distinctive red-brick blocks and cylindrical towers, with Zaha Hadid's Jockey Club Innovation Tower and Hotel ICON at its edges. Non-local undergraduates are guaranteed a place in the Student Halls of Residence in their first year, in Hung Hom or Homantin, and then usually move to shared flats. The student body of about 32,000 draws on more than 45 countries and regions, and PolyU's exchange network covers over 280 partner universities overseas. Hung Hom, Tsim Sha Tsui and the harbourfront are within walking distance.
- Guaranteed first-year hall places for non-local students
- Student exchange partnerships with over 280 overseas universities
- Zaha Hadid-designed Jockey Club Innovation Tower
- Hotel ICON, part of the Hung Hom campus
Housing. Non-local undergraduates get a Student Hall place in their first year (HK$18,515 for 2026/27) and must arrange off-campus housing from year two.
Location
PolyU is in Hung Hom on the Kowloon side of Victoria Harbour, next to Hung Hom station on the East Rail and Tuen Ma lines and the Cross-Harbour Tunnel, so Tsim Sha Tsui, Central and the Shenzhen border are all easy to reach. It is one of the most central campuses in Hong Kong, dense and busy rather than green.
Nearest airport: Hong Kong International Airport (HKG)
Notable alumni
- LQ Li QiangPremier of China
- LC Leung Chun-yingFormer Chief Executive of Hong Kong
- WK Wong Kar-waiFilm director (In the Mood for Love, Chungking Express)
- RH Raman HuiAnimator and director (Shrek the Third, Monster Hunt)
- VT Vivienne TamFashion designer
- GL Gigi LeungSinger and actress
- RL Rebecca LeePolar explorer
- PW Paul WongGuitarist of the rock band Beyond
Frequently asked questions
How much is PolyU tuition for international students?
Non-local students pay HK$240,000 a year in 2027/28; PolyU estimates total annual spending of about HK$330,000 including housing, meals and personal expenses.
What IB score do you need for PolyU?
The general minimum is an IB Diploma with 32 points; competitive programmes expect higher scores.
When is the PolyU application deadline for 2027?
The Early Round closes on 17 November 2026 and the Main Round (and STARS) on 11 February 2027; PolyU accepts applications until 14 May 2027 if places remain. HKDSE students apply via JUPAS by 2 December 2026.
Does PolyU guarantee housing?
Non-local undergraduates are guaranteed a Student Hall place in their first year only; from year two they need off-campus housing, budgeted at about HK$50,000 a year.
What IELTS score does PolyU require?
IELTS Academic 6.0 overall in one sitting, or TOEFL iBT 80 (4.5 on the new scale), SAT EBRW 590 or equivalent.
Sources & methodology
Figures on this page were checked against official university publications, national application services and ranking publishers in September 2026. Each number is shown with the year or admissions cycle it describes. Always confirm deadlines and fees on the university's own website before applying.
- PolyU news: QS World University Rankings 2027 (50th)
- Macau Business: 5 Hong Kong universities in QS top 100 (2027)
- Times Higher Education: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (WUR 2026)
- ShanghaiRanking: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (ARWU 2026)
- PolyU in Figures
- PolyU 2027/28 undergraduate information sheet (PDF)
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