Student Exchange Progarmme -
Frequently Asked Questions
1. Are there any criteria for applying exchange? What is the GPA required for exchange?
The criteria includes:
- full-time PolyU undergraduate student
- good academic results
- fluent English and Putonghua
- independent, outgoing, flexible and sociable personality
- active participation in extra-curricular activities
- satisfactory interview performance
In fact, CMAO have not set a minimum GPA as an application requirement.? We will consider all specified aspects of a student in order to decide whether he/she is eligible to go for an exchange study.? Nevertheless, students have to seek advice from their departments/faculties which may have different guidelines.
2. What are the procedures for applying the exchange?
The procedures are as follows:
- Identify an exchange place in CMAO website and/or approach the General Office or Departmental Exchange Officer of your Department/Faculty.
- Consult the Programme Leader and/or Departmental Student Exchange Programme Officer on the choice of subjects and credit transferability.
- Submit application to CMAO or Department/Faculty.? (Please send your submission to the office which you obtain the application form.)
- Attend an interview
- Final results will be notified to applicants individually.
You may also visit this link http://www.polyu.edu.hk/poc/04_out_application.html
3. Which are the universities that I can choose?
We have a total of 25 partner universities in the Chinese mainland and Taiwan.? They are located in Beijing, Shanghai, Hangzhou, Xian, Wuhan, Tianjin and Nanjing, etc.? You may choose from the list which is shown in CMAO website.? However, please take the following factors into your consideration:
- The subjects offered by the university fit your study plan.
- Due to the different types of collaboration between PolyU and the mainland universities, some of them may only admit students in specified disciplines.
- Due to the request of some universities, non-local students with the background of Chinese Mainland will not be selected in order to reach the cultural exchange purpose.
4. What do I need to prepare before going to exchange? Do I have to buy the insurance, air ticket and apply the student visa by myself?
If you are interested, you may download the ˇ§Handbook for PolyU Outbound Exchange Studentsˇ¨ in CMAO website. ?Some hints on pre-departure preparation were mentioned.? By the way, sure, you need to arrange the followings by yourself:
- Seek prior approval for credit transfer
- Purchase air/train ticket
- Purchase insurance
- Apply for visa (if you go to Taiwan)
- Book accommodation
In fact, CMAO will arrange the ˇ§First Briefingˇ¨ and ˇ§Pre-departure Orientationˇ¨ to all outbound students in order to make sure that you are well-prepared for your trip.? In addition, one or two peer advisors (outbound students of previous years) are assigned to each outbound student.? You can approach the advisor to obtain more first hand information about your exchange.
5. What are the maximum credits I can transfer?
The maximum credits that a student can take in one semester at PolyU is 21.? However, there is no specific regulations binding the maximum credits which can be transferred.? However, students shall seek consultation from their departments or faculties, which may have different practice on their own.
6. If I fail the subject there, would it affect my GPA at PolyU?
You will probably unable to transfer the credit back to PolyU.? However, you shall discuss your case with your department or faculty in case it really happens.? Anyway, your GPA at PolyU will not be affected.
7. Is there any subsidy for exchange?
Students who are studying UGC funded programme are eligible to apply for our Student Exchange Sponsorship.? You may visit CMAO website about the application guidelines. ?Furthermore, some departments or faculties may also host other sponsorship or scholarship on exchange.
8. What are the estimated expenses incurred in exchange?
From our estimation, students may spend around HKD12,700, HKD14,900 and 18,000 in Guangdong Province (China), non-Guangdong Province (China) and Taiwan respectively.
9. How is the accommodation arrangement? Can I apply for the student hall there or I have to rent the apartment by myself?
Normally, our partner universities will reserve places for exchange students at their student halls.
10. What kind of activities in the campus can I engage in?
Students are eligible to join any activities organized by the host universities.? PolyU students will enjoy the more or less equal rights and obligations as the local students in their host universities.