The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to the mission of achieving academic excellence in a professional context. The emphasis is to provide application-oriented education and training programmes to support the community’s need for skilled and professional manpower.
Main Campus of the University is centrally located in Hung Hom on a site of approximately 93,000m2 adjacent to the Cross Harbour Tunnel. At the heart of the campus stands the Li Ka Shing Tower, an 18-storey building housing the University’s central administration units, academic offices, teaching rooms, computer rooms and communal facilities. The Jockey Club Innovation Tower serves as the home for the School of Design and offers high-quality facilities for communal use and self-financed activities. The multi-purpose Jockey Club Auditorium and the Chiang Chen Studio Theatre provide excellent venues for performances, exhibitions, conferences and student/staff activities.
With the Hostel Development Fund (HDF) received in 2019 and the funding approval from the Financial Committee of the Legislative Council in 2020, the campus expansion project at Ho Man Tin Slope is currently underway. The project will provide 1,279 bed-spaces, as well as state-of-the-art facilities and equipment for the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Optometry. The project is expected to be completed by 2027. Another project funded by HDF, the Kowloon Tong Hostel , will provide 1,680 bed-spaces. The works have begun since 2022 and is expected to be completed by early 2028.
While the new extension on the 6th floor of the Library has been put into operation since July 2022, the award-winning Library Extension and Revitalisation project is expected to be completed by the end of 2023. The project has received recognition, including the ‘Best of Design Awards’ organised by the US Architect’s Newspaper in 2022 and the Excellent Building Award organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Engineers in 2023.
The University Square adjacent to the Library has been revitalised and was completed in early October 2023. The Square is expected to be an urban oasis on campus, providing a serene yet vibrant campus environment for the PolyU community to relax and recharge.
Furthermore, several key projects are currently planned or in progress to meet the latest teaching and research needs. In the nearer future, the CDE Hub, which is expected to be completed by 2025, will provide catering facilities as well as space for students and staff to unwind. In the longer term, the P-wing Extension, the Industrial Centre Extension and Revitalisation, the Redevelopment of the House of Innovation and Redevelopment of Blocks VA and VS will provide additional space for teaching and learning, as well as research and sports facilities for the PolyU students and staff.
The Student Halls of Residence (Hunghom) and the Student Halls of Residence (Homantin), established in 2002 and 2012 respectively, offer a total of over 4,600 hostel places for students, with good facilities and environments conducive to their pursuit of academic excellence and all-round development through experiencing hall community life.
The University is funded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the University Grants Committee. The governing body of the University is the Council, comprising members from the business, financial, industrial and public sectors, the professions, plus representatives from staff, students and the alumni. The President, as the chief executive of the University, is responsible to the Council for the management, conduct and administration of the institution. The University has undergone extensive development and rapid expansion since its establishment. The University has a student population of around 17,700 students enrolled on taught programmes funded by the University Grants Committee and around 11,800 self-financed students in 2023/24 enrolled on programmes leading to the University’s awards. A total of 163 taught programmes ranging from bachelor's to doctoral degree level in a wide range of disciplines are being offered through a variety of modes of attendance including full-time, part-time, and mixed-mode. Besides, the University registers candidates for the research degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy. The institution has 28 academic units grouped under six Faculties, namely, Business, Construction and Environment, Engineering, Health and Social Sciences, Humanities and Science; and three independent Schools, namely, School of Design, School of Fashion and Textiles and School of Hotel and Tourism Management, in addition to the Graduate School.
Established under the auspices of PolyU in 2002, the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) oversees the day-to-day operations of two self-financed education units - namely Hong Kong Community College (HKCC) and School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED) - which in tandem provide an alternative pathway to higher education for secondary school leavers as well as lifelong learning opportunities for working professionals. HKCC is dedicated to the provision of quality sub-degree programmes leading to PolyU-HKCC awards. It currently offers 32 Associate Degree programmes and 4 Higher Diploma programmes spanning the domains of arts, science, engineering, social sciences, business and the specialised areas of design, health care, social work and surveying. Over the past 20 years (2003-2022), more than 36,600 HKCC graduates have articulated into Bachelor’s degree studies. This represents a 20-year average articulation rate of 83.9%, which ranks among the highest in Hong Kong. SPEED offers, in both full-time and part-time study modes, a wide array of programmes which aim to support the development of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy. In 2023/24 academic year, a total of 33 top-up honours degree programmes (including 30 PolyU-SPEED award programmes and 3 overseas award programmes) are offered to HKCC and other sub-degree graduates. Over the past 18 years (2005 - 2022), SPEED has sent forth nearly 17,000 degree graduates for the PolyU-SPEED awards and over 6,300 degree graduates for the overseas awards. SPEED also offers a variety of continuing education courses, corporate training and consultancy services to meet the professional needs of the community and industry.
In addition to professional competence, the University strives to produce graduates with the attributes of critical thinking, effective communication and innovative problem solving skills, ethical leadership, and socially responsible global citizenship. Towards this end, general education and the language subjects form part of the curricula for undergraduate programmes. The credit-based structure of academic programmes provides flexibility to students in terms of their choice of subjects and pace of studies. To provide a more broad-based education to students, the University also offers Double Major and Major (including Major/Secondary Major)/Minor options on full-time Bachelor’s degree programmes.
We take on the responsibility of nurturing the next generation to have the hearts and minds needed to serve the society and to tackle socio-economic issues and challenges in constructive ways, which in turn will bring positive change to the world. As a hallmark of PolyU education, our credit-bearing Service-Learning programme connects professional education with societal needs, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in improving the lives of those less fortunate. PolyU is also the only university in Hong Kong to include a mandatory Work-Integrated Education component for all full-time undergraduate students.
This Calendar provides general information on the organizational structure, key personnel, academic programmes and regulations, facilities and services of the institution. More detailed information about taught and research programmes offered can be found on-line at the website of the University (https://www.polyu.edu.hk).
