Academic Advising

Background

Academic advising at PolyU aims to help students to make informed and intelligent academic decisions/choices about their study at PolyU that suit their intellectual, professional and personal goals. It is instrumental in promoting student success and plays a vital role in enhancing students' overall learning experience at PolyU.

Academic advising at PolyU has two tiers:

Department-based academic advising (primarily for Broad Discipline and Major Programme matters)
Academic advising at the institutional level operated by the Office of General University Requirements (OGUR - primarily for matters related to the GUR)

Academic Advising System

There are different arrangements for students admitted from different routes.

Students admitted via the Faculty-based admission system taking the Common First Year curriculum should be initially assigned with a Designated Academic Advisor from the Faculty for the first year. A Designated Academic Advisor from the student’s chosen Major should be assigned in the subsequent undergraduate years until graduation.

Student admitted with a ‘pre-guarantee entry’ to ARCH will be assigned to one academic advisor throughout their whole period of study in ARCH. Students who wish to make changes to the assignment of the Designated Academic Advisors should write to the Programme Leader for approval.

Within the first month from the start of the first semester, a meeting for all students will be held to introduce AAs and to brief students of academic advising. Each student is expected to have an individual face-to-face meeting with his/her academic advisor at the beginning of each academic year to discuss his/her study plan. Additional individual or small-group meetings with his/her academic advisor can be made if necessary. Students may also consult their academic advisors via emails and/or other means whenever necessary.

You could find the contact information of your Designated Academic Advisor under “My Advisor” in eStudent or you could also contact the ARCH General Office for details.

Roles and Responsibilities of Academic Advisees

As an advisee, you are expected to observe the following:

Self-Assessment: Clarify your personal abilities, interests, and academic or life goals.
Meeting Preparation: Review your academic progress against programme requirements and prepare specific questions on study plans or internships.
Punctuality & Policy: Adhere to institutional policies and always notify your advisor in advance if you need to reschedule.
Open Mindset: Remain open and ready to consider advice from your advisor and university staff.
Communication & Systems: Check your PolyU emails regularly and use eStudent for updates and registration.
Personal Accountability: Accept final responsibility for all your decisions and your graduation requirements.

For more information, you may refer to:

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cus/undergraduate-studies-support/student/academic-advising/