Student Exchange Scheme

Introduction

The PolyU Global Student Exchange is an exchange programme for undergraduates. Since 2006, the Department also commenced their departmental exchange arrangement with various partner universities around the world, such as Imperial College of London, Seoul National University, The Catholic University of America, The University of Illinois, Chicago, and University of Calgary. The number of exchange students over the years is showed in the following graph.

Students who participate in the exchange programme will benefit not only from enhancing educational experiences but also awareness of multi-culture and improving language skills. Meanwhile, Sponsorship and Hardship Fund are available for eligible exchange students.

Eligibility

Full-time PolyU non-final year undergraduate students with Grade Point Average (GPA) of 2.7 or above.
Fluent in English or Putonghua (meeting the minimum language requirements of the host institution).
Independent, outgoing, flexible, sociable.
Active participation in extra-curricular activities.

Application

Students are required to submit their application to the Department via the online platform.
All short-listed applicants may be invited for an interview.
Nominations will be made through the Global Engagement Office.
Application through the Global Engagement Office will be processed for a minimum of eight weeks before receiving the formal acceptance letter from the host institution.

Credit Transfer

Students shall choose subjects from the overseas institution (“the overseas subjects”) for pre-approval of credit transfer (“the pre-approval”) by the Department.
Students shall ensure that the pre-approval has been properly completed before committed to the overseas study.
Students shall select the overseas subjects according to the curriculum stipulated in the Definitive Programme Document (or commonly known as Programme Scheme). Otherwise, eligibility for graduation could be adversely affected (i.e. delay).
Students who apply for the exchange programme in semester 1 only will be approved only if the following two conditions are met:
1. Students should resume study at the PolyU on or before the commencement day of the Semester 2; and
2. The host University agrees to deliver their examination papers and let the students to sit for the examinations at the PolyU if the examination period of the host University falls behind the commencement of the Semester 2 of the PolyU. This part will be confirmed by the host University through the assistance of the International Affairs Office.
Regarding the credit transfer approval, students must go through the pre-approval process. In addition, the final credit transfer approval (no matter transfer for credits and/or grades) is subject to the grades attained by the student in the host University. Only grades equivalent to “fair / satisfactory / adequate” level or above will be approved. Grades with conditions, e.g. marginal pass / barely inadequate / less satisfactory” or etc will not be approved.
For students who join the exchange programme for full year with the same institution, both subject credits earned and subject grade attained will be recognized, if the credit transfer application is approved. For students who join the exchange programme for one semester with the same institution, only subject credits earned will be recognized, if the credit transfer application is approved.

Student Sharing Session

CEE strongly encourages our students to participate in exchange programme as a part of their all-rounded development. By joining an exchange programme, students will be immersed in the language and culture of their chosen country and gain skills in inter-cultural learning and understanding. Most importantly, prospective employers in almost every field look favorably upon experience gained while living overseas and knowledge obtained of another language and culture.

Student_Exchange_Scheme_02

Albert CHEN, student of BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

"At the third year of my study, I was given a chance to be an exchange student at Imperial College London, one of our prestigious counterparts in the UK. It was definitely one of the most fascinating and fruitful experiences in my life. I was in a class of around 90 students from 22 different countries and the interaction with them was striking. I learned different cultures and got to know the state of development of the construction industry in different countries which made me realize that there are so many opportunities worldwide."

ZHU Zimo, student of BEng (Hons) Civil Engineering

"The exchange experience at the University of Leeds is surely a once in a lifetime opportunity of exploring a completely different culture. It has allowed me to widen my perspective and become self-sufficient. Deeply attracted by the British culture, I now make up my mind to pursue my career in the field of structural engineering in the UK. The communication skills I have got during my exchange in Leeds will definitely benefit me in both my study and career. I am now much more confident and my world has expanded significantly. I can see a bright future ahead of me."

More Information

For more information about exchange programmes organized by the University, please visit the website of Global Engagement Office at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/geo/ and the website of Chinese Mainland Affairs Office at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cmao/eng/.