Special Announcement

23 Apr 2025

The Office of the Department of English and Communication has moved to 9/F, PolyU Hung Hom Bay Campus, 8 Hung Lok Road, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong w.e.f. 14 April 2025.

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Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme

Complete Your PhD in Asia's World City

This scheme gives students from around the world the opportunity to study for a PhD at one of Hong Kong’s highly ranked universities. If you are interested in conducting cutting-edge research in one of the following areas, PolyU’s renowned Department of English and Communication is the place for you:

Important Notice: the Department of English and Communication, and its Research Postgraduate Programme, is not affiliated with any outside agencies or consultancies that claim to provide assistance in preparing applications, references, interviews, or vetting for recruitment procedures. The decision for selection and recruitment lies entirely with the department and University; any applications containing inauthentic documents will risk immediate disqualification.

Key features of the Fellowship Scheme

Successful HKPFS awardees of PolyU will receive for the entire normal study period:

  • Annual Stipend: HK$340,800 (~US$43,692)
  • Research Excellence Scholarship: in the form of a tuition fee waiver
  • Annual Conference Grant: HK$14,200 (~US$1,820)
  • Cash Award: HK$40,000 (~US$5,120) for the first year, and HK$20,000 (~US$2,560) per year from the second year to the end of the normal study period
  • University Accommodation: a guaranteed place for 2 years

Important dates

  • Submission Deadline to RGC: 1 December 2025 (You must obtain an HKPFS reference number)
  • Submission Deadline to PolyU: 1 December 2025 Hong Kong Time 23:59 (GMT +8 hours)
  • Department-internal deadline: 15 November 2025 (with commitment from Chief Supervisor)

About Us

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The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU)

Over the years, PolyU has established an excellent reputation for providing high-quality professional education and for conducting high-impact research which has practical value. In the QS rankings 2026, PolyU is ranked 54th in the world, 14th in Asia and 7th in the ‘Top 50 Under 50’ list of the world’s young universities. In the area of linguistics, the Faculty of Humanities – of which the English and Communication Department is a part – is ranked 51st in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The medium of instruction and administration at PolyU is English, making it an especially suitable setting for international students to undertake doctoral studies.
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The Department of English and Communication

With ‘Linguistic Excellence in Professional Contexts’ as our mission, our research in the Department focuses on applied linguistics, sociolinguistics, and professional communication. Increasingly, it is also exploring the growing influence of generative AI on these foci. Thematically, our research covers the broad categories of health communication, political communication, digital media communication, advertising and (city) branding, and language teaching and learning. Grounded in linguistics, research into language in society, discourse analysis, and language acquisition represent departmental strengths. Much of our research is conducted under the auspices of our two internationally oriented research centres:

We regularly host major international conferences and symposia as well as research seminars featuring leading scholars from around the world. These activities contribute to the Department’s vibrant and congenial setting for doctoral study.

How to Apply

 

You should make your initial application to the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong through the Fellowship Scheme’s online system to obtain a reference number before submitting a full application. When you apply for admission to the PolyU, via the Fellowship Scheme, you will be considered concurrently for a regular place assigned to the University through the award of a Postgraduate Studentship. This means that even if your application for the Fellowship Scheme is unsuccessful, you still have the possibility of gaining a regular place in the Department of English and Communication.

General Entrance Requirements
Programme
Entrance Requirements
3-year full-time PhD programme

normally hold a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or equivalent (a research postgraduate degree with a dissertation as an award requirement) and a Bachelor's degree, conferred by a recognised university

PolyU may accept other equivalent qualifications.  The decision is made on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

The requirements for those who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognised university are:

  • An overall score of at least 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic Module; OR
  • A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or above for the Internet-based test.

All English language test scores are considered valid for two years after the date of the test. Only tests taken at a test centre and scores in one single attempt are accepted.

  1. Submission of Initial Application

    You can only make ONE initial application to the RGC through the HKPFS Electronic System to obtain a HKPFS reference number by 1 December 2025 at Hong Kong Time 12:00 (GMT +8 hours). You must indicate your preference on the institutions if you wish to apply for two institutions, instead of one. No change to the choice of institutions/preference is allowed after the submission of application.

  2. Submission of Full Application to PolyU
    You should then submit a full application to no more than two institutions by quoting the HKPFS reference number. If you choose two PolyU programmes in the initial application, you need to submit a separate full application for EACH chosen programme to PolyU. An application fee is required for each full application. Submission of full applications to PolyU should be made via the eAdmission System by 1 December 2025 at Hong Kong Time 23:59 (GMT +8 hours).

Warm reminder: Your application to the HKPFS is also regarded as a formal application for PhD admission to the chosen institution(s).

The primary consideration is academic excellence, as indicated by the possession of a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) or equivalent (a research postgraduate degree with a dissertation as an award requirement) and a Bachelor's degree, conferred by a recognised university.

Selection panels also take account of the following factors:

  • Research ability and potential

  • Communication and interpersonal skills

  • Leadership ability

PolyU may accept other equivalent qualifications.  The decision is made on an individual basis.

Recent Awardees

I have enjoyed life and work in Hong Kong immensely thus far; the city is one of the most vibrant and convenient places I have ever lived in. Studying at PolyU is equally rewarding: first rate resources coupled with supportive work practices bode well for a comfortable working environment.

Jamie McKeown, United Kingdom

Being a post-graduate student at PolyU has been a wonderful and intellectually stimulating experience. There are many local conferences attended by experts from all around the world, not to mention our esteemed faculty in the Department of English and Communication. On top of that, the city of Hong Kong is a beautiful place where I can learn about Cantonese language and culture, which I truly enjoy.

Didem Aydin, Turkey

I first came to PolyU as a MA exchange student and I immediately fell in love with this amazing city. Now I am happy to be back and have this great opportunity to do research in a very international and stimulating environment where I have access to all the resources I need for my project and I have the chance to work with world-renowned scholars in my research area.

Esterina Nervino, Italy

A number of things make PolyU a suitable destination for doctoral studies: excellent facilities, first-class supervision, elite training, the inspiring staff, and the stimulating academic environment. In addition to the incredibly supportive environment PolyU offers me, I continue to benefit from the diverse sociocultural experiences one finds in this cosmopolitan university and in Hong Kong in general. Studying at PolyU is a truly rewarding and fulfilling experience, providing me with a solid foundation for professional development and social impact.

Mark Nartey, Ghana

Request more information?

You may reach us by completing this form and we will get back to you shortly.

 

Enquiries

Ms Sherry Yip

General Office, Department of English and Communication
 

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