FAQ

FAQs for Student Exchange Programme 

 

Q1. Who can apply for departmental exchange programme? What are the selection criteria? 

Year Two BAESP students with a Sem 1 of Year 2 GPA above 2.7 are qualified to apply. The selection will be based on the accumulated GPA of Year One and Year Two, extra-curricular activities, and performance at a selection interview.

 

Q2. During which semester should students go for overseas exchange? 

BAESP students are recommended to go on exchange in Semester 2 of Year 3 so that they do not miss the core subject ENGL3002 Research Methods for Language Studies, which is only open in Semester 1.

Since BAESP students under the 4-year curriculum have to finish the compulsory Level-4 BAESP subjects and the Capstone Project in Year 4 (Final Year), they are usually not allowed to go on exchange in their Final Year. Exceptions may be made for high-achieving students who would like to attend the Huddersfield or UNIMORE exchanges. 

 

Q3. Can I apply for summer exchange programmes?

Yes, you can. The main requirement is that the summer exchange programme runs for at least six weeks to be eligible for credit transfer. Subject suitability shall be discussed with one of the Student Exchange Officers prior to departure. Otherwise, it might not be possible to transfer your credits to PolyU upon your return.

 

Q4. Are there any language requirements when I apply for exchange?

Students who wish to study in Spain or Japan must take one Spanish or Japanese subject in Sem 1 Year 3 and obtain at least a Pass. The offer will be withdrawn if a candidate fails the subject.

Students whose first language is not Korean and wish to take regular courses taught in Korean at Hankuk University of Foreign Studies are required to provide evidence of Korean language proficiency, which include a. Over the 3rd grade of TOPIK (Test of Proficiency in Korean) or 350 of KLPT; b. Over the 3rd level certificate of HUFS Center for Korean Language & Culture; c. Official transcript proving you have earned at least 15 total credits from Korean Language related courses. Please refer to http://international.hufs.ac.kr/ for the most updated details.

Student can find the language requirements for each University at https://www2.polyu.edu.hk/international/pdf/Partner_Info.pdf. While content of the above link are correct at the time of compiling, for the latest and most accurate information please refer to websites/information provided by the partner institutions.

 

Q5. When is the application deadline?

The application for departmental exchange closes between February and March each year. Details regarding application deadlines will be sent to students through PolyU email accounts.

Please refer to IAO and CMAO websites for their exchange programme application deadline.

 

Q6. Can I get credit transfer for subjects taken on exchange? How many credits can I transfer back to PolyU? How many subjects should I take at the host university?

Please refer to the Policy of Credit Transfer for Exchange Students here.

 

Q7. What is a content subject? Which subjects should I choose at the host university? 

Content subjects refer to those introducing particular theoretical knowledge. They are different from proficiency subjects, which aim to improve language skills (speaking, listening, reading and/or writing). ‘English Semantics’, for example, is a content subject while ‘Intermediate Spanish’ is a proficiency subject.

 

Q8. Will subjects taken during exchange affect my GPA at PolyU?

Grades/marks obtained at the host university will not be counted towards your PolyU GPA. However, at least a pass in the subjects taken overseas is necessary in order to be granted credit transfer. All the subjects must have been formally assessed.

 

Q9. Can non-ENGL students validate subjects taken at an overseas institution for subjects in the Department of English? 

Non-ENGL students can validate a maximum of 9 credits for either free electives or a minor programme in the Department of English. A block credit transfer system may be adopted for credit validation towards a minor in ENGL, while observing the limit of up to 9 credits. To be entitled for a block credit transfer, a minimum of two-thirds of the chosen subjects should be content subjects. For example, out of three subjects, two should be content subjects (see Q7 below about ‘content’ subjects).

Credit validation may also be granted on a subject-to-subject basis; that is, students can validate up to 3 subjects (up to 9 credits) with reference to the ENGL curriculum, for non-compulsory, non-Level-4 subjects. 

Please note that the medium of instruction of your chosen subjects must be English. Students need to contact the ENGL Student Exchange Officer to seek advice on the selection of subjects and to obtain subject endorsement before departure. It is entirely students’ responsibility to choose relevant subjects and keep the content/proficiency subject ratio in balance. The student will have to obtain at least a pass in the subjects taken overseas for credit validation.

If non-ENGL students have already sought approval for the subject(s) for credit transfer in their home department, the Department of English cannot double count subjects. Students need to decide from which department, their home department or Department of English, they are going to validate credits for the subjects taken at the host university.

Non-ENGL students should seek advice from their Departmental Exchange Officer for other subjects relevant to their major pathway before going on exchange, observing each department’s own policy.

Last updated in Feb 2019