Frequently Asked Questions for Students

Learning, Teaching and Assessment Arrangements for Semester 1, 2020/21

Classes and other learning arrangements
Q1. How will general learning and teaching activities be delivered?
Q2. How will essential face-to-face teaching and learning activities be conducted?
Q3. How will examinations be conducted?
Q4. Will there be information on the delivery mode and assessment methods of each subject?
Q5. Is there any preparation I need to make before online teaching starts?
Q6. What media will be used for online teaching? Do I need to install any software or programmes beforehand for attending the online classes?
Q7. Will the recommended online tools platform perform well under heavy traffic load of online teaching?
Q8. What help can be offered if students do not have the necessary online facilities?
Q9. Can I view the online classes if I have missed them?
Q10. Can students request face-to-face meetings/consultations with teachers during this critical period?
Q11. Will learning resources provided by the Library be available during this special period?
Q12. What is the arrangement for Service-Learning activities, which is a graduation requirement for all undergraduate students?
Q13. I am a final-year student and I have not yet fulfilled the Work-Integrated Education (WIE), Service-Learning and Healthy Lifestyle requirement for graduation, what can I do?
Q14. If students encounter problems in subject registration and study problem in the special period, what should they do?
Q15. Is there any backup plan if the COVID-19 pandemic situation further worsens?
Essential face-to-face learning and teaching activities
Q16. Will the University undertake any precautionary measures on campus?
Q17. How will essential face-to-face teaching and learning activities be conducted?
Q18. I am taking the final year project in this Semester, and I have to use the equipment in laboratory to do my project. Am I allowed to return to campus?
Students currently outside Hong Kong
Q19. Are students currently outside Hong Kong required to return to Hong Kong in Semester One of 2020/21?
Q20. Will the university make special arrangements (e.g. accommodation associated with quarantine) for students currently outside Hong Kong who have the needs to return to Hong Kong to attend essential face-to-face activities?
Q21. I am now in Mainland China. The internet quality in my hometown is not very reliable which may affect the online classes I have to attend. Will the University be able to offer any help and support?
Q22. I am a non-local student. Whom should I contact concerning the university transfer under the new arrangement of online teaching?
Other isses
Q23. Will face masks or face shields be provided to students attending essential face-to-face activities?
Q24. Will there be any reduction in tuition fees in response to the suspension of face-to-face teaching?

Subject Registration and Add/Drop Arrangements for Semester 1, 2020/21

Q1. When can I perform my Subject Registration?
Q2. When is the Add/Drop period?
[Other FAQs regarding the Subject Registration arrangement]

Application for Transcripts/Testimonials

Q1.How can I apply for transcript of studies and testimonial?
For current student and current year graduands, please apply through eStudent (https://www38.polyu.edu.hk/eStudent/).
For past graduates/alumni, please download the application form HERE.
Q2. How long does it take to process the application?
Transcript of studies/testimonial will normally be ready for mailing in 7 working days for students and graduands of the current academic year. For other cases, the Faculty Office may need more time to process your application. It would help to shorten the processing time if you could provide as much information as possible to facilitate record searching.
For urgent cases, please indicate the date when the transcript of studies/testimonial are required and contact fh.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk, if necessary. Documentary evidence must be attached. The University will try its best to entertain urgent cases with supporting documents. In case the request could not be acceded to, you will be informed by telephone.

Collection of Student Identity Card

For Current Student
Q1. My student identity card will expire by the end of August, how can I renew my student identity card?
Please note for students whose student identity cards are due for renewal, you can collect the new student card from the Academic Registry Service Centre starting from 25 August 2020 (for Semester 1) and 28 January 2021 (for Semester 2) as long as you are "active" students in the semester concerned.
For students who are currently out of Hong Kong, you may collect the renewed student identity card after the resumption of face-to-face teaching. The online access to electronic resources in Semester One of 2020/21 will NOT be suspended even if you are not going to collect your renewed student identity card in August 2020, provided that you will continue your study in Semester One of 2020/21.
For enquires or assistance, please contact the Academic Registry at ar.dept@polyu.edu.hk.

Examination Timetable for Summer Term of 2019-20

Q1. How can I access the subject examination timetable?
[Notes for attention when reading examination timetables]
[Display Issue on the Examination Timetable]

Revised Academic Regulations

Grading System, GPA Calculations and Related Arrangements
Q1.I have completed subjects before the implementation of the new grading system. How will my GPAs be calculated under the new grading system?
Q2.I got a GPA between 1.70 and 1.99 in Semester 2 of the 2019/20 academic year. How will my progression be affected under the revised regulations to be implemented from the 2020/21 academic year?
Q3.I got a cumulative GPA below 2.0 in Semester 2 / Summer Term of the 2019/20 academic year and have already fulfilled all the subject / credit and other requirements for graduation. How will my graduation be affected under the new regulations to be implemented from 2020/21?
Q4.What will be the “Award GPA Ranges for Award Classification” under the New Grading System? Will these ranges be applicable to current students?
Q5.How will the new grading system and other associated arrangements be explained to outside parties, e.g. future employers of graduates or higher education institutions to which graduates apply for further study?
Q6.Does the new grading system apply to credit transfer cases approved in 2020/21 and after?
Subject Retake
Q7.How should I apply for retaking a passed subject under the exceptional arrangement for 2020/21?
Q8.I have passed a CAR subject with grade D before 2020/21. Can I apply for retake of the same CAR subject in 2020/21?
Duration of Study
Q9.I was admitted to PolyU in the 2019/20 academic year and was approved to transfer to a new programme in 2020/21. Will I be deregistered if I cannot complete my study within the normal duration of the new programme?

e-Learning - Blackboard

Q1. Can I access Learn@PolyU from Mainland cities?

Collection of Student Identity Card

For New Students
Q1.How can I collect my student identity card after completing the programme registration?
For local students, please collect your student identity card according to the schedule below:
Date and Time:
2-7 Sept 2020 (Monday - Friday) 2:30-5:00p.m.
Venue:
Room M102, 1/F, Li Ka Shing Tower (Core M), The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (see campus map).
Student identity card will be printed to you after verifying your original personal identity document and visa-related documents (e.g. visa label/entry permit and landing slip) on the spot. Please refer to your Notice of Offer for details.
For non-local students, the student identity card will be printed to you after verifying your original personal identity document and visa-related documents (e.g. visa label and landing slip) on the spot. The schedule for the collection of student identity card will be announced when face-to-face teaching resumes. The Academic Registry will keep you posted about the arrangement soon.

RPg Student Matters

Q1. I am a research student (admitted in or before the 2017/18 cohort) and wish to make enquiries related to RPg student matters, what should I do?
Q2. I am a non-local research student, can I defer my study until Semester 2 of the 2020-2021 Academic Year?
Please refer to Section 17.6 Deferment of Studies in the Research Student Handbook.
For research students admitted in or before the 2017/18 cohort
For research students admitted from the 2018/19 cohort onwards
For further enquiries, please contact:
(CBS) cbs.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk; 2766 7454 / 2766 7463
(CC) cnma@polyu.edu.hk; 3400 8927
(ENGL) egdept@polyu.edu.hk; 2766 7643

Visa Matters for Non-local Students

HKID Card and Student Visa
Q1. Do I need to apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card?
Q2. What is the definition of a non-local student?
Q3. If I fail to get my student visa when the semester begins, can I come to Hong Kong as a visitor and start my study at PolyU?
Q4. How do I activate my student visa?
Q5. If I am a full-time student from Taiwan entering Hong Kong to take up studies on the strength of a single-journey permit, what should I do to facilitate my future travel to and from Hong Kong?
Q6. How do I apply for student visa extension?
Q7. Can I still apply for student visa extension if I cannot complete my current study programme within its normal duration?
Q8. What are the replacement arrangements if I have lost my travel document whilst in Hong Kong?
Internship and Employment
Q9.Who are eligible for undertaking study-/curriculum-related internship, part-time on-campus employment and/or off-campus summer jobs?
Q10. Do I need to seek permission from the Director of Immigration before taking up study-/curriculum internship, part-time on-campus employment and/or off-campus summer jobs?
Q11. Are the NOLs still valid if I transfer to another study programme?
Q12. Can I get a replacement of NOL if the original one has been lost, damaged or defaced?
Charity/Voluntary Work
Q13. Do I need to seek permission from the Director of Immigration before taking up charity or voluntary work?
Transfer of Study
Q14. Do I need to seek approval from the Director of Immigration for switching form one programme to another at PolyU?
Q15. Will my stay be extended long enough to complete my study if I switch from one programme to another?
Deferment of Study/Zero Subject Enrolment and Resumption of Study
Q16. Do I need to inform the Director of Immigration of my deferment of study or zero subject enrolment?
Q17. What should I do: to resume my study after deferment or upon reinstatement of my registration status; or to extend my study visa as a part-time student?
Q18. Do I need to apply for a new student visa upon resumption of study after deferment or zero subject enrolment if my current student visa is still valid?
Nullification of Registration
Q19. Are there any implications if I fail to complete the subject registration on the scheduled date, fail to settle my tuition fees by the payment deadline or the fee payment is rejected by the bank?
Discontinuation or Withdrawal of Study/De-registration
Q20. Can I continue to stay in Hong Kong after discontinuation of my study?
Change of Student Status
Q21. Can I change my student status (e.g. from full-time to part-time)?
Exchange Activities
Q22. Do I need to seek approval from the Director of Immigration before taking up exchange activities?
Employment/Stay in Hong Kong after Completion of Study
Q23. Can I apply for employment or stay in Hong Kong after I have completed my study?
Q24. My student visa is going to expire and I wish to apply to stay in Hong Kong under the IANG. However, I have not yet received the result of graduation. Can I extend my stay in Hong Kong and wait for the result?