When and How to Apply?
You are required to complete and submit the Summer Exchange Online Application Form by 22 January 2026, 23:59 (Hong Kong Time), providing the below information:
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Your latest CGPA for assessment of academic standing as required by host institutions (if applicable).
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Proof of English language proficiency, i.e. IELTS / TOEFL results. You may also submit DSE / IB / SAT / GCSE or other international qualifications for consideration. Please note that your host institution may require the IELTS / TOEFL results at a later date.
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Details of extra-curricular activities to demonstrate personal growth, leadership and involvement in community service.
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A personal statement (at a maximum of 150 words) explaining your reasons for application, including your personal attributes, your ability to represent PolyU, and your motivation for participating.
Before making your selection, you are strongly encouraged to conduct thorough background research by reviewing the programme requirements or visiting their websites. The list of available destinations for Summer Exchange 2026 is available here.
You may select up to five preferred choices of exchange institutions/programmes. It is your responsibility to ensure that the chosen host institutions have the appropriate programmes and subjects to fulfil your degree requirements at PolyU. Please consult with the academic advisor/ exchange coordinator of your academic department regarding credit transfer.
Late/incomplete applications will not be processed.
The selection committee will review all applications according to the following criteria (but not limited to):
- CGPA
- Extra-curricular activities
- Personal statement
- English language proficiency
- Interview performance (if applicable)
GEO will announce application results to students via email in February. Students should confirm their offer by the offer acceptance deadline. Upon students’ confirmation, GEO will send out a confirmation email and nominate you to the host institution. Once you have received your confirmation of nomination, you can start preparing for the application to your host institution. You must submit your application to the host institution by the application deadline. If the host institution requires you to submit your application via the home institution, you should consult GEO and send the full set of documents in the required format at least two weeks (excluding public holidays) prior to the application deadline. Late submission will jeopardise your submission. Final admission decisions will be at the discretion of the host institution.
Financial Support
Students participating in the student exchange programme are supported by a range of financial assistance. Eligibility and exact amounts vary across destinations and durations. Details will be provided to successful participants during the Pre-departure Briefing and in a follow-up email from GEO. An online application for GEO funding by the specified deadlines is required. Late applications will not be entertained.
Your Faculty/School/Department may offer additional sponsorships and/or scholarships aimed at covering expenses such as flights, accommodation or living costs. Check with your Faculty/School/Department and/or Student Affairs Office for further details relating to sponsorships/ scholarships.
The Scholarship/Funding provides financial assistance to students participating in student exchange programme at PolyU’s student exchange partner institutions with tuition fee waivers and earn credit(s) upon completion of the exchange. The exchange period should be a minimum of 4 weeks for the Summer Exchange.
You are eligible for the Scholarship/Funding:
- This is the first GEO outbound exchange activity that involves physical travel during your entire undergraduate study;
- If you are a full-time UGC-funded degree-seeking undergraduate student (local and non-local) participating in a student exchange programme; and
- If you have attended all briefing sessions as required by GEO before departure.
- In cases where candidates have equal merits on other selection criteria, preference would be given to students with financial needs.
- When a student withdraws from the exchange programme after accepting the offer from Faculty/School/Department/GEO, the student may no longer be eligible for the GEO Scholarship/Funding for Student Exchange for any future student exchange activities.
- GEO Scholarship for Student Exchange:
- Full-time UGC-funded degree-seeking undergraduate students who have attained a minimum cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.0 in the below mentioned time frame.
- The disciplinary record(s) of the student with PolyU will be taken into consideration.
- GEO Funding for Student Exchange:
- Full-time UGC-funded degree-seeking undergraduate students who have attained below a cumulative GPA (CGPA) of 3.0 in the below mentioned time frame.
| Exchange Period | CGPA by Semester |
| Summer Term | Semester 1 of the current Academic Year |
Note: application details will be announced in the Pre-departure Briefing.
- GEO Funding for Student Exchange in Belt and Road Regions for Non-local UG Students
You are eligibel for the funding:
- Once only during your entire undergraduate study;
- You are a non-local student and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme;
- You fulfil all the requirements for applying for the GEO Scholarship for Student Exchange/ GEO Funding for Student Exchange;
- You are participating in a student exchange programme in one of the "Belt and Road" regions except the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and Macao; and
- You have never received GEO Funding for Student Exchange in Belt and Road Regions for Non-local UG Students during your entire undergraduate study.
The Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government offers Means-tested and Non-means-tested Schemes to support exchange activities. The eligibility is set out as follows:
Means-tested Schemes
- You are a local student with a Hong Kong Identity Card and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme.
- You are a recipient of grant under the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes by Student Finance Office (SFO); OR your family member is a recipient of the Comprehensive Social Security Assistance (CSSA).
i. Scheme for Subsidy on Exchange (SSE)
- You participate in an exchange activity for at least 14 days (excluding travelling time).
- You are eligible for SSE once only throughout your undergraduate study.
ii. Scheme for Means-tested Subsidy on Exchange to "Belt and Road" Regions (Means-tested SSEBR)
- You participate in an exchange activity in any "Belt and Road" regions (except the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and Macao) for at least 5 days (excluding travelling time).
- You are eligible for Means-tested SSEBR twice at most at two different "Belt and Road" regions, subject to a maximum amount of subsidy to be received, i.e. HKD60,000, discounted by your level of student finance approved by SFO.
Non-means-tested Schemes
i. Scheme for Non-means-tested Subsidy on Exchange to "Belt and Road" Regions (Non-means-tested SSEBR)
- You are a local student with a Hong Kong Identity Card and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme.
- You participate in an exchange activity in any "Belt and Road" regions (except the Chinese Mainland, Taiwan and Macao) for at least 5 days (excluding travelling time).
- You are eligible for Non-means-tested SSEBR once only throughout your undergraduate study.
ii. Non-means-tested Mainland Experience Scheme (Non-means-tested MES)
- You are a local or non-local student and enrolled in a full-time undergraduate programme.
- You participate in an exchange activity in the Chinese Mainland.
- You are eligible for Non-means-tested MES once only throughout your undergraduate study.
GEO Scholarship for Student Exchange / GEO Funding for Student Exchange for Summer semester (4 weeks or above AND less than 1 semester*)
| Destinations | GEO Scholarship for Student Exchange (GSSE) (Attained a minimum CGPA of 3.0) |
GEO Funding for Student Exchange (GFSE) (Attained a CGPA 3.0 below) |
| Africa, Americas, Australia, Europe, Middle East | HKD11,000 | HKD7,700 |
| Japan, Korea, Singapore | HKD10,000 | HKD7,000 |
|
Chinese Mainland |
HKD4,100 | HKD2,900 |
| Chinese Mainland (Outside Guangdong Province) |
HKD5,800 | HKD4,100 |
| Taiwan | HKD6,000 | HKD4,200 |
| Other parts of Asia |
HKD8,000 |
HKD5,600 |
*Semester refers to the study period in the host institution.
HKSAR Government Subsidy
Means-tested Schemes
i. Scheme for Subsidy on Exchange (SSE)
ii. Scheme for Means-tested Subsidy on Exchange to "Belt and Road" Regions (Means-tested SSEBR)
The amount of Government Subsidy is calculated by applying the approved level of student finance to the maximum level of subsidy based on the latest available application result from Student Finance Office (SFO).
** Formula: (Destination + Duration) x %
|
Destination (HKD) |
+ |
Duration (HKD) |
x |
**Proportion of Grant (%) approved as advised by The Student Finance Office (SFO) |
|
Asia (Inc Middle East) 3,000 Africa 7,000 Oceania & Europe 8,000 North America 9,000 Central & South America & Caribbean 15,000 |
14-28 days 6,000 29-90 days 10,000 91-180 days 25,000 |
** The amount of financial level will be adjusted upward to 50% if the level of student finance approved by SFO is lower than 50%.
Non-means-tested Schemes
** Formula: (Destination + Duration)
|
Destination (HKD) |
+ |
Duration (HKD) |
|
Asia (Inc Middle East) 900 Africa 2,100 Oceania & Europe 2,400 Central & South America & Caribbean 4,500 |
14-28 days 1,800 29-90 days 3,000 91-180 days 7,500 |
You must declare to GEO if you receive sponsorship(s) and/or scholarship(s) from other source(s). You are required to provide relevant document(s) of such funding you receive.
PolyU reserves the right to withhold the payment of GEO Scholarship/Funding for Student Exchange/Government Subsidy if you do not declare other funding being received (whether it is received before or after the approval of your application).
As a PolyU Global Exchange student, you are obliged to:
- Be a PolyU ambassador and help to promote exchange opportunities at PolyU to fellow students at your host institution;
- Submit post-exchange report within one month of the completion of your exchange period; and
- Be a peer advisor at least twice and share your experience with future outbound students at PolyU after your return from the exchange study
If a student does not fulfil the above obligations, PolyU reserves the right to claw back any exchange funding provided.
