Welcome to PolyU! We hope the information below will allow you to commence your studies with as few impediments as possible.
Key dates of study commencement and report study
All new students are required to complete programme registration via RPgAdmission before study commencement and report study at the General Office of the host departments/schools by the specified date below. They have to present a student card issued by the Academic Registry and an activated valid visa (if applicable) to complete the reporting procedures.
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Event |
Deadline |
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Admitted in Sem 1 |
Admitted in Sem 2 |
Admitted in Summer Term |
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Study commencement |
1 Sep or 1st day of Sem 1, whichever is earlier |
1 Jan |
1 May |
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Report Study at General Office of the host department/school |
1st working day upon study commencement |
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Dates of report study at general office of the host department/school
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Academic Year |
Deadline |
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Admitted in Sem 1 |
Admitted in Sem 2 |
Admitted in Summer Term |
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2025/26 |
1 Sep 2025 |
2 Jan 2026 |
4 May 2026 |
Other useful information
| Pre-arrival in Hong Kong and PolyU | ||
| Items | Details/Website | Contact |
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Student Visa |
Visa application status can be checked via RPgAdmission. Frequently Asked Questions: |
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Accommodation |
Hall application, hall fees & off-campus housing: |
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Travel to Hong Kong |
Pre-departure notes and videos: |
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| Preparing Your Studies | ||
| Items | Details/Website | Contact |
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Learning and Teaching Arrangements |
Announcements by the University on the latest learning and teaching arrangements: |
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GS Notice - Commencement of Semester/Term |
Commencement of 2025/26 Academic Year, Semester One – New Research Postgraduate Students. Other notices to students: |
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Online Programme Registration |
Before study commencement, you are required to complete online programme registration via RPgAdmission after completion of qualification verification, meeting condition(s) (if any) and student visa application (if applicable). All fees paid will not be refunded after completion of programme registration. |
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Academic Preparation |
Schedule of academic events - Academic Calendar: Subject Registration: Research Postgraduate Student Handbook: GS notices to students: |
Chief Supervisor or General Office of the Host Department |
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Mandatory Research Language Skills Assessment (RLSA) |
Please take the RLSA in your first semester of study at PolyU and you may be required to take relevant subjects based on your performance. ELC will arrange the result announcement within eight weeks after the test. You are advised to enroll in the English enhancement subject(s) only after obtaining the result of the RLSA. RLSA and English enhancement subjects:https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/rpghandbook/section8-2-1/ RLSA Arrangement:https://www.polyu.edu.hk/elc/assessment/rlsa/ Format:https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/Assessments/RLSA/RLSA-Test-Format.pdf How to enroll:https://elc.polyu.edu.hk/booking/rlsa.php |
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E-Learning module on “Understanding China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, P.R.C.” (for research students admitted from 2022/23 onwards) |
Starting from the 2022/23 intake cohort, all research students are required to complete the e-Learning module on “Understanding China and the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region, P.R.C.” before thesis submission as a graduation requirement. Students are encouraged to complete the requirement as early as possible. Details on the requirement: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/cus/nationaleducation/en/curriculum/research-postgraduate-programme/ |
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| Arrival at PolyU Campus | ||
| Items | Details/Website | Contact |
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Getting to PolyU Campus |
Transportation & campus map: |
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Collection of Student Identity Card |
The student ID card can be collected at the Academic Registry according to the schedule in RPgAdmission after completing the programme registration. Please use your NetID and password to apply a QR access code via Visitor Registration System 48 hours before you come to PolyU to collect your student ID card. You can refer to the User Guide for details. |
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Application for Hong Kong Identity Card (for non-local students) |
According to the Registration of Persons Ordinance, non-local students must apply for a Hong Kong Identity Card (HKID card) at the Immigration Department within 30 days of arrival. Please visit the SAO website for details: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/settling-in-hong-kong/hong-kong-identity-card/ |
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Opening Bank Account |
If you are a stipend recipient, please open a bank account in Hong Kong and enter your bank account information at Student Account Portal as soon as possible. Documents needed for bank account opening: |
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Stipend Payment & Registration Fee Refund |
For scholarship holders who start their studies in Semester One of 2025/26, you should input your bank account information before 15 September 2025 in order to receive stipend via autopay by the end of September 2025. Otherwise, you will receive stipend by the end of October 2025. For new students who are eligible to receive Research Excellence Scholarship or Tuition Fee Waiver for Local Research Students, the paid registration fee will be refundable to you via autopay only after your commencement of study at PolyU. You will receive the refund by the end of October or two weeks after you have entered your bank account information at Student Account Portal, whichever is later. |
gs.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk |
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Research Postgraduate Student Welcome Guide 2025/26 |
Please download the RPg Student Welcome Guide. |
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| Other Useful Resources | ||
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Language Learning Resources |
Cantonese and Chinese Learning courses are organized by the Chinese Language Centre (CLC): https://www.polyu.edu.hk/clc/subjects/chinese-subjects-for-non-chinese-speaking-students/?sc_lang=en English programmes and workshops are offered by the English Language Centre (ELC), including Speaking Assistance Programme, Writing Assistance Programme, and Workshops: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/elc/independent-learning/workshops/ |
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Services of PolyU Offices and Units |
Please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/rpghandbook/section20-1/ |
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Last update: 24 July 2025
