Who is eligible?
To encourage interdisciplinary exchange and promote a diverse mix of students, the Summer School welcomes all applicants considering studying for a research degree at PolyU. They should be:
- penultimate or final year undergraduate students of any discipline; OR
- students in a master’s degree programme; AND
- able to attend all sessions of the Summer School in person on campus.
How to apply?
Step 1
Complete the online application form and submit it by 23 February 2024 at 12:00 noon (Hong Kong Time, UTC+8 hours). Applicants will get the application fee payment link and supporting documents upload link by email.
Step 2
Pay the application fee online and get the official receipt by email.
Step 3
Applicants are required to upload the following supporting documents in ENGLISH and save all in ONE single PDF file under 10 MB via the upload link within 2 days after submitting the application form:
- The latest bachelor's and master's degree (if applicable) academic transcripts/ academic reports listing GPA or class ranking AND the explanatory notes of the grading system (if the GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, an official proof of class ranking issued by the institution is highly preferable);
- Bachelor's degree award certificate showing the award classification (for master's students only);
- Curriculum vitae (CV) that indicates their academic and research achievements, involvement in extra-curricular activities or community services, and exchange or internship/ placement participation;
- Application letter stating their research experience and strengths, aspirations and career plans, research areas and interests, reasons for applying for the Summer School and what is expected to gain from it;
- The latest official score report of English language tests such as IELTS and TOEFL (if any);
- Certificates of international or national merits (if any);
- Coloured passport-size photo (click HERE for the requirements); AND
- Official receipt of application fee payment issued by the Finance Office of PolyU.
The Graduate School will only process the application with a full set of required documents including the photo saved in ONE SINGLE PDF FILE.
Applicants will be selected based on their academic excellence, research ability and experience, proficiency in English, personal qualities and skills, and other factors.
** There is a non-refundable and non-waivable application fee of HK$500 and no tuition fee will be charged. **
What you will get?
Nomination for an offer of admission to research studies
Outstanding participants may be nominated for an offer of admission to research postgraduate programmes, with the support of various fellowship and scholarship schemes.
Consultation with professors in different research areas
Participants will have opportunities to meet professors during the consultation sessions to discuss their research postgraduate applications, receive professional advice on their research proposals, and possible referral to potential supervisors.
Unique opportunity to explore PolyU and experience Asia's world city
The Summer School combines academic learning with cultural exploration, providing a comprehensive understanding of both PolyU and Hong Kong. Participants will gain first-hand experience of the city's rich culture, bustling lifestyle, and diverse educational environment.
What assistance do we offer?
Up to HK$10,000 allowance
An allowance of up to HK$10,000 (~US$1,280) will be available to selected participants.
Free student hall accommodation
We provide free accommodation at the PolyU Student Hall that covers the whole period of the Summer School.
Full subsidy of study visa application fee
All study visas should be applied via PolyU. We will subsidise the visa fee for admitted students and the administration fee will also be waived.
Programme at a glance
The Summer School will take place from 1 July to 13 July 2024. The tentative programme is subject to change and participants affected will be informed as soon as possible.
| Date | Activity |
| 1 July 2024 |
Student Hall check-in |
| 2 - 12 July 2024 |
|
| 13 July 2024 |
Student Hall check-out |
Timeline of actions
| Step |
Period |
|
Open for application |
January - 23 February 2024 |
|
Selection |
February - March 2024 |
|
Notification of results to applicants selected in batches and Notification to applicants on the waiting list |
March - April 2024 |
| Visa application for non-local participants who require a visa to visit Hong Kong (at least 10 weeks) |
March - June 2024 |
| Arrive in Hong Kong |
On or before 1 July 2024 |
| International Research Summer School on PolyU campus |
2 July - 12 July 2024 |
Who should apply for a study visa?
In general, it is applicable to participants who require a visa to visit Hong Kong. The Graduate School will assist the applicants selected for the IRSS to apply for a study visa.
When should apply for a study visa?
It normally takes 10 weeks for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to process the study visa applications upon receipt of a complete set of application documents, therefore applicants are advised to prepare the supporting documents (click here for details) while waiting for the selection results of the IRSS to save time.
Once applicants are selected and receive the confirmation, they should fill in the Study Visa Application Form and scan the form and supporting documents to the Graduate School for checking within one week. Applicants will be informed after checking and they should immediately send the original signed form and hard copies of supporting documents to Hong Kong by courier (e.g. SF Express, DHL, FedEx).
For Mainland Chinese applicants, they should reserve additional 2 weeks to apply for an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) (港澳通行證) and the relevant exit endorsement (逗留D簽) from their local authorities.
PolyU will provide free student hall accommodation during the Summer School. Participants will be responsible for their own international and domestic travel expenses, including but not limited to air tickets, meals, local transportation as well as travel and medical insurance.
Non-local participants are strongly advised to purchase travel and medical insurance with adequate coverage before departing their home countries. If you are not a Hong Kong citizen, the medical charges are much higher and PolyU will not bear any of your medical or accidental expenses.
Before the deadline of application, you could submit a NEW application form if you have filled in any incorrect information. You could also upload a NEW full set of supporting documents in ONE single PDF file. The latest submission will replace the previous one(s).
After the deadline of application, we may not accept any revision or additional documents as the selection process will start immediately.
After you are admitted and have received the Letter of Admission, you should start approaching the preferred/ potential supervisors at PolyU and let them know you will be coming to Hong Kong and meet them in person for discussing your research proposal during the Summer School on campus. We will also provide guidelines for you to prepare the project presentation which will take place at the end of the Summer School.
You are also required to bring your own notebook computer to attend the Summer School.
Sharing from Participants
It is a super good experience wherein we have different workshops to explore options both within and outside our respective fields.
Caleb Peralta
I think the experience is really motivational and inspiring. I like spending time in the campus with people from all around the world.
Lexie Li
We have face-to-face opportunities to meet with potential supervisors and explore the potential research areas which we had never met before.
Kevin Yang
The Summer School has given me the privilege to know more about the PolyU campus, facilities, teaching staff and various activities.
Tianyi Zhou
The Summer School was packed with different activities, getting us to know more about our PhD studies and state-of-the-art facilities in PolyU.
Ethan Cheng
