Deferment is counted on a semester/term basis. A student within the normal study period may apply for deferment of up to 3 semesters/terms at a time, with a cumulative maximum of 6 semesters/terms. Any deferment period covering a partial semester/term will be counted as a full semester/term and will be effective from the first day of that semester/term. Deferment periods will not count towards the period of study.

To apply for deferment of studies, RPg students should submit the completed Form GSB/22 The applications must be approved by:

• the DoRPgS, via the Chief Supervisor from PolyU, and where applicable,
• the Chief Supervisor from the partner university (for Dual PhD programmes), or
• the Co-Supervisor from the partner institution/university (for PolyU Joint PhD Supervision programmes)

Within one week of approval, the D/SRC Secretary should update the student record in SRS and send the duly completed application form to GS for updating the student finance record.

1. Important points for all RPg students
   1. Students shall not apply for deferment for the purpose of undertaking external attachments related to their research.
   2. Deferment of study application within a semester/term will only be considered before the start of the examination period
   3. Students should settle all outstanding tuition fees and/or other fees in order to have their deferment application processed. All fees paid are non-refundable and non-transferable. However, students whose study deferment is approved before the start of the semester will be eligible for a tuition fee refund.
   4. Deferment applications after the normal study period will normally not be considered except based on certified health problem(s).
   5. The scholarship package, which can be inclusive of a monthly stipend, a cash award and a tuition fee waiver, if applicable, is payable only during the normal study period. As deferment is not part of the normal study period, students shall not be eligible to receive stipends during deferment. Accordingly, stipends will be stopped as soon as deferment commences. Students must return to the University any stipend received during the deferment period. Subject to the eligibility of the student, the arrangement of the scholarship package following the resumption of study is as follows:
   • monthly stipend: to be paid from the semester/term start dates or the first day of the month;
   • cash award: to be disbursed according to the schedule as decided by GS upon completion of a progress report; and
   • tuition fee waiver: to be arranged from the first semester in which a tuition fee is incurred.

   RPg students failing to resume their studies after the end of the deferment period will be considered as having given up their studies at PolyU.

   
   
2. Important points for Mainland RPg Students
   To help enhance the control over Chinese mainland RPg students taking deferment of study/personal leave (deferment/leave) while accommodating their needs and concerns, the mainland authorities and the Immigration Department agreed on the following arrangements:
   1. Chinese mainland RPg students who are granted approval for deferment/leave for activities taking place outside Hong Kong should leave Hong Kong as soon as practicable and avoid using the same travel document and student permit to visit Hong Kong during the period of deferment/leave. In case of any compassionate reasons to visit Hong Kong during such a period, the student concerned should write to the Immigration Department for consideration on an individual basis. Approval and specific arrangements would be conveyed to him/her in writing.
   2. Universities granting the deferment/leave should inform the Immigration Department of the details of the deferment/leave, if possible, seven days before commencement of the deferment/leave so that the Immigration Department can monitor the departure and the travel movements of the student concerned during the period of deferment/leave. The Immigration Department should also be informed of any change of the original deferment/leave (e.g., extension or cutting short of the deferment/leave), so that the relevant records can be updated accordingly.
   3. Chinese mainland RPg students taking deferment/leave for six months or less may return to Hong Kong on the current student endorsement if it remains valid and there is no change of circumstances, i.e., university and programme of study.
   4. Chinese mainland RPg students taking deferment/leave for more than six months should apply to the Hong Kong and Macau Affairs Office or the Foreign Affairs Office of the provincial government for a new student permit, irrespective of the validity of their current student endorsement.
   5. Chinese mainland RPg students granted approval for deferment/leave who seek to re-enter Hong Kong to continue the same study after the expiry of the current student permit, to study at another university, or to take up another study programme should apply for a new student permit.