MSc in Applied Mathematics for Science and Technology - Decision Science

Q: When is the application period for programme admission?
A: Please visit the following link for information:
http://www51.polyu.edu.hk/eprospectus/tpg

Q: I have a strong interest on actuarial and investment science, but I do not have experience in this field. Can I apply for the MSc Programme?
A: Yes, as long as you have fulfilled the entrance requirements of the MSc Programme.

Q: Is it possible to complete my MSc degree in Actuarial and Investment Science in one year?
A: Some compulsory subject(s) require other subject(s) of the programme as pre-requisite(s) which make the fulfillment of graduation requirements in one year impossible.

Q: What benefit can I gain from studying the Decision Science (DS) specialism of the MSc Programme?
A: You can learn some specific skills in operations research, applied statistics and scientific computing.

Q: Will classes of the MSc Programme be held during weekends?
A: No, so far all classes of our MSc Programme have been held on daytime or in the evening of weekdays.

Q: Can I apply for a PhD programme after I have completed the MSc Programme?
A: Yes, but it will be very competitive.

Q: What are the selection criteria for admission?
A: Applications will be considered on the basis of academic achievements; in particular, Mathematics, Statistics and English level. Moreover, industrial or business experience will be an asset.

Q: Is there any interview for the admission?
A: Yes, applicants may be invited for interviews.

Q: Are personal statement, curriculum vitae, and recommendation letter required for my application?
A: These documents are optional for your application. They may help us decide if you are suitable to our MSc Programme.

Q: Are GRE/GMAT scores required for my application?
A: GRE/GMAT scores are optional for your application.

Q: Where should I send my official transcript, official certificate, official English test result, and other supporting documents of my application?
A: You can upload the electronic copies of these documents onto your online application account. If you have any difficulty in uploading, please contact our admission team at asadmpg@polyu.edu.hk for assistance; by providing them your application number and the documents that you wish to upload.

Q: What is the relationship between SOA Exams and subjects offered by the MSc Programme?
A: A number of subjects offered by our programme cover a portion of the syllabi of several SOA/CAS exam papers. For more information, please click here.

Q: Can I apply scholarship from the MSc Programme?
A: Our MSc Programme will not give scholarship to new students.

Q: Will internship opportunity be provided by the MSc Programme?
A: From time to time we will receive internship opportunity related to our MSc Programme, and we will send this information to students in our programme.

Q: Are non-local students eligible to apply for financial assistance?
A: Non-local students are not eligible to apply for financial assistance from both the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region and PolyU. Please therefore secure sufficient funds before embarking on studies at PolyU.

Q: Can I take up part-time jobs while I am studying at PolyU?
A: Non-local students will be allowed to take up part-time on-campus employment for no more than 20 hours per week throughout the year and off campus summer job during the summer months without any work hours limit. You are, however, not allowed to roll over unused hours of part-time on-campus job from one week to another.

Q: Will PolyU provide accommodation to non-local self-financed taught postgraduate students?
A: Please refer to Section B (Settling in HK) of the following website for information about the accommodation:
http://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/services/services-for-nonlocal-students/brief-guide-to-self-financed-tpg-nonlocal-students.html

Q: Are self-financed taught postgraduate students eligible to apply for hall residence?
A: No.

A brief guide to self-financed taught postgraduate non-local students that provides you the information for

• Planning your stay in Hong Kong before departure;
• Settling in Hong Kong, such as Accommodation, application of Hong Kong Identity Card/Visa Extension, Weather, …;

Your university life at PolyU, such as Counseling Services, Career Services, Student Facilities & Amenities, ….

You can visit the following link for more information:
http://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/services/services-for-nonlocal-students/brief-guide-to-self-financed-tpg-nonlocal-students.html

Q: I am a new admittee of the MSc Programme, am I eligible to apply for entry scholarship?
A: There is no entry scholarship from our programme for newly admitted students.

Q: Can I take up part-time jobs while I am studying at PolyU?
A: Non-local students will be allowed to take up part-time on-campus employment for no more than 20 hours per week throughout the year and off campus summer job during the summer months without any work hours limit. You are, however, not allowed to roll over unused hours of part-time on-campus job from one week to another.

Q: I wish to do internship while I am in the MSc Programme, does our MSc Programme provide any internship opportunity?
A: From time to time we will receive internship opportunity related to our MSc Programme, and we will send the information to you; therefore, make sure you check your student email account regularly. You can also search internship by yourself.

Q: I wish to complete my MSc degree in Actuarial and Investment Science (AIS) specialism in one year, is it possible?
A: No. Some compulsory subject(s) of AIS require other subject(s) of the programme as pre-requisite(s) which make the fulfillment of graduation requirements in one year impossible.

Q: Can I enroll a subject which is not on the core subject list of my specialism of study?
A: Students, who have registered in the Decision Science (DS) specialism, can enroll a subject either from the list of elective subjects of the DS specialism or not on the list, as an elective. However, the subject has to be closely related to your study in the programme and the enrollment is subject to approval by the Programme Leader. Whereas, students who have registered in the Actuarial and Investment Science specialism (AIS), must enroll in the subjects that are on the core subject list of the AIS specialism.

Q: What subjects that I can take from our MSc Programme to earn SOA Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) Credit?
A: You can earn the SOA VEE Credit on Applied Statistical Methods topic by taking two subjects offered by our programme and fulfilling the grade requirements set by SOA on the subjects. The two subjects are Applied Linear Models and Forecasting and Applied Time Series Analysis. For more information about the subjects offered by our programme for SOA VEE Credit, please click here.

Q: Could you briefly tell me the framework of the dissertation option?
A: You will be guided by your dissertation supervisor(s) to work on a topic and you are required to submit a dissertation for your work, as well as be orally examined on your work by an assessment panel.

Q: For some reasons, I need to leave Hong Kong during semester, what should I do?
A: If you are a non-local student, you are required to seek approval from the Department before leaving Hong Kong during semester. The leave application should reach the Department two weeks prior your departure. You can download the leave application form here.

Q: For some reasons, I need to leave Hong Kong during semester, what should I do?
A: If you are a non-local student, you are required to seek approval from the Department before leaving Hong Kong during semester. The leave application should reach the Department two weeks prior your departure. You can download the leave application form here.

Q: Can I take up part-time jobs while I am studying at PolyU?
A: Non-local students will be allowed to take up part-time on-campus employment for no more than 20 hours per week throughout the year and off campus summer job during the summer months without any work hours limit. You are, however, not allowed to roll over unused hours of part-time on-campus job from one week to another.

Q: Can I enroll a subject which is not on the core subject list of my specialism of study?
A: Students, who have registered in the Decision Science (DS) specialism, can enroll a subject either from the list of elective subjects of the DS specialism or not on the list, as an elective. However, the subject has to be closely related to your study in the programme and the enrollment is subject to approval by the Programme Leader. Whereas, students who have registered in the Actuarial and Investment Science specialism (AIS), must enroll in the subjects that are on the core subject list of the AIS specialism.

Q: If I wish to do a dissertation in my study, what should I do?
A: You need to talk to the Dissertation Coordinator of the Programme and seek for his/her approval for doing a dissertation. If approved, you are required to confirm your dissertation supervisor(s) and get your dissertation proposal approved before you can start doing a dissertation. The earliest time you can talk to the Dissertation Coordinator is during the second semester of the first year of your study in the Programme, and the latest time you need to confirm your dissertation supervisor(s) and get your dissertation proposal approved is before the beginning of your last semester of study in the Programme. For more information about doing a dissertation, please refer to the Definitive Programme Document.

Q: Can I get any exemption from SOA/CAS exam papers if I have taken the relevant subjects under the Actuarial and Investment Science specialism?
A: No.

Q: Can I apply for SOA Validation by Educational Experience (VEE) Credit by taking some subjects offered by the MSc Programme?
A: Yes, you can apply for SOA VEE Credit on Applied Statistical Methods topic by taking two subjects offered by our programme and fulfilling the grade requirements set by SOA on the subjects. The two subjects are Applied Linear Models and Forecasting and Applied Time Series Analysis. For more information about the subjects offered by our programme for SOA VEE Credit, please click here.

Q: If I have encountered any personal and/or study difficulties, who/where can I seek advice or assistance?
A: You can seek advice or assistance from:

• The Programme Leaders; or
• Counselors at Student Affairs Office (SAO). For more information about the counseling service at SAO, please visit the following website: http://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/cs/counselling/general.html