The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) is committed to the mission of achieving academic excellence in a professional context. The emphasis is to provide application-oriented education and training programmes to support the community’s need for skilled and professional manpower.
With the Hostel Development Fund (HDF) received in 2019 and the funding approval from the Financial Committee of the Legislative Council in 2020, the campus expansion project at Ho Man Tin (HMT) Slope and the Kowloon Tong Hostel project are currently underway. The HMT slope campus expansion project, expected to be completed by 2027, will provide 1,279 hostel places along with state-of-the-art facilities for the Department of Rehabilitation Sciences and the School of Optometry. The Kowloon Tong Hostel, which began construction in 2023, will provide 1,680 additional hostel places by 2028 and is expected to create a vibrant student community. This project achieved the Provisional Platinum rating under BEAM Plus, the highest rating under the scheme.
The Library Extension and Revitalisation project, including the new extension on the 6th floor, was completed in October 2023. The project received remarkable recognition, including the Best of Design Awards organised by the US Architect’s Newspaper in 2022, the Excellent Building Award organised by the Hong Kong Institution of Engineers and the Special Award (Interior Design) organised by the Hong Kong Institute of Architects in 2023.
In December 2024, the Garden Restaurant at CDE Wing will be unveiled to offer a stylish and indoor-outdoor integrated catering space for the PolyU community. This innovative dining concept aims to enrich campus life by introducing a multi-functional area where the PolyU community can relax, work, socialise and enjoy delicious refreshments together.
The University has several key projects in progress to meet the latest teaching and research needs. At the CDEF courtyard, works to establish a CDEF Research and Collaboration Centre will begin in Q1 2025, transforming the courtyard into a multi-functional community pavilion that promotes collaboration and engagement. Heavy-duty laboratories with high headroom will be built on the ground floor to provide space for a wide range of research activities. The phased renovation works at Hung Hom Bay Campus (HHB) will provide a new home for the Faculty of Humanities in 2025 and Faculty of Business in 2026, as well as a contemporary and inviting environment for both staff and students.
In the longer term, the Redevelopment of the House of Innovation and the Redevelopment of Blocks VA and VS will provide additional space for teaching and learning, as well as research and sports facilities for PolyU students and staff. The Southwest Campus Redevelopment project has been initiated to support interdisciplinary teaching and research initiatives in emerging technologies and fields. It will serve as a new home for the Faculty of Engineering and include other facilities, such as teaching laboratories and study spaces.
The University is funded by the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region through the University Grants Committee. The governing body of the University is the Council, comprising members from the business, financial, industrial and public sectors, the professions, plus representatives from staff, students and the alumni. The President, as the chief executive of the University, is responsible to the Council for the management, conduct and administration of the institution. The University has undergone extensive development and rapid expansion since its establishment. The University has a student population of around 17,353 students enrolled on taught programmes funded by the University Grants Committee and around 11,034 self-financed students in 2024/25 enrolled on programmes leading to the University’s awards. A total of 175 taught programmes ranging from bachelor's to doctoral degree level in a wide range of disciplines are being offered through a variety of modes of attendance including full-time, part-time, and mixed-mode. Besides, the University registers candidates for the research degrees of Doctor of Philosophy and Master of Philosophy. There are 32 academic/teaching units, including 29 academic units grouped under six Faculties, namely, Business, Construction and Environment, Engineering, Health and Social Sciences, Humanities and Science; and three independent Schools, namely, School of Design, School of Fashion and Textiles and School of Hotel and Tourism Management, in addition to the Graduate School.
Established under the auspices of PolyU in 2002, the College of Professional and Continuing Education (CPCE) oversees the day-to-day operations of two self-financed education units - namely Hong Kong Community College (HKCC) and School of Professional Education and Executive Development (SPEED) - which in tandem provide an alternative pathway to higher education for secondary school leavers as well as lifelong learning opportunities for working professionals. HKCC is dedicated to the provision of quality sub-degree programmes leading to PolyU-HKCC awards. It currently offers 32 Associate Degree programmes and 4 Higher Diploma programmes spanning the domains of arts, science, engineering, social sciences, business and the specialised areas of design, health care, social work and surveying. Over the past 21 years (2003-2023), more than 39,210 HKCC graduates have articulated into Bachelor’s degree studies. This represents a 21-year average articulation rate of 84.3%, which ranks among the highest in Hong Kong. SPEED offers, in both full-time and part-time study modes, a wide array of programmes which aim to support the development of Hong Kong as a knowledge-based economy. In the 2024/25 academic year, a total of 36 top-up honours bachelor's degree programmes (including 33 PolyU-SPEED award programmes and 3 overseas award programmes) are offered to HKCC and other sub-degree graduates. Over the past 19 years (2005 - 2023), SPEED has sent forth nearly 18,000 degree graduates for the PolyU-SPEED awards and over 6,400 degree graduates for the overseas awards. In June 2024, planning approval was obtained from PolyU Senate for SPEED to offer 3 master's degree programmes leading to PolyU-SPEED awards from Semester 2 of 2024/25, subject to the programmes' satisfying the validation requirements. SPEED also offers a variety of continuing education courses, corporate training and consultancy services to meet the professional needs of the community and industry.
In addition to professional competence, the University strives to produce graduates with the attributes of critical thinking, effective communication and innovative problem solving skills, ethical leadership, and socially responsible global citizenship. Towards this end, general education and the language subjects form part of the curricula for undergraduate programmes. The credit-based structure of academic programmes provides flexibility to students in terms of their choice of subjects and pace of studies. To provide a more broad-based education to students, the University also offers Double Major and Major (including Major/Secondary Major)/Minor options on full-time Bachelor’s degree programmes.
We take on the responsibility of nurturing the next generation to have the hearts and minds needed to serve the society and to tackle socio-economic issues and challenges in constructive ways, which in turn will bring positive change to the world. As a hallmark of PolyU education, our credit-bearing Service-Learning programme connects professional education with societal needs, providing opportunities for students to apply their knowledge in improving the lives of those less fortunate. PolyU is also the only university in Hong Kong to include a mandatory Work-Integrated Education component for all full-time undergraduate students.
This Calendar provides general information on the organizational structure, key personnel, academic programmes and regulations, facilities and services of the institution. More detailed information about taught and research programmes offered can be found on-line at the website of the University (https://www.polyu.edu.hk).
