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Useful Information for New Research Postgraduate Students

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 within the period specified in the Notice of Offer 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. Stipend recipients will receive the full-month stipend in the first month if they complete the reporting procedures by the deadline. If they fail to do so, they will start receiving stipend from the first day of the following month of the date that he/she commences study.

Event

Deadline

Admitted in Sem 1

Admitted in Sem 2

Admitted in Summer Term

Study commencement

1 Sep or 1st day of Sem 1, whichever is earlier

1 Jan

1 May

Report Study at General Office of the host department/school

1st working day upon study commencement

 

Dates of report study at general office of the host department/school

Academic Year

Deadline

Admitted in Sem 1

Admitted in Sem 2

Admitted in Summer Term

2024/25

2 Sep 2024

2 Jan 2025

2 May 2025

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

Student Visa

Visa application status can be checked via RPgAdmission.

Frequently Asked Questions:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ar/web/en/for-polyu-students/visa-matters-for-non-local-students/index.html

Academic Registry (AR) /
ar.rpg@polyu.edu.hk

Accommodation

Hall application, hall fees & off-campus housing:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/srss/hall/hall-admission/hall-application/

Student Affairs Office (SAO)

Student Resources and Support Section

Travel to Hong Kong

Pre-departure notes and videos:

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/pre-arrival/at-a-glance/

Student Affairs Office (SAO)

Non-local Student Services / 

nls.services@polyu.edu.hk

 

Preparing Your Studies
Items Details/Website Contact

Learning and Teaching Arrangements

Announcements by the University on the latest learning and teaching arrangements:

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ar/research-students/for-research-students-admitted-from-the-2018-19-cohort-onwards/notices-to-research-students/

Academic Registry (AR)/

ar.rpg@polyu.edu.hk 

GS Notice - Commencement of Semester

Commencement of 2024/25 Academic Year, Semester One – New Research Postgraduate Students.

Other notices to students:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/current-students/notices-to-students/

Graduate School (GS)/
gs.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk

Online Programme Registration

The period for online programme registration can be found in RPgAdmission. You can only proceed with the registration after completion of qualification verification, meeting condition(s) (if any) and student visa application (if applicable).


Academic Preparation

Schedule of academic events - Academic Calendar:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ar/students-in-taught-programmes/academic-calendar/

Subject Registration:
Information: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/ar/research-students/for-research-students-admitted-from-the-2018-19-cohort-onwards/subject-registration-and-examination/

Guide: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/en/ar/students-in-taught-programmes/registration-information/subject-registration/guide-for-subject-registration/

Research Postgraduate Student Handbook:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/rpghandbook/

GS notices to students:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/current-students/notices-to-students/

Academic Registry (AR)/
ar.rpg@polyu.edu.hk

Chief Supervisor or General Office of the Host Department

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

English Language Centre (ELC)/
rpg.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk

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/ous/nationaleducation/en/curriculum/research-postgraduate-programme/

Office of Undergraduate Studies /

ous.enq@polyu.edu.hk

 

Arrival at PolyU Campus
Items Details/Website Contact

Getting to PolyU Campus

Transportation & campus map:

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/pre-arrival/returning-to-polyu-campus/

 

Collection of Student Identity Card

The student ID card can be collected at the Academic Registry according to the schedule stated in the “Important Notes for Registered Students”, which will be sent to you 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.

Academic Registry (AR)/
ar.rpg@polyu.edu.hk

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/ 
 

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:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/sao/student-resources-and-support-section/non-local-student-services/settling-in-hong-kong/opening-a-bank-account/


Stipend Payment & Registration Fee Refund

For new students who start their studies in Semester Two of 2024/25, you should input your bank account information before 13 January 2025 in order to receive stipend via autopay by the end of January 2025. Otherwise, you will receive stipend by cheque in mid of February. 

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 February or two weeks after you have entered your bank account information at Student Account Portal, whichever is later.

Graduate School (GS)/

gs.enquiry@polyu.edu.hk 

Research Postgraduate Student Welcome Guide 2024/25

This guide provides handy information for navigating PolyU's vibrant research and living environment.

Click here to download. (PolyU NetID login is required)

 

 

Other Useful Resources
Items Details/Website Contact

Language Learning Resources

Cantonese and Chinese Learning courses are organized by the Chinese Language Centre (CLC):

https://www.polyu.edu.hk/clc/study/subjects/chinese-subjects-for-non-chinese-speaking-students/

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/

Chinese Language Centre (CLC)

English Language Centre (ELC)

Services of PolyU Offices and Units

Please visit: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/gs/rpghandbook/section20-1/

 

Last update: 3 December 2024

 

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