You should make your initial application to the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong through the Fellowship Scheme’s online system to obtain a reference number before submitting a full application. When you apply for admission to the PolyU, via the Fellowship Scheme, you will be considered concurrently for a regular place assigned to the University through the award of a Postgraduate Studentship. This means that even if your application for the Fellowship Scheme is unsuccessful, you still have the possibility of gaining a regular place in the Department of English and Communication.

General Entrance Requirements

PolyU may accept other equivalent qualifications.  The decision is made on an individual basis.

English Language Requirements

The requirements for those who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognised university are:

• An overall score of at least 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); OR
• A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or above for the Internet-based test or 550 or above for the paper-based test.

All English language test scores are considered valid for two years after the date of the test.

1. Submission of Initial Application

   You can only make ONE initial application to the RGC through the HKPFS Electronic System to obtain a HKPFS reference number by 1 December 2023 at Hong Kong Time 12:00 (GMT +8 hours). You must indicate your preference on the institutions if you wish to apply for two institutions, instead of one. No change to the choice of institutions/preference is allowed after the submission of application.

2. Submission of Full Application to PolyU

   You should then submit a full application to no more than two institutions by quoting the HKPFS reference number. If you choose two PolyU programmes in the initial application, you need to submit a separate full application for EACH chosen programme to PolyU. An application fee is required for each full application. Submission of full applications to PolyU should be made via the eAdmission System by 1 December 2023 at Hong Kong Time 23:59 (GMT +8 hours).

Warm reminder: Your application to the HKPFS is also regarded as a formal application for PhD admission to the chosen institution(s).

The primary consideration is academic excellence, as indicated by the possession of a Master’s degree or, in exceptional cases, a Bachelor’s degree with First Class Honours. Selection panels also take account of the following factors:

• Research ability and potential

• Communication and interpersonal skills

• Leadership ability