This year, the International Research Summer School will have the following themes:
Global Challenges of Health and Wellbeing
Artificial Intelligence vs Human Experience
Sustainable Futures
Who is eligible?
The Summer School welcomes exceptional international applicants who have a strong desire to pursue a PhD degree at PolyU. They should be:
- full-time penultimate or final year undergraduates; OR
- full-time students in a Master’s degree programme; AND
- able to attend all sessions of the Summer School in person on campus.
How to apply?
Step 1
Complete the online application form and submit it by 28 February 2025 at 12:00 noon (Hong Kong Time, UTC+8 hours). Applicants will get the application fee payment link and application documents upload link by email.
Step 2
Pay the application fee online and get the official receipt by email.
Step 3
Applicants are required to upload the following documents in ENGLISH and save all in ONE single PDF file under 10 MB via the upload link within 2 days after submitting the application form:
- The latest Bachelor's and Master's degree (if applicable) academic transcripts/ academic reports listing GPA or class ranking AND the explanatory notes of the grading system (if the GPA is not on a 4.0 scale, an official proof of class ranking issued by the institution is highly preferable);
- Bachelor's degree award certificate showing the award classification (for Master's students only);
- Curriculum vitae (CV) that indicates their academic and research achievements, involvement in extra-curricular activities or community services, and exchange or internship/ placement participation;
- Application letter stating their research experience and strengths, aspirations and career plans, research areas and interests, reasons for applying for the Summer School and what is expected to gain from it;
- The latest official score report of English language tests such as IELTS and TOEFL (if any);
- Certificates of international or national merits (if any);
- Coloured passport-size photo (click HERE for the requirements); AND
- Official receipt of application fee payment issued by the Finance Office of PolyU.
The Graduate School will only process the application with a full set of required documents including the photo saved in ONE SINGLE PDF FILE.
Applicants will be selected based on their academic excellence, research ability and experience, proficiency in English, personal qualities and skills, and other factors.
** There is a non-refundable and non-waivable application fee of HK$500 and no programme fee will be charged. *
What you will get?
Unique opportunity to explore PolyU and experience Asia's world city
The Summer School combines academic and cultural exploration, providing a comprehensive understanding of both PolyU and Hong Kong. Participants will gain first-hand experience of the city's rich culture, bustling lifestyle, and diverse educational environment.
Engaging with professors and students in different research areas
Participants will have a dynamic exposure to multidisciplinary research through engaging activities and focused discussions.
Possible nomination for an offer of admission to research studies
Outstanding participants may be nominated by their potential supervisors for an offer of admission to research postgraduate programmes, with the support of various fellowship and scholarship schemes (subject to the decisions of the University Selection Panel for each scheme).
What assistance do we offer?
Up to HK$5,000 cash allowance
A cash allowance of up to HK$5,000 (~US$640) will be available to selected participants for supporting the travel costs after completely attending the Summer School.
Free student hall accommodation
We provide free accommodation at the PolyU Student Hall that covers the whole period of the Summer School.
Full subsidy of visa/entry permit fee
We will subsidise the visa/entry permit fee for admitted students who require a visa/entry permit to visit Hong Kong. The administration fee for applying visa/entry permit via PolyU is waived.
Programme at a glance
The Summer School will take place from 29 June to 10 July 2025.
| Date | Activity |
| 29 June 2025 |
Student Hall check-in |
| 30 June - 9 July 2025 |
|
| 10 July 2025 |
Student Hall check-out |
The tentative programme is subject to change without prior notice.
Who should apply for a visa/entry permit?
In general, it is applicable to those nationals who require a visa to visit Hong Kong. The Graduate School will assist the admitted applicants to apply for a visa/entry permit. Please click HERE to check the visa requirements for different countries and territories on the Hong Kong Immigration Department website.
When should apply for a visa/entry permit?
It normally takes 10 weeks for the Hong Kong Immigration Department to process the visa applications upon receipt of a complete set of application documents, therefore applicants are advised to prepare the supporting documents (click HERE for details) while waiting for the selection results of the Summer School to save time. The admitted students should follow instructions to start applying for the visa immediately after accepting the offer of the Summer School due to the tight schedule.
For Mainland Chinese applicants, they should reserve additional 2 weeks to apply for an Exit-Entry Permit for Travelling to and from Hong Kong and Macao (EEP) (港澳通行證) and the relevant exit endorsement (逗留D簽) from their local authorities AFTER obtaining the Hong Kong visa.
Timeline of actions
| Step |
Period |
|
Open for application |
31 January - 28 February 2025 |
|
Selection |
March 2025 |
|
Email notification to admitted applicants in batches |
By 31 March 2025 |
| Visa application for non-local participants who require a visa to visit Hong Kong (Around 10 weeks depending on the type of visa applied) |
March - June 2025 |
| Arrive in Hong Kong |
On or before 29 June 2025 |
| International Research Summer School on PolyU campus |
30 June - 10 July 2025 |
PolyU will provide free student hall accommodation only during the Summer School. If you wish to come earlier or stay behind, please arrange your own accommodation. No exceptional request will be accepted.
Participants will be responsible for their own international and domestic travel expenses, including but not limited to air tickets, meals, local transportation as well as travel and medical insurance.
Non-local participants are strongly advised to purchase travel and medical insurance with adequate coverage before departing their home countries. If you are not a Hong Kong citizen, the medical charges are much higher and PolyU will not bear any of your medical or accidental expenses.
For those participants who require to apply for an entry permit/visa, they will need to courier (NOT by mail) the original hard copies of visa application documents to PolyU and the courier fee of international express will be borne by the participants.
Before the deadline of application, you could submit a NEW application form if you have filled in any incorrect information. You could also upload a NEW full set of supporting documents in ONE single PDF file. The latest submission will replace the previous one(s).
After the deadline of application, we may not accept any revision or additional documents as the selection process will start immediately.
After you are admitted and have received the Letter of Admission, you should start applying for the entry permit/visa (if required) immediately. The visa application requires your full cooperation and quick response otherwise it may cause any delay which will affect your participation. We came across cases that the visa was approved by the Hong Kong Immigration Department after the Summer School was commenced and the admitted students missed the whole programme.
You should also start planning your trip to Hong Kong including buying air tickets and travel insurance, looking for travel tips, etc. We will provide free accommodation at the Student Hall only during the period of the Summer School.
You may need to bring your own notebook computer to attend the Summer School.
If you have other questions not covered above, please email to gs.summer@polyu.edu.hk.
