Outbound Exchange

• Good academic standing (GPA 3.0 or above for non‐Design students, GPA 2.8 or above for design students);
• Well written study plan and financial plan;
• Active participation in extra‐curricular activities (e.g. International Club and SFT Buddy);
• Interview performance (language proficiency, communication skill, attitude and characters, overall assessment).

Student exchange could be life-changing experience and it is also a challenging 'project' for every participant. Along the journey, you will learn how to solve all kinds of problem. The professional team of international exchange programme would of course walk side-by-side with you.

PRE-DEPARTURE ARRANGEMENTS

Stage One

1. Identify an exchange destination that fits your study plan from the available partners of that semester shown on the Call for Applications.
2. Check country/university/course/subject details.
3. Fill in and return the SFTSE-01 application form to SFT General Office by the given deadline with supporting documents (if any).
4. Shortlisted students will be invited for a selection interview.
5. Interview results would be announced in about two weeks time after the interview.

Stage Two

1. An outbound briefing session will be arranged. Application details of the host institutions will be explained and given in the briefing session. Previous year's exchanged students may be invited to share their overseas experience.
2. Successful applicants will be nominated by School for student exchange programme. Students should submit application to the host institutions via Global Engagement Office (GEO) or School.
3. Students should also seek subject selection approval from specialism coordinators for credit transfer.

Stage Three

1. Students are suggested to follow up their applications with the host institutions directly. Confirmation letters are normally received about 3-5 weeks after submission of application.
2. Upon receiving the confirmation letter, students could apply for the Student Exchange Sponsorship and/or Hardship Fund for Overseas Exchange Programme via GEO.

Semester 1 Exchange (Autumn/Fall Semester)

Semester 2 Exchange (Spring Semester)

Remarks: Detailed schedule of each year should refer to the call for application

With reference to PolyU's Academic Regulations and Procedures, credit transfer can be applicable to credits earned by students through study at an overseas institution and under an approved exchange programme. Students should, before they go abroad for the exchange programme, seek prior approval from the School on their study plan and credit transferability. The procedures are shown below:

Before Departure 

• Successful applicants (short-listed candidates nominated by school) should check the course and subject details with the host institutions. Students can consult the Discipline Leaders for subject selection.
• Application for Agreement on Subject Selection after getting the official offer letter from the host university:

1. Students should download the form "Application for Prior Agreement for Subject Selection at Exchange-out Institution" (Form AR41a) from the homepage of Academic Registry.
2. Students should complete the form and ask for Discipline Leader’s approval on the subject selection and signature. Discipline Leaders would determine the credit transferability based on academic equivalence with the corresponding subjects on offer at PolyU, and the comparability of the grading systems adopted by PolyU and the overseas institution. Credits thus approved for transfer will count towards the PolyU award requirement. In order to overcome the problems associated with subject-to-subject mappings and the preparation of student transcripts, this can be done on the basis of a block credit transfer rather than on a subject-by-subject basis.
3. In general, the total number of credits (for textile and fashion related subjects) to be taken at the host institution should not be less than the required core subject credits (or equivalent credit hours a week) as at SFT in one semester. Students must pass the approved subjects for credit transfer. 
4. Student must submit the original approved Form AR41a (please keep a photocopy / e-copy with you) with a copy of offer letter, brief course info and supporting documents (if any) to the General Office (QT715) at least 2 weeks before you go abroad for the exchange programme.

Upon Arrival of Host Institution 

• Students should keep Discipline Leaders and Student Exchange Officers informed for any changes of subject at host institutions.
• If any change of subject is needed at host institutions, students should contact Discipline Leaders by email seeking approval for the change. It should be indicated clearly in the email application the reason and detail of the changes (changing from which subject(s) to which new subject(s)). Student must provide subject information or syllabus of the new subject(s) when they submit the email application. 
• Students cannot seek approval on subject change after return to HK.

1. Official academic transcripts issued by the host university (both original and a photocopy);
2. Subject syllabi/ course description;
3. The approved form "Application for Prior Agreement for Subject Selection at Exchange-out Institution" (Form AR41a); and
4. Email approval for change of subjects from Discipline Leaders if the subjects enrolled are different from what originally approved in theAR41a form. 

For students failed in any of the attended subjects during exchange, Discipline Leaders would determine the credit transferability and recommend the corresponding subject(s) offered at the PolyU to replace the failed subject(s) at their final year of study. If students are unable to take the required minimum number of credits (core subject credits of that semester) or equivalent, they have to re-take some subjects in order to fulfill the requirement stated on the programme scheme.

Exchange report will also be assessed for credit transfer.

As an exchange student, you do not need to pay addition tuition to your host institution as it is a reciprocal arrangement.  However, you are required to continue paying your tuition at PolyU.

When you do you financial budget for your exchange, please bear in mind you need to include the following, but not limited, to your budget.

1. Roundtrip flight ticket
2. Accommodation
3. Visa application fee
4. Insurance
5. Daily expenses (meals, laundry, etc.)
6. Books and stationeries

On average, the expenses would be around HK$65,000 to HK$90,000 (US/European exchange partners) or HK$20,000 to HK$40,000 (China/Asian partners) for one semester.  Students choose fashion cities like London, New York, and Amsterdam would expect higher expenses (about HK$70,000 ~ HK$90,000) because of the high living cost there.

From time to time, industrialists donate scholarships to encourage and support our students for joining overseas exchange.  Some industrial donated scholarships include:

• Vincent V.C. Woo Exchange Scholarship: 2 students x HK$58,000 each (the scholarship is based on academic merit and financial needs, and preference will be given to students who have exchange study at Cornell University.)
• Vincent and Lily Woo Exchange Scholarship: HK$10,000 ~ HK$30,000 each x 3 ~ 4 students
• Crystal Group Overseas Exchange Scholarship: Maximum 5 students X HK$40,000 each. Preferences will be given to students from (1) Fashion and Textile Design, (2) Knitwear Design and Technology, (3) Intimate Apparel or (4) Fashion Technology specialisms who will study technical and functional textiles or related courses at the host universities. As a condition of the award, each awardee must complete a paid summer internship at the Donor’s Company in Chinese mainland in the year of award.
• Fang Brothers Knitting Ltd Exchange Scholarship: HK$10,000 ~ HK$30,000 each x 6~10 students.
• Fung Scholarship: 1 student, about HK$10,000 ~ HK$40,000 each
• Cheng Yik Hung Overseas Exchange Scholarship: 3 students X USD 5000 each (Preference will be given to students who have exchange study at The Fashion Institute of Technology (FIT), New York.
• Kayser and Eleanor Sung Memorial Fund Student Exchange Scholarship: HK$ 30,000 each X 1 student. Preference will be given to students studying (1) Fashion and Textile Technology or (2) Knitwear Design and Technology specialisms.

Scholarship Application

When students submit applications for the student exchange programme, the same application documents will be used to assess scholarship application as well. No separate scholarship application is needed. Students will be selected and nominated by the department based on different scholarship criteria.

PolyU will provide sponsorship to each outbound exchange student. The sponsorship is meant to cover part of the expenses incurred by the exchange such as passage, accommodation and other incidental expenses. The amount of Sponsorship for each student will vary according to destination, e.g. HK$19,000 for one semester exchange to US, Canada, Europe, etc.

Students can also apply for the hardship fund via GEO if there is financial need. The Finance Office will arrange auto‐pay of the sponsorship to students' bank accounts before their departures. Students are required to submit a report (including a summary on the expenses incurred by the exchange) upon completion of the exchange.

Once you receive the official admission offer from the host university, you should apply for your student visa. Click the blow links to check out the detail visa applications.

• Australia
• Canada
• Finland
• France
• Japan
• Germany
• The Netherlands
• Italy
• Sweden
• United Kingdom
• United States