Sept 2025 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2.5 years (Part-time)
31*
*30 normal study credits with 1 tuition-free credit to fulfil the Academic Integrity and Ethics Requirement
Students can pursue their studies in either full-time or part-time mode. Students should complete the programme full time in 1 year or part time in 2.5 years. They will be required to attend classes in the daytime and in the evening if they choose the full-time mode.
What's New
Programme Aims
To equip students to cope with challenges and other issues in cities by harnessing the power of informatics, big data and relevant techniques.
Characteristics
The programme focuses on three key areas, namely “Theory and Domain Knowledge”, “Technologies underpin Urban Informatics and Smart Cities” and “The Practice of Urban Informatics and Smart Cities Solutions”.
The MSc programme has been accredited by The Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS).
(Subject to regular re-accreditation)
Programme Structure
Students are free to choose one of three routes to fulfil graduation requirements, as detailed below.
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Dissertation route:
Compulsory Subjects (9 credits) + LSGI551 Dissertation (9 credits) + 4 Subjects1 (12 credits) + 1 AIE Subject* (1 credit);
OR -
Project route:
Compulsory Subjects (9 credits) + LSGI552 Project (6 credits) + 5 Subjects (15 credits)2 + 1 AIE Subject* (1 credit);
OR -
Non-dissertation/project route:
Compulsory Subjects (9 credits) + 7 Subjects (21 credits)2 + 1 AIE Subject* (1 credit)
*Students from all routes will need to take a 1-credit subject Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE)
1 At least one subject from the Core Subject pool
2 At least two subjects from the Core Subject pool
Core Areas of Study
The following is a brief summary of the core areas of study. Students will be provided with detailed information on the subjects for selection upon registration.
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Principles of GIS
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Smart Cities: Technologies and Solutions^
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Spatial Data Acquisition
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Urban and Geospatial Big Data Analytics
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Urban Informatics^
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Urban Planning and Urban Design
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Urban Science and Systems^
^ Compulsory Subjects
Subjects offered are subject to revision.
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained at https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgi/study/taught-postgraduate-programmes/tpg-diploma-in-urban-informatics-and-smart-cities/curriculum/
31*
*30 normal study credits with 1 tuition-free credit to fulfil the Academic Integrity and Ethics Requirement
Programme Leader
Dr XU Yang
BSc, MSc, PhD
Deputy Programme Leader
Dr PEI Qing
PhD
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A recognised Bachelor's degree in engineering, science, technology, or the equivalent.
If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.
For further information on academic matters, please contact:
Dr XU Yang (tel: (852) 2766 5958; email: yang.ls.xu@polyu.edu.hk).
12 (Full-time)
6 (Part-time)
HK$8,000 per credit for local and non-local students
Entry Scholarships are available. For details, please visit
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/lsgi/experience-and-opportunities/financial-assistance/
PolyU reserves the right to change or withdraw the scholarship at any time. In case of any dispute/disagreement, PolyU’s decision is final.
The MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities is an exciting and emerging interdisciplinary program. It covers a wide range of topics, such as Urban Dynamics, Smart City, Big Data, AI, IoT, and GIS. The program courses offer in-depth theories, state-of-the-art techniques, and hands-on practices for students to exert their talents in future careers. Students in this program can discover and integrate advanced methods and technologies to solve the issues they face in cities to achieve smart and sustainable development.
During the two years of study from 2020 to 2022 in Master of Urban Informatics and Smart Cities, I get acquainted with many enthusiastic teachers and classmates. Under my supervisor's guidance, I completed two fascinating 2/3D geo-visualization projects and my dissertation. I also participated in the Huawei ICT Competition with other team members and won the first prize in the Global Final. Thanks for the platform that PolyU provides. Hereby, I highly recommend students pursue further study and employment opportunities with MSc in Urban Informatics and Smart Cities.
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One-page (for non-local applicants only)
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