Sept 2025 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
31
- This programme is offered subject to approval.
- Early applications are strongly encouraged, as there is an admission quota. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for interviews. Offers will be made on a rolling basis.
- An incomplete application cannot be processed quickly and may reduce your chances of admission. Please complete all relevant fields in the application form and upload all necessary supporting documents.
- Starting from the 2024/25 cohort, all postgraduate students must enrol in the 1-credit subject "Academic Integrity and Ethics" (AIE), which is offered free of charge. Therefore, students enrolled in this programme only pay tuition fees for a total of 30 credits.
What's New
This pioneering programme offers professionals in healthcare, computer science, and related fields a unique opportunity to pursue advanced studies in interdisciplinary and innovative vision sciences. It responds to the growing need for cutting-edge technologies in the field of vision and eye care and advances in ophthalmic instrumentation. The programme fosters networking and collaboration among students from diverse backgrounds, encouraging the exchange of creative ideas and best practices.
A major component of the programme is the research project, which allows students to apply their knowledge and research skills to their areas of interest. This hands-on approach deepens understanding and promotes the practical application of theoretical concepts.
Internship Opportunities
Optional non-credit bearing internships, lasting 1 to 3 months and subject to availability, are offered during the summer term for full-time Year 1 students and part-time students in Year 1 or 2. Students who find their own internships that match their interests should consult the programme leader to coordinate arrangements.
Scholarship Opportunities
To recognise and reward outstanding academic achievement, scholarship(s) will be offered based on academic merit and/or other specific conditions stipulated by the donors. The School reserves the right to change the terms or withdraw the scholarship(s) at any time. In the event of any dispute or disagreement, the School's decision will be final.
Programme Aims
- To foster creative solutions and integrate innovative technologies to enhance the assessment, diagnosis, treatment, and rehabilitation of vision problems for clinicians;
- To establish a dynamic environment for basic and translational research to address major societal challenges in vision science, eye care, and well-being;
- To facilitate more interdisciplinary collaboration and entrepreneurship to shape the future of visual sciences and eye health;
- To integrate different perspectives and research methodologies to produce robust and cutting-edge research evidence, addressing complex challenges in vision health.
With rapid technological advancements, there is a growing demand for professionals with a vision science background in business and R&D. Our Master's programme fosters collaboration with renowned institutions and industry partners to drive innovation and raise educational standards. Designed to equip graduates with sought-after skills, this programme enhances career prospects in the optometry, ophthalmology, and technology industries.
Upon graduation, several paths are available to graduates:
- Pursue Doctoral Studies: Graduates can advance their academic careers by pursuing doctoral studies in optometry or other healthcare programmes. Those with a specific research interest can conduct a pilot study as part of the “Research Project” in the MScVSI programme;
- Professional Degree in Doctor of Optometry: For graduates who already have an undergraduate degree in optometry, pursuing a Doctor of Optometry degree with speciality training offers an excellent opportunity to deepen their expertise and advance their career in specialised optometry;
- Career Advancement: Graduates can enhance their careers or explore employment opportunities in the optometry, ophthalmology, and pharmaceutical industries, as well as R&D roles within technology companies, based on their unique backgrounds.
The programme is composed of a 24-credit coursework component, a 6-credit research project component, and a 1-credit Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE) component. The coursework consists of 5 compulsory subjects (15 credits) and 3 elective subjects (9 credits). A major highlight of the programme is the 6-credit research project, designed to showcase students’ research capabilities, originality, and independence. Through this project, students will make significant contributions to their fields using advanced data analytics, machine learning algorithms, and state-of-the-art laboratory techniques. The research project promotes an interdisciplinary approach, integrating healthcare, computer science, biomedical engineering, and design. This holistic strategy broadens the scope of research, fosters collaboration, and enables students to tackle complex, real-world problems.
To be eligible for the MScVSI award, students must (1) accumulate 31 credits (24 credits of coursework, 6 credits for the research project, and 1 credit for the AIE subject); (2) satisfy the National Education (NE) requirement; and (3) have a Grade Point Average of 1.7 (grade C-) or higher at the end of the programme.
Compulsory Subjects:
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
Elective Subjects (three to choose from):
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
|
(3 credits) |
Research Project:
|
(6 credits) |
AIE Subject:
|
(1 credit) |
Remarks:
- Students who wish or need to terminate their studies after successfully completing 19 taught subjects (including 5 compulsory subjects, 1 elective subject, and the AIE subject) may also consider opting for the exit award, i.e., Postgraduate Diploma in Vision Science and Innovation.
- There is no tuition fee for the 1-credit AIE subject.
31
Prof. Allen Cheong
PhD, JD, BSc (Hons) Optom, FAAO
(This programme is offered subject to approval)
- A recognised Bachelor’s degree in one of the following study areas, or equivalent:
- Optometry; or
- Healthcare-related professions; or
- Computer science; or
- Biomedical engineering; or
- Product design
- One year of full-time experience in the above disciplines is favorable; and
- Fulfil the English and General Requirements stipulated by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University:
https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/pg/taught-postgraduate/2025/admission-requirements-tpg
Remark:
Shortlisted candidates may be invited for interviews.
For further information on academic matters, please contact:
Prof. Allen Cheong (tel: (852) 2766 6108; email: allen.my.cheong@polyu.edu.hk)
For further information on admission matters, please contact:
Ms Ying Ho (tel: (852) 2766 4863; email: so.mscvsi@polyu.edu.hk)
Financial Aid
The Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) provides loans to eligible students to cover the tuition fees of specific post-secondary/continuing and professional education courses studied in Hong Kong. For more details on the scheme and application process, please visit:
https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/en/sfo/postsecondary/enls/overview.php
Scholarship Opportunities
To recognise and reward outstanding academic achievement, scholarship(s) will be offered based on academic merit and/or other specific conditions stipulated by the donors. The School reserves the right to change the terms or withdraw the scholarship(s) at any time. In the event of any dispute or disagreement, the School's decision will be final.
6 credits for local and non-local students.
Please click here to download
HK$240,000 (i.e., HK$8,000 per credit x 30 credits) for local and non-local students.
Remark:
There is no tuition fee for the 1-credit subject "Academic Integrity and Ethics" (AIE).
Copies of academic transcript with the explanatory notes and graduation certificate for Bachelor’s degree.
(Note: If these documents are not in English or Chinese, you are required to provide official translations of the documents in English; otherwise, your application may not be considered.)
No more than four A4-sized pages, with a list of publications (if any) included.
No more than 2 pages, including the reason(s) for applying to the programme.
Recommendation Letters (up to two from past or present employer(s)/ research supervisor(s)).
- A proposed study plan (with subjects to be taken in each semester).
- A copy of a valid official score report for an IELTS or TOEFL result (if applicable). The test shall be taken in a single sitting within 2 years.
Remark:
Upon admission, the applicant will be required to ask their university/institution (except for PolyU) and the relevant examination/test provider(s) to send certified true copies of their certificates and the official transcripts and score report directly to our University. Failure to do so or any discrepancies found may lead to nullification of their admission offer and registration at PolyU.
