Which programmes are inviting applications?
The Master of Design (MDes) has four specialisms: Innovative Business Design (IBD), Intelligent Systems Design (ISD), Smart Service Design (SSD) and Transitional Environments Design (TED). All are inviting applications for September 2023 entry, but their focus and requirements differ somewhat. Please visit our website at http://PolyUMDes.Info for specific information.
When is the application period? When will be the applications reviewed?
PolyU accepts applications for MDes 2023 entry from September 22, 2022, to April 30, 2023. During the application period, the School reviews applications in several admissions rounds. Early Round: December 9, 2022; Round 1: February 3, 2023; Round 2: March 17, 2023; Round 3: April 30, 2023.
What defines an applicant as a non-local student?
Mainland Chinese and nationals of other countries may join study programmes in Hong Kong offered in a full-time mode of study. They are considered non-locals and will require a student visa. Holders of dependant visas and IANG are considered non-locals. They do not need a student visa for full-time studies.
What is to be expected after submitting an application?
Once you submit your application, an application number and a bill number will be generated from eAdmission. Save these numbers for your records and quote them when making enquiries or settling application fees. You may also check the application and fee payment status on eAdmission. After the payment status changes to "paid", PolyU's Academic Registry releases your application dossier to the School. The Admission Team may periodically notify applicants if any required document is missing. However, the final responsibility lies with the applicants to ensure their application has all relevant fields filled out and all required support documents provided. Incomplete applications will be held up and cannot be processed promptly. If you experience trouble submitting your required support documents, e-mail MDes Admission Team at mdes.sd@polyu.edu.hk. Meeting entrance requirements determines whether an application is to be considered. Suppose you have submitted a complete application. You may expect a review to be conducted four weeks after the review deadline. After the review, the Admission Panel decides on the shortlist. We'll send applicants on the shortlist an interview invitation at least two working days before the meeting. For others not on the shortlist, your application is shown as 'on waiting list' on eAdmission and may be revisited after the following review deadline.
What causes a delay in reviewing an application?
Incomplete applications or applications with a pending application fee cannot be processed timely. The decision to call for an interview will be delayed.
How much is the application fee and how can it be settled?
The application fee is HK$450 for local and non-local applicants. Fees paid are non-refundable. If you are not in Hong Kong, you can choose to settle the fee by Visa/ MasterCard (worldwide acceptance)/ UnionPay, Bank Draft, or Flywire. Personal cheques and cash are not acceptable. For details, please refer to the Finance Office website at: https://polyu.hk/qDjNx (Students > Payment Methods > Application Fee)
When and how will applicants be informed about the interview arrangements?
All admissions must go through the interview process. Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview either in-person or online. Invitations are usually sent at least two working days before the meeting.
When do I expect to get the result of my application after attending an interview?
Applicants can check their application status on eAdmission two weeks after their interview. Successful applicants will receive an e-mail/ SMS notification. Note that the e-mails from PolyU might be delivered to your spam folder due to the e-mail service setting. The status "on waiting list" means that the Admission Panel has not decided on your admission, and your application is on the waitlist. We may re-evaluate all applications on the waitlist periodically.
When and how will the result be announced?
Admission offers for September 2023 entry will be announced via eAdmission and e-mail/ SMS starting mid-February 2023 and no later than June 2023. If you do not receive an admission offer by the end of June, you may assume your application is unsuccessful.
What is an "initial tuition fee"?
New students are required to pay an initial tuition fee (i.e. number of initial registration credits X tuition fee per credit) when they take up their offer. The "initial registration credits" is 6 credits for local students or 12 credits for non-local students. The "tuition fee per credit" is HK$5,600 for local students or HK$5,900 for non-local students. The initial tuition fee will be converted to form part of the tuition fee. Local students: 6 credits x HK$5,600 per credit = HK$33,600 Non-local students: 12 credits x HK$5,900 per credit = HK$70,800 Initial tuition fees paid are neither refundable nor transferable, except in the case of programme cancellation.
When and how to apply for a student visa?
Academic Registry's Entry Visa Application Team assists non-local students in the process of applying for a student visa. As it may take 8 to 10 weeks for the Immigration Department of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region to process your student visa application, you are strongly advised to submit it as soon as you have accepted an offer (conditional or firm) from PolyU and settled the initial tuition fee. For details, please refer to "Notes to Self-financed Taught Postgraduate Non-local Students" at: https://goo.gl/NSXYFR. You may find the status of your visa application on eAdmission. Should you have any questions regarding this matter, please contact the Entry Visa Application Team by e-mail at ar.entryvisa@polyu.edu.hk.
Is there a maximum number for student intake?
There is a limit to the number of admission places for each programme, so applying early is advantageous.