- Overview
- Location and Housing
- Academics
- Experiential Learning
- Pricing and Dates
- Program Staff
- Application Instructions
- Additional Information
Spend a semester in the dynamic Chinese City of Hong Kong at Hong Kong Polytechnic University!
With over 28,000 students, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU) has the largest student community among publicly funded universities in Hong Kong. PolyU offers a wide range of academic programs, directly meeting the industrial, commercial, and community needs of the city and the surrounding region. In addition to meeting Hong Kong's manpower requirements, PolyU also makes significant contributions toward the territory's success, building strong partnerships in both the private and public sectors through an ever-expanding range of consultancy, professional training, and applied research services.
PolyU is a member of Global E3, an exchange program of Engineering Schools from around the world. More than 60 universities worldwide—33 in the United States and 31 in Asia, Australia, Europe, Latin America, and the Middle East—comprise the Global E3 consortium. This consortium is administered by the Institute of International Education (IIE).
You must first be accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering International Programs Office , then you will be directed to apply to Global E3. Prior to being accepted, please visit the Global E3 website and read the application instructions and application deadlines. In the past, application deadlines have been October 1st for spring semester programs and March 1st for fall semester programs.
As an active and engaged participant on this program, you will have the opportunity to develop:
- the ability to succeed independently in a foreign education environment.
- non-US based perspectives on your field of study and/or future career path.
- a global network of peers in similar fields of study and connections with faculty in Hong Kong.
Office Responsible for International Exchange Students
International Affairs Office | international.exchange@polyu.edu.hk
Emergency Contact
In case of emergency, students should call 999 if they are off-campus within Hong Kong; or 2766 7999 if they are on campus or at the student halls of residence.
PolyU offers diverse clubs and activities to ensure students settle in well and make the most of their time in this new city. A full range of services and amenities are available on campus to make life easier! In addition, PolyU has an international office that can help students navigate campus life.
Hong Kong is a world-class city. With its unique location and vibrant atmosphere, Hong Kong is an ideal destination for studying and living. From a sleepy fishing village to colonial rule and a return to China in 1997 - the modern Hong Kong represents an ever-changing kaleidoscope of culture and tradition. A city with many stories to tell, the museums and local community will ensure you get a taste of the city's true heritage. Hong Kong has something for everyone. As a gourmet paradise and a shopper's heaven, the city offers a glittering international fare for those interested. If you are keen on the greener landscapes of the city, numerous country parks and hiking trails will leave you breathless with its picturesque scenery!
PolyU offers on-campus housing. Review the GE3 website for more information.
Use the links below to see if the specific departments offer the types of courses you would like to take while studying abroad. We suggest you review courses available with your Faculty director of your program prior to applying to the program.
Academic Departments:
Visit the University's website to learn more about course offerings. The following disciplines have been listed as available:
Disciplines Available
- Aeronautical and Aviation Engineering
- Biomedical Engineering
- Building Engineering & Management
- Building Services Engineering
- Civil Engineering
- Computing
- Electrical Engineering
- Electronic and Information Engineering
- Enterprise Engineering with Management
- Environment and Sustainable Development
- Environmental and Occupational Safety & Health
- Industrial and Systems Engineering
- Internet and Multimedia Technologies
- Geomatics
- Logistics Engineering and Management
- Mechanical Engineering
- Product Analysis with Design
- Product Engineering with Marketing
- Property Management
- Surveying
- Transportation Systems Engineering
Of note:
All courses must be approved by the Faculty Director of your department in the Swanson School of Engineering. A course approval form must be completed and submitted to SSoE’s Engineering International Initiatives Office.
Additionally, for the purpose of full-time status here at Pitt, students should be prepared to take what is equivalent to at least 12 Pitt credit hours.
Courses taken abroad will be treated as transfer credits and will be marked as pass/fail (S/NC) on a Pitt student's transcript. In other words, transfer credits will not affect your Pitt GPA. However, students must receive a C grade or higher in order for the credits to transfer. Actual grades earned will appear on the transcript from the exchange university.
Language Requirements: Non-native English speakers may be required to show evidence of English proficiency.
In order to gain Pitt credit, you must receive a C or higher for each course you will transfer back to Pitt for credit.
Information about the grading scale abroad can be found on the Global E3 page.
Transcripts: Please request that your university send a hardcopy to the Engineering International Initiatives Office. Make sure that you follow their instructions on how to ensure that an official copy of your grades are received. Hardcopies should be sent the following address: International Engineering Initiatives, Swanson School of Engineering, University of Pittsburgh, 152 Benedum Hall, 3700 O’Hara Street, Pittsburgh, PA 15261, USA.
Exchange university transcripts typically do not arrive from the exchange university until 3 to 4 months after the end of exchange period. Therefore, Pitt students should be mindful of how this may affect their ability to graduate, especially when exchanging during one's senior year. Another consideration is how this may affect your financial aid package, as the S/NC grades are not posted until transcripts are received.
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Pitt students participating on an exchange program will pay regular Pitt tuition and fees, according to their in-state or out-of-state residency status. In addition to the Study Abroad Administrative Fee, this also includes all Mandatory Fees, such as the Student Activity Fee, Wellness Fee, Computing and Network Services Fee, and the Security, Safety, and Transportation Fee.
Pitt Students on financial aid and/or tuition scholarships will need to consult the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid or respective entity providing the funds to confirm coverage for study abroad.
For global scholarship opportunities, check out:
- the Pitt GEO scholarship page for links to national, provider and private scholarship samples
- PittFund$Me for Pitt sponsored funding including Pitt wide global scholarships, Nationality Rooms, VIH, etc.
- PittFund$Me for the SSOE Global Experience Scholarships!
Estimated Additional Out-of-Pocket Costs |
||
|---|---|---|
| Travel Expenses: Airfare, Passport, Visa, Resident Permit | $2,000 | |
| Room & Board | $3,000 - 5,000 | |
| Personal Expenses | $1,000 - 5,000 | |
The Estimated Costs reflect information provided by exchange partner and are reported to OAFA to calculate financial aid packages. The listed costs are defaulted to one semester. Multiply the costs by two for two semesters.Personal expenses vary with individual students. Review the Hong Kong Polytechnic website , the Global E3 Hong Kong Polytechnic specific page as well as our budgeting page for more information.
The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the International Engineering Initiatives Office. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the exchange school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.
Questions about funding? Check out our funding pages and note the SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website.
SSOE Global Experiences and Engagement Office Team
Our team is so excited to assist SSOE students in deciding which global programs work best for them. Feel free to stop by during our walk-in hours or sign up for our information sessions every Tuesday 4-5 pm!
Schedule an appointment
Feel free to stop by during our walk-in hours or sign up for our information sessions every Tuesday 4-5 pm!
You must first be accepted by the Swanson School of Engineering International Initiatives Office, then you will be directed to apply to Global E3. (Typically SSoE application deadlines are late September for Spring and early February for Fall.) A formal nomination from SSoE Engineering International Initiatives is required for Pitt students to be recognized as an exchange student. Therefore, Pitt students must complete all necessary Pitt steps in addition to Poly U's requirements. In other words, acceptance by Pitt Engineering International Initiatives does not guarantee acceptance by the exchange university.
Prior to being accepted, please visit the Global E3 website and read the application instructions and application deadlines. (In the past, Global E3 application deadlines have been October 1st for spring semester programs and March 1st for fall semester programs.)
Each university might have an additional application. Please refer to the Global E3 Poly U website for details.
Please contact Dr. Kristine Lalley for more information on Fall 2020 and Full Year 2020 openings for this program.
Requirements:
- SSoE student in good standing
- Minimum 2.75 GPA for engineering students
- Sophomore standing or higher
- Review GE3 website for additional requirements.
Questions about funding? Check out our funding pages and note that SSoE has funding specifically for engineering students! There are many other national funding sources you can review. One place to search is the Institute of International Education website.
Langauge Requirement: Classes are in English unless otherwise specified.
Academic Calendar:
- Fall: early September to mid January
- Spring: late January to mid June
The University of Pittsburgh provides comprehensive health insurance as a part of studying abroad. More information about the type of insurance and coverage will be provided to you by the Engineering International Initiatives office. However, you may need to purchase additional insurance if the school you will attend requires you to purchase a specific health insurance per their regulations. It is your responsibility to ensure you know the cost of that insurance prior to committing to the program.
In order to study as a student in specific countries, a visa is required. A visa is formal endorsement by the host country to grant permission for an individual to enter, live or stay in that country for a specific purpose and period. In addition to a visa, some host countries may require a residency permit upon arrival.
For those without the host country’s nationality, students may need to obtain a student visa to study on this exchange. Pitt students should also research the visa and/or permit process through the specified country consulate website.
In general visa application requirements may include but are not limited to the following requirements:
- Visa application
- Valid Passport
- Verification of acceptance from sponsoring university (exchange university)
- Financial Documents, such as bank statements, tax documents or pay statements.
- Passport photos
- Application fee
- Medical/physical examination (likely to require a doctor's appointment so plan accordingly)
