Students on exchange pay in-state tuition directly to UofSC. All housing, food, and personal expenses are paid by the student in Hong Kong. While costs at PolyU campus are comparable to UofSC, Hong Kong is an expensive city and students should plan accordingly, especially if they plan to travel or frequently go into downtown Hong Kong. PolyU estimates that students will spend approximately HK$5,700 per month, which includes accommodations. 

As PolyU is a multilingual university, courses may be taught in English or Cantonese. USC students will typically take all coursework in English. Students wishing to take courses taught in Chinese must have successfully completed a minimum of five semesters of college level Chinese or equivalent. Students typically earn 12-15 USC credit hours per semester. Instruction at PolyU is typically lecture based and requires students to study independently outside of class. To see courses UofSC students have taken at this university, please reference the Registrar's Course Equivalency Table. 

PolyU offers plenty of additional programming to meet every student’s interests. The Student Halls of Residence offer a wide range of activities such as workshops and cultural sharing events. In addition, the university has world-class sports facilities available to exchange students. The Student Affairs Office also offers a vast range of extracurricular activities.

Per university policy, all UofSC students will be charged emergency medical, evacuation and repatriation insurance for their time abroad. Contact the Education Abroad Office for more details.

Accommodation in an on-campus dormitory is guaranteed to all exchange students at PolyU. UofSC students have the option of a single, double or triple occupancy dorm room in one of two Halls of Residence: Hung Hom and Homantin. The rate is set at HK$52,9 per day for double occupancy rooms. More information for housing can be found here.

PolyU operates on an academic calendar similar to that of the United States. Fall classes begin in September and end in early December, with exams lasting through December. Spring semester classes begin in mid-January and end in late April, with exams lasting through May. UofSC IB students will attend PolyU during the spring semester. 

Upon arrival, the Mainland and International Student Services Office (MISS) coordinates an orientation for all incoming exchange students. The offer letter will include more details. The orientation covers important information about studying at PolyU and living in Hong Kong. It also provides a great opportunity to meet other exchange students from around the world.

All exchange students must apply for a HK student visa before arriving in Hong Kong. Students should apply approximately two months prior to their arrival in Hong Kong. Upon admission the PolyU International Affairs Office will help students apply for the student visa. Students will be sent a handbook with information on the visa application. The visa fee is HK$550, which includes the visa fee and the postage for the visa to be sent to you via mail. Students wishing to go into mainland China should also apply for a Chinese visa prior to departure.