FAQ

1. Is there any admission quota for each programme? 
Offer is made based on a number of factors, such as academic result, interview performance etc.  The School may adjust the intake quota as appropriate taking into consideration the demand of each individual programme and/or the requirements of the respective overseas partners.

2. Can I apply for Financial Assistance?
Students can apply for Government’s Non-means Tested Loan Scheme (NLS). Please visit www.sfaa.gov.hk for further details.

3. Can I apply for Continuing Education Fund (CEF)?
Some local and overseas programmes offered by SPEED have been included in the list of reimbursable courses for Continuing Education Fund (CEF) purposes.  Eligible applicants will be reimbursed 80% of the course fee, subject to a maximum sum of HK$10,000, on successful completion of a reimbursable course. Please visit www.sfaa.gov.hk/cef for further details.     

4. Can I apply for the courses if I am not a Hong Kong resident?
Non-local students who do not have the right of abode in Hong Kong must obtain a student visa in order to study in Hong Kong.  Please visit the HKSAR’s Immigration Department website at http://www.immd.gov.hk for further details on student visa application.

5. Can I get my course fees back if I cancel my enrolment before the commencement of the course?
Course fees are normally not refundable according to the School’s Refund Policy, with the exception of unsuccessful applications and course cancellation.  Fees paid and places enrolled are not transferable to other parties.

1. How much is the application fee and how can I settle it?
The application fee is HK$150.  The fee can be settled through online banking, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or by direct deposit at the bank to the specified bank account. 

2. How can I submit the application form?
You can submit your application through one of the following channels:

• Internet: Application can be made through SPEED’s website. The original of the application fee payment receipt together with copies of the certificates shall be submitted by post within seven days after your online application.
• In person:  Application form with the original application fee payment receipt and originals and copies of your certificates.
• By mail: Application form with the original application fee payment receipt and copies of the certificates.

3. What is the medium of instruction?
Classes will be conducted in English.

4. Is there any admission interview?
Some applicants may be required to attend interviews.  Applicants will be notified of the details of interview by e-mail or telephone. 

5. When and how can I get my exam result?
You can access your examination result online through “my.speed” portal within one month from the exam results announcement date.

6. How can I get an official exam result notification?
You can print out your examination result from my.speed and bring it to SPEED office for certification. Alternatively, you can apply for transcript via “my.speed” portal or by submitted a related application form. The application fee is $50.

7. What is the issuing institution of the award?
The academic awards are issued by PolyU SPEED. Programmes are accredited and approved by The Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

8. When will classes commence?
Classes will normally commence in September.

9. When does application start?
Application will normally be invited from April to May.

10. If my application for my 1st  choice of programme is unsuccessful, do I need to apply again for my 2nd choice?
No. If your 1st choice is unsuccessful, you will be considered for admission to your 2nd choice and so on.

Heriot-Watt University
Northumbria University

1. How much is the application fee and how can I settle it?
The application fee is HK$150.  The fee can be settled through online banking, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or by direct deposit at the bank to the specified bank account. 

2. How can I submit the application form?
For Heriot-Watt University, application form can be submitted in person together with the original application fee payment receipt and originals and copies of your certificates.

For Northumbria University, you can submit your application through one of the following channels:

• In person:  Application form can be submitted together with the original application fee payment receipt and originals and copies of your certificates.
• By mail: Application form can be submitted together with the original  application fee payment receipt and copies of the certificates.

3. Is there any admission interview?
For Heriot-Watt University, no interview is needed.
For Northumbria University, some applicants may be required to attend interviews. 

4. What is the medium of instruction?
Classes will be conducted in English.

5. When and how can I get my exam result?
 For Heriot-Watt Universtiy, exam results will be made available for collection at SPEED office in early August (for June exam diet) and early February (for December exam diet).

For Nothumbria University, exam results will be made available for collection at SPEED office upon completion of exam board meetings in the UK.  Students may expect to receive results in 2-3 months from the last day of exam period.

6. Is the award conferred by the overseas university?
Yes. The award will be conferred by the overseas university.

7. Do the courses offered by PolyU SPEED in collaboration with overseas universities require registration under the Education Bureau?
In compliance with the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance, all courses offered by non-local universities through PolyU SPEED are exempted from registration under the Ordinance.  As conveyed by the Non-local Courses Registry of the Education Bureau, the registration or exemption from registration of a non-local course is an assurance that the institution offering the course is a recognised body in the home country. It also assures that effective measures are in place to ensure the standard of the course offered locally is comparable to that of the home course and is recognised as such by the institution, the relevant accreditation authority (if any) and the academic community in the home country.  Further details on such Ordinance can be obtained via the Education Bureau website at www.edb.gov.hk. 

8. When will classes commence?
For Heriot-Watt University, classes will commence in February and August/September.
For Northumbria University, classes will commence in February and/or September.

9. When does application start?
For Heriot-Watt University, application will be invited in October/November (for the February intake) and in April/May (for the August/September intake).

For Northumbria University, application will be invited in October/November (for the February intake) and in April/May (for the September intake).

10. If my application for my 1st choice of programme is unsuccessful, do I need to apply again for my 2nd choice?
No. If your 1st choice is unsuccessful, you will be considered for admission to your 2nd choice and so on.

University of Birmingham (Executive MBA Programme)

1. How much is the application fee and how can I settle it?

The application fee is HK$150.  The fee can be settled through online banking, Automated Teller Machine (ATM) or by direct deposit at the bank to the specified bank account. 

2. How can I submit the application form?

The completed application form should be sent together to SPEED office, in person or by post, with the following:

• Two reference forms (preferably one from the employer and the other from the academic institution);
• Copies of the transcripts and degree certificate
• Curriculum vitae
• Evidence of English proficiency (where appropriate)
• Three passport-sized photographsProof of application fee payment

3. Is there any admission interview?

Some applicants may be required to attend interviews.  Applicants will be notified of the details of interview by e-mail or telephone. 

4. How many intakes per year?

There are four intakes each year, i.e. January, April, July and September.

5. When is the application deadline?

The application deadline will usually be set at a date which is three weeks prior to the commencement of the upcoming semester.

6. How many subjects do I need to take for the programme?  Is there any exemption?

There are a total of eight taught modules plus a dissertation that students are required to take.  There will be no exemption from taking any of these modules.

7. I am required to provide two references, one from the employer and the other from an academic institution.  However, I graduated 10 years ago and cannot get a reference from the lecturer.  What can I do?

It would be most preferred if you can provide one employment-related and one academic-related reference to us.  However, it is still acceptable if you can provide two employment-related references.

8. Is there any graduation ceremony in Hong Kong?  When will it take place?

No, the congregation will be held in the UK.  The congregation will take place in July and December each year.

1. What is Credit Accumulation Mechanism (CAM)?
It is a mechanism by which you earn credits after completing a subject offered by SPEED.  These credits can be accumulated for PolyU SPEED Professional and Continuing Education (PCE) awards. 

2. How can I enrol in the courses?
You are required to complete the appropriate application form and submit to the SPEED office by hand or by mail.  For courses offered under Credit Accumulation Mechanism (CAM), please fill in the Application Form SPD01. 

3. What documents do I need to submit for courses application?
You are required to send your application form together with the following documents by mail or in person:

• copies of certificates or transcripts of your previous studies;
• a cross cheque or bank draft payable to “The Hong Kong Polytechnic University” for the required course fee; and
• a recent photo (size: 1” x 1.5”) for applying a Student Card (for new CAM students only)

4. What are the entry requirements for CAM courses?
CAM is open to all lifelong learners.  You may take whatever courses you are interested in provided that you have fulfilled the entry requirements (if any).  Admission to most of the CAM courses is on a first-come, first-served basis.  However, some courses have specific entry requirements or pre-requisites.

5. Can I transfer credits from my previous studies to CAM?
If you have taken previous courses at a recognized institution, you may apply for credit transfer under CAM by completing the Application Form SPD32C.  We shall then assess your academic proof and decide how many credits can be transferred to CAM.

6. I have to suspend my studies under CAM because of my work assignment. Can I use the CAM credits for claiming PCE awards later?
Yes.  The credits earned under CAM are valid for life.  You may use the credits earned under CAM for claiming PCE awards in any academic year provided that you have met the requirements for a PCE award by 31 July of that year. 

7. What will I be granted after fulfiling the minimum requirements for PCE awards?
When you have accumulated enough number of credits and fulfilled the necessary requirements for the courses that you have taken, you may apply for a PolyU SPEED Professional and Continuing Education award by early August of the academic year.