How to Apply to Computer Science at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: The BSc (Hons) Scheme in Computing and AI (JS3868), With Requirements and Timelines for Gaokao, International-Curriculum, Canadian High School and Transfer Students

At The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU), undergraduate computer science is taught by the Department of Computing in the Faculty of Computer and Mathematical Sciences. Students enter through the BSc (Hons) Scheme in Computing and AI (programme code JS3868), a four-year, government-funded programme taught in English. This guide covers September 2027 entry for students at high schools in China (Gaokao and international curricula), students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver), and transfer students, based on PolyU’s official website.

1. Structure: one entry point, two degrees

• Two awards: the scheme leads to the BSc (Hons) in Computer Science or the BSc (Hons) in Enterprise Information Systems. PolyU states that students may enrol in either award without further assessment.
• When you choose: everyone takes a common Year 1 and starts the chosen degree as early as semester one or as late as semester two of Year 2.
• Computer Science: foundations in programming, computational thinking, data structures and algorithms, with electives such as data mining, multimedia and game programming, e-commerce, and financial and social computing; the final year specialises in areas such as computer graphics, internet computing and multimedia. PolyU says students with arts, science or business backgrounds can apply.
• Enterprise Information Systems: combines technology with management and business, with applications such as logistics, customer relations, auditing and control.
• Credits: 120, plus training credits.
• Internships: all full-time Department of Computing undergraduates complete mandatory Work-Integrated Education; from 2025 intake it sits within the Experiential Learning requirement. An optional placement of up to 32 weeks runs through semester two of Year 3 and the summer term, while still graduating in four years.
• Double Major: with a cumulative GPA of 3.00 or above at the end of Year 1, students may apply for a second major within the faculty, for example Computer Science plus Applied Mathematics, Data Science and Analytics, Investment Science and Finance Analytics, or Quantitative Finance and FinTech; usually 136 to 161 credits, and admission is competitive.
• Minor: the department says students of both degrees can apply for a minor in another discipline, but the AIDA secondary major is not available to them. The Gaokao programme page, however, says the scheme offers no minor option. The two pages disagree, so confirm with the department before you enrol.
• Changing programme: moving to another programme in the faculty after Year 1 goes through a competitive ranking based on entrance score, Year 1 GPA and interview.
• Recognition: graduates can join the ACM and the IEEE.

2. Fast-track Bachelor’s and Master’s

• High achievers can combine the BSc with the MSc in Information Technology, normally in five years (four plus one), taking up to 9 master’s credits during the BSc.
• Year 1 entry requires an IB score of 39 or above (or equivalent) for international applicants, or a Gaokao total within the top 3% of the province. Students can also join at Year 3 with a cumulative GPA of 3.30 or above and the programme leader’s recommendation. Places are limited and a CGPA of 3.30 must be maintained.

3. Students at high schools in China: PolyU’s own Gaokao admission

• How it works: PolyU admits Gaokao candidates through its own application, which does not affect applications to Mainland universities. All 31 provinces are eligible with no quotas; repeat candidates apply with that year’s results.
• JS3868: open to both arts and science streams, and second-choice applicants are considered; no additional documents are required. PolyU asks for excellent Gaokao results including good English, with no preset provincial cut-off. Past provincial admission scores are not published.
• Scholarships: entrance scholarships are considered automatically. The JS3868 page adds that Mainland students who do not receive a university scholarship on entry may still receive Department of Computing scholarships.
• Timeline:
  • applications open 23 September 2026;
  • deadline 13 June 2027; choices can be changed before the deadline;
  • after results come out in late June, enter your own Gaokao scores by the stated date or the application is void;
  • offers go out from late June to 7 July; accepting requires a HKD 20,000 deposit.
• 3D Admission Scheme and the 德艺计划 talent scheme: applicants with outstanding achievement in academics, sport, arts, leadership, community service or STEM can qualify for an interview and preferential admission. The 3D early round closes 11 February 2027 and the main round 14 May.
• Application fee: HKD 600, non-refundable.
• Mainland students not taking the 2027 Gaokao: PolyU’s FAQ says students in the Mainland national curriculum who do not sit the 2027 Gaokao are generally not considered; international-curriculum students apply as below.

4. International curricula (A-Level, IB, AP)

• Preferred subjects: PolyU’s preferred-subjects table lists no preferred subjects for JS3868 applicants with international qualifications, and the department says there is no compulsory subject requirement. The preferred subjects listed on the department page apply to the HKDSE.
• A-Level minimum: grade B or above in three A-Level (or International A-Level) subjects.
• IB minimum: the IB Diploma.
• US curriculum and AP: high school graduation with an overall average of 80% or above, plus SAT 1190 or ACT 24 and two AP exams at 3 or above, or plus five AP exams at 3 or above.
• Actual scores: PolyU’s 2026 university-wide middle 50% was 144 to 168 UCAS points for three A-Levels and 33 to 38 for the IB (including TOK and EE points). Scores for JS3868 alone are not published.
• Documents and interview: international applicants submit a personal statement and transcripts. Selected applicants are invited to an online interview in English of about 20 minutes, held from October each year, which looks at interest, communication, logical thinking and interpersonal skills.
• Online schooling: qualifications from online schools or courses are not considered.

5. Students at Canadian high schools

• BC and other provinces: provincial graduation, preferably with an average of 80% or above in five Grade 12 courses.
• Ontario: OSSD with an average of 80% or above in six 4U/4M courses; Quebec: a DEC with an average of 80% or above.
• English: 80% or above in Grade 12 English meets the English requirement.
• JS3868 sets no prerequisite subject. Whether Canadian applicants need Grade 12 maths is not stated; email comp.ug@polyu.edu.hk to ask.

6. Timeline for international-curriculum and Canadian applicants

• applications open 23 September 2026;
• early round closes 17 November 2026 (the date shown on the JS3868 page);
• main round closes 11 February 2027; an extended round for international students closes 14 May 2027;
• one application per person with up to two programme choices, which cannot be changed after submission;
• you can apply before results are out and submit them by mid-August.

7. English requirements (non-local applicants)

• IELTS Academic 6.0; TOEFL iBT 80 for tests taken before 21 January 2026, or 4.5 (out of 6) after that date. Both must come from a single sitting within two years of entry; TOEFL Home Edition and IELTS Online are not accepted.
• Also accepted: SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 590, ACT English and Reading 23 each, AP English Language or Literature 4, IB English A 4, A-Level English E, and others.
• Studying at an English-medium school does not waive the requirement.

8. Transfer students

• Students with previous university study can apply for Year 1 as non-local applicants; credit transfer is assessed case by case and is normally capped at 25% of the degree requirement.
• PolyU tells Gaokao applicants that it does not encourage students already in a government-funded degree elsewhere to transfer, and considers them only in special circumstances.
• The Senior Year entry route for this scheme is listed for local Associate Degree and Higher Diploma holders. Whether non-local transfer students can enter a senior year is not published; email polyu.intl@polyu.edu.hk.

9. Fees and scholarships

• Non-local tuition (2027/28): HKD 240,000 a year, in two instalments.
• Acceptance deposit: HKD 20,000, non-refundable and credited to tuition.
• Scholarships: strong applicants are considered automatically for entrance scholarships, and the department offers its own scholarships. Non-local students are not eligible for HKSAR Government or PolyU financial assistance.

Checklist

Students at high schools in China (Gaokao):

• Apply on PolyU’s site between 23 September 2026 and 13 June 2027; both streams are accepted and a second choice is considered
• For the fast-track master’s from Year 1, aim for the top 3% of your province
• Enter your scores yourself on time after results come out

International-curriculum students:

• Early round 17 November 2026, main round 11 February 2027; prepare a personal statement and an online interview from October
• University-wide middle 50%: A-Level 144 to 168 UCAS points, IB 33 to 38; IB 39 or above qualifies for the fast-track master’s from Year 1
• IELTS 6.0 or TOEFL 4.5 (80 on the old scale)

Students at Canadian high schools (including BC and Vancouver):

• BC: preferably an 80% average in five Grade 12 courses; 80% in Grade 12 English waives the English test
• Early round 17 November, main round 11 February

Transfer students:

• Apply for Year 1 and seek credit transfer of up to 25% after enrolment; email first about senior-year entry

Sources: The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, BSc (Hons) Scheme in Computing and AI, JS3868 (international / other qualifications); JS3868 for Gaokao applicants (Chinese); Department of Computing: programme introduction; Department of Computing: entrance requirements; Fast-track integrated BSc and MSc; Work-Integrated Education and internships; International / other qualifications; General entrance requirements; English language requirements; Preferred subjects; Admission figures for GCE and IB; Credit transfer; Tuition fees; FAQ; Chinese Mainland Gaokao applicants (Chinese); Gaokao entrance requirements summary (Chinese); Gaokao application procedures (Chinese); 3D Admission Scheme (Chinese); Gaokao scholarships (Chinese); Gaokao FAQ (Chinese). Information is for September 2027 entry. Check PolyU for the latest details.