PolyU Admissions Scores 2025: JUPAS DSE Scoring Fully Deconstructed

In 2025, the median admissions score for Radiography was 320.0, while Applied Social Sciences required only 171.5 — two figures drawn from the same JUPAS admissions table, both for undergraduate programmes at PolyU, yet separated by nearly a factor of two. The gap reflects not a difference in student calibre, but an invisible yardstick known as subject weighting.

This article focuses on undergraduate admissions pathways, entry requirements, and the scoring mechanism at The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU). Admissions data are time-sensitive; always refer to the latest official announcements for the academic year cited. The primary data presented here use the 2025 intake (admissions scores) and 2026 intake (thresholds / tuition fees) cohorts, with each instance clearly labelled. Last updated: June 2026.

PolyU offers four main undergraduate admissions pathways:

PolyU has no collegiate system (unlike the college allocation mechanism at CUHK). Undergraduates belong only to their faculty / school / department and are not assigned to a separate college; hence, this article contains no "college selection" section.

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# 1. JUPAS Admissions (HKDSE)

JUPAS (Joint University Programmes Admissions System)^※ is the principal channel through which Hong Kong DSE candidates enter UGC-funded degree programmes. The vast majority of PolyU's local student places are allocated via this route.

# 1.1 Minimum Entry Threshold: Core Subjects '3-3-2-2 + Attained'

According to PolyU's JUPAS General Entrance Requirements page^※, the minimum HKDSE requirements for applying to PolyU's full-time government-funded bachelor's degree programmes are:

As noted on the same PolyU page, 'Attained' in Citizenship and Social Development is a necessary condition for meeting the entrance requirement but is not counted in the admissions score calculation. For re-takers under the old curriculum who sat Liberal Studies in or before 2023/24 and have not taken Citizenship and Social Development subsequently, 'Level 2 or above in Liberal Studies' is considered equivalent to 'Attained' in Citizenship and Social Development (per PolyU's JUPAS General Entrance Requirements page^※). Meeting the minimum threshold does not guarantee admission; individual programmes have additional programme-specific requirements (such as specified elective subjects, weightings, and interviews).

# 1.2 Admissions Score Calculation: Conversion Scale + Subject Weighting

To understand PolyU's admissions scores, one must first grasp two elements — grade conversion and subject weighting.

(A) HKDSE Grade Conversion Scale (PolyU Official Standard):

According to PolyU's JUPAS Admissions Score Calculation FAQ page^※, HKDSE levels are converted into 'grade points' as follows:

This is the '8.5-point scale' commonly used for general programmes at the five universities of HKU, CUHK, HKUST, PolyU, and CityU — where 5** scores 8.5 points (not 7). Scores using this scale cannot be directly compared with those from the old '7-point scale'.

(B) Scoring Mechanism: PolyU programmes generally calculate admissions scores based on 5 subjects. According to PolyU's JUPAS Programme Requirements page^※, there are two types of score calculation mechanisms:

• 'Any Best 5 Subjects' — used by the vast majority of programmes;
• 'Chinese & English Languages + Any Best 3 Subjects' — used only by English and Applied Linguistics (JS3240).

(C) 6th Subject Bonus (from 2025/26 onwards): As per official PolyU information, starting from the 2025/26 intake, some programmes have added an 'additional bonus score for the 6th subject at Level 3 or above' option on top of the above mechanism (e.g., programmes in Architecture, Civil Engineering, Speech Therapy, Chinese History and Culture, and English and Applied Linguistics list 'plus an additional bonus score for the 6th subject with Level 3 or above', according to PolyU's 2025 JUPAS Admissions Figures PDF^※).

(D) Subject Weighting: According to PolyU's Admissions Score Calculation FAQ page^※, each programme's 'preferred subjects' receive the highest weighting, while other subjects are given appropriate weightings based on their relevance to the programme; the exact weighting multipliers are not disclosed in the FAQ and must be checked via each programme's 'Score Calculator'. Precisely because of the amplifying effect of weightings, the nominal 'weighted Best 5 score' for some PolyU programmes can far exceed the theoretical unweighted maximum of '5 subjects × 8.5 = 42.5' — in the admissions scores below, where programmes in medicine-related and nursing fields routinely score over 200 or 300 points, these are the arithmetic results post-weighting. Scores calculated under different scoring methods or weightings cannot be compared across programmes.

# 1.3 Programme Admissions Scores (2025 Intake Cohort)

Each year, PolyU publishes the JUPAS (HKDSE) Admissions Figures, listing the 'weighted mean HKDSE score' along with the median and lower quartile for each programme. The table below is extracted from PolyU's 2025 JUPAS Admissions Figures PDF^※. All figures are in 'weighted' terms and are for reference only (the official document notes that candidates' results fluctuate yearly, and some programmes additionally consider interviews / Band choices).

Faculty of Health and Social Sciences (Medicine-related & Nursing — Programmes with PolyU's highest nominal scores)

Faculty of Science / Faculty of Engineering / Faculty of Business (Selection)

Note: The table above shows 'weighted subject' scores. Because the weighting multipliers vary by programme, the score levels across different JS codes cannot be directly interpreted as a ranking of 'candidate strength'. For programmes with high scores — such as Medical Laboratory Science, Radiography, Physiotherapy, and Occupational Therapy — heavy weightings are often applied to science subjects (Biology / Chemistry / Physics) and Mathematics, thereby inflating the nominal scores. For complete programme-by-programme figures, refer to the official PDF.

# 1.4 Interviews / Portfolios

• As noted in the official admissions figures PDF, some programmes consider applicants' 'other experiences and achievements, interview performance and/or Band choices', meaning non-academic assessment exists alongside scores (per PolyU's 2025 JUPAS Admissions Figures PDF^※).
• Programmes in the School of Design (e.g., JS3569) generally require submission of a portfolio and/or an interview.
• Health-profession programmes (Nursing, Radiography, Physiotherapy / Occupational Therapy, Optometry, etc.) and some other programmes hold interviews to assess communication skills and professional suitability (as announced on the respective programme pages).

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# 2. Non-JUPAS / International & Other Qualifications Admissions

This pathway applies to local and non-local students applying not on the basis of HKDSE results. According to PolyU's International & Other Qualifications General Entrance Requirements page^※, the main accepted qualifications and reference thresholds are:

# 2.1 Credit Transfer

According to the same page^※, applicants with qualifications such as IB or A-Levels and excellent results may receive a credit transfer of up to 25% towards the four-year curriculum (i.e., potentially shortening the period of study). The actual credit transfer awarded is assessed by the academic department based on subjects previously completed.

# 2.2 English Language Requirements

According to PolyU's International & Other Qualifications English Language Requirements page^※, non-local / international applicants must satisfy one of the following English language thresholds (results are generally valid for two years):

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# 3. Mainland China Gaokao Candidates (JEE · Independent Mainland Admissions)

PolyU is one of the few Hong Kong institutions that practises independent admissions for mainland gaokao candidates (neither participating in the mainland unified admissions system nor the early batch).

# 3.1 Admissions Mechanism (2026 Intake Cohort)

According to PolyU's Mainland China Gaokao Candidates admissions page^※ and the application procedures page^※:

Unlike CUHK and HKU, which admit through the mainland's unified 'early batch' admissions system (filling in choices using the national standard code, with files sent by the provincial examination authority after results are released), PolyU follows a 'direct application + independent admissions' route. Candidates submit their applications and results to PolyU after the gaokao, and PolyU assesses them autonomously. These are two different systems and should not be conflated.

# 3.2 Qualification Pathways: Three Types of Mainland Students by Curriculum

For students holding mainland Chinese household registration but studying under different academic systems, the application pathways differ:

• Those sitting the mainland gaokao → Apply directly to PolyU via the JEE independent mainland admissions route described above.
• Those studying HKDSE in Hong Kong → Apply via JUPAS if they hold 'local student' status, otherwise via Non-JUPAS.
• Those studying international curricula like IB / A-Level / US High School → Apply via the Non-JUPAS / International Qualifications pathway (thresholds in Section 2), and not through the gaokao unified admissions system.

In essence: for students with a mainland hukou, whether or not they sit the gaokao determines which track they take — gaokao candidates use the independent JEE admissions route, while international curriculum students use the Non-JUPAS / international pathway. Popular discourse questioning whether international curricula act 'as a shortcut to bypass the gaokao' involves value judgments not adjudicated upon here as fact.

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# 4. HK/Macau/Taiwan and Other Non-local Qualifications

• JEE for Hong Kong, Macau, and Taiwan Students results: A total score of 600 out of 750 or above may be considered (per PolyU's International & Other Qualifications General Entrance Requirements page^※).
• Other overseas qualifications (OSSD, ATAR, UEC/STPM, Singapore-Cambridge GCE, etc.): Assessed individually through the PolyU online application system; applicants must meet the corresponding qualification thresholds and English language requirements.
• All non-local applicants must also pay an application fee of HK$500 (according to PolyU's Undergraduate Fees page^※).

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# 5. Essential Checklist Coverage and Gaps

• Official hard data (with year and source): 3-3-2-2+Attained threshold, 8.5-point conversion table, two types of scoring mechanisms + 6th subject bonus, 2025 admissions scores (Radiography 320 / Physiotherapy 293 / Occupational Therapy 293 / Optometry 275 / Nursing 213.5, etc.), Non-JUPAS thresholds (IB 32 / A-Level 3B / SAT 1190 / Gaokao 600, etc.), English language requirements (IELTS 6.0 / TOEFL 80), JEE independent admissions mechanism for mainland students — all sourced directly from the PolyU admissions website and the official admissions figures PDF.
• Weighting multipliers: PolyU's official FAQ does not publicly disclose the weighting multipliers for individual subjects (stating only that 'preferred subjects receive the highest weighting'). Consequently, this article does not list specific multipliers but points out that weightings inflate the nominal scores.
• Provincial quotas for mainland students: The official source explicitly states that there are no fixed provincial quotas (applicants from all 31 provinces are eligible), so no provincial quotas are listed.
• Not applicable to PolyU: PolyU has no collegiate system, so there is no 'college allocation' section. Its mainland admissions are independent rather than via the unified early-batch system, distinct from the CUHK / HKU mechanisms, which has been explicitly noted.

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# 6. Application Timelines and Key Dates

Below are reference timelines for the JUPAS and JEE mainland gaokao pathways (subject to the actual announcements in each academic year):

# 6.1 JUPAS Timeline (Local HKDSE Candidates)

# 6.2 JEE Mainland Gaokao Candidate Timeline (Reference)

Actual deadlines and assessment rounds are subject to the PolyU official website's announcement for that year. The timelines provided on this site reflect patterns observed over recent years and do not constitute a commitment.

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# 7. Scholarships and Financial Support (Around the Time of Entry)

# 7.1 Entry Scholarships (awarded by PolyU)

Based on PolyU's admissions and scholarship pages:

The number of scholarships, award amounts, and conditions are adjusted annually; refer to the current year's announcements from PolyU's Scholarships and Financial Assistance Office.

# 7.2 Government-funded Loans

Local students may apply for UGC-recognised government-funded loans (GSSL / NLSLS), which are low-interest or interest-free loans provided by the government to cover tuition fees and living expenses. The specific application process is handled by the PolyU Student Finance Office.

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# 8. Pre-enrolment Points to Note

Upon receiving a formal offer, new students typically need to complete the following items:

1. Offer Acceptance: Confirm acceptance of the offer online via the system before the deadline.
2. Payment of Deposit / Initial Tuition Fee: Some programmes require a deposit to secure the place.
3. Enrolment Registration Procedures: Upload identity documents, submit health declarations, sign the admission agreement.
4. Hall Place Application: There are priority hall place arrangements for non-local students; applications must be submitted within the specified period after offer acceptance.
5. Student Identity Card (iCard): Collected upon initial registration; also used for the library, hostels, sports facilities, etc.
6. Endorsement / Visa (Mainland / International Students): Mainland students must apply for a 'Hong Kong Student Visa / Endorsement' before arriving in Hong Kong and complete the process within the stipulated timeframe.
7. Opening a Bank Account: It is advisable to open a bank account in Hong Kong for receiving financial assistance and scholarships.

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# 9. Special Application Requirements for Health-related Programmes

PolyU's health-profession programmes (Radiography, Physiotherapy, Optometry, Nursing, Occupational Therapy, etc.) have additional requirements beyond standard academic scores:

• Interview: Almost all health-profession programmes have an interview round, usually conducted around the time of DSE results release; it assesses communication skills, professional motivation, and case handling.
• Certificate of No Criminal Conviction: Programmes like Nursing and Physiotherapy may require submission of a certificate of no criminal conviction after the offer is made.
• Physical Fitness / Colour Vision Requirements: Some programmes (e.g., Radiography, Optometry) have specific vision and colour perception standards.
• Health Check before Clinical Placement: After enrolment, designated medical check-up items must be completed before entering clinical placements.

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