Program Overview

BA(Hons) Scheme in Design: General

The BA(Hons) Scheme in Design is a 4-year program that aims to nurture students' creative and critical thinking skills. The program is designed to provide students with a comprehensive education in design, covering various aspects of the discipline.

What is the difference between art and design?

The main difference between art and design is that design serves a purpose, whereas art is primarily for aesthetic or expressive purposes. Designers need to appreciate context to provide appropriate solutions to given briefs, and they work with stakeholders, including users, to achieve this goal.

How do I know if I am suitable to study Design?

To determine if you are suitable to study design, consider the following questions:

• Are you a creative and curious person who enjoys solving problems using visual, three-dimensional, or mixed media skills?
• Are you interested in conceptualizing spatial design?
• Do you have potential in communication and producing visual content?
• Do you have unique ideas for improving the use and design of everyday products?
• Do you find it easy to imagine new services, innovations, and entrepreneurial opportunities?

Curriculum/ Content of Design Disciplines

What will I study during Foundation Year?

The Foundation Year curriculum guides students to think creatively, covering fundamental design knowledge, basic design methods, and hands-on projects. Students will have a full year to identify their area(s) of interest and career aspirations.

Which discipline should I choose and what are they about?

Students who enroll in the BA (Hons) Scheme in Design will first follow a common curriculum in Year 1 before declaring their own choice of specialism (discipline) in Year 3 & 4. Details of each specialism can be found on the program's website.

Admission Requirements

How high are PolyU Design English and Chinese entry requirements?

Applicants are expected to attain a minimum of 3 scores in their English and Chinese subjects at the HKDSE.

What is the average score of admitted students?

The official PolyU admission figures can be found on the university's website.

Portfolio

What if I did not take a VA or DAT subject in secondary school, what can I include in my portfolio?

While Visual Arts or Design and Applied Technology subjects have been designed to better prepare applicants for a design or art tertiary curriculum and career, this does not mean those who did not take these subjects cannot apply. They should be proactive and seek knowledge about their discipline of choice online, in galleries, in museums, in exhibitions, in libraries, and at the School of Design.

Do I need to include works done for SBA?

For JUPAS applicants, you are welcome to include SBA projects, but bear in mind that you are applying to a design school, so make sure the project and explanation angle focus more on design instead of visual arts.

Interview

Is the interview going to be in person or online?

The interview will be conducted mostly online, with some programs conducting in-person group interviews or aptitude tests for certain Non-JUPAS programs.

What is the interview about, any questions frequently asked?

The interview is a way for faculty members to get to know the "real" you, your outlook, passion, goals, and potentials, aside from screening your portfolio and academic result.

Career Prospect

What is the career prospect/ development after graduation?

Our graduates take on diverse paths, and more information can be found on the program's website.