phd university of hong kong

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MPhil & PhD Studies

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Guidance for accepted applicants, departmental requirements, financial support, staff members and their areas of expertise.

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The department offers supervision for M.Phil./Ph.D. candidates in the following sub-disciplines within the field: China and Hong Kong studies, comparative politics, international relations, political theory and public administration. The degrees may be taken on either a full-time or a part-time basis. The M.Phil. and Ph.D. degrees are research degrees and require the submission and oral defence of an original piece of work. Candidates are expected to demonstrate both that they have made a new contribution to their area of study and that they have a command of the relevant literature. M.Phil. candidates are required to complete a coursework curriculum as part of their research training. They will be required to take courses organised by the Graduate School and the Department. Applicants in the field of public administration and international relation should note that the department also offers a Master of Public Administration (M.P.A.) degree and a Master of International and Public Affairs (M.I.P.A.) degree . (For more information, please contact the departmental office.)

Requirements for admission to the M.Phil./Ph.D. degrees

Applicants should have a good honours degree from a recognized university and, depending on the nature of their research proposal, some background in the study of politics, public administration, political philosophy, or applied ethics. Applicants are required to obtain a score of 550 or above in the paper-based, 213 or above for computer-based,79-80 or above for internet-based TOEFL test , or equivalent evidence of the ability to read and write in English. Every applicant is expected to have in advance of admission a clear idea of the nature of the research he or she wishes to pursue and should try to identify the staff member best suited as supervisor. A research proposal must be enclosed in the application. The following items must be addressed in the research proposal:

• a statement of the aim and scope of research;
• an explanation of the research methods to be employed (e.g. theoretical approaches, methods of data collection, and methods of philosophical analysis, etc);
• a statement on the significance of the research study and its possible contribution to the field of study;
• reference/reading list.

All applications should be submitted to the Online Application system. If you have enquiries regarding how to use the Online Application System, please contact the Graduate School by email at [email protected] or telephone: (852) 2857 3470.

The Faculty reserves the right not to admit applicants who meet the minimum qualifications. In some cases, it will not be possible to provide supervision in the specific area of the applicant's interest; in others, the member of staff with expertise in the area may already be fully committed.

Information for rpg admissions: https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/how_to_apply

FAQ regarding rpg admissions: https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/faq_on_application

Comparative politics: Comparative politics, political economy of development, politics of economic reform in socialist countries/central provincial relations in China, local government and economic reform in China. Political culture and political participation, democratisation, civil society and social movements, history of ideas, gender studies, authoritarian politics and corruption in China.

International relations: International relations theory, international political economy, East Asia, and Chinese foreign policy. International politics, global governance, and Asian regionalism.

Political theory and ethics: Contemporary Western political philosophy, Confucianism, human rights, applied ethics, just war theory and the ethics and violence, global justice, immigration, egalitarianism and anti- egalitarianism, comparative political philosophy.

Public administration and public policy: Organisation theory and problems, public personnel administration, bureaucratic participation, bureaucratic representation, new public administration, public administration in China, public policy analysis, institutional analysis, public management, common-pool resources management, self-governance, environmental governance, comparative environmental regulatory policy, participatory governance, civil society organisations, social policy development, theories and public administration and public policy, health care policy.

The department will allocate a supervisor or, in some cases, joint supervisors for all accepted applicants. Candidates should ensure that they keep their supervisors informed of their progress and their written work. Supervisors are required to report regularly to the department and the Faculty on each candidate's progress in research and writing. A candidate must pass an oral defense of his or her revised research proposal before the candidature can be confirmed at the end of the probationary period. In the second year of study, every M.Phil./Ph.D. candidate is expected to present a seminar paper on his or her research work to the department.

Students are required to participate in Departmental seminars, make seminar presentations, lead tutorials and assist in activities organised by the Department.

The university awards post-graduate studentships, on a competitive basis, to full-time post-graduate students. The award is HK$18,390 per month for 2022-23 and requires some teaching assistance at the undergraduate level or research assistance for the department.

The department currently has 6 M.Phil. students and 18 Ph.D. students. The department has an international post-graduate student body. Our current and past non-local students come from Canada, Columbia, mainland China, France, Ireland, Italy, Nepal, New Zealand, Norway, Philippines, Poland, Russia, Sierra Leone, Singapore, South Korea, Spain, Greece, Taiwan, United Kingdom, United States, Japan, Myanmar, Morocco, Thailand, and Saudi Arabia.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The University offers 3-year and 4-year PhD programmes. Applicants who have a good Bachelor’s degree with honours and/or a taught Master’s degree will be considered for admission to a 4-year PhD programme, whereas those who already hold a research Master’s degree (e.g. MPhil) will only be considered for admission to a 3-year PhD programme. PhD programmes are offered in full-time and part-time modes and the periods of study are as follows:

Candidates for 4-year PhD programme will be required to follow an approved course of study and research, including coursework on discipline-specific knowledge, language and research skills. The coursework component is well designed to equip students for their research work and thesis writing. Candidates for 3-year PhD programme may also be required to take courses and satisfy coursework requirements. Please click  here   for details of the coursework requirements. 

A successful PhD thesis should represent the result of the candidate's research which should be an original contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication.  Please refer to the Handbook for MPhil & PhD Programmes  for details of the regulations for PhD degree.

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Programmes in Computer Science

The Department of Computer Science offers the following research postgraduate programmes in both full-time and part-time modes:

• Master of Philosophy (MPhil)
• 3-year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)
• 4-year Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

Candidates are required to follow an approved programme of study and research under the supervision of at least one supervisor. Results of research must be presented in the form of a thesis. Each candidate is required to take an oral examination on the subject matter of his/her thesis and perform satisfactorily before receiving the degree. A PhD candidate beyond the probation period is required to give a departmental seminar before thesis submission. Research publication is strongly encouraged.

Period of Study

Candidates without a research Master's degree shall be considered for admission to a 4-year PhD programme, and those who have research Master's degrees shall be considered for admission to a 3-year PhD programme. Applicant attained a Bachelor's degree with 1st class honor or GPA above 3.70 is eligible to apply for the 4-year PhD programme.

Requirements on Courses and Seminars

• An M.Phil. or Ph.D. student needs to give a satisfactory presentation of his/her research proposal as part of the requirements for confirmation of candidature before the end of the probationary period. Upon supervisor's recommendation and FHDC's approval, an MPhil student may transfer his/her candidature to that for the degree of Ph.D.
• A student needs to give a departmental pre-graduate seminar about his/her thesis work before thesis defense. This seminar is mandatory for students registered on or after September 1, 2005 and strongly recommended for students registered earlier.
• Departmental Coursework Requirements
• Graduate School Courses

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MPhil  &  PhD

Introduction, phd studies at the department of geography, 2024-25.

Established in 1931, the Department of Geography offers postgraduate research programme leading to Doctor of Philosophy (3-year and 4-year) degrees for students with a view to advancing their knowledge and applying expertise to understand and solve real world problems

The Department of Geography has years of long standing, distinguish reputation in Hong Kong and around the world; and is also ranked #13 in the world , #2 in Asia and #1 in Hong Kong in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2023.

To facilitate the research activities, the Department provides studies with a full range of support in form of strong supervisory staff, regular postgraduate seminars, and ready access to laboratory facilities and high-performance computing systems.

Interested candidates are invited to browse the Department’s “Full-Time Academic Staff” profiles at https://www.geog.hku.hk/full-time-academic-staff to find out the general research interests of individual staff members before submitting your applications for admission into the Phd programme in the academic year 2024-25.

Awards and Financial Aids

Students registering for PhD degrees are supported financially by Postgraduate Scholarship.  The University also has provision for conference grants to enable postgraduate students to attend scientific meetings which will provide students with the opportunity to present their research work to fellow students from different parts of the world.

Online Application & Deadlines

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPF) Scheme

December 1, 2023 at Hong Kong Time Noon

www.rgc.edu.hk/hkphd

HKU Admission Rounds

December 1, 2024       (Main Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)

April 30, 2025        (1st Clearing Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)

August 31, 2025       (2nd Clearing Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)

www.gradsch.hku.hk

Research Postgraduate Seminar

25 jan 2024.

10:05 - 10:25

Mr GUO Yasong

Multi-source remote sensing data fusion for species-habitat synchronized urban forest monitoring

10:35 - 10:55

Ms YANG Qianqian

Greenhouse Gas Emission Dynamics in Aquaculture Ponds in Southern China

11:05 - 11:25

Mr GAO Cong

Modelling ignition probability and wildfire emissions in the boreal forest under climate change

11:35 - 11:55

Ms ZHENG Xuechao

Perceiving the New Manifestation and Influence of Urban Change in the Information Age: An Empirical Study Based on the Gentrifying Neighbourhoods in Shenzhen

12:05 - 12:25

Mr LI Zhixuan

Capability, Connectivity and Diversity: Re-emphasising the Importance of Place in the E-society

12:35 – 12:55

Mr WANG Hui

People-oriented Transport Policy towards Sustainability

14 NOV 2023

13:35 - 13:55

Miss YU Po Sheung

Lived religiosity in secular modernity: A case study of traditional Chinese religions in Hong Kong

19 MAY 2023

10:05 - 10:35

Ms SIT Ka Ying

Vegetation resilience of protected and non-protected areas in Hong Kong under recurring tropical cyclones

10:35 - 11:05

Mr NG Ka Yiu Benjamin

How to promote physical activities among primary-school students in Hong Kong? A 3D spatial agent-based simulation on various interventions

11:05 - 11:35

Ms LI Tonglu

Towards a sustainable food waste management in China: From international to city-level analysis

11:35 -12:05

Ms ZHANG Zixuan

The Dragoness Awakens: Gender Disparities in Patenting Activities in Chinese Cities

Research Postgraduate Course

The Research Postgraduate coursework programme in the Department of Geography is comprised of the following two components:

(A)  Four  compulsory courses offered by the Graduate School

Introduction to Thesis Writing

Research Ethics for Graduate Students

Transferable Skills

Research Methods

For the modules available under each of these four courses, please refer to the Graduate School's website at: https://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/current-students/courses-workshops-dialogues-career-preparation/coursework-enrolment/general-coursework-requirement

 (B)  Three  departmental compulsory courses

‘GEOG6003 Research Colloquium’

‘GEOG6007 Research Methods in Geography’

'GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography'

All  MPhil and 4-year PhD students will be required to register for and complete these courses in the following manner:

M.Phil. students need to complete all the Graduate School's and departmental courses in their first year of study. 

4-year PhD students need to complete all the Graduate School's courses in their first year of study, and the departmental courses within the first 12-18 months of study.

To consult and seek guidance from their supervisors in selecting the appropriate modules offered by the Graduate School.

GEOG6003 Research Colloquium

This is a full-year course to be offered in both first and second semesters.

(A) Course aims and objectives

The primary objective of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to learn from and share their research findings with each other as well as the teaching staff and guest speakers.

(B) Course syllabus

This course is a formalized version of the existing Departmental Seminar Series (also known as ‘Postgraduate Seminars’).  The Department’s teaching staff and postgraduate students, as well as invited guest speakers outside of the Department, will make presentations of their research findings at these bi-weekly meetings, which are held throughout the academic year.  Students are required to attend a minimum of 24 hours of seminars in their first year of study.

(C) Mode of assessment

The performance of the student’s own presentation, along with the student’s participation in the discussion at the research colloquium will be used as the basis for determining the grade of the students.  There will be no other course requirement and no final written examination.  The students are expected to obtain a passing grade, under a pass/fail grading system, in this course before they are allowed to proceed further in their studies.

GEOG6007 Research Methods in Geography

This is a one-semester course to be offered in either first semester or second semester.

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the fundamental research concepts and methods in conducting research on geographical problems. 

The course, which meets once every week for two hours, will include lectures, classroom discussion, and student presentations.  The course is structured to help students go through the steps associated with the process of developing a research topic in a manner that facilitates the development of a defendable research proposal. Lectures of the course will cover the nature of geographical research, design and development of research questions, practical/conceptual differences between qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and writing-up and dissemination of research findings.  It is hoped that by the end of the course, students would have grasped the basic understanding of the process involved in developing a research framework to the production of a workable research proposal on geographical studies.

Assessment will be in the form of written assignments and presentation (100% coursework)

GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography

This is a one-semester course to be offered in second semester.

The primary objectives of the course are to introduce all postgraduate students to the fundamental concepts and approaches in the field of geography. The contents of this course will focus on the basic philosophical traditions and major approaches of study and methodologies in the field.

This course, which meets once every week for two hours, will include lectures, student-led classroom discussion, and student presentations. The course will be comprised of two main parts. Part 1 will review classical traditions and ideas in early geographical thought as well as the rise of geography in Europe, North America and China before WWII. Part 2 will examine post WWII geography and the several competing paradigms and schools of thought and post-modern geography in contemporary times. For methodological considerations, the emphasis will be placed on the experiences of Western Europe and North America with some attention to China.

Entry Requirement

Applicants seeking admission to the MPhil/PhD research degree programmes should satisfy the University’s minimum entrance requirement. Please refer to the Graduate School’s weblink:  http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/faq  for information on the entrance requirement.

Applicants from institutions outside Hong Kong where the language of instruction and examination is not entirely in English should take an English language proficiency test and obtain the required score. Details of the recognized English language proficiency tests are also available at the above-mentioned Graduate School’s weblink.

Applicants should attach a research proposal together with their applications.  They are strongly advised to contact the relevant staff member(s) of the Department about their research proposal before submitting their applications.

Research Postgraduate Theses

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Research Programmes  |  PhD

The Faculty offers three types of research degrees, MPhil, PhD and the SJD. A successful MPhil thesis should represent the result of the candidate’s research which displays some originality and which demonstrates a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods. Candidates will conduct research work under the supervision of at least one member of the Faculty’s staff. The following are the focus areas of research:

1. Public Law

This is one of the strongest areas of the Faculty. Staff members are actively engaged in contemporary debates on comparative constitutional law, human rights, rule of law and gender issues, and significant research on these areas has been produced. Since 1999, we have offered a pioneering regional Master of Laws (LLM) in Human Rights, which is the only human rights law programme in Asia with a uniquely Asian focus. Graduates of this programme include judges, lawyers and advocates, government lawyers and prosecutors, academics and human rights activists in over 17 countries in Asia and other parts of the world. Our public law research is backed up by our Centre of Comparative and Public Law (CCPL). A number of our staff have won various research prizes and awards.  Excellent scholarship on human rights is published in the  Asia Pacific Journal on Human Rights and the Law , a Scopus-indexed journal edited and housed in CCPL.

2. Comparative Chinese Law

The Faculty has the widest range of expertise in Chinese Law outside Mainland China. Our expertise ranges from criminal law, public law, securities regulation and finance, and intellectual property, to cross-border issues and legal theory and jurisprudence. Coupled with our strength in common law, we are in a very strong position in offering comparative law research and teaching on civil law and common law. Because of the unique position of Hong Kong and our Faculty, our research on comparative Chinese law has been frequently cited in most of the quality international journals, and our LLM in Chinese Law programme has been able to attract students from all over the world who are interested in China’s legal development and its interface with the Western world. A number of our colleagues are involved one way or another in legal reform in Mainland China.

3. Commercial, Corporate and Financial Law

The Faculty has a wealth of expertise in the commercial law area, including core common law subjects such as contract, tort, property, equity, tax, credit and security, mergers and acquisitions, listing, banking, finance, commercial drafting, as well as private international law and international trade and economic law. This is a very diversified area but a most important one for legal education. Our Asian Institute of International Financial Law has been a focal point of our research on corporate and financial law, and has brought to Hong Kong many distinguished scholars for many highly successful public lectures and academic conferences.

4. Intellectual Property and Information Technology

This is a budding area of significance in the Faculty. In terms of information technology law, the Law and Technology Centre has generated considerable research output and, with major funding from the Hong Kong Government, has developed the very successful Community Legal Information Centre project, which promulgates legal knowledge to the general public. The Centre also houses the Hong Kong Legal Information Institute, which provides the public with free access to one of the best electronic databases on Hong Kong legal materials and thereby contributes to better access to the law. Our intellectual property scholars conduct cutting-edge research in the area of bio-medical development and pharmaceutical products, as well as domain name disputes and policy research.

5. WTO and International Economic Law

Trade and international economic law is an established area in the Faculty. The East Asian International Economic Law (EAIEL) programme is the focal point of training and research in this area. We were designated by the WTO for three consecutive years as the Asia-Pacific centre for running the first Regional Trade Policy Course (RTPC) for government officials from over 30 developing countries in the Asia Pacific Region. EAIEL has also been engaged in capacity building and staff training in WTO matters in China and southeast Asia. It has also collaborated with various UN organs in organising high level international conferences, including the Trade Symposium alongside the 6th WTO Ministerial Conference held in Hong Kong in December 2005. The Visiting Fellow scheme of the EAIEL programme also brings in regional and international experts in the area.

6. Arbitration & Dispute Resolution

The Faculty is also actively developing the interdisciplinary area of arbitration and dispute resolution, which incorporates law, business, government, psychology, economics, anthropology, and education. We have expertise from both the Anglo-American and Mainland China backgrounds in dispute resolution, and the aim is to create a productive dialogue between rigorous research and scholarship and the competitive edge of practice in this area of great potential. As negotiation and dispute resolution is also tied to culture and values, we are developing a major dispute resolution and negotiation programme in this part of the world where there is a distinct cultural approach to such issues.

7. Law and Humanities

The Faculty has a particular interest in research at the intersection of law and the humanities with a number of scholars working in the fields of legal theory, law and film, law and language, legal history, law and literature, and related areas. Research is carried out using a range of interdisciplinary methods and through collaboration with scholars internationally and in the wider community. 

All our RPg students are required to satisfactorily complete the Graduate School courses as well as the Faculty courses prescribed for their respective fields of study/degrees, i.e. 1 compulsory course and 2 elective courses from the list of research methodology courses.

Entrance Requirements

For 3-year full time programme, applicants should hold any one of the following qualifications; (i) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a research Master degree in law from this or any other approved University; or (ii) any other qualification accepted by the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty of Law in an individual case;

For 4-year full time programme, applicants should hold any one of the following qualifications: (i) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with honours and a taught Masters degree in law from this or any other approved University; or (ii) an LLB degree or equivalent from this or any other approved University with normally First Class Honours or equivalent; or (iii) any other qualification accepted by the Senate on the recommendation of the Faculty of Law in an individual case.

For an applicant who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement. Preference will be given to those who obtain one of the following recognized English tests: (i) Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (internet-based test)– a score of 97 or above; or (ii) International English Language Testing System (IELTS) (Academic Module) – an overall band score of 7 or above with no subtest below 6.5; in each case, for admissions purposes, the test score report is regarded as valid for two years.

Application Form 

Hong Kong PhD Fellowships:  https://cerg1.ugc.edu.hk/hkpfs/index.html PhD programmes: https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/how_to_apply/online_application_system

A completed application includes: – officially certified certificates and complete transcripts of undergraduate and postgraduate studies; – research proposal; ( suggested format of a research proposal ) – two academic referee’s report through the online application system (by the referee concerned)

Application Deadline

PhD programme (for admissions in 2024-2025) Hong Kong PhD Fellowships: 1 December 2023 at 12:00 noon (Hong Kong Time) Main round application: 1 September – 1 December, 2023 1st Clearing Round: 2 December, 2023 – 30 April, 2024 2nd Clearing Round: 1 May – 31 August, 2024

Click here to view the 2024-25 admissions flyer.

Programme Pamphlet

Click here to view our latest programme pamphlet.

Programme Director

Professor He Xin Director of Postgraduate Research

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The School of English at the University of Hong Kong offers full- and part-time research postgraduate programmes for the degrees of MPhil and PhD.

The School of English at HKU has an international academic staff and postgraduate student body, working in these areas:

• Literatures in English
• Cross-cultural Studies in English
• English Language and Linguistics

For PhDs, we would particularly encourage applications in the following areas:

• Postcolonial Literary Studies
• Cross-cultural Writing
• Law, Language and Literature
• Psycholinguistics, Phonetics, and Phonology
• Sociolinguistics, Discourse Analysis and Pragmatics
• Integrational Linguistics

Literary and cultural research in theoretical and textual studies in the School of English concentrates on work from the 16 th century through to the 21 st century. We have particular strengths in cross-cultural studies; post-colonial theoretical, literary and cultural studies; Hong Kong and other Asian literatures in English; literature and the law; and travel writing.

Most of the linguistic research going on in the School of English can be situated in the interdisciplinary areas of sociolinguistics and discourse analysis. Linguistic research in the School of English focuses on English language data. Specific areas of expertise include World Englishes, linguistic anthropology, the politics and ideology of language, language in workplace and institutional settings, language and the law, language and gender, cognitive sociolinguistics, second language acquisition, applied linguistics, phonetics and psycholinguistics.

Take a look at the staff profiles to learn more about individual scholars in the School. Staff members have indicated they are particularly interested in research proposals related to the following specific areas and topics of ongoing research:

You can click on the staff name to find more details.

Dr Anya Adair : Book History; Digital Humanities; Law And Literature; Legal History; Manuscript Studies; Medieval English Literature; Old English; Old Norse. Dr Ricky Chan : Experimental Phonetics; Forensic phonetics; Prosody; Psycholinguistics; Second language acquisition; Implicit and explicit language learning; English in Hong Kong. Dr Hanwool Choe : Discourse Analysis; Interactional Sociolinguistics; Digital Discourse; Language and Food; Multimodal Interaction; Family Communication, and Narrative. Dr Brandon Chua : 17th and 18th Century British Literature; Literature and Jacobitism; Critical Theory; History of Sexualities; Religion and Literature; History of the Novel; Shakespeare Adaptation Studies. Dr Anjuli Gunaratne : Global Anglophone and World Literature; Postcolonial Literature and Theory; Law and Literature; Literary and Critical Theory; Trauma Theory; Ecocriticism; Psychoanalysis. Dr Elizabeth Ho : Contemporary literature; Postcolonial theory and fiction; Neo-Victorian studies; Comics and graphic novels; Global literatures in English; Geo-humanities. Professor Christopher Hutton : Language and politics; Sociolinguistics; Language and law; History of linguistics. Professor Kendall Johnson : American literature, colonial through early-twentieth centuries; Native American literatures; race studies; Law and literature; Anthropology and literature; Visual aesthetics; Postcolonial theory; History of the novel; Transnational dimensions of the China Trade. Dr Brian King : Discourse analysis; Critical sociolinguistics; Gender; Sexuality; Linguistic landscapes; Health communication (particularly in relation to intersex and differences of sexual development). Professor Don Kulick : Interspecies communication; Disability studies; Language shift and language death; Language socialization; Language and sexuality; Queer studies; Sex work; Trans studies; Language and psychoanalysis; Melanesia. Professor Julia Kuehn : Nineteenth-century British literature and culture, with particular focus on the realist novel, travel literature, popular writing, gender, empire and Anglo-German relations. Professor Tong King Lee : Translanguaging and translation; East Asian Englishes and vernaculars; Multimodal and digital semiotics. Dr Nicholas Luke : Shakespeare; Early modern literature; Drama; Literary theory; Religion and literature; Law and literature; Aesthetics. Dr Page Richards : Poetry; Creative writing; Life writing, drama; Interdisciplinary theatre practice. Dr Daniel Weston : Gatekeeping; Linguistics and education; Dialectology; Historical sociolinguistics; World Englishes. Dr Olga Zayts : Discourse analysis; (Interactional) Pragmatics; Conversation analysis; Intercultural communication; Professional communication (in particular, in healthcare and business contexts); Politeness; Identity; Leadership. Dr Nan Zhang : 19th and early 20th century British Literature; Global modernism; Cosmopolitan studies; History of political thought; Aesthetics and ethics; Economics

The next round of admissions is for the academic year 2024/25, with entry in September 2024. The deadline for submission of applications in the Main Round is 1 December 2023.

How do I apply? There are three application deadlines for MPhil or PhD studies: early December, end April, and end August. Most people apply in the first round, in December, when the majority of places are assigned. The second and third rounds, in April and August, are clearing rounds, and very few places are available at these times.

At present, successful applicants for the PhD programme can commence their studies on the first day of any calendar month. Most, however, prefer to start in September, at the start of the academic year. A September starting date also suits the department best, since studentship holders will be assigned their teaching duties at that time.

You can apply through the Graduate School website at https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/how_to_apply .

What about funding? Composition fees for full-time MPhil and PhD students, which are subject to revision, are currently HK$42,100 per year. Applicants for full-time study normally apply at the same time for a Postgraduate Studentship (HK$18,390 per month w.e.f. 1 September 2023). Studentship holders will be required to do up to 100 hours per year tutoring work, or research assistantship, in the School.

Where can I find out more? Full details about application and admission procedures, awards and financial assistance, and the amenities and services provided by the University, can be found at the Graduate School website .

In addition to the coursework programmes MA in English Studies (MAES) , the MFA in Creative Writing in English , and the MA in Creative Communications (MACC) , the School of English also accepts postgraduate students for research studies leading to the degrees of MPhil and PhD.

The MPhil and PhD are research degrees. Their chief component is the production of a scholarly thesis of original work in some area of English studies. Of the two, the PhD is the senior degree, requiring a more substantial thesis of publishable quality.

If you are thinking of applying to join our MPhil or PhD programme, you should begin by studying the information given here online. We also give important advice below about the application process, the qualifications needed, and the research proposal you must submit. In planning your research proposal, you should bear in mind the research strengths and interests of potential supervisors, shown below. You can also find out about our teaching staff and undergraduate teaching programmes .

All students in these programmes have to attend and pass certain courses offered by the Graduate School . They must also take a number of courses in the School, as well as writing their thesis.

Research students are assigned a supervisor, or sometimes two, to act as their advisor, help them plan their research project, meet for regular discussion of their work, and oversee and comment on their writing. MPhil students taking courses in the School will have regular contact with the teachers of those courses, and often postgraduates find other teachers (and students) in the School with whom they can discuss aspects of their work. Staff from the Graduate School offer instruction in research methods, thesis writing and other matters.

There is a regular School research seminar, at which staff and research students get together to share and discuss their work, and sometimes to hear distinguished visiting scholars. The School also has a Research Postgraduate Advisor who can offer further help and support. However, research degree students have to take responsibility for their own work. In the end, their success in the programme depends on their own resources of hard work, discipline and intellectual creativity.

The period of full-time study for MPhil students is 24 months, and for PhD students it is normally 48 months. In exceptional cases the School will accept students who wish to do research studies on a part-time basis.

Research students are from Hong Kong, but we also have international research students. In recent years they have come from Belgium, Canada, Iran, Japan, Macau, Mainland China, Malaysia, New Zealand, Singapore, Sri Lanka, Taiwan, the United Kingdom, and the United States.

What qualifications do I need?

Candidates for admission to our research programmes must have a good first degree in a relevant discipline from a reputable university. Normally, candidates are not admitted straight into PhD studies unless they have some research experience in a postgraduate programme. If you have a first degree from a university where the language of teaching and examination is not English, you must have obtained an overall score of 85 or above in the TOEFL (Test of English as Foreign Language - Internet-based test - taken within 2 years) and a score of 25 or above in the Writing section. We also accept the International English Language Testing System (IELTS - Academic Module - taken within 2 years) but you must have at least a score of 7 with no subtest lower than 6. You will be expected to have good academic references. Applicants for both MPhil and PhD studies are required to submit a research proposal (see below), and the School may ask for further information from you, in an interview or in writing.

This may not be enough! Entry is competitive and places are limited. Sometimes the School is not able to accept a well-qualified applicant because there are no places, or no appropriate supervision, available at the time.

What is required for the research proposal?

The research proposal for MPhil studies should be 1000-1500 words in length. Your proposal should present your idea for an MPhil research project, including a description of the project, why you think it is important, a literature review, and a bibliography. It should also include a brief account of how your academic background prepares you to complete this project and why you want to undertake your research at HKU. We understand that your proposal at this stage will be provisional, but it should show that you have some knowledge of the field, have started the relevant reading, and have a sense of the project’s methodology and the resources it will require. You should append a preliminary bibliography; the bibliography is not included in the word count.

The research proposal for PhD studies should be 1500-2500 words in length. It should outline a clearly considered and defined research topic, with an account of the research questions and methodology proposed, an explanation of the value and originality of the research, a chapter-by-chapter description, and a bibliography. The bibliography is not included in the word count.

If you have questions about research studies in the School of English that are not covered in the information above, you can direct them to the Postgraduate Advisor, Dr Daniel Weston , by e-mail at [email protected] .

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The Faculty of Business and Economics, University of Hong Kong (HKU Business School) offers research postgraduate programmes leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil)* and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD). Our PhD programme is designed to provide students with a deep understanding of the key aspects of business and economics. Students are introduced to basic research tools and are expected to be able to conduct independent research in their fields of study. Through regular interactions with faculty, students also acquire a broader perspective on management and economic issues of the region and beyond.

*Only applicable to students who transfer from PhD to MPhil

Mode and Period of Study

The PhD programme is offered on a full-time basis. Candidates pursuing PhD studies are first required to register provisionally for the degree and are subject to a probationary period specified below:

Remark 1: For students in the Areas of Innovation & Information Management, Management & Strategy and Marketing who registered before September 2021, they are subject to a probationary period of 12 months (for 3-year PhD) or 18 months (for 4-year PhD). By the end of the probationary period, students are required to:

• complete all Graudate School courses and at least 50% of the prescribed Faculty coursework requirements;
• pass the core examination(s);
• submit a thesis proposal, and a Data Managment Plan (DMP) if data is to be collected or generated as part of the research; and
• give an oral presentation of the thesis proposal (not applicable to students in the Area of Finance who registered before September 2021).

For the key dates of PhD candidature, please refer to https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/progress_monitoring/key_dates

The coursework components of our programmes provide students with basic knowledge of their fields and offer tools to prepare them for writing the thesis. All MPhil and PhD students are required to satisfactorily complete the Graduate School courses as well as the Faculty courses prescribed for their respective fields of study/degrees.  The completion of coursework typically requires two to three years.

Training for PGS Holder

A Postgraduate Scholarship holder may be required to provide, under supervision, services which carry educational benefits for the holder. The amount of such services shall not exceed 100 hours in any full twelve-month period. The provision of services forms part of the research student's training covered by the value of the Scholarship, and the nature of the training may for example include:

• assistance with research;
• assistance with scheduled laboratory, studio and fieldwork classes and with tutorials;
• assistance with the preparation of materials for scheduled classes;
• assistance with marking practical notebooks and answers from exercise classes; and
• assistance with invigilation of University degree examinations.

Thesis and oral examination

Candidates shall complete their studies within the specified period of study. The results of the research must be presented in the form of a thesis, which can be submitted at any time after confirmation of candidature provided that the requirement for the minimum study period is met. The thesis will be examined by both internal and external examiners. In addition, candidates are required to take an oral examination. Other examinations may be prescribed if necessary. A successful PhD thesis should represent the result of the candidate's research which should be an original contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication.

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Information for current research postgraduate students https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/announcements

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Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

The University offers 3-year and 4-year PhD programmes . Applicants who have a good Bachelor’s degree with honours and/or a taught Master’s degree will be considered for admission to a 4-year PhD programme, whereas those who already hold a research Master’s degree (e.g. MPhil) will only be considered for admission to a 3-year PhD programme.

PhD programmes are offered in full-time and part-time modes and the periods of study are as follows:

Candidates for 4-year PhD programme will be required to follow an approved course of study and research, including coursework on discipline-specific knowledge, language and research skills. The coursework component is well designed to equip students for their research work and thesis writing. Candidates for 3-year PhD programme may also be required to take courses and satisfy coursework requirements. Please click  here   for details of the coursework requirements. 

A successful PhD thesis should represent the result of the candidate's research which should be an original contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication. 

How to apply?

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MPhil/PHD in Public Policy

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The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs provide rigorous training in public policy research to academically outstanding students aspiring to pursue a career in policy research and teaching. 

Program Duration And Class Hour

Master of Philosophy (MPhil): Normally 2 years for full-time and 4 years for part-time study.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD): Normally 3 years if a relevant master’s degree is earned prior to entering the PhD program or 4 years with a first degree for full-time; 6 years for part-time study.

Medium Of Instruction

All lectures and materials are in English

Accommodation Arrangement

Details about accommodation arrangements are available at: https://sao.ust.hk/housing/application.html

Full-time RPg tuition fees* per annum HKD 42,100

 *Payable in two equal installments at the beginning of each semester.

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Established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme   (HKPFS) aims to attract the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their PhD programmes in Hong Kong's universities. The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) now invites HKPFS applications for admissions in the 2024-2025 academic year.

CUHK is a highly esteemed, forward-looking comprehensive research university recognised for its excellence both regionally and globally. We aim to consolidate its position as a centre of excellence for cutting-edge, interdisciplinary research with a global impact and seek to optimise opportunities and make significant contributions to society by translating research findings into practical applications.

With the support of five State Key Laboratories and a wide array of approximate 300 research institutes and research centres, CUHK has long promoted interdisciplinary research and achieved excellence on local, national and international levels. With the supervision and inspiration of diligent world-class scholars who excel in their professional fields, our PhD candidates can find the best strategy to achieve their study objectives.

With the support of five State Key Laboratories and a wide array of over 300 research institutes and research centres, CUHK has long promoted interdisciplinary research and achieved excellence on local, national and international levels. With the supervision and inspiration of diligent world-class scholars who excel in their professional fields, our PhD candidates can find the best strategy to achieve their study objectives in a straightforward and result-oriented pathway.

To cater for different study needs, CUHK offers a wide array of PhD programmes through 8 Faculties: Arts, Business Administration, Education, Engineering, Law, Medicine, Science, and Social Science. Explore our extensive range of PhD programmes at https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/ .

Pursuing graduate studies in Hong Kong under the HKPFS is attractive.

Not only it provides significant financial support for living, but also encourages international exposure and collaborations through research-related travel allowances. In addition, Hong Kong is a vivid city with many opportunities for scientific and technological career development. Studying at CUHK as an HKPFS awardee will help me fulfil my research potential and facilitate my scientific career development.

With the HKPFS provided by CUHK, I was able to focus on my research wholeheartedly.

During my PhD study at the Department of Sports Science and Physical Education at CUHK, I was surrounded and supervised by world-class researchers in an environment that enabled me to work hard and to enjoy life on a beautiful campus in a vibrant and exciting city.

CUHK has been the perfect place for me to explore my passion.

The support of our professors, the amazing learning resources on offer and the beauty of the campus are just a few of many things that I cherish about studying here. There are always new experiences to discover in this diverse campus situated in a multicultural city.

Pursuing my PhD degree in Gender Studies at CUHK with support from the HKPFS has been a highly rewarding experience so far. 

I am grateful to be enrolled in a programme that offers a stimulating interdisciplinary learning environment, solid research training from passionate, skilled faculty members, and support to be autonomous in shaping my intellectual interests and career path.

It is a great privilege to be a part of CUHK, one of the top universities worldwide. 

The University enables me to revolutionise my future career as a scientist. In addition to its well-respected professors, CUHK provides high-tech equipment and research facilities to help me advance my research.

Studying PhD at CUHK’s JC School of Public Health and Primary Care has been an incredible experience for me. 

With supportive supervisor and an innovative, collaborative research environment, I have gained valuable insights into producing high-quality research work. I highly recommend the programme to potential students who seek to enhance their research capabilities.

Studying at CUHK has been a great experience so far.

The school’s rich facilities, multicultural setting and natural surroundings ensure an excellent learning environment. The Anthropology department is extremely friendly and stimulating, with my supervisor and other faculty members providing strong guidance and support. 

I feel privileged to have the opportunity to study at CUHK. 

CUHK offers world-class infrastructure and a serene campus for research. Being at CUHK, I am able to work under the supervision of top-notch scholars. The excellent support and guidance I receive from my supervisors are testament to the university’s commitment to professionalism. 

Pursuing a PhD degree at CUHK Engineering is an extraordinary experience.

With top-tier supervisors and a world-class research environment, students perform cutting-edge research and publish high-quality academic papers. The Faculty’s close connections with mainland China and the world provide lots of opportunities to collaborate with world-class researchers during and after my PhD study. 

I am honoured to be supported by HKPFS to embark on my exciting PhD journey at CUHK, a regional and global leader in state-of-the-art medical research.

The robust momentum and academic atmosphere at CUHK Medicine have always motivated me in my pursuit of research excellence. 

Studying at CUHK has been an exceptional experience.

Diversity and inclusion are welcoming. The learning environment with stalwart researchers conducting world-class studies is altogether compelling. I have access to any study material I need. I am deeply indebted to HKPFS and CUHK for this opportunity to pursue my dreams.

CUHK Business School is the perfect platform for me to grow and flourish as an academic.

The rigorous academic training received from our extraordinary faculty equipped me with high-quality research skills that allow me to engage with global academic networks. Being awarded the HKPFS has been a major achievement and blessing for me. 

• Submit an initial application via the RGC website .
• Each applicant may choose up to two programmes in each application.

RGC application deadline 1 Dec 2023 at 12:00nn (Hong Kong Time)

• Obtain a HKPFS reference number.

• Submit your full application through the CUHK Online Application System and quote the HKPFS reference number.

CUHK application deadline 1 Dec 2023 at 11:59pm (Hong Kong Time)

• Attend interview, if shortlisted.
• RGC announces HKPFS results.

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Department of Chemistry, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Equipped with modern facilities and staffed by a team of devoted teachers who are active in research, the Department is internationally known as a centre of excellence in chemistry. The enrolment of graduate students has steadily increased over the past few years due to the strong government support of both basic and applied research and the remarkable success rate of our faculty members in competitive grant applications. The Department offers MPhil-PhD programme which involve course work and a thesis embodying the results of original research.

Currently, the Department of Chemistry has a total enrolment of about 100 graduate students.

Course List (both Undergraduate and Postgraduate)

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Students are required to complete a minimum of 40 units for graduation, including a minimum of 12 units of lecture courses, 4 units of seminar courses and 24 units of thesis research courses. It normally takes 2 years to complete the programme

For completion of the programme, students must submit a thesis based on their research for examination and pass a final oral examination.

HK$42,100 per annum (regardless of the study mode)

For local full-time RPg students, please refer to the Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Research Postgraduate (RPg) Students for details.

Fields of Specialization

Analytical Chemistry and Environmental Science

Inorganic Chemistry

Organic Chemistry

Physical Chemistry

Structural Biology and Chemical Biology

Materials Science

**Prospective students are strongly advised to read further information on the website of Graduate School .

Students must pass the candidacy examination within 24 months from first entry.

Students are required to complete a minimum of 78 units for graduation, including a minimum of 12 units of lecture courses, 6 units of seminar courses and 60 units of thesis research courses. It normally takes three years to complete the programme.

Students entering without a research master’s degree are required to complete a minimum of 92 units for graduation, including a minimum of 12 units of lecture courses, 8 units of seminar courses and 72 units of thesis research courses. It normally takes four years to complete the programme.

Apply here: https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/onlineapp/faculty_list.aspx

Admission Requirements

(1) The applicant shall have:

• A master degree from a recognized university;  or
• Graduated from a recognized university and obtained bachelor’s degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class;  or
• Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a bachelor’s degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than “B”;  or
• Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

(2) Fulfill the University’s English Language Requirements by having:

• Obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong 1 or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English;  or
• Achieved scores in the following English Language tests 2 as indicated: i. TOEFL: 550 (Paper-based)/79 (Internet-based) ii. IELTS (Academic): 6.5; iii. GMAT: Band 21 (verbal);  or
• Obtained a pass grade in English in one of the following examinations: i. Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level); ii. Hong Kong Higher Level Examination; iii. CUHK Matriculation Examination; iv. General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level)/Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS Level);
• Achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination;  or
• Obtained a recognized professional qualification, provided that the examination was conducted in English
• This is based on the understanding that English is the medium of instruction of degree programmes offered by universities in Hong Kong. Moreover, graduates from universities of Hong Kong should have fulfilled the English language requirements of the institution concerned when they were admitted to the degree programmes. The CUHK Graduate School may request applicants to provide additional supporting documents to prove their English proficiency.
• TOEFL and IELTS are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT is considered valid for five years from the test date.

(3) Have majored in Chemistry or related fields. Applicants who graduated from overseas universities may be required to take Advanced Chemistry in the Graduate Record Examinations conducted by the Educational Testing Service, Princeton, N.J., U.S.A.

*Applicants are required to fulfill ALL of the above three admission requirements.

**Applicants are also required to fulfill other entry requirements of our Graduate School .

Application procedure and documents required

The application fee per programme is HK$300.

After having submitted the application via the  Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes , applicants are required to  upload scanned copies of the supporting documents  to the  Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes  AND also  submit the hard-copy  of documents to the relevant Graduate Division by the deadline.

*Applicants are strongly advised to go through the Graduate School’s guideline for a thorough understanding of the application process.

Application period

Application period varies from year to year. Applicants should refer to the Graduate School for the updated application period.

Professor MIAO Qian

Division of Chemistry G59, Ma Lin Building, Science Centre South Block, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

Tel: (852) 3943 3590 Email: [email protected]

The CUHK Chemistry Summer Camp is organized every year for senior undergraduate students and postgraduate students, who have strong interest in pursuing PhD study of chemistry in CUHK. Through the summer camp programme, students will better understand the research in the Department of Chemistry and gain a deeper knowledge of the postgraduate student life in CUHK.