Study Mode and Study Period

The study mode is full-time for all streams of MPhil-PhD Programme in CIE. The study period for students of different streams/stages are summarized below:

1. For MPhil students, the study period is from 24 months to 48 months.

2. For PhD students who enter with a research master’s degree, the study period is from 48 months to 72 months, of which the students have maximum 24 months to pass the candidacy requirement counted from first entry. A student who fails to pass the candidacy requirement within 24 months is allowed to switch to MPhil study.

3. For PhD students who enter without a research master’s degree, the study period is from 60 months to 84 months, of which the students have maximum 36 months to pass the candidacy requirement counted from first entry. A student who fails to pass the candidacy requirement within 36 months is allowed to switch to MPhil study.

Credits Required & Curriculum

For MPhil students, minimum of 18 units are required from the list of lecture courses as below, with at least 6 units to be selected from Group A, and the rest can be selected from Group B.

For PhD students, minimum of 27 units are required from the list of lecture courses as below, with at least 9 units to be selected from Group A, and the rest can be selected from Group B.

Please kindly find more details in the Resources.

Application Deadline

Applications for the Fall 2026–2027 intake will be accepted from October 9, 2025, to May 31, 2026.

Applications for the Spring 2026–2027 intake will open on July 1, 2026. The application deadline will be announced on the school's official website at a later date.

The programme commences in Spring Semester (Early January) and Fall Semester (Late August).

Application Requirements

The minimum requirements for students of different streams are summarized below.

For the PhD Programme, applicants should have:

1. A Master's degree holder from a recognized university; or

2. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or

3. 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

4. Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

For the MPhil Programme, applicants should have：

1. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or

2. 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

3. Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to a bachelor's degree.

All students should fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement prescribed below before they are admitted:

1. obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong^a or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or

2. achieved scores in the following English Language tests^b as indicated:

 i. TOEFL: 550 (Paper-based)/79 (Internet-based/Home Edition);

 ii. IELTS (Academic): 6.5(Test Centre based/Online);

 iii. GMAT: Band 21 (Verbal)^c; 

 iv. GMAT Focus Edition: Band 78 (Verbal); or

3. 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); or

4. achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.

Notes:

a.  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 in Hong Kong should have fulfilled the English language requirements of the institution concerned when they were admitted to the degree programmes. The CUHKSZ Graduate School may request applicants to provide additional supporting documents to prove their English proficiency.

b.  TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT scores are considered valid for five years from the test date.

c. GMAT (Verbal) scores at or above the threshold value of 21 will be kept until the score validity phases out. 

For both PhD and MPhil Programme, there may be an interview administered by the Programme

* On the registration day, the programme team will receive the original official and complete transcripts of all academic qualifications, as well as the original language transcripts.

Application Procedure

1. It is suggested to contact the intended supervisor in advance. Please check more details for Faculty.

Please indicate at the application system if they are co-supervisors, eg. " Prof. Zhang San, Co-supervisor Prof. Li Si".

2. Online application:

Please go to https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/

Documents required include:

a. Scans of certificates of academic/professional qualifications (e.g., university certificate of graduation, examination certificates and other qualifications).

b. Scans of official transcripts (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results),  grade ranking and grading scheme of all tertiary level studies;

c. Confidential recommendations (for all applicants) from two referees (except intended supervisor). Input two referees’ information through the “Online System for Applicants of  Postgraduate Programmes”, Invitation for confidential recommendations will be sent to the referees automatically.

d. Applicants are required to fulfill the English Language Requirements for Admissions by submitting any one of the following documents:

i. Certified true scans* of report of the English Language subject of Hong Kong  Advanced Level Examination (AS Level), or Hong Kong Higher Level Examination, or  Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, or CUHK Matriculation Examination; or

ii. Certification of Results of the English Language subject in Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level), or Hong Kong Higher Level Examination, or Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination provided by Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority, or CUHK Matriculation Examination; or

iii. Copy of graduation certificate issued by a university in Hong Kong, or A certifying letter issued by the Registry of your university confirming the medium of instruction of your completed degree programme was English; or

iv. Scans of original valid official score report of TOEFL (the University’s institution code is B429),  or IELTS (Academic), or GMAT (the University’s institution code is N8N). Please be reminded that some test organizations do not accept application for score report after a specified validity period.

v. certified true scan* of certificate of a recognized professional qualification awarded in Hong Kong or in an English speaking country. Different programmes may accept different professional qualifications, please contact respective Graduate Panels for details.

* The certified true scan must be issued by the official organization or relevant test organization. The University may require applicants to provide the original documents for verification.

e. A scan copy of your ID card or other identity document as given in the Application Form.

f. English resume and personal statement.

g. Additional information or documentary proof if deemed necessary.

3. Pay a non-refundable application fee of RMB 600.

Please note that all original documents will be checked at the time of enrollment. Any misrepresentation in the documents and information provided will result in disqualification of their applications and subsequent enrollments in the University.

Notes:
a. The School of Science and Engineering may conduct interviews with applicants, subject to the discretion of the school.
b. The programme team will verify all application information and supporting documents during enrollment registration. Should any discrepancy or inaccuracy be found compared to the original documents, the admission offer will be revoked.
 

The tuition for both MPhil and PhD students is RMB140,000 per year. 

In the 2026-2027 academic year, CUHK (SZ) may offer various kinds of financial supports to selected applicants:

1、"Presidential Fellowship"
which will offer: (i) an after-tax stipend of RMB 180,000 per year to cover the normative study period, subject to annual review by the Graduate Panel or equivalent body. The student is required to complete 4 loads as a TA in the first 4 semesters (summer counts as one semester) during the scholarship period. (ii) In addition, the student is eligible to receive a tuition subsidy, like any other student.

School of Science and Engineering will also provide the following Financial Assistance (Studentship):

1、"Category I"

Full-tuition studentship

2、"Category II"

Half-tuition studentship

3、"Category III"

One-quarter-tuition studentship

Each fellowship and studentship will be offered subject to annual review. Fellowships and studentships are available to all applicants. The selection is based on merit and no separate application is required.