Materials Science and Engineering
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen (CUHK(SZ)) is a research-intensive university, established in 2014 through a Mainland - Hong Kong collaboration with staunch support from the Shenzhen Municipal Government. It inherits the fine academic traditions of The Chinese University of Hong Kong and will develop its academic programmes in phases and offer courses in Schools of Science and Engineering (SSE), Data Science (SDS), Management and Economics (SME), Life and Health Sciences (LHS), Humanities and Social Science (HSS). Students who satisfy prescribed requirements will receive degrees of The Chinese University of Hong Kong. The Ministry of Education has granted CUHK(SZ) the authority to offer postgraduate programmes up to the PhD level from the date of its establishment. The Senate of CUHK has approved the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies at CUHK(SZ) in 2015.
SSE at CUHK(SZ) currently offers four undergraduate programmes (Electronic Information Engineering, New Energy Science and Engineering, Mathematics and Applied Mathematics, and Financial Engineering (jointly with SME and SDS)), one Executive Master of Science programme (Supply Chain and Logistics Management, jointly with SME), and two MPhil-PhD programmes (Computer and Information Engineering and Materials Science and Engineering). The School’s mission is to educate and train innovative and forward-thinking science and technology talents, and to become a top science and engineering school nationally and internationally.
The MPhil-PhD programme in Materials Science and Engineering has designed for students who wish to pursue a higher degree in the broad area of Materials Science and Engineering, with a research focus on advanced structure materials, functional materials, smart materials, polymer materials, magnetic materials, optical and optoelectronic materials and devices, many body quantum-mechanic problem, non-equilibrium thermodynamics, biomaterials, nanomaterials, composites, surface chemistry and interfacial engineering, materials modelling and simulation, materials production and processing, energy materials, materials for environmental purification, aerosol and nanoparticle engineering, green chemistry and materials life cycle. An applicant with a research master’s degree should apply for admission to the PhD Stream, while an applicant with a bachelor degree can apply for admission to either MPhil or PhD Stream. Applicants should have education background in science and engineering. Students who satisfy prescribed requirements will receive degree of CUHK.
Telephone: (86)0755-2351 9999
Email: pg_sse@cuhk.edu.cn
Office Hours: 8:30-12:00, 13:00-17:30 (Mon - Fri)
Address: Teaching Bld. C 602, 2001 Long xiang Road, Long gang District, Shenzhen( Zip code:518172 )
Study Mode and Study Period
The study mode is full-time for all streams of MPhil-PhD Programme in Materials Science and Engineering. 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.
Degree | Mode | Maximum Pre-Candidacy Period | Normative Period | Maximum Period |
MPhil | Full-time | -- | 24 months | 48 months |
PhD (entering with a research master’s degree) | Full-time | 24 months | 48 months | 72 months |
PhD (entering without a research master’s degree) | Full-time | 36 months | 60 months | 84 months |
Credits Required & Curriculum
For MPhil students, minimum of 18 units are required from the following list of lecture courses, with 6 units of required courses, and 12 units of elective courses.
For PhD students, minimum of 27 units are required from the following list of lecture courses, with 6 units of required courses, and 21 units of elective courses.
Please kindly find more details in the Resources.
Application Deadline
Normally Fall Admission Date is in August, and Spring Admission Date is in January.
The application deadline for Spring Admission is usually the end of October of the previous year, while the application deadline for Fall Admission is usually the end of May of the current year.
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 an honours 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 Konga or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or
2. achieved scores in the following English Language testsb 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. Huang, Co-supervisor Prof. Li".
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.
Application |
The tuition for both MPhil and PhD students is RMB115,000 per year.
In the 2024-2025 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 scholarship (RMB 115,000 a year).
PhD students should serve as TA, the pay will relate to the TA loads in each academic year.
The Supervisor may offer a monthly RA pay agreed with the student.
2、"Category II"
Half-tuition scholarship (RMB 57,500 a year).
PhD students should serve as TA, the pay will relate to the TA loads in each academic year.
The Supervisor may offer the balance half-tuition (RMB 57,500 a year) in the form of monthly installments and a monthly RA pay agreed with the student.
3、"Category III"
One-quarter-tuition scholarship (RMB 28,750 a year).
PhD students should serve as TA, the pay will relate to the TA loads in each academic year.
The Supervisor may offer the balance three-quarter-tuition (RMB 86,250 a year) in the form of monthly installments and a monthly RA pay agreed with the student.
4、"Category IV"
Students will pay full tuition.
There is no TA load commitment for the student.
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.