About this Program

As a research student at the University, you will follow a programme of study under the guidance of a principal supervisor and a supervision committee. At the start of your programme you will draw up a plan for your research in consultation with your supervisor for completion of your thesis within the period of registration for the degree. Your work plan and training programme will be reviewed annually in the light of your research needs and progress.

In the first year of study, you will take the core courses, which equip you with a broad coverage of the central skills and ethical and methodological issues of research in education, social sciences, humanities, languages and linguistics, and creative arts and culture. The courses, workshops and seminars provides the opportunity for you to become part of the University’s research community. You will be able to meet and discuss your work with students and staff from different academic departments and learn more about the research taking place at the University. 

MPhil Programme

The MPhil programme is designed to educate students as independent and innovative researchers who are well-prepared to pursue research degrees at the doctoral level. Graduates of the programme are expected to have attained advanced knowledge in their chosen field and professional expertise in research techniques.

PhD Programme

The PhD programme is designed for students wishing to pursue academic or research careers in diversified fields such as education, humanities, social sciences, cultural and creative arts, and science. It focuses on promoting applied research with strong relevance and advancing knowledge for professional improvement, practical innovation, and policy formulation in education and associated areas, both locally and internationally. Graduates of the programme are expected to make significant contributions to the discipline and/or profession through continued quality research and scholarly activities.

• PhD
  3-4 years of full-time study

The Confirmation of Candidature is expected to be taken after 12 months of study.

MPhil
2 years of full-time study

The Confirmation of Candidature is expected to be taken after 12 months of study.

Application for upgrade from MPhil to PhD will be considered after confirmation of candidature and completion of the coursework requirements. 

General Requirements

PhD 

• A master's degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university; or a bachelor's degree with first class honor's (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university.

MPhil

• A bachelor's degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university.

Documents to be submitted 

• Academic Transcript(s)
• Certificate(s) of Graduation
• English Proficiency Test Score Report
• Research Proposal
• Research Plan and Vision Statement
• Two Referees' Reports 
• Other Supporting Documents
• Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate

English Language Requirements*

• Applicants with a Bachelor's or Master's degree at a university where the programmed was not taught and assessed in English are normally required to demonstrate competency through one of the following minimum requirements:
  1. IELTS score of 6.5 (academic module) with no subtest lower than 6.0#; or
  2. TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based test); or
  3. Other equivalent qualifications.

Eligibility 

• A certified English translation is required if the document is issued in other language than English and Chinese.
• For graduates from Mainland institutions, please provide both “Certificate of Graduation” and “Degree Certificate”. 
• IELTS (Academic Module) and TOEFL test scores are valid for two years after the test date.
• HKPFS Applicants are required to submit a research proposal with a maximum limit of 7,500 characters to the UGC. Additionally, upon request by the relevant faculties/departments at EdUHK, a more comprehensive proposal without any word limit may be required.

Non-HKPFS Applicants must submit a full research proposal (without a character/word limit) via the “Upload documents” section on the online application form.

How to Apply

Both HKPFS Applicants and Non-HKPFS Applicants are suggested to clearly present the following content in your proposal:

• Aims and objectives of the project;
• Significance and/or impact of the proposed study;
• Brief theoretical, empirical and/or conceptual basis, and background evidence, for the proposed research; and
• Research design and methods.

For HKPFS applicants only. Template is available on the online application form Referees’ reports should be written by those who know the applicant well rather than providing just another supporting letter from the nominating institution. Please click the following hyperlinks to download relevant documents:

• for Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme applicants:
  https://www.eduhk.hk/gradsch/rpg/(Confidential)_HKPFS_Referee's_Report_Form.pdf
• for non-Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme applicants:
  https://www.eduhk.hk/gradsch/rpg/Academic_Referee_Report.pdf

All information given in the referee’s report will be treated as strictly confidential. Please ask your Referees to send the reports (with signature) directly to the Graduate School by email at rpg@eduhk.hk or by post to the address below:

Graduate School
Room B4-G/F-02
The Education University of Hong Kong
10 Lo Ping Road, Tai Po, New Territories, Hong Kong

Please remind your Referee(s) to include the following information in the reports:

• Your Full Name;
• Your Application No.; and
• Your Applied Programme.

• You may provide any of the following documents:
• [1] A proof of Medium of Instruction (This is to confirm your obtained degree from an institution where the medium of instruction is English.)
  [2] Curriculum Vitae (CV); and
  [3] Any additional information, certifications or qualifications regarding to your application
• Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China are required to provide Degree verification report (Degree Online Verification Report) and Graduation verification report (Electronic Registration Form for Academic Certificates) issued by the CHSI (China Higher Education Student Information and Career Center).

Application Deadline 

• The application deadline to apply 25 August 2024. 

For more information, you could go to the Official Website.