School of Architecture, CUHK
Programmes

Master of Philosophy and
Doctor of Philosophy

Introduction

The MPhil and PhD are research degrees. Students learn primarily by doing independent original research and should demonstrate the feasibility of their topic when applying for admission.

The MPhil usually requires two years of full-time study; the PhD usually requires at least three to four years of full-time study. The two programmes are articulated, which means that students can, with Division approval, transfer from the MPhil to the first (pre-candidacy) part of the PhD, and vice-versa.

Applicants for either programme should have a Bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in a related field. Applicants to the PhD program who have a Master’s degree (or its equivalent) in a related field may apply to be exempted from some requirements.

Applications for Admission

Eligibility for Admission

MPhil, Master of Philosophy (under the articulated MPhil-PhD Programme)

Applicants should have a bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in a related field and should submit the information as specified in the list of application materials.

PhD, Doctor of Philosophy (under the articulated MPhil-PhD Programme)

Applicants should have a first- or second-class bachelor’s degree (or its equivalent) in a related field. Those with a master’s degree (or its equivalent) in a related field may apply, after acceptance, to be exempted from some requirements. All applicants should submit the information as specified in the list of application materials.

Deadline for Applicants Seeking Admission in 2021-22

Applicants who fail to nominate a supervisor will not be considered.

Applications for the academic year of 2021-22 are due on 30 November 2020 for studies beginning in the Fall Term 2021-22.

Note that the School may make the first round of offers in early November, interested applicants who wish to be considered in the first round should:

  1. Discuss their research proposals with potential supervisors by early September 2020;
  2. Submit applications by 31 October 2020; and
  3. Pass an English test (TOEFL / IELTS / GMAT) by the first week of September 2020 so that the original test report could reach the School by early November. (Applicants who have a degree from a university in Hong Kong or an English speaking country are exempted from this requirement.)

List of RPg Supervisors

List of Current Students

Tuition Fee

  • The tuition fee for a full-time MPhil-PhD student in 2021-22 is HK$42,100 per annum.

Scholarships for Prospective Students

Scholarships for Current Students

  • Offered by the Graduate School and School of Architecture at CUHK
    Financial Support for Research Postgraduate Students for Conference Attendance and Academic Activities
    Call for application: all year round
    Maximum HK$15,000 for the whole normative study period
    (HKPFS awardees will only be eligible to apply for this grant after the annual travel grant has been exhausted.)
  • Offered by the Research Grants Council (RGC)
    Postgraduate Students Conference/Seminar Grants
    Call for applications: all year round

List of Application Materials

Submission deadline: 30 November 2020

Item/Requirement Scanned copy to be submitted to Graduate School’s online system Original document to be posted to School of Architecture^
1. Completed application form. NO YES
2. Bank draft/cheque (in HK$) for the application fee with the Payment Voucher, if not pay by Visa/Master Card. NO YES
3. Official transcripts of academic records of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s degree obtained.

  • Original transcripts issued by the applicants’ former/ current University in sealed envelope with stamp from the University’s Registry must be provided.
  • There should be explanatory notes printed/ attached to the transcripts indicating the grading scheme/reference of the University.
 YES YES
4. Graduation certificate(s) of Bachelor’s and/or Master’s Degree(s) obtained. YES NO
5. Copies of other academic/professional qualifications, if any. YES YES
6. Original English test report of TOEFL, IELTS, or GMAT for applicants from non-English speaking countries.

  • TOEFL and IELTS are considered to be valid for two years from the test date.
  • Applicant should check if they could fulfill the English Language Proficiency Requirement set by the Graduate School.
  • Since original TOEFL report will take 2 months to be delivered from the issuing authority to our University, you are strongly advised to obtain the report before October 2020.
 YES YES
7. Identity card or passport as given in the application form. YES NO
8. Confidential recommendations from 2 referees who have taught you or worked closely with you, and could comment in detail on your abilities and personalities. (Referee can choose to submit the recommendation form/and letter for you via online system or in hard copy.) NO YES
9. Thesis proposal.

  • It shall lay out the domain and direction of inquiry and lie within the scope of the Design Research Units of the School of Architecture.
  • Please indicate the name of the supervisor that you would like to work with.
  • The proposal shall be written in English.
  • Expected length: 2,000 – 3,000 words.
  • Please indicate your nomination of supervisor in the proposal. Applicants who fail to nominate a supervisor will not be considered.
 YES YES
10. Evidence of intellectual preparation. (It can take the form of course papers, publications, design portfolio or other work with a research component, but English-language writing or refereed publications will be considered more favorably than other evidence.) YES YES

^To be posted directly to the School of Architecture, Room 106, Lee Shau Kee Architecture Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, Hong Kong (Attn: Application for MPhil-PhD in Architecture). Enquiries: 3943 1309

Download Study Scheme

Download Research Publication: Grey Book 2012-18

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