FAQs

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    A. Admission Requirements

    • 1. I have not completed my bachelor’s/master’s studies, can I still apply to a programme?

      Yes. As long as you can complete your degree and obtain an academic transcript before the admission date (1 August of the year following your application year). You are welcome to apply to any of our programmes, even if you are in the final year of your bachelor’s/master’s studies. If you are being admitted, you are required to submit an official transcript (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results) and a copy of your degree certificate on or before the said admission date.

      Please submit a certifying letter and provide the latest official transcript issued by your current university’s academic office.

    • 4. I did not take a GMAT/GRE, can I still apply to a programme?

      A GMAT/GRE is a required item for our MPhil-PhD programmes. We highly recommend applicants take the test prior to submitting your application. However, you are still welcome to first submit your application, then take the test as soon as possible. Please remember to submit an official test report on or before the said application deadline.

      Given that tests are suspended in some countries/regions, conditional offers may be issued to selected applicants (not applicable to HKPFS nominees). Nevertheless, it is compulsory to take such test(s) to fulfil our admissions requirements.

    • 5. What is the minimum test score requirement for a GMAT/GRE?

      There is NO minimum test score requirements for a GMAT/GRE. Our selection panel will carefully review and consider each applicant on a case-by-case basis. As such, please be sure to submit all the required documents on or before the said application deadline.

    B. Application Documents and Recommendation Letters

    • 8. My referee(s) did not receive any invitation emails, what should I do?

      Usually, invitation emails will be automatically sent by the system. Therefore, please ensure that all details are correctly input into the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes. Otherwise, your referee(s) might not receive the invitation on time.

      Please remind your referee(s) to check their junk email folder. If he/she has not received an invitation email, please send an email to mphilphd@cuhk.edu.hk, and indicate your (i) application number, (ii) ID/passport number, and (iii) date of birth.

      If you have input incorrect/missing contact information or need to update your referee(s) details, please send a change of information request and provide the above information to mphilphd@cuhk.edu.hk.

      Changes cannot be made after the application deadline. As such, please submit your request as early as possible.

      Referees can only submit recommendation forms/letters by post, after the application deadline. The form is available at the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes. The recommendation form/letter must be in a sealed envelope and signed.

    C. GMAT/GRE/TOEFL/IELTS

    • 11. I took an IELTS/TOEFL two years ago, can I still submit the test report?

      Please make a request to the organisation concerned to send an official test report directly to our office.

      Applicants are advised to save a copy of the receipt/confirmation email of your test report request for tracking. If you wish to know whether or not the test report has been delivered to our office, please provide your (i) application number, (ii) ID/passport number, and (iii) date of birth.

    • 13. I already sent my GMAT/GRE/IELTS/TOEFL test report to the office, have you received it?

      Please make sure that all of the information (i.e., institution code and/or address) is correct when making the request to the organisation concerned.

      Please refer to Admissions for the organisations’ institution codes and our office address. An incorrect institution code/address may result in a delivery delay. If that happens, please send it again.

      If your information is correct but our office did not receive anything, please send an email to mphilphd@cuhk.edu.hk and provide your (i) application number, (ii) ID/passport number, (iii) date of birth, and (iv) a copy of your receipt/confirmation email of your test report request.

    D. Academic Transcript

    E. Application Procedure

    F. Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

    • 28. Why should PhD programme applicants also apply to the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)?

      Established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, HKPFS is a prestigious scholarship that aims to attract outstanding students, both locally and globally, to pursue full-time PhD studies in Hong Kong.

      The goal of CUHK Business School’s MPhil-PhD programmes is to nurture future talent who are looking to pursue research excellence, innovation and collaboration, and create impact beyond academia. We encourage applicants with outstanding academic achievements and profound research outreach to apply for this prestigious scholarship.

      While application to HKPFS is free, applicants will still need to apply to it before submitting an application to one of our PhD programmes, as applicants will need to quote the HKPFS reference number as part of our PhD application process.

    • 29. What is Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)?

      HKPFS is a prestigious award established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of Hong Kong in 2009. It aims to attract outstanding students (both locally and globally) to pursue full-time PhD studies in Hong Kong’s universities.

      We highly recommend applicants in pursuit of research excellence, innovation, and collaboration with outstanding academic achievements and profound research outreach to apply for this prestigious award. For more information, please visit the HKPFS website and CUHK Graduate School.

    G. Others

    • 34.What is the difference between MPhil and PhD programmes?

      MPhil is designed specifically for students who wish to pursue advanced studies in preparation for their doctoral degree, or for those looking to become specialists in either the public or private sector, where strong research and analytical skills are required.

      PhD is ideal for students pursuing a teaching and/or research career in higher education or at a research institute, where close collaboration and advanced research capabilities are key.

    • 36. Do I have to contact a supervisor before making an application?

      Each department/school will assign advisors/supervisors to applicants in their first/second year of study. As such, it is NOT compulsory to contact a supervisor before making an application.

      However, we highly recommend applicants contact our faculty members prior to submitting the application. This provides an opportunity to connect and get to know each other better and to see if both parties have common research interests/fields of study.

      Please refer to the Academic Staff Directory for more information.

    Last updated: August 2021

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