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MPhil & PhD
Introduction
PhD studies at the Department of Geography, 2025-26
Established in 1931, the Department of Geography offers postgraduate research programme leading to Doctor of Philosophy (3-year and 4-year) degrees for students with a view to advancing their knowledge and applying expertise to understand and solve real world problems
The Department of Geography has years of long standing, distinguish reputation in Hong Kong and around the world; and is also ranked #14 in the world, #2 in Asia and #1 in Hong Kong in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024.
To facilitate the research activities, the Department provides studies with a full range of support in form of strong supervisory staff, regular postgraduate seminars, and ready access to laboratory facilities and high-performance computing systems.
Interested candidates are invited to browse the Department’s “Full-Time Academic Staff” profiles at https://www.geog.hku.hk/full-time-academic-staff to find out the general research interests of individual staff members before submitting your applications for admission into the Phd programme in the academic year 2025-26.
Useful Links
RPG students may refer to the following link for RPG matters including courseworks and regulations: RPG - Useful Information
Students can also visit the Graduate School's website for more information.
Awards and Financial Aids
Students registering for PhD degrees are supported financially by Postgraduate Scholarship. The University also has provision for conference grants to enable postgraduate students to attend scientific meetings which will provide students with the opportunity to present their research work to fellow students from different parts of the world.
Online Application & Deadlines
Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPF) Scheme
December 1, 2024 at Hong Kong Time Noon
HKU Admission Rounds Deadlines
December 1, 2024 (Main Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)
April 30, 2025 (1st Clearing Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)
August 31, 2025 (2nd Clearing Round Application, HKT 23:59 GMT+8)
Information Session 2025-26
Date: 8 November 2024 (Friday)
Time: 3:30 pm - 4:30 pm
Zoom Link: https://hku.zoom.us/j/92669834070?pwd=X0qFnCpTFOKL1GT5s7pTqvaOZLbT2y.1
Research Postgraduate Seminar
Research Postgraduate Course
The Research Postgraduate coursework programme in the Department of Geography is comprised of the following three components:
(A) Six compulsory modules offered by the Graduate School
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Doing Research @ HKU
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Introduction to Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methods
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Thesis Writing
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Responsible Conduct of Research
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Stream-based Responsible Conduct of Research
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Transferable Skills
For the courses available under each of these six modules, please refer to the Graduate School's website at:
https://gradsch.hku.hk/current_students/coursework/general_coursework_requirements/coursework_requirements_for_4-year_phd_and_mphil_students
(B) Two departmental compulsory courses
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GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography
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GEOG8005 Research Colloquium
(C) Two departmental elective courses
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GEOG8002 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography
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GEOG8003 Research Frontiers in Human Geography
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GEOG8004 Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS
All MPhil and 4-year PhD students will be required to register for and complete these courses in the following manner:
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M.Phil. students need to complete all the Graduate School's and departmental courses in their first year of study.
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4-year PhD students need to complete all the Graduate School's courses in their first year of study, and the departmental courses within the first 12-18 months of study.
To consult and seek guidance from their supervisors in selecting the appropriate modules offered by the Graduate School.
Compulsory Courses:
GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography
This is a one-semester course to be offered in second semester.
(A) Course aims and objectives
The primary objectives of the course are to introduce all postgraduate students to the fundamental concepts and approaches in the field of geography. The contents of this course will focus on the basic philosophical traditions and major approaches of study and methodologies in the field.
(B) Course syllabus
This course, which meets once every week for two hours, will include lectures, student-led classroom discussion, and student presentations. The course will be comprised of two main parts. Part 1 will review classical traditions and ideas in early geographical thought as well as the rise of geography in Europe, North America and China before WWII. Part 2 will examine post WWII geography and the several competing paradigms and schools of thought and post-modern geography in contemporary times. For methodological considerations, the emphasis will be placed on the experiences of Western Europe and North America with some attention to China.
(C) Mode of assessment
Assessment will be in the form of written assignments and presentation (100% coursework)
GEOG8005 Research Colloquium (GEOG6003 before 2024‐2025)
This is a full-year course to be offered in both first and second semesters.
(A) Course aims and objectives
The primary objective of this course is to provide an opportunity for students to learn from and share their research findings with each other as well as the teaching staff and guest speakers.
(B) Course syllabus
This course is a formalized version of the existing Departmental Seminar Series (also known as ‘Postgraduate Seminars’). The Department’s teaching staff and postgraduate students, as well as invited guest speakers outside of the Department, will make presentations of their research findings at these bi-weekly meetings, which are held throughout the academic year. Students are required to attend a minimum of 24 hours of seminars in their first year of study.
(C) Mode of assessment
The performance of the student’s own presentation, along with the student’s participation in the discussion at the research colloquium will be used as the basis for determining the grade of the students. There will be no other course requirement and no final written examination. The students are expected to obtain a passing grade, under a pass/fail grading system, in this course before they are allowed to proceed further in their studies.
Elective Courses:
GEOG8002 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography
This is a full-year course to be offered in both first and second semesters.
GEOG8003 Research Frontiers in Human Geography
This is a full-year course to be offered in both first and second semesters.
GEOG8004 Advanced Remote Sensing and GIS
This is a full-year course to be offered in both first and second semesters.
Entry Requirement
Applicants seeking admission to the MPhil/PhD research degree programmes should satisfy the University’s minimum entrance requirement. Please refer to the Graduate School’s weblink: https://gradsch.hku.hk/prospective_students/application/faq_on_application
for information on the entrance requirement.
Applicants from institutions outside Hong Kong where the language of instruction and examination is not entirely in English should take an English language proficiency test and obtain the required score. Details of the recognized English language proficiency tests are also available at the above-mentioned Graduate School’s weblink.
Applicants should attach a research proposal together with their applications.
They are strongly advised to contact the relevant staff member(s) of the Department about their research proposal before submitting their applications.