Research Degree Programme

The School of Energy and Environment (SEE) offers research studies leading to the degrees of Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in all energy- or environment-related subjects listed under the section, Research in the website of the School.

Before making an application, candidates are requested to contact one of the faculty members in SEE in the relevant subject discipline to discuss their proposed research topic within that discipline. A one-page research proposal is also required to be submitted together with the application for admission. The name of the proposed supervisor should be specified in the application. Details of the application can be found at the website of the
Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants from an institution where the language of teaching is not English should satisfy the minimum English proficiency requirements specified by the University. The University’s minimum English proficiency requirement for research degree programmes is a total score of 79 (in one single internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR an overall band score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date and must be valid at the time of submission of application.
~TOEFL iBT Home Edition and IELTS Indicator are not accepted.

Students admitted in 2024-2025 are required to pay a tuition fee of HK$3,508 per month (12 months for a year). Details of the tuition fee and other fee payments required could be found in the information by the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/research-degree-programmes/scholarships-financial-aid-and-fees.

All relevant information for research degree students, including programme structure, regulations and guidelines, student administration, examination, financial assistance, awards and so on is available at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs/studentlan/rpg/intranet/guidebook/.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, 2024-2025

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, established by the Research Grants Council (RGC) of the HKSAR government, aims to attract the best and brightest students in the world to pursue their research degree programmes in Hong Kong. Those who are seeking admission as new full-time PhD students in the School of Energy and Environment of City University of Hong Kong, irrespective of their country of origin and ethnic background, should be eligible to apply. Applicants should demonstrate outstanding qualities of academic performance, research ability / potential, communication and interpersonal skills, and leadership abilities and societal responsibility.

For the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship awardees of CityUHK, in addition to a monthly stipend of HK$28,100 (~US$3,602) offered by the Scheme for a maximum period of 3 years, each awardee of the Fellowship of CityUHK will also receive a “Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies Entrance Scholarship” at the value of around HK$89,496 (~USD11,473), which covers the student’s full-time tuition fees and on-campus hostel accommodation expenses in their first year of research studies.

Besides, CityUHK will provide a monthly studentship at the same level as the Fellowship awarded by the RGC for their fourth year of study.

Application procedures and details of the Scheme can be found in the web link:
https://www.cityu.edu.hk/pg/hong-kong-phd-fellowship-scheme

Coursework Requirements

Students are required to fulfil the following minimum coursework requirements (at postgraduate level) within their study period in accordance with the date of commencement of studies:

For students admitted in or before 2018/19:

MPhil students: 7 credit units (including core course(s) of at least 2 credit units which shall be research methodology or foundation course(s) at postgraduate level);
PhD students: 14 credit units (including core course(s) of at least 4 credit units which shall include at least 2 credit units of research methodology or foundation course(s) at postgraduate level.) and
a compulsory 1 credit unit course “Teaching Students: First Steps” (hereafter “SG8001”).

For students admitted in or after 2019/20:

MPhil students: 7 credit units (including at least 2 credit units of research methodology and ethics course at postgraduate level);
PhD students: 14 credit units (including at least 9 credit units of core courses and at least 2 credit units of research methodology and ethics course at postgraduate level.) and
a compulsory 1 credit unit course "SG8001"

The School of Graduate Studies will pre-register the course, SG8001, for all newly admitted students in the first semester of study, except individual students with insufficient English proficiency may be required to take a 1 credit unit course "English for the Medium for Instruction" (SG8002) before they are allowed to enroll into SG8001.

Courses for Research Degree Programmes

Students are required to fulfill the stipulated core course and elective requirements by the Chow Yei Ching School of Graduate Studies (SGS) and their home College/Department. The list of approved courses and course offering of 2024/25 for research students can be found at https://www.cityu.edu.hk/sgs/student/RPg/courses/courselist.

For SEE PhD Students admitted in or before 2018/19:

Core Courses (5 credits):

SEE8002	Scientific Writing and Communication^{1 2}
SEE8003	Skills for Scientists²

For SEE PhD Students admitted in or after 2019/20:
Core Courses (5 credits) and core courses for belonging stream (6 credits)
For all SEE students:

SEE8003	Skills for Scientists²
SEE8212	Data Analysis in Environmental Applications

For students of Energy stream:

SEE8125	Emerging Energy Technologies
SEE8130	Advanced Thermosciences for Energy Engineering

For students of Environment stream:

SEE8213	Environmental Modelling (for students admitted in or before 2021/22)
SEE8220	Environmental Pollution: Theories, Measurement and Mitigation (for students admitted in or after 2022/23)
SEE8224	Environmental Engineering Science

For students of Sustainability stream:

SEE8219	Environmental and Energy Policy
SEE8225	Environmental Assessment

Core Courses for MPhil students (3 credits):

SEE8002

Scientific Writing and Communication^{1 2}

Remarks:

¹Under normal condition, students should take SEE8002 in the later years of studies following the completion of SEE8003 (two courses preferably not to be taken in the same academic year).

²Students taking the courses are required to complete 12 entries in the Reflective Practice Log Book for Research Postgraduate Students.

Electives:

Students can register electives offered by other departments or other local institutions under the Cross-Institutional Course Enrolment Scheme with the approval by the course offering academic units and the student’s own supervisor.

Qualifying Examination

[Applicable to PhD students (including those under joint PhD programmes) admitted from 1 September 2019 onwards]

PhD Students are required to take and pass the qualifying examination (QE) within 10-24 months after commencement of PhD studies. The QE is mandatory and has to be in the form of a written examination. A maximum of two attempts will be allowed within the stipulated period. Those who fail the qualifying examination after two attempts will result in termination of study.