MPhil & PhD

MPhil & PhD

DEPARTMENT OF GEOGRAPHY
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG

HKU Geography Introduction
has been ranked

#11 in the world,
#2 in Asia and
#1 in Hong Kong

in QS World University
Rankings by Subject 2021.

The Department runs a At present, the Department has
postgraduate research 15 teaching staff and 1 Post-
programme leading to MPhil, doctoral Fellow from diverse
and PhD for local, Mainland backgrounds whose research
China and overseas graduates interests straddle a wide
with a view to advancing spectrum of specialities in
their knowledge and applying physical, human and regional
expertise to understand and geography, environmental
solve real world problems. T he studies, geographic information
MPhil study requires candidates systems and spatial analysis.
to undertake critical study of
a chosen area, whereas the ​
PhD study demands candidates
to accomplish a study which Applicants are advised to
makes a significant contribution browse the ‘Staff Research
to knowledge deserving of Projects for Possible Research
publication. Degree Studies’ sub-link to find
out the on-going/new research
​ projects or general research
interests of individual staff
Since 1961, the Department has members before submitting their
conferred 95 degree awards applications for admission to
for PhD, 16 for MA (Research) study.
and 117 for MPhil. To facilitate
their research activities, the
Department provides studies
with a full range of support in
the form of strong supervisory
staff, regular postgraduate
seminars, and ready access to
laboratory facilities and high-
performance computing systems.

Research
Postgraduate
Course

The Research Postgraduate coursework programme in the Department of
Geography is comprised of the following two components:

(A) Four compulsory courses offered by the Graduate School

1. Introduction to Thesis Writing
2. Research Ethics for Graduate Students
3. Transferable Skills
4. Research Methods

For the modules available under each of these four courses,
please refer to the Graduate School’s website at:
h t t p s : / / w w w. g r a d s c h . h k u . h k / g r a d s c h / c u r r e n t - s t u d e n t s /
courses-workshops-dialogues-career-preparation/
coursework-enrolment/general-coursework-requirement

(B) Two departmental compulsory courses

1. ‘GEOG6003 Research Colloquium’
2. ‘GEOG6007 Research Methods in Geography’

All MPhil and 4-year PhD students will be required to register for and complete
these courses in the following manner:
• M.Phil. students need to complete all the Graduate School’s and

departmental courses in their first year of study.
• 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.

GEOG6003

RESEARCH COLLOQUIUM

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.

GEOG6007

RESEARCH METHODS IN GEOGRAPHY

This is a one-semester course to be offered in either first semester or second semester.

(A) Course aims and objectives

This course aims to provide students with an understanding of the
fundamental research concepts and methods in conducting research on
geographical problems.

(B) Course syllabus

The course, which meets once every week for two hours, will include
lectures, classroom discussion, and student presentations. The course
is structured to help students go through the steps associated with the
process of developing a research topic in a manner that facilitates the
development of a defendable research proposal. Lectures of the course
will cover the nature of geographical research, design and development
of research questions, practical/conceptual differences between
qualitative and quantitative research approaches, and writing-up and
dissemination of research findings. It is hoped that by the end of the
course, students would have grasped the basic understanding of the
process involved in developing a research framework to the production
of a workable research proposal on geographical studies

(C) Mode of assessment

Assessment will be in the form of written assignments and presentation
(100% coursework).

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:
http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/faq 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.
T hey are strongly advised to contact the relevant
staff member(s) of the Department about
their research proposal before submitting their
applications.