Postgraduate Programmes
The research postgraduate programme of the School is committed to developing outstanding professionals and consultants in economics and finance, who will contribute creatively and substantively to meeting challenges faced by the academic world and different industries into the twenty-first century. The programme is designed for individuals who wish to pursue a career in teaching, research and consulting.
The School has dedicated Faculty, with diverse teaching and research interests, and the facilities to supervise and support research students in a wide range of field of studies. Candidates will conduct research work under the supervision of at least one teaching staff of our School.
Mode of study and period of study
The Master of Philosophy (M.Phil) and Doctor of Philosophy (Ph.D) programmes are offered on both full-time and part-time bases. Candidates without a research Master's degree shall be considered for admission to a 4-year PhD programme, and those who hold research Master's degree shall be considered for admission to a 3-year PhD programme. Candidates whose applications are accepted shall be subject to a probationary period. By the end of the probationary period, the candidates must demonstrate capability on research, submit a detailed scheme of research and complete the required coursework for confirmation of candidature. Period of study and probation are as follows:
| Degree | Period of Study | Probationary Period | ||
| F/T (months) | P/T (months) | F/T (months) | P/T (months) | |
| MPhil | 24 | 36 | 12 | 18 |
| 3-year PhD | 36 | 54 | 24 | 36 |
| 4-year PhD | 48 | 72 | 24 | 36 |
Coursework requirement
The coursework component of our programmes will provide students with basic knowledge of their fields and offer tools to prepare them for writing the thesis. All MPhil and 4-year PhD students are required to satisfactorily complete 2 Graduate School core courses and the required number of compulsory and elective courses offered by the School and/or other departments as specified below:
| School | Compulsory courses | Elective courses |
| School of Economics and Finance | PhD: 12 courses | PhD: 1 elective courses |
| MPhil: 3 courses | MPhil: 3 elective courses (course list from SEF) (course list from Graduate School) |
It is required by the University that an MPhil or a 4-year PhD student shall satisfactorily complete all the Graduate School courses and at least 50% of the remaining prescribed coursework by the end of the probationary period. Students are however advised to complete all the courses during the probationary period so that they can concentrate on their research and thesis writing in the remaining part of their period of study. In any case, the requisite coursework requirements must be fulfilled before submission of thesis.
3-year PhD students are required to take ECON6054 Graduate Seminar in their second year of study, a qualifying examination, two Economics and Finance Workshops, and any course(s) as required by the Graduate School. 3-year PhD students are also welcome to enroll in any Graduate School or departmental courses which they find useful, subject to the approval by their supervisors and the Chairman of the Departmental Research Postgraduate Committee of the School. Once they are officially enrolled in the courses, they will be assessed like all other students in class and their results including failures will be printed on their transcripts.
Thesis and oral examination
An MPhil candidate's final research must be presented in the form of a thesis for which there may be an oral examination. The final research of a PhD candidate must also be presented in the form of a thesis for which there must be an oral examination.
Placements of our graduates
| Academic Institutions | Government and Business Sectors |
Central University of Finance & Economics |
BBVA |
Lingnan University |
Bank of China (Hong Kong) Ltd |
Sun Yat-Sen University |
CCB International Securities Ltd |
Hong Kong Baptist University |
China Construction Bank International Securities Co Ltd |
Hong Kong Shue Yan College |
China Life Franklin Asset Management Co |
Macau University of Science and Technology |
China Merchants Securities (HK) Co Ltd |
Peking University |
Ernest & Young |
Southeast University |
Financial Secretary's Office, HKSAR Government |
The Chinese University of Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Institute for Monetary Research |
The University of Hong Kong |
Hong Kong Monetary Authority |
United International College |
Monetary Authority of Macao |
University of Macau |
Morgan Stanley Dean Witter Asia Ltd |
University of International Business and Economics |
One Country Two Systems Research Institute Ltd |
Shanghai University of Finance and Economics |
Shenzhen Stock Exchange |
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Zhejiang Tailong Commercial Bank |
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CITIC Dameng Investment Limited |
Information for admission, degree regulations and postgraduate prospectus
Information for admission, degree regulations and postgraduate prospectus is obtainable at the Graduate School's website at http://www.hku.hk/gradsch/. For application details, please refer to the website at http://www.gradsch.hku.hk/gradsch/web/apply/guide1314/5.html.
Important Notes
- Our School will admit Ph.D applicants only. Students applying for M.Phil study will only be considered on exceptional basis.
- Our School will only admit students in the Main Round of applications (September 1- December 1, 2012). Applications received in the First Clearing Round and Second Clearing Round will NOT be considered.
- Shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview and details will be notified by email.
- Applicants are NOT required to contact any of our teachers individually at the stage of application. Successful applicants will be assigned a supervisor in his/her areas of interest.
Studentship
Selected full-time MPhil and PhD students with good Bachelor's degree may be awarded postgraduate studentship (details at: http://www.hku.hk/gradsch/web/regulations/reg-pgs-amended.pdf ).
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