Program Overview

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Introduction to Research Postgraduate Studies

The Department of Geography at The University of Hong Kong offers research postgraduate programmes leading to Master of Philosophy (MPhil) (2-year) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) (3-year and 4-year) degrees. These programmes aim to advance students' knowledge and apply expertise to understand and solve real-world problems.

Program Overview

Established in 1931, the Department of Geography has a long-standing, distinguished reputation in Hong Kong and around the world, ranked #10 in the world and #1 in Hong Kong in QS World University Rankings by Subject 2025. The Department provides a full range of support for research postgraduate students, including a strong supervisory committee, interaction with distinguished scholars worldwide, and access to laboratory facilities and high-performance computing systems.

Awards and Financial Aids

Students registering for MPhil and PhD degrees are eligible to receive the Postgraduate Scholarship. The University and the Faculty of Social Sciences also offer travel and conference grants and funding support for international learning experiences, enabling research postgraduate students to attend overseas conferences and engage in other international learning experiences.

Admission Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to the MPhil/PhD programmes should satisfy the University's minimum 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. Applicants should attach a research proposal together with their applications and are strongly advised to contact the relevant staff member(s) of the Department about their research proposal before submitting their applications.

Research Postgraduate Course

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

• SIX compulsory modules offered by the Graduate School:
  1. Doing Research @ HKU
  2. Introduction to Qualitative/Quantitative Research Methods
  3. Thesis Writing
  4. Responsible Conduct of Research
  5. Stream-based Responsible Conduct of Research
  6. Transferable Skills
• TWO departmental compulsory courses:
  1. GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography
  2. GEOG8005 Research Colloquium
• FOUR out of SIX departmental elective courses:
  1. GEOG8006 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography – Part A
  2. GEOG8007 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography – Part B
  3. GEOG8008 Research Frontiers in Human Geography – Part A
  4. GEOG8009 Research Frontiers in Human Geography – Part B
  5. GEOG8010 Advanced GIS
  6. GEOG8011 Advanced Remote Sensing

Compulsory Courses

GEOG8001 Philosophical Issues in Geography

This course introduces postgraduate students to fundamental concepts and approaches in the field of geography, focusing on basic philosophical traditions and major approaches of study and methodologies.

GEOG8005 Research Colloquium

This course provides an opportunity for students to learn from and share their research findings with each other, the teaching staff, and guest speakers.

Elective Courses

GEOG8006 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography – Part A

This course is offered in the first semester.

GEOG8007 Research Frontiers in Physical Geography – Part B

This course is offered in the second semester.

GEOG8008 Research Frontiers in Human Geography – Part A

This course is offered in the first semester.

GEOG8009 Research Frontiers in Human Geography – Part B

This course is offered in the second semester.

GEOG8010 Advanced GIS

This course is offered in the first semester.

GEOG8011 Advanced Remote Sensing

This course is offered in the second semester.

Entry Requirement

Applicants should refer to the Graduate School's website 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. A research proposal should be attached to the application, and applicants are strongly advised to contact the relevant staff member(s) of the Department about their research proposal before submitting their applications.