Program Overview

Doctor of Philosophy

The Doctor of Philosophy programme has been offered since 1990, with graduates filling key positions as educational researchers and professional educators in the school and tertiary education sectors both in Hong Kong and the Chinese Mainland. Graduates also serve in national research institutes, government research units, and education-related institutions and services. The Ph.D programme emphasizes conceptual originality, academic rigor, and critical inquiry, widely recognized throughout the education profession.

Programme Description

The Ph.D is a research doctorate that is pursued mainly through individual guided study with some supplementary coursework. Ph.D students pursue their scholarly interests under the guidance of scholars who are appointed to enlighten, direct, and evaluate in accordance with international standards. The Ph.D programme provides an opportunity for promising individuals to pursue intensive specialization in a specified area of educational studies. Their efforts in critical review of literature, formulation of ideas, research construction, and theory building will benefit from a variety of activities that include research seminars, coursework, comprehensive examination, and guided research for thesis.

Areas of Study

• Curriculum and Instruction
  • Curriculum Studies
  • Educational Technology
  • Instructional Design & Evaluation
  • Language Education
• Educational Administration and Policy
  • Educational Administration
  • Studies in Education Policy
  • Comparative Education
  • Economics of Education
  • Philosophy of Education
  • Sociology of Education
• Educational Psychology
  • Cognitive and Intellectual Development
  • Counselling
  • Exceptional Children / Gifted Education
  • Measurement, Evaluation and Research Methodology
  • Motivation
  • Psychosocial and Personality Development
• Sports Science and Physical Education
  • Sports Biomechanics
  • Pedagogy in Sports and Physical Education
  • Sports and Exercise Psychology/Motor Behaviour
  • Sociology of Sports and Physical Education
  • Sports Physiology
  • Physical Activity, Health and Fitness
  • Measurement in Physical Education and Sports

Study Scheme

The Ph.D Programme in Education is research-oriented. A student normally combines seminars with guided independent research in an individually designed course of study under the guidance of the supervisor and academic advisers. In addition, s/he may be required to enroll in formal courses of lectures within the Graduate Division of Education and in other divisions of the University as deemed necessary.

Coursework Requirement

• Applicable to students admitted in and thereafter:
  • Research-related courses: 1 course to be chosen from the following: PEDU7303, 7304 1-2 courses to be chosen from the following: PEDU6003, 6004, SSPA6101
  • PEDU8000 is a thesis monitoring course. Students are required to take PEDU8000 every term from the time of admission, throughout the preparation of thesis, until its completion.
• Applicable to students admitted in and before:
  • Research-related courses: 1 course to be chosen from the following: PEDU7301, 7302 2-3 courses to be chosen from the following: PEDU6003, 6004, EXSC6101

Qualifying Examination

The qualifying examination will consist of two parts: the student’s field of specialization and one related field or a more narrowly defined sub-field within the student’s field of specialization. Examinations could be conducted in sit-in or take-home format, or other format. All applications will be subject to the approval of the Graduate Panel.

Ph.D Candidature

• Applicable to students admitted in and thereafter:
  • Students will be granted Ph.D Candidature upon successful completion of the following:
    • Completion of coursework requirements, with an average grade “B” for Research-related courses
    • Submission of a manuscript to any of the SCI, SSCI, AHCI or journal that are exceptionally approved by the Supervisor and the Division Head during the PhD study period
    • Passing of the qualifying examination
• Applicable to students admitted in and before:
  • Students will be granted Ph.D Candidature upon completion of Coursework Requirements, with an average grade “B” for Research-related courses, and passing of the Qualifying Examination

Other Requirements

• Applicable to students admitted in and thereafter:
  • Students must fulfill the Term Assessment Requirement of the Graduate School
  • A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to fulfill the graduation requirement
  • Students are required to submit a research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation
  • Each Ph.D student is required to present a research seminar at least once a year before the advancement to Ph.D candidature, and to submit an annual progress report to her/his supervisor
• Applicable to students admitted in and before:
  • Students must fulfill the Term Assessment Requirement of the Graduate School
  • A student must achieve a cumulative grade point average (GPA) of at least 2.0 in order to fulfill the graduation requirement
  • Students are required to submit a research thesis and pass an oral examination for graduation
  • Each Ph.D student is required to present a research seminar at least once a year before the advancement to Ph.D candidature, and to submit an annual progress report to her/his supervisor

Improving Postgraduate Learning (IPL) Modules

• Applicable to students admitted in and thereafter:
  • Students are required to complete and pass an IPL module on “Basics of Research Data Management” in their first year of study
  • Students are required to submit a Data Management Plan (DMP)
• Applicable to students admitted in and before:
  • Students are required to complete and pass an IPL module on “Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research”
  • Students are required to complete an online Research Ethics Training (RET) module on “Publication Ethics” and obtain a valid Publication Ethics Certificate for graduation