Program Overview

Introduction to the Dual PhD Degree Programmes

The Dual PhD Degree Programmes offer full-time PhD students the opportunity to benefit from shared research excellence in various disciplines between PolyU and its prestigious partners. Upon completing the Dual PhD Degree Programmes, students will obtain a PhD degree conferred by PolyU and a PhD degree conferred by the partner university.

Programme Features

Students admitted to the Dual PhD Degree Programmes will:

• Be registered as full-time PhD students at the two universities and be able to enjoy their full range of academic and various facilities.
• Be guided in their work by chief supervisors from the two universities, and be examined to the standards of both.
• Normally, the normal study period of the Dual PhD Degree Programme is 4 years. Students are expected to split their time of study equally between the two universities, spending two consecutive years at PolyU and the remaining period at the partner university.

Collaborating Universities

The programme collaborates with the following universities:

• Overseas Universities:
  • Queensland University of Technology
  • Loughborough University
  • Korea University (Faculty of Business only)
  • Seoul National University (School of Fashion and Textiles only)
  • University of Surrey (School of Hotel and Tourism Management only)
• Chinese Mainland Universities:
  • Beihang University
  • Beijing Institute of Technology
  • Central South University
  • Dalian University of Technology
  • East China Normal University
  • Harbin Institute of Technology
  • Huazhong University of Science and Technology
  • Hunan University
  • Nanjing University
  • Nankai University
  • Northwestern Polytechnical University
  • Renmin University of China
  • Shanghai Jiao Tong University
  • Sichuan University
  • South China University of Technology
  • Southeast University
  • Southern University of Science and Technology
  • Sun Yat-sen University
  • Tongji University
  • Tianjin University
  • University of Science and Technology of China
  • Wuhan University
  • Xiamen University
  • Xi'an Jiaotong University
  • Zhejiang University
  • Guangxi University (Department of Civil and Environmental Engineering only)

Eligibility

For Chinese Partners: Current PhD students enrolled at partner universities. For Overseas Partners: New applicants apply to the full-time PhD programmes at both PolyU and overseas partner universities concurrently. Current full-time PhD students enrolled at partner universities. Current full-time PolyU PhD students (application must be submitted within 12 months of enrolment at PolyU).

Application Process

Applicants who are interested in a dual PhD degree programme must be recommended by their home university. For more details, applicants should approach their home university. Call for applications for Overseas collaborations follow the standard admission exercise. Applicants who are interested in a dual PhD degree programme must submit separate applications for admission to both PolyU and the partner university in accordance with the rules and procedures of each university.

Scholarships, Fees, and Accommodation

• Normally, Dual PhD students will receive a monthly stipend while based at PolyU, if the students meet the scholarship requirements of PolyU. The prevailing monthly stipend is HK$19,220 and it is subject to review annually.
• Conference grant will be provided with up to HK$25,000.
• Students will be required to pay tuition fees according to the following scenarios:
  • Students enrolled with Chinese partners will pay tuition fees to PolyU during their stay at PolyU.
  • Students enrolled with Overseas partners will pay tuition fees to their home universities as per the institutional agreements.
• Students will be required to pay other relevant fees to PolyU, for example, an examination fee should be paid upon thesis submission.
• Students failing to submit their thesis by the end of the normal study period will be required to pay a continuation fee at PolyU on a semester/term basis until submission of thesis.
• Students will be treated the same as regular research students.
• Students will be able to apply for accommodation in PolyU Student Halls of Residence, which is subject to availability, or live outside campus.

Award of Degree

Upon satisfactory completion of study, the student will receive two award parchments issued each by PolyU and the partner university. PolyUs parchment will acknowledge the dual nature of the award and the name of both Universities.

FAQs

Q1: Eligibility for Current PhD Students

Current PhD students enrolled at partner universities are eligible to apply for the Dual PhD Degree Programme. The home university will determine eligibility for recommendation.

Q2: Arranging Studies for Dual PhD Students

Dual PhD students are recommended to plan their studies in advance and discuss their study plan with supervisors from both PolyU and the partner universities. Most Dual PhD students will be enrolled in the 4-year PhD programme at PolyU.

Q3: Documents Required for Proof of Equivalent Performance

Applicants can provide official certificates/transcripts and official ranking in the graduation class of their bachelors degree when submitting an online application.

Q4: Submission of Degree Certificate

Please refer to the Accept the Admission Offer for information.

Q5: English Result Submission

Applicants can submit their online application first and fulfil the condition(s) that have been applied to their offer.

Q6: Difference Between Dual PhD and Regular PhD Students

As a Dual PhD student at PolyU, students will be treated similarly to a regular PhD student. There will be a remark on the PolyU award parchment indicating that the Dual PhD Degree Programme is jointly offered by PolyU and the partner university.

Q7: Degree Accreditation

There have been no feedback from graduates indicating any issue/problem with degree accreditation. It is recommended that students submit their degree accreditation application along with all supporting documents.

Q8: Graduation Times

Dual PhD students are not required to graduate simultaneously from both universities. Each university has its own timeline and schedule to approve and ratify the award.

Q9: Credit Transfer

Students must fulfil the coursework requirements of PolyU. They may apply for credit transfer for equivalent subjects completed at the partner university upon commencing their studies at PolyU.

Q10: Study Requirements and Milestones

Dual PhD students must comply with the credit requirements set by both universities for their respective PhD degrees. At PolyU, the credit requirements are outlined in the Research Postgraduate Student Handbook.

Q11: Admission Assessment Criteria

Dual PhD applicants must be jointly recruited by both universities. PolyU department and the University Selection Panel will assess the applicants holistically, taking into account academic merit, research experience, availability of funding, etc.

Q12: Counting Previous Study Years

The 2 years studied at the home university do not count toward the Dual PhD Degree Programme. The programme begins once students are admitted by both universities.

Q13: Graduation Within 4 Years

If students fulfill PolyU's graduation requirements and both supervisors agree, they can submit their thesis within the 4-year study period.

Q14: Supervisors Quota

There is no fixed quota limitation for supervisors recruiting PhD students. However, there is a quota cap for chief supervisors using university funding to support students' stipends.