The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs provide rigorous training in public policy research to academically outstanding students aspiring to pursue a career in policy research and teaching. Given the breadth and depth of research faculty expertise across departments and schools in HKUST, students in the Public Policy Programs will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following key policy area: Science, Technology and Innovation Policy, Environmental Policy and Sustainability, Social Changes and Public Policy, and China’s Development Policy.

The MPhil Program aims to train students to conduct independent interdisciplinary research in public policy. A candidate for an MPhil degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in the discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field.

The PhD Program seeks to train students in original research in public policy and to cultivate the independent, interdisciplinary and innovative thinking that is essential for a successful career in public policy research and formulation. A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to the discipline.

On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:

1. Identify, define and discuss complex policy problems from the perspective of policy science;
2. Acquire the critical thinking and research skills essential for policy research; and
3. Exercise Independent and critical judgements in the debates about public policy.

On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:

1. Using analytical tools and substantive knowledge gained on different policy domains to conduct rigorous policy research;
2. Acquire the critical thinking and advanced research skills that are essential for policy research;
3. Apply a range of qualitative and quantitative research methods for policy research;
4. Develop and master field of specialty in public policy; and
5. Exercise independent and critical judgements in the debates about public policy. 

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 15 credits 
PhD: 21 credits 
 

2. Credit Transfer

Subject to approval of the PG Coordinator, PhD students who have taken the HKUST MPhil Program in Public Policy will be granted full recognition of credit transfer to the PhD program. Students admitted to the PhD program with a relevant master's degree may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis. In such case, the maximum number of credits transferrable is 6.

3. Core Courses

MPhil/PhD: 15 Credits 

One of the following quantitative methodology courses:

4. Elective Courses

MPhil: 0 credits 
PhD: 6 credits 

PPOL Electives

Students can take any PPOL postgraduate courses to meet the elective course requirement.

Other Electives

Students may take other postgraduate course(s) approved by the supervisor and the PG Coordinator.

Additional coursework may be required as part of the research preparation.
 

5. Graduate Teaching Assistant Training

All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Center for Education Innovation (CEI), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective departments. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by CEI, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.
 

6. Professional Development Course Requirement

Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies.

Students are required to complete PPOL 6770. The 1 credit earned from PPOL 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PPOL 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PPOL 6770, subject to prior approval of the Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies.

7. English Language Requirement

Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Center for Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
 

Students are required to complete LANG 5005 and advised to complete it in the first year of study. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5005 cannot be counted toward the program credit requirements. Students may be considered for exemption from this course, subject to the recommendation by Center for Language Education and approval of their department.

For PhD students whose native language is not English, and do not have a TOEFL score of over 600 (paper-based total) or 250 (computer-based total) or 100 (internet-based total), or an IELTS score of 6.5 or above, or a score of 4 or above in "HKDSE English Language", they are also required to take a course on English writing offered by the Center for Language Education.
 

8. PhD Qualifying Examination

PhD students are required to submit a thesis proposal to the Qualifying Examination Committee who will examine the students’ general background knowledge and knowledge related to the topic of the research. Students must pass the qualifying examination no later than the forth regular term of study for full-time students, or the sixth regular term of study for part-time students.
 

9. Thesis Research

MPhil:

1. Registration in PPOL 6990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.

PhD:

1. Registration in PPOL 7990; and
2. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

Students are expected to work closely with their supervisor(s) on an informal rather than formal classroom basis.

To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.