With the rapid development of generative AI technology and its impact on the art creation process in the present-day art world, there is an increasing demand for scholars involved in scientific research and critical studies related to arts and machine creativity. The Division of Arts and Machine Creativity will play an increasingly important role in cultivating a new generation of artists and technologists equipped to navigate and shape the future landscape of creative industries.

The Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy programs are designed for students focused on advanced research and scholarly exploration in the field of arts and machine creativity. The research programs offer opportunities for in-depth study and contribute to the advancement of knowledge in the discipline, pushing the boundaries of the integration of art and technology.

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

1. Integrate knowledge and skills from diverse disciplines related to arts and machine creativity, while emphasizing proficiency in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research.
2. Develop a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding in relevant disciplines associated with arts and machine creativity, including appropriate concepts, methods, and materials.
3. Demonstrate a comprehensive understanding and proficiency in research skills.
4. Cultivate multi-dimensional perspectives and foster innovative problem-solving abilities to tackle both existing and emerging challenges.
5. Acquire a unique skill set that enables effective communication with individuals from different levels and disciplines within and across organizations.

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

1. Integrate superior knowledge and skills from diverse disciplines related to arts and machine creativity, while emphasizing proficiency in quantitative, qualitative, and mixed methods of research.
2. Conduct original research independently with a solid foundation of knowledge and understanding in relevant disciplines associated with arts and machine creativity, including appropriate concepts, methods, and materials.
3. Demonstrate a superior understanding and proficiency in research skills.
4. Cultivate multi-dimensional perspectives and foster innovative problem-solving abilities to tackle state-of-the-art challenges.
5. Acquire a unique skill set that enables effective teaching and communication with individuals from different levels and disciplines within and across organizations. 

Students in MPhil/PhD programs in Arts and Machine Creativity will have the opportunity to specialize in one of the following four focus areas.
 

Research Foci

The following areas are the Division's main foci:
 

• Machine Creativity

• Machine-assisted Art Practice

• Art Management

• Critical Studies on Arts and Machine Creativity

1. Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 18 credits
PhD: 21 credits
 

2. Credit Transfer

Subject to the approval of the PG Coordinator, MPhil/PhD students may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis. The maximum number of credits transferrable is 6. The credits for the proposed transfer should be relevant to AMC course offerings.

3. Required Courses

12 credits
 

If research students come from an academic background with significant relevant prior knowledge, some of the required courses may be waived upon approval from the supervisor.

4. Elective Courses

MPhil: 6 credits
PhD: 9 credits

(I) Specialization Tracks

Reflecting on the four focus areas of the Division, students have the option to select a specialization track aligned with their interests and background. These proposed tracks are intended to provide guided paths, rather than impose strict boundaries, for students' learning journeys. 

i. Machine Creativity

ii. Machine-Assisted Art Practice:

ii. Art Management:

iv. Critical Studies:

Students may take AMCC 6500 in the above areas to fulfill the elective requirement.

(II) Projects

Subject to the approval of the PG Coordinator, a maximum of two postgraduate courses outside the above lists may be taken as Other Electives.

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.

MPhil students must register and pass AMCC 6090 for one term before they graduate. PhD students must register and pass AMCC 6090 for two terms before they graduate. The 1 credit earned from AMCC 6090 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have taken and passed AMCC 6090 may be exempted from taking AMCC 6090, 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.

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 fourth regular term of study for full-time students, or the sixth regular term of study for part-time students.

9. Thesis Research

MPhil:

i. Registration in AMCC 6990; and

ii. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
 

PhD:

i. Registration in AMCC 7990; and

ii. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.

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

Apply online before the application deadlines.

 * Applicants are considered as non-local students if they hold (i) student visa/ entry permit; or (ii) visa under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG); or (iii) dependent visa/entry permit who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa/ entry permit by the Director of Immigration. For details on student visa/ entry permit requirements, please click here.