Doctor of Philosophy in Economics
Master of Philosophy in Economics
PhD(ECON)
MPhil(ECON)
Both full- and part-time
MPhil
Full-time: 2 years
Part-time: 4 years
PhD
Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
Part-time: 6 years
MPhil & PhD Programs Coordinator:
Prof Yao Amber LI, Associate Professor of Economics
MPhil program is only available via the Integrated MPhil-PhD program study scheme.
The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) Program is a research-oriented degree that aims to prepare students for a research and teaching career in universities and research institutes. 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. Students intending to do a Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Program in Economics at HKUST should consider entering the MPhil Program to acquire the training necessary for a PhD degree.
The PhD Program follows a strong research-intensive tradition on the North American model. It is designed to enable students to gain a deep knowledge of management in general, to develop a concentration in a specialized field, and to provide opportunities for students to do significant original research in their chosen area. PhD students are offered intensive and targeted research training and exceptional collaboration opportunities with faculty to prepare them for their future careers in teaching and/or research.
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
- Have up-to-date and in-depth knowledge in Economics, leading to independent substantive scholarly research;
- Have an in-depth understanding of contemporary business and organizational issues, within the field of Economics; and
- Be equipped to perform all aspects of the role of faculty in academia, including pedagogical skills.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
- Have up-to-date and in-depth knowledge in Economics, leading to independent substantive scholarly research;
- Have an in-depth understanding of contemporary business and organizational issues, within the field of Economics; and
- Be equipped to perform all aspects of the role of faculty in academia, including pedagogical skills.
The program is offered by the Department of Economics with the following research foci:
Research Foci
Besides microeconomics, macroeconomics, and econometrics, the Department's research areas focus on:
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Economic Growth and Development
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Industrial Organization
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International Economics
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China Economy
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Experimental and Behavioral Economics
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Monetary and Financial Economics
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Labor Economics
- Minimum Credit Requirement
MPhil: 23 credits
PhD: 36 credits
- Credit Transfer
PhD students who have taken the HKUST MPhil Program in Economics will be granted credit transfer to the PhD Program. Students who have taken an MPhil program or equivalent in other universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 32 credits.
- Introductory Quantitative Requirement
Unless students have clearly demonstrated sufficient knowledge in the area, students entering the MPhil or PhD Program are required to take the following two mathematics-oriented courses in the first regular term of study. The credits earned from these two courses cannot be counted toward the degree requirements.
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Course Requirement
MPhil: At least 23 credits including the following, with at least 8 credits of MPhil/PhD level courses in the major field.
PhD: At least 36 credits including the following.
Students may need to take additional courses related to their research topics, as requested by their thesis supervisors.
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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.
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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 School.
Students are required to complete SBMT 6780. The 1 credit earned from SBMT 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed SBMT 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking SBMT 6780, subject to prior approval of the School.
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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.
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MPhil Theory Examinations
MPhil students who intend to proceed to the PhD Program in Economics are required to take and pass four theory examinations during their first year of MPhil study. Students are allowed two attempts to pass the four theory examinations. The two attempts must be completed by the end of the first year of the MPhil study. If a student does not pass all four theory examinations in the first attempt, in the second attempt, the student only needs to take those theory examinations failed in the first attempt.
Students who fail to pass the four theory examinations in two attempts may continue their MPhil study, but are not allowed to proceed to the PhD Program.
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PhD Qualifying Examination
All PhD students must pass a qualifying examination. There are only two attempts for the qualifying examination, which take place in June and August of the same year.
Students admitted via the HKUST MPhil Program in Economics will take the qualifying examination during the Summer of the first year of MPhil study. Students who fail the qualifying examination in the two attempts may continue their MPhil study, but are not allowed to proceed to the PhD program.
Students admitted without an HKUST MPhil degree in Economics will take the qualifying examination in the Summer of the first year of PhD study. They will take the same qualifying examination as the HKUST MPhil students. Students who fail the qualifying examination after two attempts in the first year of their PhD study are required to withdraw from the PhD Program.
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Research Paper Requirement
PhD students are required to submit a research paper by the Summer of the second year of PhD study. Students admitted with an HKUST MPhil degree in Economics or equivalent will be exempted from this requirement.
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Thesis Research
MPhil:
- Registration in ECON 6990; and
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Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.
PhD:
- Registration in ECON 7990; and
- Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
Last update: 1 June 2023
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification;
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Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years.
Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:
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TOEFL-iBT: 80 *
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TOEFL-pBT: 550
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TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
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IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5 *
* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.
Applicants are not requried to present TOEFL or IELTS score if
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their first language is English, or
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they obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.
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A satisfactory score in GMAT or GRE
Apply online before the application deadlines.
HK$180
For Hong Kong PhD Fellowship (HKPFS) Application (for PhD studies only):
Step 1 deadline at RGC (to obtain an HKPFS reference no. from RGC):
1 Dec 2024 (12noon, GMT+8)
Step 2 deadline at HKUST:
1 Dec 2024 (11:59pm, GMT+8)
Details please refer to https://fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/hkpfs
For 2025/26 Fall Term Intake (commencing in Sep 2025):
Non-local Applicants*
Full-time: 1 Dec 2024
Local Applicants
Full-time: 1 Dec 2024
Part-time: 1 Dec 2024
MPhil program is only available via the Integrated MPhil-PhD program study scheme, and is not open for individual application. Applicants should apply for the PhD program in the Online Admission System.
* 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.
