Postgraduate

M.Phil. - Ph.D. in Earth & Atmospheric Sciences

The Department of Earth and Environmental Sciences (EES) at CUHK offers both M.Phil. and Ph.D. level graduate programmes, the first of its kind in Hong Kong.  The M.Phil. and Ph.D. graduate programs aim to educate and mentor outstanding young generations for careers in academia, government, and the private sector.

Research interests of the dynamic faculty of EES cover nearly all components of the Earth System, including the lithosphere, atmosphere, hydrosphere, biosphere, cryosphere, and the interactions among them. Research in EES aims to tackle future global challenges such as climate change, the food-energy-water nexus, natural hazards, ecosystem degradation, and planetary health. Here is more about the Mission & Vision and History of EES.

Admission

• Applicants for the Ph.D. programme should hold, or expect to hold by the time of admission, a Master’s degree in Science or Engineering or related disciplines, or a Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or related disciplines, normally with Second Class Honours or overall average result of B or above.

• Applicants for the M.Phil. stream should hold, or expect to hold by the time of admission, a Bachelor’s degree in Science or Engineering or related disciplines, normally with Second Class Honours or overall average result of B or above.

English Language Proficiency Requirement: Please refer to CUHK Graduate School/General Requirements/English Language Requirements for Admission

Regular Application Procedures

Applicants must submit applications through CUHK’s online application system before the application deadlines. At the same time, applicants should have the following supporting documents sent to “Graduate Division of Earth and Environmental Sciences, Room 303, Mong Man Wai Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong” by post:

    1. An up-to-date curriculum vitae;
    2. Official transcripts of academic records of all tertiary level studies, to be sent directly by the original university/institution to our Graduate Division*;
    3. Confidential recommendations from three referees, to be sent directly by the referees to our Graduate Division by post* or by e-mail to eesrpg@cuhk.edu.hk;
    4. Copy of certificates of academic/professional qualifications (e.g., degree and graduation certificates);
    5. A certifying letter stating that the medium of instruction of the programme concerned was English (if applicable);
    6. Original documentary proof of fulfillment of the English Language Proficiency Requirement (TOFEL – Institutional code of CUHK: 0812; Departmental code of EASC: 99);
    7. Copy of the HKID card or other identity document as given in the Application Form;
    8. Online Verification Report for Higher Education Qualification Certificate issued by the CHESICC (For applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China)
    9. Online payment for the application fee;
    10. Applicants of the PhD programme are required to submit a personal statement, indicating clearly the particular study field and research they are interested in, together with a research proposal

* Official transcripts and confidential recommendations, sealed in envelopes by the universities and referees, can also be sent via the applicants together with other supporting documents to our Graduate Division.

Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

The Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme, established by the Hong Kong Research Grants Council (RGC) in 2009, aims to attract the best and brightest students from all over the world to pursue their PhD studies in Hong Kong.

The Fellowship provides an annual stipend of HK$337,200 (approximately US$43,230) and a conference and research-related travel allowance of HK$14,000 (approximately US$1,800) per year for the awardees for a maximum period of three years.

For awardees with a normative study period of four years, CUHK will offer the studentship and conference travel allowance at the same level for the fourth year under The CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship. (see below for more details)

The application deadline is 1 December 2024. Please refer to RGC’s website for further details of the Scheme.

The CUHK Vice-Chancellor HKPFS Scholarship

  • Offers HKPFS awardees a tuition fee waiver for their whole normative study period.
  • Provides an award of HK$40,000 (approx. US$5,130) for lodging in the first year of study and HK$20,000 in the subsequent years within the normative study period
  • The on-campus hostel fee will be waived in the first year of study.
  • Guaranteed on-campus accommodation during the normative period of study to HKPFS awardees who submit timely applications.
  • For HKPFS awardees with a normative study period of four years, CUHK provides a stipend and conference travel allowance at the HKPFS level for the fourth year.

How to Apply for the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)

Applicants applying for admission to PhD programmes of CUHK through the HKPFS are required to comply with the admission requirements of the CUHK. Applicants should submit initial applications to the RGC through their online application system (will be open for applications in early September) and will be assigned a Reference Number. Applicants should then submit the full application through CUHK’s online application system and quote the RGC Reference Number. Applicants who are not selected for the Fellowship Scheme will be considered for regular application and if admitted, be offered a regular postgraduate studentship during their normative period of studies.

Application Deadlines

  • 11:59pm, 1 December 2024 (Hong Kong time, for applicants who apply for PhD programme through the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme.)
  • 31 January 2025 (For applicants who apply for MPhil programme and PhD programme directly with CUHK). Applications submitted after 31 January 2025 may not be considered for financial support.

All supporting documents must reach our Graduate Division before the application deadline. Applicants are advised to submit their applications as early as possible. Our application review usually starts around 2 December 2024.

FAQs

Fees & Financial Supports

 

Annual tuition fee:

 

HK$44,500 for 2025-26

 

Postgraduate studentship for MPhil-PhD students:

 

HKD18,725 per month
or HKD28,100 per month (HKPFS awardees)

 

Loans available:

 

Yes

 

Please note that annual tuition fee is waived for local students.

Study Period
Degree

 

Normative Study Period
Course
Work

 

Thesis Research

 

Full-time

 

Part-time

 

MPhil

 

24 months

 

N/A

 

12 units

 

6 units each term

 

PhD *
48 months
N/A
12 units
6 units each term during pre-candidacy period and
12 units each term during post-candidacy period

 

* 36 months for student with a research MPhil degree or other research master’s degree awarded by Hong Kong UGC-funded institutions.

  • In the final year of study, MPhil-PhD student must submit a thesis to Division and pass an oral examination defending his/her thesis.
  • PhD students must fulfill the candidacy requirement within 24 months from first entry to advance to PhD post-candidacy.
Summer Workshop

Student Summer Workshop organized by the Graduate Division open to all potential applicants to our PhD programme in Earth and Atmospheric Sciences, to be admitted in the following year. We welcome undergraduate students in their 3rd/final year of study or master students to apply.

Students will be invited to the beautiful campus of CUHK. Every workshop participant will be interviewed for the PhD admission. The first batch of PhD offers will be made shortly after the workshop.

Please refer to our News & Events webpage for more details.

Enquiries

For general enquiries, please call (852) 3943 9323 or e-mail to eesrpg@cuhk.edu.hk.

For further information concerning online application procedures, please contact Graduate School Office:
Phone: (852) 3943 8976
Fax: (852) 2603 5779
Email: gradschool@cuhk.edu.hk
Leaflet: here