PolyU has been providing research postgraduate (RPg) education in Hong Kong for decades. The RPg Programmes offered by PolyU include:

• the Master of Philosophy (MPhil);
• the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD);
• the Dual PhD Degree (Dual PhD) Programmes; and
• the Collaborative PhD Training (Collaborative PhD) Programmes.

The programmes are designed in such a way to enable RPg students to acquire competence in research methods and scholarship and to display sustained independent effort and independent original thought.

The degree of MPhil/PhD shall be awarded to an RPg student who, on completion of an approved programme of study and research and on fulfilling the coursework requirements for graduation, presents a thesis embodying the results of his/her research and satisfies the examiners in an oral examination (and other examinations if required) in matters relevant to the subject of the thesis.

The “Collaborative PhD Training Programmes” are referred to as the PhD training programmes offered by PolyU collaborating with a partner institution of good standing. Upon fulfilment of the programme, coursework, residence and graduation requirements as agreed by PolyU and the partner institution, the Collaborative PhD student will receive a PhD degree conferred by PolyU and a certificate of completion from the partner institution, if applicable according to the signed agreement.

The “Dual PhD Degree Programmes” are referred to as the joint offer of PhD programmes between PolyU and a partner institution of good standing. Upon satisfactory completion of study, the Dual PhD student will receive a PhD degree conferred by PolyU and a PhD degree conferred by the partner institution, and will receive two award parchments issued by PolyU and the partner institution respectively.

All RPg students are required to satisfactorily investigate or evaluate a chosen area, to show an understanding of the context and significance of the work, and to present a clear, complete thesis of a quality worthy of publication. PhD students are also expected to produce evidence and argument to support an original proposition that results in a significant contribution to knowledge.