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MPhil / PhD Sociology

Our MPhil / PhD programme provides you with expert guidance, resources and space in order to help you undertake carefully planned, extensive and original social research into a specific topic of your own choosing.

You will work under the supervision of a dedicated member of our faculty to complete your research. Our academic staff includes leading international scholars in the fields of sociology, anthropology, criminology, gender, migration, labour, media and cultural studies, among other fields.

Our MPhil / PhD programme is ideal if you are pursuing a career in academia, or if you wish to gain an expert understanding of a particular social issue for use within your own profession. Our research programmes are highly regarded, and our graduates are currently working in leading universities, government departments and private industry throughout the world.

While this is a highly individualised programme, requiring you to manage your own independent study and research, you will also regularly collaborate with other research students and staff throughout your degree.

You will also take a range of specialist courses offered by both ourselves, the Faculty of Social Sciences and the HKU Graduate School designed to assist the research process.

Funding and fees

A number of generous scholarships exist to support you in undertaking your MPhil / PhD degree with us, including:

Updated information on tuition fees for MPhil / PhD study is also available from the HKU Graduate School.

Programme admission requirements

You should meet the full requirements laid out by the HKU Graduate School.

  • For the PhD programme: You will normally hold a relevant Master’s degree.

  • For the MPhil programme: You will normally hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree.

Before contacting our Admissions Advisor…

Should you encountered any technical issues during application, please send your inquiry to Graduate School for assistance.

Admissions advisor

Prof Travis SK Kong

General applications enquiry

Ms Ko, Connie H Y
Email: socirpg@hku.hk 

Student experiences

The department is a great home for budding PhD students… the faculty represents the best of the East and the West.

— Temily, Alumna of MPhil / PhD Sociology

The PhD in Sociology gave me new eyes to see the world, and Hong Kong is an amazing 'laboratory' in which to practice!

— Martina, Alumna of MPhil / PhD Sociology

Compulsory courses

Courses
SOCI6003

Research seminars for postgraduate students

Full-year course

SOCI6008

Modern Theory and Sociological Analysis

2nd semester

SOCI6011

Ethnographic research methods

1st semester

SOCI6012

Classical social theory

2nd semester

SOCI7010-1A

Quantitative research methods

1st semester

SOCI7011

Introduction to methods for computational social science

2nd semester

SOCI7012

Special Topics in Contemporary Theory

Unavailable this year

Not all courses will necessarily be offered each year. Current students can find definitive course requirements from the HKU Graduate School.

Applicants are strongly advised to apply during the main round of the application cycle, which typically runs from early September to early December each year.

Important dates
Apply
  • Applicants should apply through the HKU Graduate School.

  • Our MPhil / PhD programmes regularly attract many applications from high caliber candidates.

  • Prospective applicants are advised to contact our academic staff to discuss your proposed research proposal with a potential supervisor before submitting your application.

Statement about RPG & TPG application process

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