MPhil / PhD Sociology
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:
- HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme
- Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme
- Postgraduate Scholarships
- Tuition Waiver Scheme for Local Students
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 Chandola, Tarani
Email: chandola@hku.hk
General applications enquiry
Ms Ko, Connie H Y
Email: socirpg@hku.hk
Tel: 3917 2309
Fax: 2559 8044
Student experiences
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
The PhD programme provided me with inspiring intellectual guidance and plentiful opportunities to further my understanding of social reality.
— Marius, Alumnus of MPhil / PhD Sociology
Courses
Compulsory courses
SOCI6003 (1st semester) Research seminars for postgraduate students (Sem 1)
SOCI6008 (2nd semester) Modern Theory and Sociological Analysis
SOCI6011 (1st semester) Ethnographic research methods
SOCI6012 (2nd semester) Classical social theory
SOCI7010 (1st semester) Quantitative research methods
Not all courses will necessarily be offered each year. Current students can find definitive course requirements from the HKU Graduate School.
Important dates
Our MPhil / PhD programmes regularly attract many applications from high caliber candidates.
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.
Apply
- Applicants should apply through the HKU Graduate School.
- Prospective applicants may contact our faculty members to discuss their proposed research.