Minimum Entrance Requirements

Applicants seeking admission to a research degree programme should satisfy the following minimum entrance requirements.

Master of Philosophy (MPhil)

hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree with first or second class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.

Doctor of Philosophy (PhD)

be a current MPhil student in the University who seeks transfer to PhD candidature; or
hold a higher degree by research (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
hold a Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university; or
hold a Bachelor’s degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognised university.

Equivalent qualifications mentioned above include relevant professional qualifications and other scholarly achievements recognised by the University.

Individual Departments and Schools may prescribe further entrance requirements in addition to the above.

English Proficiency Requirements

Applicants whose entrance qualification was obtained from an institution where the language of teaching is not English should satisfy the minimum English proficiency requirements specified by both the University and individual Colleges/Schools. The University’s minimum English proficiency requirement for research degree programmes is a total score of 79 (in one single internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) OR an overall band score of 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS). Equivalent qualifications may also be accepted. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date and must be valid at the time of submission of application.

In addition to the University’s requirement given above, the following Colleges and Schools set higher standards or equivalent acceptable qualifications, as appropriate for their disciplines:

College of Biomedicine

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (internet-based test); or
a minimum score of 490 in the Chinese mainland's College English Test Band 6 may be accepted.

(Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

College of Business

a minimum total score of 85 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 85 (Internet-based test).

(A high score in GRE or GMAT with supporting proof will be an added advantage though this is not a mandatory requirement. Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

College of Computing

• a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL;

• a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS;

• other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (internet-based test); or

• a minimum score of 490 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 may be accepted.

(Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

College of Engineering

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL ; or
a minimum IELTS score of 6.5; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (Internet-based test); or
a minimum score of 490 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 may be accepted.

(Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

a minimum TOEFL score of 88 (internet-based test), with a minimum of 21 for Reading, 21 for Listening, 25 for Writing, and 21 for Speaking; or
a minimum IELTS 6.5 for overall band score and for the sub-categories of Writing, Speaking, Listening and Reading.

(Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

College of Science

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test; sum of Reading, Listening and Writing section scores) in TOEFL; or
a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (internet-based test); or
a minimum score of 490 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 may be accepted.

(Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

Jockey Club College of Veterinary Medicine and Life Sciences

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
a minimum overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (internet-based test); or
a minimum score of 490 in the Chinese mainland's College English Test Band 6 may be accepted.

(Applicants are strongly recommended to satisfy the English requirement with valid TOEFL or IELTS result. Please note that individual Departments in the College may adopt a higher standard.)

School of Creative Media

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
a minimum IELTS score of 6.5.

School of Energy and Environment

a minimum total score of 79 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
an overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS; or
other test scores that may be regarded as equivalent to TOEFL 79 (internet-based test).

School of Law

a total score of 97 (internet-based test) in TOEFL; or
an overall band score of 7 in IELTS; or
a score of 520 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 (CET-6).

CET-6 scores should be obtained within three years immediately preceding an application to the School of Law.

Medium of Instruction/Assessment and Thesis Presentation

The normal medium of instruction and assessment at CityUHK is English. Research students should write and present their theses in English.