Programme Features

(For more details, please refer to Regulations Governing Professional Doctorate Programmes.)

The Engineering Doctorate (Engineering Management) [EngD(EM)] programme at City University is a professional doctorate degree programme aiming at developing students' innovative thinking through tackling strategic, important industrial projects meeting the specific needs of industry.

In the EngD(EM) programme, students will pursue engineering study and industrial research of a high order while carrying out their professions; the originality and value of their research are assessed within the specific professional and industrial context. As professional activity is usually multi-disciplinary and business/management-driven, the programme will include a wide variety of coursework in Engineering Management.

The Engineering Doctorate (EngD) is an advanced professional doctorate degree. The successful completion of the programme will lead to the award of "Engineering Doctorate". Graduates can use the abbreviation "Dr." before their names.

Programme Aim

The programme aims to provide an integrated curriculum of theory, practice and research to develop professionals' innovative thinking and capabilities in the application of knowledge to solve strategic, important problems in industry. Its objectives include:

  • To develop graduates who can make original and practical research and development contributions to the engineering fields in which they are employed.
  • To produce professionals who can meet the demands of and potentially influence the outcomes of rapidly changing technology-based businesses.
  • To equip graduates with the advanced knowledge and capabilities needed for potential leaders in their chosen fields of practice.
  • To provide an avenue for specialisation and upgrading of qualifications that has direct relevance to the engineering profession.To encourage links between research and the workplace.

Programme Duration

The normal and maximum study durations for EngD(EM) are normally four and six years respectively. Students should complete their studies within the maximum study period. Students who encounter any difficulties in their studies should talk to their supervisor as early as possible so that it will not hamper their completion by the specified maximum period.

Programme Content

The programme consists of a taught and a research component:

Taught component: 3 required and 4 elective courses, 21 credit units
Research component: a thesis with a normal duration of 3 years, 36 credit units

Total Duration of Study

Normal: 4 years
Maximum: 6 years

Taught Component

As professional activity is usually multi-disciplinary and business/management-driven, the courses available to EngD (EM)students should be comprehensive to cover a mixture of technology, innovation management and experience to provide industry with competent and knowledgeable managers in technology and innovation.

The taught component consists of: Core and Elective Courses. Click here for the programme structure.

Research Component

(Please refer to 'EngD Thesis' booklet provided by EngD thesis coordinator for details.)

This component of the EngD programme emphasizes independent research and the application of theory and techniques. It consists of a Doctoral Thesis with 36 credit units and a normal duration of 3 to 4 years.

Candidates will be required to produce a thesis that will demonstrate their ability to make a tangible contribution to learning and to professional practice, and to appreciate and understand the relationship of their own investigations to a wider field of knowledge.

The thesis could be:
a. A specific company-based project; or
b. An industry-based project.

It can also take the form of a collection of small projects from either a single company or a few companies, integrated in a cohesive nature to solve problems with greater impact to the company(ies) or the whole industrial sector. The candidate should aim to improve specific areas of professional practice and demonstrate how his/her findings would lead to improvements in industry.

Possible Research Areas for the Thesis: