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with wisdom and compassion
Research Postgraduate Degree Programme (MPhil and PhD)
The Research Postgraduate programme leading to the award of MPhil and PhD degrees is for students who wish to pursue advanced, innovative, and original research in the academic discipline of Buddhist Studies.
Programme Structure
Candidates for the MPhil programme are required to follow an approved course of study under structured supervision including coursework. The normal period of study is 2 years for full-time students and 3 years for part-time students.
Candidates for the PhD programme are required to follow an approved course of study, which may include additional coursework, and research under supervision, the period of completion can be 3 years or 4 years for full-time students, and 4.5 years or 6 years for part-time students.
The primary aim of the MPhil and PhD programmes is the production of a substantial and original body of work in the form of a thesis. The thesis must be written to a publishable academic standard, including proper use of quotations, notes, citations, illustrations, and other supporting materials. The usual limit for an MPhil thesis is 40,000-50,000 words, while for a PhD thesis is 60,000-80,000 words.
Requirements for Admission
The basic qualification necessary for admission to research postgraduate studies is a good honours degree from the University of Hong Kong or an equivalent qualification from a comparable institution. Qualifying examinations and/or interviews to test the applicant’s abilities to follow the prescribed courses may be conducted. Applicants with qualifications other than an honours degree may be considered on their individual merits.
- TOEFL – Internet-based test (taken in one single attempt within 2 years): An overall score of 85 or above (for tests taken before January 21, 2026), An overall score of 4.5 or above (for tests taken from January 21, 2026 onwards); or
- IELTS – Academic Module (taken in one single attempt within 2 years): Overall score – 6.5; All sub-score – not lower than 6
Additional Requirements of the Centre of Buddhist Studies
In addition to the above mentioned general requirements, applicants for the programme are expected to have the following qualifications:
- A Master of Buddhist Studies with Distinction from CBS; or an equivalent qualification from another institution.
- A minimum of one year formal training in a major Buddhist language (i.e., classical Chinese, Sanskrit, Pāli, classical Tibetan, Japanese, etc.), or demonstrable equivalency.
- Demonstrable proficiency in the language(s) related to the research topic of the candidate. In the case of textual and doctrinal studies, proficiency in the scriptural language(s) involved is a prerequisite. Specific language training may also be required in certain proposed areas of research.
- Applicants must communicate with a prospective supervisor and secure their initial support before submitting an official application. Applications submitted without prior supervisor support will not be considered.
Scholarships
University level
The University has several awards of Fellowships/Scholarships. Please click HERE for details. The application of Fellowships/Scholarships has been built into the Online Application System. For applicants who intend to apply for any scholarship, it is highly recommended to submit applications in the Main Round.
Centre level
Our Centre has three in-house scholarships:
Glorious Sun Group Postgraduate Scholarship in Buddhist Studies:
Available for Buddhist clergy who pursue the Research Postgraduate degree programme. Please click HERE for more details.
Buddhist Compassion Postgraduate Scholarship in Buddhist Studies:
Available for students who pursue the Research Postgraduate degree programme. Please click HERE for more details.
Khyentse Foundation Postgraduate Scholarship in Buddhist Studies:
Awardees should be current PhD students nominated by the Departmental Research Postgraduate Committee.
Application Period
- Main Round: September 1, 2026- December 1, 2026 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
- 1st Clearing Round: December 2, 2026 – April 30, 2027 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
- 2nd Clearing Round: May 1, 2027 – August 31, 2027 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
Online Application
Before submitting applications online, interested applicants ought to contact the proposed supervisor(s) whose research expertise is suitable with the research project proposed.
Applicants are expected to submit a detailed research proposal which should typically contain the title of the proposed research, an introduction to their topic, a literature review section, and pertinent bibliography of no more than 2,000 words as a single supporting document through the Online Application System. Applications should be submitted to the Graduate School via the Online Application System. Supporting documents need to be uploaded by applicants before the deadline. For admission details, please visit HERE.
General Coursework Requirement
In addition to a traditional one-to-one mode of supervision, the incorporation of coursework into the MPhil/PhD programmes serves to provide a form of structured supervision. The general coursework requirements by the Graduate School are available HERE.
Candidates for the MPhil/PhD programmes are required by our Centre to take 3 elective courses from the list below to be decided in consultation with the candidates’ supervisors and with their prior approval. Students who have completed these requirements during their MPhil studies will not need to take any additional courses during their 3-year PhD course.
- Courses from the Master of Buddhist Studies(MBS) programme;
- Courses from the Master of Buddhist Counselling(MBC) programme;
- Courses from another department’s MPhil/PhD curriculum relevant to the candidate’s research.
Further Information
For more information about the programme and application, please click HERE.
Postgraduate Admissions Advisor
Prof. Georgios T. Halkias
Enquiries
Tel: (852) 3917-0094
Email: cbsrpg@hku.hk