Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities

The Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Humanities at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology is a rigorous advanced research degree designed for scholars who aspire to contribute original insights and scholarly advancements within the field of humanities. This program provides a comprehensive academic environment that fosters critical thinking, innovative research, and interdisciplinary collaboration across various disciplines such as literature, history, philosophy, cultural studies, and other related fields. The PhD in Humanities aims to cultivate independent researchers capable of producing high-quality, original scholarly work that advances understanding of human culture, society, and intellectual history.

Students in the program are expected to undertake detailed literature reviews, formulate well-defined research questions, and employ diverse methodologies suited to their specific research interests. Supervised by leading academics and researchers, candidates will develop their own research projects culminating in a substantial thesis that makes a meaningful contribution to existing knowledge. Throughout the program, students benefit from seminars, workshops, and conferences, providing opportunities for scholarly exchange and professional development.

The program emphasizes interdisciplinary perspectives and encourages students to integrate diverse theoretical frameworks to enhance their research quality. Mentorship, academic resources, and a vibrant intellectual community at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology support doctoral candidates throughout the course of their studies. Graduates of the PhD in Humanities are well-equipped for academic careers, research positions, or roles in cultural institutions and public policy, where they can apply their expertise in analyzing, interpreting, and communicating complex ideas about human culture and history. This program upholds the university’s commitment to academic excellence, innovation, and the development of thought leaders in the humanities.

Students are required to

1. Complete a minimum of 21 credits of postgraduate coursework, including HUMA 6200 Research Project in Humanities;
2. Complete and pass SHSS 6770 Professional Development in Humanities and Social Science which should be taken in the first year of study for full-time students, or the first two years of study for part-time students. The 1 credit earned from SHSS 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. HKUST MPhil (HUMA) graduates who have taken and passed this course before may be exempted from this requirement, subject to prior approval from the Division Head and PG Coordinator;
3. Complete and pass HUMA 6300 Postgraduate Seminar. The 1 credit earned from HUMA 6300 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements; MPhil/PhD in Humanities
4. Take and pass LANG 5071 Postgraduate English for Humanities. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5071 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking LANG 5071 with the agreement of the Division Head and PG Committee, or if they have completed this course in MPhil (HUMA) program before;
5. Pass the qualifying examination;
6. Register in HUMA 7990 Doctoral Thesis Research; and g) Present and defend the PhD thesis.

All new students must propose a course-taking plan for the first academic year in consultation with their advisors. The proposal, consisting of a list of courses to be taken in the first year and a study plan specifying the learning objectives and how these objectives can be achieved by the proposed list of courses, should be submitted to the Division’s PG Committee for endorsement with prior approval of the advisor, no later than the end of the course add/drop period of the first regular term.

Subject to the approval of the Division’s PG Committee, students may be granted credit transfer of up to 9 credits on a case-by-case basis.

Areas of Concentration

Students are required to focus their research thesis on one of the four areas of concentration, namely Linguistics, Literature, History and Anthropology, and Philosophy and Religion. For all areas of concentration, of the remaining 18 credits of the required coursework, at least 9 must be taken in the student’s chosen concentration. Before the commencement of each academic year, the Division will provide students with a list of courses to be offered in each area of concentration. 

Linguistics Concentration

Students will focus their research on Chinese linguistics, including phonetics, phonology, morphology, syntax, and dialectology, or Sino-Tibetan linguistics from a historical perspective

Literature Concentration

Students will focus primarily on Chinese literature from comparative, interdisciplinary, and theoretical perspectives.

History and Anthropology Concentration

Students will have the option of choosing one of the following two areas:

• Area A – Chinese History and World History. This area focuses on the history of China with emphasis on the period from early China to the People’s Republic, whereas World History focuses on European and/or American history. Approaches to the subject can be economic, social, political, cultural, intellectual, or comparative. 
• Area B – Cultural Anthropology and Social History. This area focuses primarily on South China. Research areas include not only Guangdong and Fujian, but also regions extending from Taiwan through Hong Kong and Macao to Hainan. Other possible subjects of study are overseas Chinese (in Southeast Asia, Japan, North America, and Europe) and the ethnic groups of southern and southwestern China (She, Yao, Dan, etc.).

Philosophy and Religion Concentration

Students will focus their research on at least one of the following areas: Chinese, Asian, Western, and comparative philosophy and/or religion. 

Requirements

Requirements

• Obtained a bachelor’s degree with a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution; OR presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years;
• Satisfied the specific requirements prescribed by the school and department concerned as to their chosen subject of research, as well as their fitness to undertake the research.
• You will fulfill the English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:TOEFL-iBT 80, TOEFL PBT 550, IELTS Overall score: 6.0
• You are required to nominate 2-5 referees to support your application. Upon your application submission, the referees will be invited by email to complete a reference report online. Referees may attach additional reference letters to the online report if they wish to.
• Remember that you will need to send official documents to substantiate your qualifications/ exam results after accepting an admission offer. 

Scholarships

• Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS)
• Postgraduate Studentships

The Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities at The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is a rigorous postgraduate research program designed for students aspiring to develop advanced scholarly expertise in various fields within the humanities. The program offers a comprehensive academic environment that encourages innovative research, critical thinking, and interdisciplinary approaches to humanistic questions. Students are expected to engage deeply with theoretical frameworks, contemporary issues, and cultural discourses, fostering a broad understanding of historical, philosophical, linguistic, literary, and cultural studies.

The PhD in Humanities at HKUST provides students with extensive supervision by faculty members renowned for their expertise and contributions to their respective fields. The program typically involves coursework in the initial stages focusing on research methodology and core theories, followed by the submission of a detailed research proposal. Subsequently, students undertake independent research culminating in the submission of a dissertation that makes a significant original contribution to their area of study. The program values scholarly publications and conference presentations, strengthening students' academic profiles and professional networks.

Funding support in the form of research scholarships or assistantships is often available to qualified students, enabling them to focus intensively on their research. The university promotes international collaboration, interdisciplinary initiatives, and participation in academic conferences, providing students with opportunities to present their research globally. Graduates of the program are prepared for careers in academia, research institutions, cultural organizations, publishing, and policy advisory roles.

The program emphasizes a vibrant intellectual community, encouraging dialogue, seminars, workshops, and interdisciplinary projects, all aimed at cultivating critical and analytical skills necessary for advanced scholarship. The curriculum is flexible to accommodate diverse research interests within the humanities, and students benefit from the university’s modern facilities, comprehensive library resources, and cutting-edge research tools. The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology’s strategic location in Hong Kong offers a unique vantage point for studying East Asian cultures, globalization, and cross-cultural exchange, adding distinctive value to the doctoral experience in humanities.