M.Phil. - Ph.D. in Religious Studies
Admission Information
M.Phil. - Ph.D. in Religious Studies - Admission Information
Admission Information
M.Phil.-Ph.D. in Religious Studies
2026 Intake
Admission Information Session
16 Oct 2025 (Thursday)
3:00 - 4:00pm
On Zoom
Information Session PPT:
Download
Enquiry: sharonli@cuhk.edu.hk
In addition to the general qualifications required by the Graduate School, applicants should (1) hold a Bachelor's degree majoring in Religion or Theology, holders of degrees in related fields will be considered on an individual basis; (2) submit a research proposal with well-informed bibliography.
Programme
M.Phil. Stream
Course Work
Students are required to complete 1 required course, 2 seminar courses and 2 elective courses for graduation. In addition, they must enroll in "Thesis Research Course" each term throughout their study.
| First Year | Unit |
| 1 Core Course (Method and History of Religious Studies) and 2 Elective Courses (3 units each) |
9 |
| 1 Graduate Seminar (3 units) | 3 |
| 2 Thesis Research Courses (6 units each) | 12 |
| Second Year | |
| 1 Graduate Seminar (3 units) | 3 |
| 2 Thesis Research Courses (6 units each) | 12 |
| Graduation Thesis | |
| Total | 39 |
Graduation Requirements
- Submission of a written graduation thesis
- Passing an oral examination
Ph.D. Stream
Pre-candidacy
Course Work
Students are required to complete a minimum of 1 required course, 2 seminar courses and 2 elective courses for graduation. In addition, they must enroll in "Thesis Research Course" each term throughout their study.
| First Year | Units |
| 1 Core Course (Method and History of Religious Studies) and 2 elective Courses (3 units each) |
9 |
| 1 Graduate Seminar (3 units) | 3 |
| 2 Thesis Research Courses (6 units each) | 12 |
| Second Year | |
| 1 Graduate Seminar (3 units) | 3 |
| 2 Thesis Research Courses (6 units each) | 12 |
| Total | 39 |
Third Language Requirement
Reading knowledge of a third language may be required, subject to the supervisor’s decision. The required language may vary according to the field of research of the student and is to be advised by individual supervisors.
Candidacy Examination
Candidacy examination will take place in year 2. The passing of this examination is mandatory for continuation in the Ph.D. (Post-candidacy). Three written examinations are required to be taken in the second year and should be examined in at least 2 areas of study or as prescribed by individual supervisors.
Post-candidacy
Ph.D. (Post-candidacy) students continue to enroll in "Thesis Research Course" (12 units each) each term throughout their thesis preparation. Though lecture course is not a compulsory component for Ph.D. (post-candidacy) students, they may be requested to take additional courses if the Division finds it necessary.
Graduation Requirements
- Submission of an original thesis of substantial contribution to existing knowledge
- Passing an oral examination
Fields of Specialization
- Chinese Religions
- Taoist Studies
- Biblical Studies
- Buddhist Studies
- Christian Studies/Christianity in China
- Islamic Studies
- Religion, Education and Society
Application for Admission
First, please submit an online submission of application form via website: https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/how-to-apply
After submitting an online application, applicants are required to upload scanned copies of the following supporting documents to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes by the deadline.
- Copies of certificates of academic/professional qualifications**
- Copies of official transcripts (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results) and grading schemes of all tertiary level studies should be submitted#
- Proof of English language proficiency#
- Confidential recommendations/referee’s report (applicants should input information of the two referees through the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes.) The University will send invitations for confidential recommendations to the referees. Three confidential recommendations are required for full-time doctoral applicants. Recommendations submitted by applicants direct are not accepted.
- A photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card or other identity document
- Research proposal (with tentative thesis title provided) (Guidelines)
- A writing sample (a short paper/chapter will do)
Please read https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/documents-required for the details of each required document.
**Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China are required to provide a valid Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) and a valid Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中國高等教育學位線上驗證報告) issued by the CHESICC (學信網) together with other supporting documents. Please refer to the official website of the CHESICC on the sample of the Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate at https://www.chsi.com.cn/xlcx/bgys.jsp.
#Applicants need to arrange the official documents to be sent by the University/test organization to our Office direct.
Application Deadline
Main Round: 1 December 2026
Clearing Round: 31 March 2027
Tuition Fee (Provisional): HK$47,000 per annum (Full-time)
Qualification for Admission
Please refer to https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/requirements for the genreal admission requirements and the English language proficiency requirements.
Awards of Postgraduate Studentship
- Postgraduate Studentship (PGS) is a form of financial assistance provided to full-time postgraduate students registered in research degree programmes. Holders of such studentship are not employees of the University.
- The studentship is available in most Graduate Divisions. Normally, the award of a PGS will be made known to students at the same time as they receive their admission offers. Students need not make a separate application for obtaining the award. The provisional monthly stipend for Postgraduate Studentship is $19,100 for 2026-27.
- Students receiving PGS awards are expected to assist in the teaching and research work of the department to which they belong. Their duties will be assigned by the Department Chairperson.