The programme is research-oriented. All doctoral students have to attend seminars within the normative study years and take four to six courses.

If the Division deems it necessary, some students may be required to take a course on a language other than English and Chinese and meet any further requirements laid down by the Division.

Students are required to fulfil the qualifying examination requirement before they can submit their dissertations.

The student will write his/her dissertation under the guidance of his/her supervisor.

Fields of Specialization

• Chinese Linguistics
• Classical Chinese Texts
• Classical Chinese Literature
• Modern Chinese Literature

Please visit the Division’s homepage for more information.

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants must have a Master's degree in Chinese Language or Chinese Literature from a recognized university.

Applicants should submit the following documents in both soft copy and hard copy. The soft copy should be saved in PDF and sent to the Division by email.

1. A copy of Master’s thesis.
2. A research proposal* (strictly limited to 8,000 words, including the topic, scope, structure and methodology of the research) and a bibliography on a separate sheet.
3. A sample of academic writing (published or unpublished) in a related field.
4. A personal statement in Chinese (not more than 1,000 words).

*Applicants should also submit the research proposal in DOC format and write down the total word count of the main text at the end of the proposal. According to the regulation of the Division, research proposals exceeding the word limit will not be accepted.

For non-HKPFS applicants: 31 December 2017

1 December 2017
1.  By 12:00 noon (Hong Kong time) - to submit an initial application to RGC; and
2. By 5:00 p.m. (Hong Kong time) - to submit full application to CUHK
Please refer to HKPFS page for more details.