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INNOVATION, POLICY AND
ENTREPRENEURSHIP

> THRUSTS > IPE > MPhil/PhD Program
PROGRAM OVERVIEW
Program Name
  • Master of Philosophy in Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship
  • Doctor of Philosophy in Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship
Program Short Name
  • MPhil(IPE)
  • PhD(IPE)
Mode of Study
  • Full-time
  • Part-time
Normative Program Duration

  • MPhil

    Full-time: 2 years
    Part-time: 4 years

  • PhD

    Full-time: 3 years (with a relevant research master’s degree), 4 years (without a relevant research master’s degree)
    Part-time: 6 years
Tuition Fees

  • Research Postgraduate Programs (with PGS) Full-time

    CNY 40,000 per academic year
    CNY 60,000 per academic year (for the 2027/28 intake and thereafter)

  • Research Postgraduate Programs (self-financing) Full-time/Part-time

    CNY 150,000 per academic year
Program Advisor
  • PG Programs Coordinator: Prof Xu ZHANG
Introduction

Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship is an emerging interdisciplinary area that has become increasingly important in recent years in addressing global challenges in governance and provision of private and public goods and services. It focuses on linkages among innovation, entrepreneurship, and public policy in development of human society. The Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) Programs in Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship are interdisciplinary programs that prepare the next generation of leaders in solving problems at the interface of technology and society through innovation in technology, institution, policy, entrepreneurship, and business model.

The MPhil Program aims to train students to conduct independent research in innovation, policy and entrepreneurship. An MPhil graduate is expected to acquire cross-disciplinary knowledge and demonstrate skills in the area, and to contribute to innovation, public policy and entrepreneurship in practice.

The PhD Program seeks to train students in original research with cross-disciplinary approach to innovation, policy and entrepreneurship, and to cultivate independent and innovative thinking for knowledge creation in policy, innovation and entrepreneurship. A PhD graduate is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen area of research and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to the cross-disciplinary area.

Learning Outcomes
On successful completion of the MPhil program, graduates will be able to:
MPhil
01
Identify issues concerning technology of the future and create an environment conducive to its creation, dissemination, and management;
02
Identify and synthesize current research and conduct high-quality IPE research in academia and/or industry; and
03
Analyze issues, design, and execute IPE research by utilizing sound research methodologies.
On successful completion of the PhD program, graduates will be able to:
PhD
01
Identify issues concerning technology of the future and create an environment conducive to its creation, dissemination, and management;
02
Identify and synthesize current research and conduct high-quality IPE research in academia and/or industry;
03
Compare and contrast state-of-the-art knowledge in innovation studies, public policy and entrepreneurship, and apply such knowledge on IPE practice;
04
Analyze issues, design, and execute IPE research by utilizing sound research methodologies; and
05
Present developed IPE knowledge and research to academic and practitioners’ communities.
Note:

For MPhil in IPE, please visit https://vptlo.hkust-gz.edu.cn/ or contact rbmadmit@hkust-gz.edu.cn for details.

PHD PROGRAM SPECIFICS
Program Progression
First Year coursework
PhD Qualifying Exam
Written exam + oral exam
PhD candidacy
Other required coursework
Thesis and oral defense
PhD degree conferred
Curriculum

Minimum Credit Requirement

MPhil: 15 credits

PhD: 21 credits

* Credit Transfer: Students who have taken equivalent courses at HKUST or other recognized universities may be granted credit transfer on a case-by-case basis, up to a maximum of 3 credits for MPhil students, and 6 credits for PhD students. PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates may be granted credit transfer for all credits earned from the MPhil programs to the PhD programs, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.

1
Cross-disciplinary Core Courses

2 Credits

UCMP 6010

Cross-disciplinary Research Methods I

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems. May be graded PP.

UCMP 6020

Cross-disciplinary Research Methods II

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on using various approaches to perform quantitative analysis through real-world examples. Students will learn how to use different tools in an interdisciplinary project and how to acquire new skills on their own. The course offers different modules that are multidisciplinary/multifunctional and generally applicable to a wide class of problems.

UCMP 6030

Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking I

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.

UCMP 6040

Cross-disciplinary Design Thinking II

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on user-collaborative design methods for generating inclusive product solutions that integrate stakeholder and product functionality perspectives. Students will create specified product/process/policy/protocol/plan (5P) concept models through the use of recursive user feedback engagement methods, experimental prototyping, and divergent and convergent ideation strategies. Featured topics include design thinking; stakeholder research; concept development, screening, and selection; and interaction design.

UCMP 6050

Project-driven Collaborative Design Thinking

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course aims to familiarize students with the principles of design thinking and promote the adoption of a human-centered approach to problem-solving. Students will gain the ability to identify users' pain points, define problems, and develop creative and innovative solutions. By engaging in interdisciplinary collaboration, students will have the opportunity to apply their problem-solving skills to real-world projects. This course is divided into three modules, with each module being taken during one regular term. May be graded PP.

All MPhil students are required to complete UCMP 6050. All PhD students are required to complete either UCMP 6010 or UCMP 6030. Students may complete the remaining courses as part of the credit requirements, as requested by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed UCMP 6010, UCMP 6030 or UCMP 6050 before may be exempted from this requirement, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee, and be granted credit transfer for the respective courses, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.

2
Hub Core Courses

4 Credits

Students are required to complete at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from the Society Hub and at least one Hub core course (2 credits) from other Hubs.

Society Hub Core Course

SOCH 5000

Technological Innovation and Social Entrepreneurship

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course discusses both opportunities and risks that technological breakthrough has brought to the human society. What would be the policy responses required to maximize its positive benefit and minimize its social costs? In particular, how could we utilize the technological advancement, entrepreneurial thinking to address the challenges our societies are facing, such as job loss/unemployment, income inequality and societal polarization, environmental degradation, health disparity, population aging, and among others. The course uses either case studies or cross-country and time-series data analyses to facilitate the discussion of various social issues and look for innovative solutions of in the real world.

Other Hub Core Courses

FUNH 5000

Introduction to Function Hub for Sustainable Future

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course covers background knowledge in the thrust areas of the Function Hub, including Advanced Materials, Sustainable Energy and Environment, Microelectronics, and Earth, Ocean and Atmospheric Sciences.

INFH 5000

INFH 5000 Information Science and Technology: Essentials and Trends

2 Credit(s)

Description

This inquiry-based course aims to introduce students to the concepts and skills needed to drive digital transformation in the information age. Students will learn to conduct research, explore real-world applications, and discuss grand challenges in the four thrust areas of the Information hub, namely Artificial Intelligence, Data Science and Analytics, Internet of Things, and Computational Media and Arts. The course incorporates various teaching and learning formats including lectures, seminars, online courses, group discussions, and a term project.

SYSH 5000

Model-Based Systems Engineering

2 Credit(s)

Description

Model-based systems engineering (MBSE) is a contemporary systems engineering methodology that uses conceptual models for communication between system architects, designers, developers, and stakeholders. Object-Process Methodology (OPM) is an MBSE language and methodology for constructing domain-independent conceptual models of all kinds of systems. The course provides students with basic knowledge and tools for MBSE, focusing on conceptual modeling of systems, giving learners a competitive advantage over their peers.

PhD students who are HKUST(GZ) MPhil graduates and have completed the required Hub core courses before may be exempted from this requirement, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee, and be granted credit transfer for the respective courses, subject to prior approval of the Thrust.

3
Courses on Domain Knowledge

MPhil: minimum 9 credits of coursework

PhD: minimum 15 credits of coursework

Under this requirement, each student is required to take a required course and other elective courses to form an individualized curriculum relevant to the cross-disciplinary thesis research.

For PhD students, a minimum of three domain elective courses must be completed, with at least one course from each of the three domain areas (Innovation, Policy, and Entrepreneurship).

To ensure that students will take appropriate courses to equip them with needed domain knowledge, each student has a Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee to approve the courses to be taken soonest after program commencement and no later than the end of the first year. Depending on the approved curriculum, individual students may be required to complete additional credits beyond the minimal credit requirements.

Required Course List

IPEN 5100

Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on the practices and processes that managers in the business sector adopt to advance innovation and attention is also paid to the strategies that policy-makers from regulatory background pursue to manage innovation. Technological innovation will be examined through its process of exploring, executing, leveraging, and renewing from both the perspectives of entrepreneurs and regulators. Students will be guided to seek a collaborative governance mechanism that is workable for different players and sectors in innovation to achieve sustainable growth.

Elective Course List

i. Domain Electives

PhD Students are required to take at least one course from each of the three domain areas below (minimum 9 credits in total).

　Innovation

IPEN 5180

Disruptive Technologies and Society

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course gives students a broad introduction to the key disruptive technologies, such as mobile internet, AI, and robotics, that have transformed our society. We will examine the practical applications of these technologies and discuss their socioeconomic impacts and policy responses. We will also look at the potential for businesses and governments to harness these disruptive technologies to deliver new services or improve existing ones and enhance value in public and private sectors.

IPEN 5700

Strategic Management of Technology and Innovation

3 Credit(s)

Description

Technological innovation is increasingly the source of sustainable competitive advantage for firms worldwide. This course introduces a grounding in the field of technology and innovation, with an emphasis on economic policy and business strategy. The course will be highly interactive and apply multiple disciplines including economics, management, law and public policy.

　Policy

IPEN 5110

Foundation in Public Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

The course will provide an advanced foundation in the study and practice of public policy at the level required for graduate study. The course will cover both the historic foundations of policy studies, as well as emerging approaches and directions. As the study of public policy is inherently interdisciplinary, it will include perspectives from political science, public policy, economics, business and other aspects of social science. It will take a broad view of public policy, including taking up some of the core literature on public management and public administration.

IPEN 5111

Public Management and Institutional Analysis

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on the theoretical and analytical perspective of public management and institutions. It introduces students to key concepts in the discipline of public management and institutional analysis. The course begins with a review of the evolution of thinking in this field. In the following sessions, students will be extensively exposed to theoretical frameworks. The course aims to equip students with theories that help students in building up their capacity toward academic research.

　Entrepreneurship

IPEN 5270

Corporate ESG Practice and Research

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course focuses on the development of the ESG (Environmental, Social and Governance) movement and its relationship with other long-standing concepts such as corporate social responsibility and sustainability. It aims to review the content, antecedences, and consequences of corporate ESG practices and stimulate new research ideas in related areas.

IPEN 5800

New Venture Creation

3 Credit(s)

Description

This is an introductory course to entrepreneurship research. Entrepreneurship is defined as the creation and growth of business ventures, either as new organizations or inside existing ones, and as transformation of existing organizations. This course covers fundamental readings and current research with an emphasis on business venture creation. The objective is to give enough training that students can follow and contribute to entrepreneurship research.

ii. Other Electives

To meet individual needs, students will be taking courses in different areas, which may include but not limited to courses and areas listed below.

IPEN 5130

Economics of Technology Innovation and Entrepreneurship

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces the economics of technology innovation and entrepreneurship through the combined perspectives of microeconomics and macroeconomics. It covers microeconomic core modules concerning consumers, firms, markets, and governments, as well as macroeconomic core modules on economic growth associated with entrepreneurship and innovation.

IPEN 5160

Big Data Applications for Business and Government

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course will cover the key concepts and technologies of big data and data analysis, with a focus on the application of big data in formulating business strategies and policies, and related research issues on how big data affects the direction of business and policy development. The course will provide students with practical training on big data and data analysis based on real-world business or policy issues, ranging from collecting and preprocessing to organizing and analyzing large-scale data.

IPEN 5170

ESG Fundamentals and Strategy for Business

3 Credit(s)

Description

As ESG (Environmental, Social, and Governance) momentum sweeps the globe, companies must proactively chart their course and craft actionable strategies for engaging with society and the environment—thereby mitigating related risks and building sustainable competitive advantage. This course introduces and maps out the frameworks and tools for business ESG strategy, enriched with case studies, simulations, and field study to inform both executive decision-making and frontline implementation.

IPEN 5200

Uncertainty, Information and Decision Making

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces the economic theories of decision making under risk and uncertainty and how agents with heterogeneous information interact strategically. Sample topics include expected and non-expected utility theories, models of strategic communication, and information design. Students will apply the theoretical tools to understand and improve real world institutions, such as employee feedback systems and transparency in organizations.

IPEN 5250

Text Analysis and Machine Learning

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course serves as an applied introduction to machine learning methods for text analysis. Several approaches on text data management and analysis will be covered in this course including basic natural language processing techniques, document representation, text categorization and clustering, document summarization, sentiment analysis, social network and social media analysis, probabilistic topic models and text visualization.

IPEN 5260

Corporate Governance Research

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course is designed to introduce students to the key corporate governance phenomena examined in the field of strategic management. We will review how economic and organizational theories are applied to explain the choices and outcomes of governance design. In addition, we will also investigate some behavioral or process-related factors affecting the functioning of governance mechanisms, especially the board of directors.

IPEN 5280

Technological Catching-up Policies and Management

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course deals with various issues when late-comer firms and countries may encounter in the technological catching-up with the more advanced firms and countries. Technological stages and paths are studied and highlighted at the three different levels of country, sector and firms. Students will learn various theories regarding technological catching-up and have opportunities to apply them to real cases.

IPEN 5290

Public Problems and Policy Design

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course is designed to provide learning opportunities regarding how to analyze and structure messy unstructured public problems. This course consists of a series of different fake public problem cases to help students experience setting up, analyzing, and designing policies. Over the course of the term, students analyze the cases quantitatively and qualitatively, and then propose solutions with an integrated manner of the analysis results. Much of the work is done in small groups or individually.

IPEN 5300

Experimental Economics and Organizational Behavior

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces the methodology of experimental economics and related behavioral theories, with an emphasis on social-psychological elements of preference and organizational design. Experiments studied will include ones based on the prisoners’ dilemma, dictator game, ultimatum game, and especially the public goods game and the trust game, along with more complex designs for studying institutional and organizational problems such as creation of centralized punishment schemes and secure property.

IPEN 5310

Behavioral Economics and Public Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces behavioral economics - the incorporation of insights from psychology into economics - with an emphasis on its value for improving empirical predictions and policy decisions. Students will learn the major themes of behavioral economics and apply them to improve the design, implementation, and evaluation of public policies in a wide variety of domains.

IPEN 5320

Digital Economics, Networks and Business Strategy

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course offers a comprehensive introduction to the digital economy, with a focus on platform-related research and applications. Beginning with a thorough exploration of industrial organization theory and network theory, the course progresses to address business strategies and policy issues pertinent to the digital economy, placing particular emphasis on digital platforms. This course also engages in case studies and paper presentations, allowing students to become well-versed in the latest research and developments within the field of the digital economy. Through this immersive learning experience, students will gain a strong foundation in the key concepts and best practices that drive today's digital economic landscape.

IPEN 5330

Energy Economics and Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course provides an in-depth examination of the economics and policy issues surrounding energy. Topics include energy demand and supply, market structures, renewable energy technologies, fossil fuels, energy security, climate change, transportation, innovation, and policy analysis. Students will also participate in a research project to apply their knowledge to real-world scenarios.

IPEN 5340

Business Model Innovation for Sustainability

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course provides an overview of sustainable business model innovation theories and practices as well as discusses how business models can serve as essential tools to transform our economy into a sustainable one. We will provide students with a rich opportunity to examine companies’ efforts in creating and implementing sustainable business models and building a supporting ecosystem.

IPEN 5350

Energy Systems and Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course explores the challenges associated with climate change, energy and environmental policies from multiple perspectives, disciplines and scales. Students will examine the evolving science and policy of climate change, observe the conflicts between energy companies and interest groups in China, discuss technology innovations and its impact on reducing greenhouse gases emission.

IPEN 5400

Climate Change: Science and Governance

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course prepares students to acquire the basic knowledge of climate change, which sits on the intersection of science and governance. It will review some of the scientific facts of climate change and contrast the scientific research findings with climate governance status. Case study on transforming to a low carbon society will be conducted in later part of the course. Aspects to consider include both scientific support and governance complexity of the low carbon city idea. Students are expected to build their own analysis of the climate change issue at the end of the course.

IPEN 5500

Science, Technology and Innovation Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

The course introduces the conceptualizations of innovation policy and its instruments. It also develops evaluation methods to analyze the effects of these policy instruments and policy mixes. Cases of conceptual and empirical studies focus on the issues of innovation funding schemes and publicly funded science systems.

IPEN 5610

Health Care Management and Policy

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course examines the health care sector and healthy policy issues using theoretical frameworks and empirical evidence. We will provide a broad understanding of the global health care system, with an emphasis on payers, providers, products, and patients. This course also introduces the statistical methods used for evaluating health outcomes that enable us to assess the true effectiveness of health care policies and strategies.

IPEN 5620

Entrepreneurship and Innovation: From Idea to Impact

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course provides a comprehensive overview of entrepreneurship and innovation, guiding students through the entire process from identifying opportunities to launching and scaling new ventures. It emphasizes experiential learning and real-world application, with a unique focus on direct engagement with successful entrepreneurs and innovators. Through a series of guest speaker sessions, students will gain invaluable insights into the challenges and triumphs of building a business, fostering a strong entrepreneurial mindset, and developing practical skills for navigating the dynamic landscape of innovation.

IPEN 5810

Data Science in Empirical Economics

3 Credit(s)

Description

In the digital age, the proliferation of big data—from social media text to high-resolution satellite imagery—provides unprecedented opportunities to analyze human behavior and environmental systems. This course equips postgraduate students in applied economics, public policy, and sustainability studies with cutting-edge data science techniques to address complex social and environmental challenges. Students will learn to collect, process, and visualize large-scale datasets, utilizing methodologies such as machine learning, high-dimensional econometrics, and spatial analysis. Through problem sets and independent projects, students will develop the computational and statistical frameworks necessary to evaluate policy impacts, quantify emissions, and drive decision-making toward sustainable and carbon-neutral futures.

IPEN 5820

Environmental Economics and Sustainable Development

3 Credit(s)

Description

This is a graduate-level interdisciplinary course focusing on the economics of environmental and sustainable development problems and the solutions to those problems. Students will learn to use tools from applied economics and relevant disciplines to better understand and evaluate a series of current policy questions, such as air and water pollution, climate change, environmental amenities, agricultural production, ecosystem services, and biodiversity.

IPEN 5900

Policy and Technology for Carbon Neutrality

3 Credit(s)

Description

All industries in China are actively taking effective actions to develop new and clean technologies in order to achieve the carbon peak and neutrality goal of shouldering the common destiny of human beings. This course examines the scientific, technological, and policy approaches that China and the rest of the world can take to achieve carbon peak and carbon neutrality.

4
Additional Foundation Courses

Individual students may be required to take foundation courses to strengthen their academic background and research capacity in related areas, which will be specified by the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

Unless clearly demonstrating sufficient knowledge in the area, students entering the MPhil or PhD Program are required to take the following courses in the first regular year of study:

IPEN 5120

Research Design for Innovation, Policy and Entrepreneurship Studies

3 Credit(s)

Description

The purposes of the course are to introduce to students key concepts in research design, and to help them develop skills in the design of empirical research for conducting innovation, policy and entrepreneurship studies. Specific emphasis will be on the use of quasi-experimental designs in policy research, as well as on their potentials and limitations.

IPEN 5140#

Quantitative Analysis and Empirical Methods

3 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces students to empirical methods and data management tools used in the current social science disciplines, with some special focuses on strategy, finance and applied micro-economics. The overall approach is to understand the common methods and research design used in the empirical research through intensive reading and replicating papers published in top journals. Students would also become proficient in the use of computer software that is widely used in analyzing quantitative data via empirical assignments.

# Students are required to take this course in the first regular term of study.

5
Graduate Teaching Assistant Training

PDEV 6800

Introduction to Teaching and Learning in Higher Education

0 Credit(s)

Description

The course is designed to strengthen students’ competence in teaching. It comprises 2 parts: Part 1 aims to equip all full-time research postgraduate (RPg) students with basic teaching skills before assuming teaching assistant duties for the department. Good teaching skills can be acquired through learning and practice. This 10-hour mandatory training course provides all graduate teaching assistants (GTA) with the necessary theoretical knowledge with practical opportunities to apply and build up their knowledge, skills and confidence in taking up their teaching duties. At the end of the course, GTAs should be able to (1) facilitate teaching in tutorials and laboratory settings; (2) provide meaningful feedback to their students; and (3) design an active learning environment to engage their students. In Part 2, students are required to perform instructional delivery assigned by their respective departments to complete this course. MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. Graded PP, P or F.

All full-time RPg students are required to complete PDEV 6800. The course is composed of a 10-hour training offered by the Institute of Educational Innovation and Practice (IEIP), and session(s) of instructional delivery to be assigned by the respective Thrusts/Base. Upon satisfactory completion of the training conducted by IEIP, MPhil students are required to give at least one 30-minute session of instructional delivery in front of a group of students for one term. PhD students are required to give at least one such session each in two different terms. The instructional delivery will be formally assessed.

6
Professional Development Course Requirement

PDEV 6770

Professional Development for Research Postgraduate Students

1 Credit(s)

Description

This course aims at equipping research postgraduate students with transferrable skills conducive to their professional development. Students are required to attend 3 hours of mandatory training on Professional Conduct, and complete 12 hours of workshops, at their own choice, under the themes of Communication Skills, Research Competency, Entrepreneurship, Self‐Management, and Career Development. Graded PP, P or F.

Students are required to complete PDEV 6770. The 1 credit earned from PDEV 6770 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed PDEV 6770 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking PDEV 6770, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

SOCH 6780

Professional Development in Innovation, Technology, and Social Responsibility

1 Credit(s)

Description

This one credit course is intended to provide basic professional training to research postgraduate students in the Society Hub. The course will begin with lectures and a workshop on ethics in research. Students will be asked to focus on a particular theme of their choice that links technological innovation to various social and policy issues, conduct analysis and present their findings. They will also need to work in a team and learn to effectively communicate their ideas in informal and formal settings. Graded PP, P or F.

Students are required to complete SOCH 6780. The 1 credit earned from SOCH 6780 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PhD students who are HKUST MPhil graduates and have completed SOCH 6780 or other professional development courses offered by the University before may be exempted from taking SOCH 6780, subject to prior approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

7
English Language Requirement

LANG 5000

Foundation in Listening & Speaking for Postgraduate Students

1 Credit(s)

Description

For students whose level of spoken English is lower than ELPA Level 4 (Speaking) when they enter the University. The course addresses the immediate linguistic needs of research postgraduate students for oral communication on campus using English. To complete the course, students are required to attain at least ELPA Level 4 (Speaking). Graded P or F.

Full-time RPg students are required to take an English Language Proficiency Assessment (ELPA) Speaking Test administered by the Pillar of Language Education before the start of their first term of study. Students whose ELPA Speaking Test score is below Level 4, or who failed to take the test in their first term of study, are required to take LANG 5000 until they pass the course by attaining at least Level 4 in the ELPA Speaking Test before graduation. The 1 credit earned from LANG 5000 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

PLED 5001

Communicating Research in English

1 Credit(s)

Description

This course aims to help research postgraduate students to develop skills they need to understand how to successfully communicate research in English to academic, cross-disciplinary and non-specialist audiences. Graded P or F.

Students are required to take PLED 5001. The credit earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements. Students can be exempted from taking this course with the approval of the Program Planning cum Thesis Supervision Committee.

8
Postgraduate Seminar

IPEN 6101

IPEN Program Seminar I

1 Credit(s)

Description

This course is expected to expose the RPg students to the current innovation, policy and entrepreneurship research and development, and provide them with opportunities to make social contacts with the speakers in both the environmental innovation communities and policy communities. This course will be an essential part of training for our RPg students. Graded P or F.

IPEN 6102

IPEN Program Seminar II

1 Credit(s)

Description

This course is expected to expose the RPg students to the current innovation, policy and entrepreneurship research and development, and provide them with opportunities to make social contacts with the speakers in both environmental innovation communities and policy communities. This course will be an essential part of training for our RPg students. Seminar II is an extension of Seminar I. While the overall design of the seminar course looks essentially the same, topics covered and guests invited will be differentiated. Graded P or F.

IPEN 6101 and IPEN 6102 will be offered in different terms. Students are required to complete IPEN 6101 and IPEN 6102 in two terms. The credits earned cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.

9
PhD Qualifying Examination

PhD students are required to pass a qualifying examination to obtain PhD candidacy following established policy.

10
Thesis Research

IPEN 6990

MPhil Thesis Research

0 Credit(s)

Description

Master's thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

IPEN 7990

Doctoral Thesis Research

0 Credit(s)

Description

Original and independent doctoral thesis research supervised by co-advisors from different disciplines. A successful defense of the thesis leads to the grade Pass. No course credit is assigned.

MPhil:

  1. Registration in IPEN 6990; and
  2. Presentation and oral defense of the MPhil thesis.

PhD:

  1. Registration in IPEN 7990; and
  2. Presentation and oral defense of the PhD thesis.
11
Political Education and Contemporary China Study Course Requirement

MOES 5001

The Theory and Practice of Socialism with Chinese Characteristics in The New Era

2 Credit(s)

Description

It provides thematic instruction on major issues concerning the theory and practice of socialism with Chinese characteristics in the new era, helping students further master the theoretical system of socialism with Chinese characteristics, deepen their understanding of Xi Jinping Thought on Socialism with Chinese Characteristics for a New Era, and strengthen their faith in Marxism, their conviction in socialism with Chinese characteristics, and their confidence in realizing the Chinese Dream of national rejuvenation.

MOES 5002

Introduction to Natural Dialectics

1 Credit(s)

Description

This course introduces the object, nature, content, and scope of the dialectics of nature, elaborates on its establishment and development process, and focuses on analyzing the intrinsic relationship between the dialectics of nature and the development of science and technology. It clarifies its status and role in modern scientific and technological research, as well as its significance in China's modernization drive. The course guides students to master the dialectical materialist view of nature, science, and technology, understand the general laws governing the development of nature and science and technology, recognize the role of science and technology in social development, and cultivate students' innovative spirit and ability.

MOES 5003

Introduction to Chinese Culture

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course aims to help international students develop a systematic understanding of Chinese civilization—its historical evolution, traditional cultural core, and contemporary development. Through field-based practice, students will build an objective, multi‑dimensional, and authentic perception of China, while enhancing their cross‑cultural communication skills for effective study and life in China. Grade Pass/Fail.

MOES 6001

Marxism in China and the Contemporary Era

2 Credit(s)

Description

This course provides an in-depth analysis of major contemporary world social issues and hot topics such as international economy, politics, culture, ecological environment, global governance, cutting-edge issues in contemporary science and technology, major contemporary ideological trends and theoretical hotspots, etc., to enhance students' ability to correctly analyze and assess contemporary global issues.

Postgraduate students who are Chinese citizens are required to fulfill the Political Education requirement (3 credits for master's students: MOES 5001 and MOES 5002, 2 credits for doctoral students: MOES 6001).

Postgraduate students who are international students are required to take MOES 5003.

PHD ADMISSION
Admission Requirements
1
English Language Admission Requirements

Applicants have to fulfill English Language requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments:

  • TOEFL-iBT: 80 (for tests taken prior to 21 January 2026) *
         4.5 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards) *
  • TOEFL-pBT: 550
  • TOEFL-Revised paper-delivered test: 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections)
  • IELTS (Academic Module): Overall score: 6.5 and All sub-score: 5.5*

* Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted.

Applicants are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if

  • Their first language is English, or
  • They obtained the bachelor's degree (or equivalent) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English, or
  • You are not required to take the English Proficiency Test if you obtained a master’s degree (or above) from an institution where the medium of instruction was English.

2
General Admission Requirements of the University

Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification;

Applicants seeking admission to a doctoral degree program should have 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.

Enquiry

PhD in IPE Program
Email: ipet@hkust-gz.edu.cn

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