Admission Requirements
Academic Qualification
Applicants seeking admission to the PhD degree programme should possess:
- (A) master’s degree from a recognized university or comparable institution; or
- (B) bachelor’s degree with first class honours from a recognized university or comparable institution; or
- (C) any other qualification deemed by the Graduate School to be acceptable for this purpose.
Candidates under paragraph (B) should have evidence of research achievement/ experience.
Candidates under paragraph (C) may be required to take a qualifying examination. Their progress shall be reported to the Graduate School at the end of their first year of study
Note: It is a 4-year full-time PhD Programme and no part-time study mode is provided. Besides, MPhil Programme is currently ceased in the School of Business until further notice.
For the most updated version, please refer to: https://gs.hkbu.edu.hk/admission/research-postgraduate-programmes/application/admission-requirements
Language Proficiency Requirement
An applicant seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution where the language of instruction and/or examination is not English must submit an official score report with the scores obtained from either of the following tests (achieved in a single sitting):
| Test | Overall | Reading | Listening | Speaking | Writing | Remarks |
| Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) (iBT)* | ≥79 | ≥18 | ≥18 | ≥18 | ≥19 | For tests taken before 21 January 2026 |
| ≥4.5 | ≥4 | ≥4.5 | ≥4 | ≥4.5 | For tests taken on or after 21 January 2026 | |
| International English Language Testing System (IELTS) | ≥6.5 | ≥5.5 | ≥5.5 | ≥5.5 | ≥5.5 | -- |
Test result of TOEFL iBT Home Edition, TOEFL MyBest Score, IELTS Indicator, IELTS One Skill Retake or IELTS Online is not accepted.
(* iBT: Internet-based Test. The TOEFL institution code of the University is 9467).
For the most updated version, please refer to: https://gs.hkbu.edu.hk/admission/research-postgraduate-programmes/application/admission-requirements
Specific Requirement
A valid GMAT or GMAT Focus Edition or GRE result
Documents Required for Application
Applications should be submitted online via the online application system. Applicants are also required to submit the following supporting documents along with their application:
Essential
- HKID card (for local applicants)/ Passport or other identity documents of home country (for non-local applicants)
- Degree certificate(s)/graduation diploma(s), and transcript(s) (including the institution’s grading system) for academic qualification(s) supporting the application
- English proficiency test results (e.g. TOEFL iBT, IELTS Academic)
- Score report of GMAT/GRE test (with valid score)
Supplementary
- Certificate(s) of professional qualification(s)
- Confidential recommendations from past/ current affiliated institution
- Certificate(s)/supporting document(s) of scholarship(s) and prize(s)
- Sample(s) of research works, publication(s), record of research experience and/or publication list
Applicants are required to provide confidential references from two referees. Proposed supervisor(s) from HKBU and persons from non-academic backgrounds are not considered as appropriate academic referees. Your referees will receive an invitation email to complete an online confidential reference for you upon your successful submission of an online application.
- All supporting documents should be submitted through the Online Application System and hard copies will not be further processed. An acknowledgment email will be sent to the applicant upon successful submission of an application. If any further information document(s) are needed, the University will send a follow-up email directly to the applicants.
- For information for non-local applicants, please click here.
- Upon receipt of an admission offer, applicants are required to arrange to send the official transcript(s) of the academic qualification(s) and English proficiency test result to the Graduate School directly by the awarding institution(s). HKBU graduates/students are exempted from submitting the official transcript(s) for their previous/current studies in the University.
Application Periods & Selection Process
Applications operate on a rolling basis. Shortlisted candidates will be invited for an interview* during the application period or until all places are filled. We recommend that non-local applicants apply as early as possible to allow sufficient time for applying for student visa.** Admitted applicants from overseas or mainland China must obtain a student visa to study in Hong Kong.
* Selected applicants will be interviewed via teleconferencing
** All student visa applicants are advised to submit your study application ahead of the deadline as it normally takes six weeks to process a visa.
Regular Track
Application starts from 1 Sept 2026 to 15 April 2027
1 Sep 2026
Open for Application
Submit an initial application online via HKPFS Electronic System. A HKPFS Reference Number will be assigned.
By Application Deadlines
HKPFS Track: 1 Dec 2026 (HKT noon)
Regular Track: 15 Apr 2027
Submit a full online application to HKBU through Graduate School’s online application system. For applications for admission via HKPFS track, please quote the HKPFS reference number obtained from RGC.
Application Fee (Non-refundable)
HK$450
Apr 2027
HKPFS result will be announced and individual awardees will receive an email notification directly from the RGC.
By Aug 2027
Admission offer will be announced.