Research Focus
The intersection of wireless communications and intelligent sensing, including:
- Sensing and reconstruction of radio environment maps;
- Wireless localisation and source localisation;
- Massive MIMO and wireless network optimisation;
- Applications of emerging platforms.
Programme Structure and Funding
This is a full-time PhD programme, recruiting only 1–2 students.
- Applicants with a research master’s degree: 4–6 years;
- Applicants with only a bachelor’s degree or a non-research master’s degree: 5–7 years.
The supervisor provides full scholarship funding (generally for 4–5 years, in the form of tuition fee remission and research stipends). Applicants with strong backgrounds and performance may also have the opportunity to receive university-level scholarships (such as the Presidential Fellowship and Dean’s Fellowship). On top of the supervisor’s funding, students may receive an additional living allowance of up to RMB 180,000 per year after tax.
Entry Requirements
Electronic and Information Engineering, Communications Engineering, Computer Science and Technology, Artificial Intelligence, Mathematics, Physics, Automation, Signal and Information Processing, Network Engineering, Data Science
- Academic background: a bachelor’s/master’s degree in Electrical Engineering, Computer Science, Mathematics, Physics or another science or engineering field.
- Grade requirements: For Double First-Class universities, applicants for direct entry from bachelor’s to PhD must have a GPA in the top 20%; For non-Double First-Class universities, applicants for direct entry from bachelor’s to PhD must have outstanding academic performance (e.g. a GPA in the top 5%, one paper as a main contributor in a top journal or conference, a National Scholarship, an award in a national competition, etc.).
- Language requirements: TOEFL: 550 (paper-based) / 79 (computer-based/at-home); or IELTS: 6.5 (test centre/Online); Applicants who have obtained a degree in an English-taught country may apply for an exemption.
- References: 2 letters of recommendation.
- Preferred qualities: a foundation in mathematics and good logical thinking skills.
Application Materials
- Scanned copies of academic/professional qualifications (e.g. degree certificate and graduation certificate, or proof of enrolment);
- Scanned copies of official transcripts (including a complete record of courses taken and examination results), the grading criteria for all university-level study, and proof of class ranking;
- 2 letters of recommendation;
- English test score report;
- A scanned copy of identity document (note: mainland applicants must apply using their ID card, otherwise student status registration with the Ministry of Education will not be possible);
- CV and personal statement (in English);
- Other supplementary materials (as required by the School).
Application Period
Intake: Spring (early January), Autumn (late August).
- Autumn intake: application period from mid-October of the previous year to the end of May of the following year;
- Spring intake: application period from July to early October of the previous year.
Application Process
From now until the end of March, applicants submit an English CV and relevant materials, and we will conduct a preliminary assessment. In April, those who pass the initial screening will be invited to interview with potential supervisors. From April to May, after passing the interview, applicants must formally submit their application materials through the official website. In June, shortlisted candidates will be interviewed by the School’s admissions committee. From June to July, admission offers are issued. Note: the above process timeline uses the autumn intake as an example.
Autumn: mid-October to the end of May; Spring: July to early October
Tuition and Living Costs
Living Costs
Approximately RMB 100,000 per year (depending on individual circumstances).
- Tuition: for entry in 2027 and later — RMB 162,000 per student per academic year (tuition rises slightly each year).
Career Prospects
The PhD programme in Computer and Information Engineering at The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen trains high-level talent for frontier fields such as artificial intelligence, communication networks, data science and intelligent systems. Graduates’ career development shows a trend towards diversification, high starting points and internationalisation.
In terms of salary, the average annual salary of the university’s 2025 cohort of graduates in direct employment was RMB 178,200, while this PhD programme, as a source of scarce high-level talent, offers salaries significantly above the average, and with the addition of various talent introduction and living subsidy policies in Shenzhen and the Greater Bay Area, overall remuneration competitiveness is outstanding. In terms of career choice, PhD graduates mainly move into the following areas:
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Academia and research institutes: some PhD graduates take up teaching posts or undertake postdoctoral research at well-known universities in China and abroad, and a large number of graduates also join key domestic universities and national-level research institutes to engage in teaching and frontier research.
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Industry and technology companies: most PhD graduates choose to join leading technology companies in the sector, taking up core technical positions such as R&D engineers and algorithm engineers; employers cover fields including the internet, artificial intelligence, communications and intelligent manufacturing, with work locations concentrated in first-tier cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou and Shenzhen. - International further study and entrepreneurship: a small number of graduates go to top overseas universities or research institutions for further study, and some rely on the innovation and entrepreneurship ecosystem of the Greater Bay Area to independently incubate technology projects or join start-ups.
