Research Focus
Evolution and adaptation, genetic diversity, mechanisms of population differentiation, climate change and evolutionary responses.
Programme Structure and Funding
This programme is a full-time PhD programme with a duration of 4 years (48 months).
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Study location: Hong Kong
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Application period: Applications for fully funded PhDs are open from 1 September to 1 December; self-funded PhDs may apply throughout the year, with 1 December and 1 May each year being the dates on which the University clears applications
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Tuition: RMB 40,000–45,000 per year
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Language of instruction: English
Outstanding candidates may receive full scholarship support covering tuition and living costs.
Entry Requirements
Academic background: 1) Direct entry from bachelor’s degree: applicants must hold a first-class honours degree from a university ranked in the QS top 100 or a domestic top 10 university; 2) master’s applicants must hold an excellent master’s degree from a highly ranked university and have excellent undergraduate results. Grade requirements: GPA ≥ 3.7 Language requirements:
- IELTS ≥ 6.5, with no component below 6 (test taken within two years)
- Or TOEFL total score of at least 85 (test taken within two years)
- Applicants who obtained a master’s degree from a country where instruction was in English may apply for a language exemption; References: two academic references
Application Period
Applications for fully funded PhDs are open from 1 September to 1 December Self-funded PhDs may apply throughout the year, with 1 December and 1 May each year being the dates on which the University clears applications
Tuition and Living Costs
Study and Living
- Accommodation: All newly admitted non-local postgraduate students are guaranteed a University-designated hall place in their first year of study, at approximately RMB 4,500–5,000 per month. Off-campus rental is estimated at RMB 5,000 to 7,500 per month
- Daily expenses: The cost of living in Hong Kong is relatively high; living expenses are approximately RMB 12,000 per month
Career Prospects
Academic and Research Fields
- Further study and teaching posts: Graduates may undertake postdoctoral research at universities worldwide, or take up teaching posts at institutions such as the University of Hong Kong and 985 universities on the mainland. Several alumni of the Faculty have become young academic leaders in the field of ecology.
- Research institutions: Join government or non-governmental research institutions, such as the Hong Kong Agriculture, Fisheries and Conservation Department and the World Wide Fund for Nature (WWF), participating in projects such as biodiversity monitoring and ecological restoration.
Policy and Practice Fields
- Environmental management: Work in government departments such as the Hong Kong Environmental Protection Department and the mainland Ministry of Ecology and Environment on environmental impact assessment and policy formulation, or join international organisations to advance global environmental governance.
- Consulting and enterprise: Provide sustainability strategy consulting for multinational companies, or serve as technical experts in environmental technology enterprises (such as water quality monitoring and ecological big data analysis companies).
Interdisciplinary Development
- Education and communication: Communicate ecological conservation concepts to the public through popular science writing, documentary production and other means, or design educational programmes at nature education institutions.
- Innovation and entrepreneurship: Use Faculty resources to incubate environmental technology start-ups, for example developing smart ecological monitoring equipment and biodegradable materials.
Employment Data and Support
According to employment reports on graduates published by the Faculty, more than 70% of ecology PhD graduates choose to continue in academic research, while the remainder enter government, enterprises and non-governmental organisations. The Faculty’s career development centre provides one-to-one job search coaching, industry talks and alumni network resources to help students plan their career paths.
