On 1 August 2010, the strengths of four distinguished Graduate Divisions—Anatomy, Biochemistry, Medicine, and Physiology—were consolidated to establish the Graduate Division of Biomedical Sciences. The amalgamation brought these disciplines together to provide a strengthened foundation and a widened scope of study for postgraduate research training.
Today, the Division builds on that foundation with a clear vision: to empower students who will shape the future of biomedical sciences. Since the 2010/2011 academic year, the Articulated MPhil-PhD Programme in Biomedical Sciences has provided a seamless path from foundational learning to advanced research. Designed to deepen theoretical knowledge and develop methodological expertise, this programme offers two dedicated streams—MPhil and PhD—to support distinct research ambitions and guide students toward making a lasting impact in the biomedical sciences.
Programme Structure
The MPhil and PhD are regarded as two streams within the Articulated M.Phil.– Ph.D. Programme. In other words, students are admitted as either an MPhil student or a PhD student (pre-candidacy).
Three Thematic Research Programs (TRPs)
Our School offers three Thematic Research Programmes (TRPs) for postgraduate students enrolled in the MPhil-PhD program in Biomedical Sciences to choose their research directions:
- Cancer Biology and Experimental Therapeutics (CBET)
- Developmental and Regenerative Biology (DRB)
- Neural, Vascular, and Metabolic Biology (NVMB)
Summary of Study Period
The normative study periods for different streams are tabulated below:
| Degree | Mode | Candidacy # | Normative Period |
| M.Phil. | FT | — | 24 months |
| PT | — | 36 months | |
| Ph.D. (entering with a research master’s degree) | FT | 24 months | 36 months |
| PT | 32 months | 48 months | |
| Ph.D. (entering without a research master’s degree) | FT | 36 months* | 48 months |
| PT | 48 months | 64 months |
# Maximum period to fulfil candidacy requirement, counted from first entry.
* Postgraduate studentship (PGS) will stop at the 25-month if the student cannot fulfil the candidacy requirement, but will resume in the following month upon fulfilling the candidacy requirement, provided that the Graduate Division has notified the Graduate School.
Student Status
Students will be offered admission as either an M.Phil. student or a Ph.D. student (pre-candidacy). Students in the MPhil-PhD Programme will at any one time be classified into one of the following three categories:
- M.Phil. student
- Ph.D. student (pre-candidacy); or
- Ph.D. student (post-candidacy) – or Ph.D. candidate for short.
Transfer of Candidature from MPhil to PhD
Transfer between M.Phil. and Ph.D. (pre-candidacy) is permitted subject to approval by the Division and availability of supporting grants. Students should complete relevant application form and submit it to the supervisor and Division Head for consideration.
Requirements for transfer of candidacy from MPhil to PhD for the articulated MPhil-PhD programme are as follows:
- To submit a research proposal.
- To attend an oral examination.
Advancement to PhD (Post-candidacy)
The Ph.D. (post-candidacy) status is not an entry point. Such a status can only be gained by a Ph.D. student (pre-candidacy) upon satisfying all the candidacy requirements:
- Coursework Requirement
- Candidacy Examination
- Thesis Proposal and Oral Defence
- Other Requirements
Only students who have successfully achieved the Ph.D. (post-candidacy) status are eligible to submit a thesis and join the final thesis assessment.
Additional information can be obtained from:
Graduate School
The Chinese University of Hong Kong https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/
