Faculty of Arts, HKU - Postgraduate Programmes - Research Postgraduate Programmes - Faculty's Guidelines for Research Postgraduate Students

Postgraduate Programmes > Current Students: Research Postgraduate Programmes > Guidelines on "detailed scheme of research"

Confirmation of Candidature

Guidelines on writing the detailed scheme of research for confirmation of candidature

According to Regulation MPH/PHD5(a), by the end of the probationary period, MPhil/PhD candidates must demonstrate capability in research, submit a detailed scheme of research, and complete the required proportion of coursework (for MPhil and 4-year PhD only).

The Higher Arts Degrees Committee agreed, at its meeting of January 20, 2009, to set up the following guidelines to guide candidates on writing the detailed scheme of research:

MPhil
Candidates are required to submit a "detailed scheme of research" for confirmation of candidature. It is not proposed to impose complete uniformity on candidates, but it is suggested that the scheme should include: a general statement of the topic and aims of the thesis, the methodology being employed and/or the intellectual framework within which the research is being carried out, a provisional chapter outline or structure, and a relevant scholarly bibliography. The proposal should be at least 3-4 pages double-spaced.

PhD
Candidates are required to submit a "detailed scheme of research" for confirmation of candidature. It is not proposed to impose complete uniformity on candidates, but it is suggested that the scheme should include: a general statement of the topic and aims of the thesis, including the contribution to the field of study that the thesis is intended to achieve, the methodology being employed and/or the intellectual framework within which the research is being carried out, a provisional chapter outline or structure, and a relevant scholarly bibliography. The proposal should be at least 10 pages double-spaced.

The above guidelines are intended to provide for the minimum Faculty requirements on a detailed scheme of research submitted for confirmation. Supervisors and the School/department may prescribe additional requirements. Candidates are advised to discuss in good time with their supervisors how to write the research scheme, which will be submitted to the Faculty only if it is satisfactory to the supervisor and the Departmental Research Postgraduate Committee.