MPhil-PhD in Marketing | School of Management and Economics

Programme Introduction

This integrated MPhil-PhD programme targets highly motivated, self-directed individuals who wish to pursue a higher degree in the area of Marketing, with research focus on consumer behavior, consumer judgment and decision making, quantitative modelling, behavioral marketing, and related domains.

Our target students may have a wide range of backgrounds, but should have a strong interest in marketing, and generally have completed undergraduate level courses in business. Applicants with background in arts, science and engineering are also welcome to apply.

Curriculum Arrangement

- Duration of Studies -

Degree	Study Mode	Maximum Pre- Candidacy Period	Normative Period	Maximum Period
Master of Philosophy	Full-time	--	2 years	4 years
PhD (enter with a research master’s degree)	Full-time	2 years	4 years	6 years
PhD (enter without a research master’s degree)	Full-time	3 years	5 years	7 years

- Unit Requirements -

1. Lecture courses (3-unit courses)

Group A
Microeconomic Theory I	Microeconomic Theory II	Macroeconomic Theory I
Econometrics I	Applied Econometrics	Advanced Seminar in Marketing – Consumer Behavioral Studies I
Advanced Seminar in Marketing – Consumer Behavioral Studies II	Advanced Seminar in Marketing – Analytical Models	Advanced Seminar in Marketing – Empirical Models
Advanced Seminar in Marketing – Big Data-based Consumer Behavioral Research	Research Methods in Psychology and Social Sciences	Statistics in Psychology and Social Sciences
Group B
Machine Learning	Review of Quantitative Methods	Game Theory
Industrial Organization	Special Topics in Consumer Information Processing

(Subject to change. )

In the pre-candidacy stage, a minimum of 27 units are required, with at least 18 units from Group A.

II. Thesis research courses

Each student’s progress in research is monitored through courses called ‘Thesis Research’. A minimum of 6 units are required per term in the pre-candidacy stage and 12 units in the candidacy stage.

Since the study period of the students may vary, the total number of thesis research courses to be taken may also vary, which will affect the total number of units taken by each student for graduation.

III. Other courses

- Research Seminars

- Thesis Writing and Defense

Please kindly find more details in the Study Plan of MPhil-PhD Programme (Click for more information)

Fees and Funding

The tuition fee of the programme is RMB115,000 per year.

In the academic year 2025-2026, the University and the School may offer various kinds of financial supports to selected applicants:

1. Presidential Fellowship. It carries an after-tax stipend of RMB180,000 per year to cover the normative period of study, subject to annual review. The student is required to work as a Teaching Assistant (TA) for at least four semesters (summer counts as one semester) during the scholarship period. In addition, the student is eligible to receive a tuition subsidy, like any other students.

2. Tuition Waivers.

3. Teaching/Research Assistantships. The student is required to serve as a TA or RA to earn a monthly stipend of up to RMB10,000 before-tax during the normative period of study.

The selection is based on merit and no application is necessary.

Admission Requirements

Minimum Entry Requirements

The applicant should have:

- Attained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized university, achieving an average grade of not lower than “B”;

- Fulfilled any one of the following English Language Proficiency Requirements

Completed a degree programme with English as medium of instruction, or
TOEFL: 79 (Internet-based/Home Edition), or
IELTS (Academic): 6.5 (Test Centre based/Online), or
GMAT: Band 21 (Verbal) (This requirement will be kept until the score validity phases out), or
GMAT Focus Edition: Band 78 (Verbal), or
Achieved a pass grade in English in the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level) or Hong Kong Higher Level Exam, or
Achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, or
Obtained a recognized professional qualification, provided that the examination was conducted in English.

- Taken the GRE General Test or GMAT.

Application Materials

Copies of bachelor’s and/or master’s degree certificate(s), graduation certificate(s), verification report(s) or Certificate of Enrollment
Official Transcripts
TOEFL, IELTS or GMAT score report as evidence of English language proficiency
GRE or GMAT score report
Contact details of at least two referees
Personal Statement (in English)
Curriculum Vitae (in English)
A writing sample (in English) is encouraged but not required
Other supporting documents as deemed appropriate

Application Deadline

From 1^st November 2024 to 1^st March 2025

Brochure