To: Research Postgraduate Students/Taught Doctoral Students

Dear Students,

At its Third Meeting (2024-25) held on 28 February 2025, the Executive Committee of Graduate Council (GCExCo) deliberated and approved proposed revisions made to the Guidelines and Procedures for Thesis Submission/Assessment for Research Postgraduate and Taught Doctoral Students, which are available to Graduate Divisions and staff.

Prior to the abovementioned approval, when research postgraduate students received a Grade IV (i.e., recommended for award of research Master’s degree) for their research doctoral theses/portfolios, there was no timeline specifying the submission deadline of the revised version of the theses/portfolios. 

Considering that revisions may be required for research doctoral theses/portfolios that received a Grade IV, the GCExCo resolved that with effect from 1 March 2025, students are required to submit the revised version of their theses/portfolios no later than six months from the date the GCExCo approves the recommendation of a final grade of IV. Furthermore, students are required to submit the final version of the MPhil thesis/portfolio within one year from the above deadline, failure to do so will result in discontinuation of studies at the University, unless special approval is granted by the Graduate Council.

Please note that according to the General Regulations Governing Postgraduate Studies, a student shall complete all requirements for graduation within the maximum period of study, which shall include any periods of leave of absence and suspension of studies. A student who has not completed all requirements for graduation within the maximum period of study shall be discontinued from studies at the University. Hence, if students will have exceeded the maximum period of study by the time they submit the revised/final version of the thesis, they should submit an application to extend the maximum study end date for the approval of the GCExCo.

The updated version of the Postgraduates Student Handbook 2024-25 (VII-K) has been posted on the Graduate School website (GSO website > Students). 

For enquiries, please contact GSO via https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/help/. Thank you for your attention.

March 2025