Division / Teaching Staff
Code of Practice (Research Postgraduate Studies)
Dec 2023
Cover Page                                                                                                                                                                                                 Full set of documents
Preface
Content
1. Role of Stakeholders    
  1.1 Stakeholders and governance structure 6
  1.2 Interaction between student and Supervisor 7
  1.3 Graduate Panel 9
2. Basic Information on Programmes and Courses   
  2.1 Research postgraduate programmes 10
  2.2 M.Phil.-Ph.D. Programmes 10
  2.3 Strategic goal statement for research postgraduate programmes 11
  2.4 Graduate attributes of research postgraduate programmes 11
  2.5 Modes of study 12
  2.6 Jointly supervised research postgraduate programmes 12
  2.7 Courses 13
  2.8 Course code and sequence 13
  2.9 Cross-institutional courses sharing 14
3. Admissions   
  3.1 Admission process 15
  3.2 Entrance requirements 15
  3.3 Quality of students admitted to research postgraduate programmes 15
4. Registration/Residence Requirements/Leave of Absence  
  4.1 Orientation 17
  4.2 Student registration 17
  4.3 Course selection 17
  4.4 Residence requirements 18
  4.5 Normative and maximum study periods 19
  4.6 Shortening of the normative study period 19
  4.7 Transfer of candidature or change of study programme or study mode 20
  4.8 Leave of absence 22
  4.9 Student visa 23
  4.10 Employment 24
5. Supervisors   
  5.1 Assignment of Supervisors 26
  5.2 Eligibility requirements of a Supervisor 26
  5.3 Induction of new Supervisors 28
6. Progress towards Graduation   
  6.1 Graduation requirements 29
  6.2 Course requirements 29
  6.3 Postgraduate students taking undergraduate courses 29
  6.4 Research thesis and oral examination 30
  6.5 Candidature for doctoral degree 30
  6.6 Candidacy Examination and Qualifying Examination 31
  6.7 Improving Postgraduate Learning 31
  6.8 Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research and Research Ethics Training module on Publication Ethics 32
  6.9 Other requirements 32
  6.10 Course and unit exemptions 32
  6.11 Study Plan and Progress Report for RPg Studies 33
  6.12 Departmental duties and teaching assistance 33
  6.13 Language policy 34
7. Assessment and Examination   
  7.1 Assessment of academic performance 35
  7.2 Course grades 35
  7.3 Assessment Panel 36
  7.4 Examination administration 36
  7.5 Grade appeal process 37
  7.6 Unsatisfactory performance 37
8. Thesis   
  8.1 Preparation for research and thesis writing 38
  8.2 Research ethics 38
  8.3 Procedures 38
  8.4 Declaration of intention to submit thesis/portfolio 41
  8.5 Thesis Assessment Committee 42
  8.6 Thesis proposal and defence of proposal 43
  8.7 Submission of thesis/portfolio 43
  8.8 Oral examination 44
  8.9 Written examination 45
  8.10 Thesis/Portfolio grades and follow-up actions 45
  8.11 Re-submission 46
  8.12 Deferment of submission of thesis/portfolio 46
  8.13 Submission of final version of thesis/portfolio 46
  8.14 Copyright of theses/portfolio 46
  8.15 Confidentiality of thesis/portfolio 47
9. Financial Assistance and Fees  
  9.1 Postgraduate Studentship 48
  9.2 Grants for academic travel and Global Scholarship 49
  9.3 Other financial assistance and scholarships 50
  9.4 Student fees 50
  9.5 Payment schedule of tuition fee 51
10. Academic Honesty and Disciplinary Action
  10.1 Academic honesty 52
  10.2 Infringement of copyright 52
  10.3 Graduate School Disciplinary Committee 53
11. Course Evaluation and Feedback
  11.1  Course and Teaching Evaluation Questionnaire 54
  11.2  Feedback via Progress Report for RPg Studies 54
  11.3  Exit survey (Survey on Research Postgraduate Programmes) 54
12. Credentials
  12.1 Academic results 55
  12.2 Transcripts 55
  12.3 Letter of Certification 55
  12.4 Report on Curriculum Details 55
  12.5 Graduate Certificate 56
  12.6 Replacement of Graduate Certificate 56
  12.7 Certified true copy of the Graduate Certificate 56
13. Appeals and Complaints
  13.1 Complaint process 57
  13.2 Policy against sexual harassment  57
  13.3 Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance 58
  13.4 Whistleblowing Policy 59
14.   Services and Support for Students
  14.1 Chinese University Student Information System (CUSIS) 60
  14.2 Graduate School Platform  60
  14.3 Student Advisory System 60
  14.4 University Library 61
  14.5 Language training 61
  14.6 Independent Learning Centre 61
  14.7 Information Technology Services Centre 62
  14.8 Student services and student activities 62
  14.9 Student hostels  62
  14.10 Student association 63
  14.11 University Health Service  63
  14.12 Other cultural/recreational/sports facilities and services 63
  14.13 Safety and environmental issues  64
Sources of information contained in this Code of Practice       65