CUHK Graduate School

Division / Teaching Staff

Code of Practice for Postgraduate Studies

Code of Practice (Research Postgraduate Studies)

Code of Practice (Taught Postgraduate Studies)

Code of Practice (Research Postgraduate Studies)

Oct 2025

Cover Page Full set of documents

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	30
	5.2	Eligibility requirements of a Supervisor	30
	5.3	Induction of new Supervisors	32

6. Progress towards Graduation
	6.1	Graduation requirements	33
	6.2	Course requirements	33
	6.3	Postgraduate students taking undergraduate courses	33
	6.4	Research thesis and oral examination	34
	6.5	Candidature for doctoral degree	34
	6.6	Candidacy Examination and Qualifying Examination	35
	6.7	Improving Postgraduate Learning	35
	6.8	Observing Intellectual Property and Copyright Law during Research and Research Ethics Training module on Publication Ethics	36
	6.9	Other requirements	36
	6.10	Course and unit exemptions	37
	6.11	Study Plan and Progress Report for RPg Studies	37
	6.12	Departmental duties and teaching assistance	38
	6.13	Language policy	38

7. Assessment and Examination
	7.1	Assessment of academic performance	40
	7.2	Course grades	40
	7.3	Assessment Panel	41
	7.4	Examination administration	41
	7.5	Grade appeal process	42
	7.6	Unsatisfactory performance	42
	7.7	Re-instatement and re-admission	43

8. Thesis
	8.1	Preparation for research and thesis writing	44
	8.2	Research ethics	44
	8.3	Procedures	45
	8.4	Declaration of intention to submit thesis/portfolio	48
	8.5	Thesis Assessment Committee	48
	8.6	Thesis proposal and defence of proposal	49
	8.7	Submission of thesis/portfolio	49
	8.8	Oral examination	50
	8.9	Written examination	51
	8.10	Thesis/Portfolio grades and follow-up actions	51
	8.11	Grade II (Thesis submission NOT passed. Re-submission allowed and re-examination required)	52
	8.12	Grade IV (Research Doctoral student recommended for award of research master’s degree)	52
	8.13	Deferment of submission of thesis/portfolio	52
	8.14	Submission of final version of thesis/portfolio	53
	8.15	Copyright of theses/portfolio	53
	8.16	Confidentiality of thesis/portfolio	53

9. Financial Assistance and Fees
	9.1	Postgraduate Studentship	55
	9.2	Grants for academic travel and Global Scholarship	56
	9.3	Other financial assistance and scholarships	57
	9.4	Student fees	57
	9.5	Payment schedule of tuition fee	58

10. Academic Honesty and Disciplinary Action
	10.1	Academic honesty	59
	10.2	Infringement of copyright	59
	10.3	Graduate School Disciplinary Committee	60

11. Course Evaluation and Feedback
	11.1	Course and Teaching Evaluation Questionnaire	61
	11.2	Feedback via Progress Report for RPg Studies	61
	11.3	Exit survey (Survey on Research Postgraduate Programmes)	61

12. Credentials
	12.1	Academic results	62
	12.2	Transcripts	62
	12.3	Letter of Certification	62
	12.4	Report on Curriculum Details	62
	12.5	Graduate Certificate	62
	12.6	Replacement of Graduate Certificate	63
	12.7	Certified true copy of the Graduate Certificate	63

13. Appeals and Complaints
	13.1	Complaint process	64
	13.2	Policy against sexual harassment	64
	13.3	Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance	65
	13.4	Whistleblowing Policy	66

14. Services and Support for Students
	14.1	Chinese University Student Information System (CUSIS)	67
	14.2	Graduate School Platform	67
	14.3	Student Advisory System	67
	14.4	University Library	68
	14.5	Language training	68
	14.6	Independent Learning Centre	68
	14.7	Information Technology Services Centre	69
	14.8	Student services and student activities	69
	14.9	Student hostels	69
	14.10	Student association	69
	14.11	University Medical Service Office	70
	14.12	Other cultural/recreational/sports facilities and services	70
	14.13	Safety and environmental issues	71