For students of regular RPg programmes

A student registered for the degree of MPhil or PhD shall follow an approved programme of research and coursework under a Chief Supervisor and, if appropriate, Co-supervisor(s).

For Dual PhD and PolyU Joint PhD Supervision students

A student registered for the Dual PhD programme or the PolyU Joint PhD Supervision programme shall follow an approved programme of research and coursework under a Chief Supervisor from PolyU, a Chief Supervisor from partner university (for Dual PhD programmes)/Co-supervisor from partner institution/university (for PolyU Joint PhD Supervision programmes), and, if appropriate, additional internal or external Co-supervisors.

With a view to providing both departments and newly-admitted RPg students with opportunities to identify the most appropriate supervisors, the DoRPgS shall follow one of the following supervisory arrangements:

1. For an RPg student admitted with a detailed research proposal and a proposed Chief Supervisor, the DoRPgS shall (i) assign a Chief Supervisor and (ii) assign Co-supervisors as appropriate when considering the application and approving the admission.

2. For an RPg student admitted without being assigned a Chief Supervisor and without an approved research project at the point of admission, i.e., on the first day of his/her affiliation with the Department/School, the Department/School is obliged to assign the most suitable staff member(s) as supervisor(s) within four months of admission, and the RPg student and his/her supervisor(s) are required to formulate a research proposal for the DoRPgS’ approval within four months of admission.

   Usually, three months after admitting the RPg student, the Department/School will invite him/her to submit the information on the supervisor(s) and research proposal using Form GSB/49 and Form GSB/1A.  A Dual PhD or PolyU Joint PhD Supervision student will be required to submit an updated study plan using Form GSB/J4B

   Upon receipt of the required documents, the Department/School will confirm the supervisory arrangement and the programme of study with the student concerned in writing.