The Hong Kong Polytechnic University - Department of Applied Physics
Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) in Physics and Materials Science
Hong Kong, Hong Kong
PhD
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time, Part time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
TUITION FEES
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
The Department of Applied Physics (AP) focuses on five research areas: (1) Green Energy & Carbon Neutrality, (2) Machine Learning & Computational Physics, (3) Nanomaterials & Micro/Nanoelectronics, (4) Photonics, Plasmonics & Optoelectronics, and (5) Quantum Physics & Devices. Through our long term drive for academic excellence, AP has achieved outstanding results, including publications in internationally renowned journals, awards by local and international institutes, patents, elected fellowships in well-recognised international academic societies, and grants from government and industrial bodies.
At AP, we place great value on our long-standing collaborations with local industries and our commitment to providing application-driven curricula. Our involvement in research and consultancy continues to be well recognised across both academia and the professional sector. The achievements of our faculty and postgraduate students are reflected in the numerous research awards, grants, fellowships, and scholarships they have earned.
World Rankings
- #72 in Materials Sciences of QS World University Rankings 2025
- #28 in Best Universities for Materials Science of U.S. News & World Report Best Global Universities Ranking 2025
- A+ in Materials Science of The Times Higher Education China Subject Ratings 2024
4-Year PhD
| Coursework Components | Credits | Research Components |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE) | 1 |
Students are required to submit a thesis when their study is completed. The thesis should summarize the findings of the student’s original and independent research. An oral examination on the submitted thesis is required for the student. The oral examination comprises the following parts where the sequence is to be determined by individual board of examiners (BoE). |
| Research Seminars III | 4 | |
| Practicum | 2 | |
| 5 Elective Subjects | 15 | |
| Total | 22 |
3-Year PhD
| Coursework Components | Credits | Research Components |
|---|---|---|
| Academic Integrity and Ethics (AIE) | 1 | Students are required to submit a thesis when their study is completed. The thesis should summarize the findings of the student’s original and independent research. An oral examination on the submitted thesis is required for the student. The oral examination comprises the following parts where the sequence is to be determined by individual board of examiners (BoE). |
| Research Seminars II | 3 | |
| Practicum | 2 | |
| 3 Elective Subjects | 9 | |
| Total | 15 |
Fellowships and Scholarships for Research Students
PolyU provides a range of fellowship and scholarship opportunities for full-time Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) students. For detailed information on available schemes, please visit the Graduate School website.
Training Requirement
Recipients of fellowships or scholarships are required to complete at least 100 hours of teaching or professional service training per academic year, as assigned by the Department.
Renewal Conditions
Continuation of the fellowship or scholarship is subject to satisfactory academic performance andavailability of funding.