Joint Educational Placement for PhD with the other Universities

Programme features

The University of Hong Kong (HKU), Sapienza Universita di Roma (SUdR) and McMaster University (MU) have formed a consortium in offering this Joint Educational Placement for PhD programme. The programme will be managed by a Board of sixteen academic staff members, which consists of eight members appointed by Sapienza Universita di Roma (SUdR) and four members appointed by other institutions. 

Students admitted to this programme will:

• be enrolled to two institutions, one as the Home Institution and the other as the Host Institution;

• be registered as full-time PhD students at the Home Institution but shall enjoy access to facilities at both institutions;

• be required to meet the minimum admission requirements of both institutions;

• be co-supervised by supervisors at both institutions;

• be required to spend at least six months at the Host Institution; and

• submit a single thesis to the Home Institution, the thesis will then be examined by at least three members from the Board in accordance with existing rules and guidelines at the Home Institution.

Admissions

Interested applicants should first contact the institutions concerned on supervisors and subject areas available.

Students are required to meet the entry requirements of the two chosen institutions:

• Sapienza Universita di Roma

• McMaster University 

• The University of Hong Kong

Applicants can apply through the Home Institution, and they are required to submit one application only.

• To apply through Sapienza Universita di Roma (i.e. SUdR as your Home Institution)

• To apply through McMaster University (i.e. MU as your Home Institution)

• To apply through The University of Hong Kong (i.e. HKU as your Home Institution)

Fees, scholarships and other expenses

Students will pay tuition fees and relevant fees to the Home Institution even while undertaking courses at the Host Institution. They will be exempted from paying tuition fees to the Host Institution.

Students will need to secure a studentship from one of the Consortium institutions. A student who has been awarded a studentship from an institution will be bound by the terms and conditions of studentship of the awarding institution. 

The airfare and travelling expenses incurred by a student travelling to the Host Institution, accommodation and all living expenses, including medical/health insurance will be borne by the student, with possible support from either the Home or Host Institution, if available and merited. 

Award of degree

Each student will be awarded a single doctoral degree from the Home Institution with both the parchment (degree certificate) and transcript. The transcript will have a note on it stating that “the degree is awarded as a single degree under the “Sapienza Universita di Roma, McMaster University and The Univeristy of Hong Kong Joint PhD consortium". The student will be regarded as a graduate of the Home Institution only, but the Host Institution may at their discretion admit the student to the alumni associations.

Programme features

The University of Toronto (UofT) was founded in 1827. It is made up of a wide range of Schools/Faculties including Applied Science & Engineering, Architecture, Landscape & Design, Arts and Science, Dentistry, Education, Forestry, Global Affairs, Information, Kinesiology and Physical Education, Law, Management, Medicine, Music, Nursing, Pharmacy, Public Health, Public Policy & Governance, and Social Work. The University is one of the most important research institutions in Canada and has gained an international reputation for its research.

Students admitted to the programme will:

• be registered as full-time students at both institutions and be able to enjoy their full range of academic and various facilities;

• be guided in their work by faculty members from both institutions, and be examined to the standards of both; and

• normally split their time of study equally between the two institutions, and spend the last 6 months of study at the Lead Institution.

Admissions

Students are required to meet the entry requirements of both universities:

• University of Toronto

• The University of Hong Kong 

(Students applying through HKU are also required to meet the English Language proficiency requirements of University of Toronto).

Applicants can apply through either university. The admission decision will, however, be made jointly by both universities.

To apply through The University of Hong Kong (i.e. HKU as your Home Institution):

1. Please submit an on-line application to HKU (with application fee). Your application will be reviewed by the supervisor, Department, Faculty and the Joint Doctor of Philosophy Degree Committee (JDP Committee) members at HKU, where appropriate.
2. If your application is supported by HKU for putting forward to UofT for consideration, you will be requested to submit an on-line application (with application fee) to the UofT, and complete the relevant parts of the 'Agreement for a Joint Educational Placement-Doctorate' for submission to the UofT for consideration.

To apply through University of Toronto (i.e. UofT as your Home Institution):

• You only need to submit one on-line application (with application fee) to the UofT. The UofT will pass your application to HKU for consideration, where appropriate. You do not need to submit a separate application to HKU.

Fees, scholarships and other expenses

Students will pay tuition fees to the admitting university for the whole period of candidature. Applicants applying through HKU can apply for Postgraduate Scholarship (PGS). Please click here for more information about PGS. 

The living cost of students varies depending on different factors like duration of study, accommodation type and lifestyle. Please click here for details. 

Award of degree

Upon successful completion of the programme, student will be conferred a single doctoral degree from the Lead Institution. The transcript will have a note on it stating that “the degree is awarded as a single degree under a Joint Placement arrangement with the University of Toronto”.