Calendar 2006–07

546 Part 7 • University Ordinance and Regulations 6.0 Candidature for Doctoral Degree 6.1 Advancement to doctoral candidature is conditional upon the successful completion of the following: (a) Study of a language other than Chinese and English where deemed necessary by the graduate division concerned; (b) Course work of varying scope deemed necessary by the graduate division concerned for the partial fulfilment of degree requirements; and (c) An examination, if required by the graduate division concerned. These requirements must be satisfied within a maximum length of time after the initial date of registration as specified in the programme of studies or as decided by the graduate division concerned, depending on the length of postgraduate training previously received by the student and the nature of the discipline. 6.2 For students admitted under the ‘MPhil–PhD programmes’, a PhD student (pre- candidacy) is required to fulfill the following requirements in order to advance to the PhD (post-candidacy) stage: (a) course requirements; (b) candidacy examination; and (c) thesis proposal and defence of proposal. These requirements shall be spelt out by graduate divisions and must be fulfilled within the following periods: Degree Full-time Part-time PhD (with a research master’s degree) 24 months 32 months PhD (without a research master’s degree) 36 months 48 months 6.3 Transfer of candidature (a) A student who has been registered in a course of study for a doctoral degree may, on the recommendation of the graduate division concerned, and with the approval of the Graduate Council, be transferred to a course of study for a master’s degree provided that such a transfer takes place before the thesis or portfolio is submitted. (b) A student who has been registered in a course of study for a master’s degree and has completed the first year of studies may be permitted, on the recommendation of the graduate division concerned and with the approval of the Graduate Council, to transfer to a course for a doctoral degree provided that the student meets the admission requirements. (c) A student admitted under the ‘MPhil–PhD programmes’ may be permitted to transfer between MPhil and PhD (pre-candidacy) on the recommendation of the graduate division concerned. Transfer from the PhD (post-candidacy) to MPhil status may be permitted exceptionally, on the recommendation of the graduate division concerned and with the approval of the Graduate Council.