The MPhil-PhD programme supports interdisciplinary studies in the field of public health and primary care and aims to build the capacity of students in research methodologies as they relate to public and population health, and community oriented primary care. The fields of study are related to health protection, health improvement and as well as research methodologies and health service provision. Students will need to learn by conducting independent research and by participating in the work of the CUHK JC School of Public Health and Primary Care. MPhil and PhD programmes are articulated, which means that students can, with Division approval, transfer from the MPhil to the first (pre-candidacy) part of the PhD, and vice-versa.
MPhil Stream
MPhil students are required to complete 12 units of compulsory lecture courses and must take courses in thesis research and seminar in each academic year. Each MPhil student is also required to submit a thesis based on his/her research and pass the oral defence for graduation.
PhD Stream
Pre-candidacy
PhD students are required to complete 12 units of compulsory lecture courses and must take courses in thesis research and attend seminars in each academic year. Each PhD student is also required to submit a thesis proposal and pass the candidacy requirements within the maximum period of pre-candidacy stage for the advancement to post-candidacy stage.
Post-candidacy
Each PhD student is required to take courses in thesis research and seminars throughout the rest of the normative study period. Each student is required to submit a thesis based on his/her research and pass the oral defence for graduation.
Research Fields
- Family Medicine and Primary Health Care
- Epidemiology and Biostatistics
- Bioinformatics, Machine Learning and Big Data
- Environmental Health and Infectious Diseases
- Global Health Policy, Health System & Healthcare Delivery
- Mental Well-Being, Social & Health Behavior, Addiction
- Non-communicable Disease and Aging
In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants should preferably have a good honours degree or equivalent in a related field.
Main Round: 1 December 2025
Clearing Round: 31 March 2026
(Applications in Clearing Round will only be considered subject to availability of places.)
(for PhD programmes only)
Professor Kin-fai HO
Graduate Division of Public Health,
Room 401, 4/F, JC School of Public Health and Primary Care Building,
Prince of Wales Hospital, Shatin, Hong Kong


