UIC officially launched the Graduate School on 9 December 2017. Four research postgraduate programmes leading to MPhil and PhD qualifications in 2017/18 are offered: Biology, Chemistry, Statistics, in addition to Computer Science and Technology.

UIC has accomplished remarkable achievements with its undergraduate education since being established in 2005. In early 2015, the UIC Council elected to assess the College’s academic strength and explore the possibility of beginning to offer postgraduate programmes. In April 2015, after a Joint Institutional Review led by a panel comprised of members from both parent institutions, Beijing Normal University (BNU) and Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU), the UIC Council announced its official support for the launch of postgraduate education at UIC. In June 2016, UIC was given official approval from the Ministry of Education of the People’s Republic of China to offer postgraduate education through both research postgraduate and taught postgraduate programmes.

On 25 September 2017, the HKBU Senate met to approve, on the recommendation of the Academic Development Committee (ADC), the establishment of the UIC Graduate School and the provision of postgraduate education. Students will be awarded degrees from HKBU upon fulfilling all the requirements.

A Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programme will take three years, while a Master of Philosophy (MPhil) will take two years. The Research Postgraduate Programmes being offered for PhD and MPhil are Biology, Chemistry, Statistics in addition to Computer Science and Technology. For the PhD programme, students must complete a minimum of 12 units of coursework, which includes three units of Mandatory Common Core Courses. For the MPhil programme, students must complete a minimum of 15 units of coursework including three units of Mandatory Common Core Courses. Applicants with a relevant Master’s degree may be exempted from 3 units of coursework.

Reporter: Samuel Burgess
Photographer: Ivy Liao
Editor: Deen He