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HKU IDS

Research Postgraduate Programme

Nurturing the Next Generation of Data Scientists

Programme Introduction

DATA8006 – Advanced Data Mining​
DATA8007 – Foundations of Sequential Decision-Making
DATA8008 – Scalable Optimization Methods in Data Science​
DATA8009 – Advanced Deep Learning for Computer Vision​
DATA8010 – Embodied AI: Perception, Representation and Action 

Programme Introduction

DATA8001 – High-dimensional Data Analysis
DATA8002 – Statistical Inference and Machine Learning for Network Data

DATA8003 – Theoretical Foundation of Deep Learning

DATA8004 – Optimization for Statistical Learning
DATA8005 – Advanced Natural Language Processing

HKU IDS

Research
Postgraduate
Programme

MPhil & PhD Admission

Nurturing the Next Generation of Data Scientists

HKU IDS

Research Postgraduate Programme

MPhil & PhD Admission

Nurturing the Next Generation of Data Scientists

HKU IDS

Research Postgraduate Programme

Course List for 2023/24

Course Code Course Title Category
Semester 1 (Fall 2023)​
DATA8001 High-dimensional Data Analysis Foundation
DATA8002 Statistical Inference and Machine Learning for Network Data Foundation
DATA8003 Theoretical Foundation of Deep Learning Computation​
DATA8004 Optimization for Statistical Learning Computation​
DATA8005 Advanced Natural Language Processing Application​
Semester 2 (Spring 2024)​
DATA8006 Advanced Data Mining​ Foundation
DATA8007 Foundations of Sequential Decision-Making Foundation
DATA8008 Scalable Optimization Methods in Data Science​ Computation​
DATA8009 Advanced Deep Learning for Computer Vision​ Application
DATA8010 Embodied AI: Perception, Representation and Action  Application​

Time & Venue

Course Code Time Venue
DATA8006 13:30 – 16:20 @ Jan 15 – Apr 22, 2024 (Mondays)​ P603, IDS Seminar Room, Graduate House
DATA8007 13:30 – 16:20 @ Jan 18 – Apr 25, 2024 (Thursdays) P603, IDS Seminar Room, Graduate House
DATA8008 09:30 – 12:20 @ Jan 16 – Apr 23, 2024 (Tuesdays) P603, IDS Seminar Room, Graduate House
DATA8009 13:30 – 16:20 @ Jan 17 – Apr 24, 2024 (Wednesdays) P603, IDS Seminar Room, Graduate House
DATA8010 13:30 – 16:20 @ Jan 16 – Apr 23, 2024 (Tuesdays) P603, IDS Seminar Room, Graduate House

Why IDS?

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How to Apply

Step 1

Search for potential supervisor(s) from the list of our HKU IDS scholars.

Meet our scholars

Step 2

Discuss the proposed research areas with the potential HKU IDS scholar(s) if appropriate.

Step 3

Submit the application through the Online Application System for PhD and MPhil Admission on the Graduate School website. You can alternatively submit your application directly as well.

For more details about the application procedures and documents required, please visit the Graduate School website. You can browse the FAQ page here or view the video below for the step-by-step procedures.

Online Application System

Note: Choose “Data Science”, as one of the “Interdisciplinary areas” in the proposed faculty of study, from the drop-down list under the Online Application system of Graduate School, and you will be referred to our HKU IDS scholars.

Qualifications

PhD:

  • a Bachelor’s degree with honours and a taught Master’s degree (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university; or
  • a Bachelor’s degree with first class honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university.

MPhil:

  • a Bachelor’s degree with honours (or equivalent qualification) from a recognized university

Detailed admission requirements to research postgraduate studies, such as English language proficiency, can be found at the page below:

General Admission Requirements

Faculty/School/Departmental courses are offered and arranged by individual Faculties. You may refer to the landing page of Graduate School below for the summary of the departmental courses you need to take during your studies.

Learn More About Departmental Course Requirements

For further details of coursework requirements and courses, students are advised to consult the homepages of the IDS scholars’ host/co-host departments.

Key Deadlines for Application

MPhil and PhD admissions, and applications for the HKU Presidential PhD Scholar Programme, are welcome all year round. Applications to the Hong Kong PhD Fellowship Scheme (HKPFS) are usually invited from September to early December.

In view of the limited admission quota, you are strongly encouraged to apply as early as possible during the Main Round. Applications will be considered in the clearing rounds only if there are vacancies after the Main Round.

Year 2023/24Dates of application
Main Round1 September 2023 – 1 December 2023 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
1st Clearing Round2 December 2023 – 30 April 2024 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)
2nd Clearing Round1 May 2024 – 31 August 2024 (HKT 23:59, GMT+8)

Key deadlines for application

For admission in 2023-24, please observe the following dates, while you are advised to apply as early as possible in case the slots are filled in the main round of application
Year 2023/24 Dates of application
Main Round September 1, 2022 – December 1, 2022
Clearing Round 1 December 2, 2022 – April 30, 2023
Clearing Round 2 May 1, 2023 – August 31, 2023

Our Postgraduate Programmes

The Musketeers Foundation Institute of Data Science is in collaboration with various different Departments and Faculties at the University to offer two postgraduate porgrammes by research, the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) programmes, to students who are devoted to exploring frontier research and applications in data science, and other cross-disciplinary areas, in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area, and globally.

The Institute aims to draw on strengths in varied disciplines, and to connect our expertise and a University-wide interest in establishing critical mass in key areas, and to explore frontier research and applications in data science, computing, mathematics, and statistics. One of our key missions is to nurture and support the next generation of data scientists who have a sense of social responsibility for the community they serve.

Why Choose IDS?

  • Interdisciplinary research environment, with varied and advanced industrial support
  • International scholars recruited under the HKU-100 Professoriate Data Science Cluster as mentors
  • Comprehensive networks with top global research institutions as well as
  • Strategically located in the Greater Bay Area

Curricula

Programme Coursework* required by Graduate School Coursework* required by respective Host Department
MPhil 2 compulsory components (6 modules in total) Please browse the homepages below for more details:
3-year PhD 1 compulsory module
4-year PhD 2 compulsory components (6 modules in total)
More details are available online at the Graduate School’s webpage.

Other requirements

Students are expected to participate in the Institute’s academic activities such as the HKU-IDS Scholar Seminar Series, public lectures, workshops, and sharing sessions by mentors. Attendance at tutorials and the Institute’s event organization may be required.

Special requirements by respective departments are listed as follows:

Department of Industrial and Manufacturing Systems Engineering To give at least one research seminar before submission of his/her thesis title
Department of Computer Science To give a departmental pre-graduate seminar about his/her thesis work before thesis defense.