The Programme is research-oriented. The normative period for full-time study is 3 years for students with a research master's degree and 4 years for students without a research master's degree. All students in the Ph.D. stream will be admitted initially in the 'pre-candidacy' status. Upon satisfying the division's candidacy requirements, a student will be allowed to progress to the 'post-candidacy' status.

Pre-candidacy requirements

1. complete at least 12 units of postgraduate level courses as approved by the Division
2. complete at least 2 'Seminar' courses
3. pass the candidacy examination, submit a thesis proposal and pass an oral examination.

Post-candidacy requirements
The major graduation requirement for a Ph.D. student (post-candidacy) include:

1. complete at least 4 'Seminar' courses
2. submit a doctoral thesis which contains a substantial amount of original research work in the related areas, and to pass an oral defense of the thesis.

MPhil Stream in Computer Science and Engineering
(for students admitted in 2006-07 and thereafter)

The Programme is research-oriented. The normative period for full-time study is 2 years. The major graduation requirement for an MPhil student include:

1. complete at least 12 units of postgraduate level courses as approved by the Division
2. complete at least 4 'Seminar' courses
3. submit a term paper followed by an oral presentation at the end of each term.
4. undertake a research project of which a thesis is to be submitted, and to pass an oral defense of the thesis.

Students may apply to transfer to the Ph.D. stream if they can satisfy the Ph.D. requirement after completing the first year of study.