This Research degree covers:
Introduction
Ranked among the top three in the world, the School of Hotel and Tourism Management (SHTM) is best placed to provide international education to meet the specific demands of a truly global industry.
More than 2,100 students are enrolled in the SHTM, supported by 70 academics from 21 countries and regions. Our internationally renowned faculty creates a multicultural environment in which students benefit from a range of innovative teaching and learning techniques.
The success of a research institution is largely due to its provision and training of young scholars. To provide leadership in developing future scholars in hospitality and tourism management, the SHTM offers research programmes leading to the Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) degree. The critical mass of globally recognised researchers, together with the attractive stipend for research students and the unique 鈥淓ast meets West鈥 environment, make our highly competitive research programmes very successful. Many of our PhD graduates are now serving as faculty members in universities worldwide.
Research students work on projects under the supervision of experienced faculty members and take advanced subjects in preparation for a major piece of research in a focused area of hospitality and tourism.
With an international and multicultural environment, friendly staff and valuable opportunities for peer relationships, the SHTM prepares students for leadership positions in their chosen careers.
Course Structure:
Three years (for students admitted on the basis of a Master's degree with a significant research component);
Four years (for students admitted on the basis of a Master's degree or a Bachelor's degree).
*Price shown is for indicative purposes, please
September 2025
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
ST305, 3/F, Ng Wing Hong Building,
Hung Hom,
Kowloon City, Hong Kong, Kowloon
3-year full-time PhD programme
Normally hold an MPhil or equivalent (a research postgraduate degree with a dissertation as an award requirement) conferred by a recognised university.
4-year full-time PhD programme
Normally hold:
A Master鈥檚 degree; OR
A Bachelor鈥檚 degree with First Class Honours (or equivalent qualification), conferred by a recognised university.
PolyU may accept other equivalent qualifications. The decision is made on an individual basis.
English Language Requirements
The requirements for those who do not have a degree for which English was the language of instruction at a recognized university are:
An overall score of at least 6.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); OR
A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 80 or above for the Internet-based test or 550 or above for the paper-based test.
All English language test scores are considered valid for two years after the date of the test.
*There may be different IELTS requirements depending on your chosen course.
PolyU ranks 65th in the QS World University Rankings and 79th in the Times Higher Education World University Rankings internationally.