PhD
PhD, studying Archaeology, with research in Armenia
If you are interested in studying the past and the digital methods that help us study and share the past from our fieldwork project in Armenia, please consider applying to a four-year PhD program at the University of Hong Kong (HKU). There are two application deadlines each year: in mid-November and late April. The best time to apply is mid-November, as more spaces are available and you can apply to funding sources at that time.
As a PhD student in archaeology at HKU, each summer you will join our archaeological fieldwork project in Armenia. You will develop a research topic related to this fieldwork and often including a digital component. Here are some potential topic areas:
As a PhD student in archaeology at HKU, each summer you will join our archaeological fieldwork project in Armenia. You will develop a research topic related to this fieldwork and often including a digital component. Here are some potential topic areas:
- near eastern archaeology, archaeological field methods, 3d modeling in archaeology, archaeology of Armenia, landscape archaeology
- digital humanities, data science/information sciences/information management in studying the past, archaeology databases, geographic information systems (GIS), fieldwork collections management
- cultural heritage, public outreach, including 3d modeling, virtual reality, and augmented/mixed reality
- humanities education, teaching archaeology with digital technologies, teaching through experiential learning and travel
These are just a sampling, and other related topics are also possible, as long as it has a foundation in our fieldwork in Armenia.
Program and Funding
This is a 4-year PhD program, with some classwork during the first year, based on the UK graduate-study model. The student produces a dissertation in English and works on research and publications during the program. Classwork in the first year introduces generalized research methods. More information about the PhD or MPhil program in Archaeology within the HKU Faculty of Arts can be found at this website.
As part of the application process, you will apply for full funding for the 4 years. Funding is not available for every student and admission is easier if you do not require funding. For those who do secure funding, the take-home annual stipend after tuition begins at approximately $22,000 USD, but the top candidates can earn up to $50,000 USD per year - in order to apply for funding you must apply in mid-November. The full fellowship details are available at this HKU website. Local Hong Kong students do not pay tuition.
Hong Kong and the University
Hong Kong is a vibrant global city, with one of the world's top dining experiences. The University uses only English in communications and work, and life in the city is straightforward without a knowledge of Chinese. Hong Kong has significant green space for hiking, and incredible sea views. It is well connected to much of Asia through airplane and train networks. The University of Hong Kong is the oldest and highest-ranked university in the city, and one of the top universities in Asia and the world.
Foreign students are given priority for affordable on-campus housing for at least the first year of study. Off-campus housing is not inexpensive, but there exists a wide range of options. You will spend about two to three months each summer in Armenia with the archaeology field project, which is significantly less expensive.
Qualifications and Application
The applicant should have an enthusiasm for studying or teaching the past and an interest in digital methods. Applicants from all over the world are encouraged to apply. Qualifications that will help an application include excellent grades and/or academic honors. A masters degree or a few years of real-world experience outside academia is helpful but not required. Students from all academic backgrounds are welcome to apply, especially digital humanities, archaeology or history, information or library sciences, education, computer science, and engineering. Prior archaeological experience is not required. Applicants should have the maturity, self-direction, professionalism, and persistence to commit to a 4-year program. Students should be physically prepared to work outdoors during the summers. All students should have a good command of English for writing. Any student who does not come from a university where the primary language of instruction is in English must also pass an English exam, full information here.
Applicants also must demonstrate a dedication and commitment to the field research project in Armenia. Therefore, applicants must first join the fieldwork project as volunteers during a summer prior to submitting their application. Please contact Prof. Peter J. Cobb by email as soon as possible to learn more information. It is best to make contact well before the summer.
We particularly invite applicants from South/Central America, Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and other areas of the world that are currently under-represented in the Near Eastern archaeological research community.
Applications must be prepared in coordination with the potential HKU supervisor. Due dates are in mid-November and late April each year, for admission in the following September. The application requires the development of a short research proposal, two references who fill out an online form, and transcripts (with English translations if required). Full application requirements can be found here. Please contact Prof. Peter J. Cobb by email well in advance of the due date to express interest and begin preparations.
Program and Funding
This is a 4-year PhD program, with some classwork during the first year, based on the UK graduate-study model. The student produces a dissertation in English and works on research and publications during the program. Classwork in the first year introduces generalized research methods. More information about the PhD or MPhil program in Archaeology within the HKU Faculty of Arts can be found at this website.
As part of the application process, you will apply for full funding for the 4 years. Funding is not available for every student and admission is easier if you do not require funding. For those who do secure funding, the take-home annual stipend after tuition begins at approximately $22,000 USD, but the top candidates can earn up to $50,000 USD per year - in order to apply for funding you must apply in mid-November. The full fellowship details are available at this HKU website. Local Hong Kong students do not pay tuition.
Hong Kong and the University
Hong Kong is a vibrant global city, with one of the world's top dining experiences. The University uses only English in communications and work, and life in the city is straightforward without a knowledge of Chinese. Hong Kong has significant green space for hiking, and incredible sea views. It is well connected to much of Asia through airplane and train networks. The University of Hong Kong is the oldest and highest-ranked university in the city, and one of the top universities in Asia and the world.
Foreign students are given priority for affordable on-campus housing for at least the first year of study. Off-campus housing is not inexpensive, but there exists a wide range of options. You will spend about two to three months each summer in Armenia with the archaeology field project, which is significantly less expensive.
Qualifications and Application
The applicant should have an enthusiasm for studying or teaching the past and an interest in digital methods. Applicants from all over the world are encouraged to apply. Qualifications that will help an application include excellent grades and/or academic honors. A masters degree or a few years of real-world experience outside academia is helpful but not required. Students from all academic backgrounds are welcome to apply, especially digital humanities, archaeology or history, information or library sciences, education, computer science, and engineering. Prior archaeological experience is not required. Applicants should have the maturity, self-direction, professionalism, and persistence to commit to a 4-year program. Students should be physically prepared to work outdoors during the summers. All students should have a good command of English for writing. Any student who does not come from a university where the primary language of instruction is in English must also pass an English exam, full information here.
Applicants also must demonstrate a dedication and commitment to the field research project in Armenia. Therefore, applicants must first join the fieldwork project as volunteers during a summer prior to submitting their application. Please contact Prof. Peter J. Cobb by email as soon as possible to learn more information. It is best to make contact well before the summer.
We particularly invite applicants from South/Central America, Africa, South/Southeast Asia, and other areas of the world that are currently under-represented in the Near Eastern archaeological research community.
Applications must be prepared in coordination with the potential HKU supervisor. Due dates are in mid-November and late April each year, for admission in the following September. The application requires the development of a short research proposal, two references who fill out an online form, and transcripts (with English translations if required). Full application requirements can be found here. Please contact Prof. Peter J. Cobb by email well in advance of the due date to express interest and begin preparations.