Admission

• Have obtained a bachelor’s degree in any discipline from a recognized university or completed a course of study equivalent to an honours degree in a recognized tertiary institution; and
• fulfill the “English Language Requirement for Admission” prescribed by the Graduate School before they are admitted. Please visit https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/page/EntryRequirements for details

All required supporting documents should be submitted to the Office of History Division before the application deadline.

The required supporting documents include:

• Submit Online Application Form
  (https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/onlineapp/programme_list.aspx?FAC=ATS&ACT=);
• Official transcripts and grading schemes of all tertiary level studies attended by applicants*; (Applicants holding CUHK qualification(s) may submit photocopies of their CUHK transcripts (student copy). However, unofficial copy downloaded from CUSIS will not be accepted.)
• Copies of degree certificates;
• Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Mainland China are required to provide an Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) issued by the CHESICC(學信網).
• Documents showing the applicant has fulfilled the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirement#
• Confidential Recommendations from Two referees* (It is required to use the standard electronic/paper Confidential Recommendation form. Applicant can input information of the TWO referees through the “Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes” after the submission of application.);
• Photocopy of Identity Card or Passport;
• A written statement explaining the purpose of their application (approximately 1000 words in English or 800 words in Chinese); and

* Official Transcripts and Confidential Recommendation must reach the Office of the History Division directly from the University and referees.

Note:# For TOFEL / IELTS, only the original valid official score report sent directly from the respective test organization to the University will be accepted. Original examinee’s score report will not be accepted (TOFEL – The University’s institution code is 0812. IELTS – please fill in the contact information of the Division of History on Question 23 of the IELTS Application Form.)

Candidates may be invited to attend interviews after initial selection.

Successful applications will be recommended to Graduate School for admission. Applicants may login to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes (https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/OnlineApp/login.aspx) from November 2020 to August 2021 to check the result and perform the registration including accept/decline admission offer.

Main Round: 31 January 2021
2nd Round: 28 February 2021

HK$300 (non-refundable and non-transferable)

Remarks:

1. A fine of HK$200 must be paid for late payment of tuition fee without sound reasons.
2. All fees once paid are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

For students fail to fulfill all graduation requirements within the Normative Study Period, or have to continue studies after the Normative Study Period will be put on continuing status and required to pay a continuation fee.

The continuation fee for academic year 2020-21 is HK$13,749 per course or HK$5,275 per term if no course is taken.

Remarks:

1. All fees once paid are non-refundable and non-transferrable.

Q1. What happens if I cannot submit all supporting documents (such as copies of certificates, official transcripts, recommendation letters) before the deadline?

Ans:

Your application will be initially reviewed, but a final decision will not be made until we have received all your supporting documents.

Q2. Whom should I ask to write confidential recommendations?

Ans:

There is no strict requirement regarding who your referees are. We suggest that recommendations should be written by individuals who can comment on your academic or professional achievements.

Q3. Can I submit a photocopy of my academic transcript?

Ans:

With effect from the academic year 2007-08, the regulation concerning the official transcript (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results) of all tertiary level studies governed by the Graduate School is stated as below:

1. (i) Non-CUHK qualifications: Photocopies will not be accepted. Applicants should complete the “Transcript Submission Covering Sheet” and send it to their universities to apply for transcripts. Transcripts should be returned directly to relevant Divisions in sealed envelope. Certificates and transcripts, which are not in English or Chinese, should be accompanied by a certified translation in either English or Chinese.
2. (ii) CUHK qualifications (Bachelor’s or higher degrees): Photocopies of transcripts issued by CUHK are accepted, but Academic Reports will NOT be accepted. Applicants should first complete the “Transcript Submission Covering Sheet” and attach it to the transcript copy. Please return the transcript copy to the relevant Divisions directly. CUHK students with other qualifications not awarded by CUHK are required to follow the requirement listed in (i). The University reserves the right to require applicants to submit the original transcript if deemed necessary.

Q4. When will I know the decision on my application?

Ans:

The notification period is from November to May every year.

Q5. How can I know the decision on my application?

Ans:

You can check the result by visiting the “Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes ” at https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/OnlineApp/login.aspx

Q6. Can I apply for this programme if my qualifications do not satisfy the minimum requirements for admission (e.g. I only possess a third-class honours degree)?

Ans:

Apart from academic performance, the Department will consider the work experience, professional qualifications, etc of an applicant when granting an admission.

Q7. I am neither a History major nor in the field of education, does it mean I have less chance of being admitted?

Ans:

You have an equal opportunity of being admitted in our programme regardless of your academic background.

Q8. Are there any similarities between the contents of this programme and the curricula of secondary education in Hong Kong?

Ans:

Some topics in the new secondary school curriculum (e.g. Chinese History, History, Integrated Humanities, Liberal Studies and Tourism and Hospitality Studies) may be covered in some courses.

Q9. When is the longest period of study?

Ans:

Full-time programme: 3 years / Part-time programme: 4 years

Q10. How many courses can be taken during the normative study period?

Ans:

Students are required to complete a total of 8 courses (24 credits) during the normative study period and may reference to the following recommended study load when planning their study.

Q11. What happen if I failed to complete the programme with the normative study period?

Ans:

If students fail to fulfill all graduation requirements within the Normative Study Period, or have to continue studies after the Normative Study Period, they will be put on continuing status and will be required to pay a continuation fee.

The amount of continuation fee is following the tuition fee of the latest academic year. For details, see “Tuition Fee”.

Q12. What is the format of assessment?

Ans:

The format of assessment is determined by the course professors. Normally, it includes tutorial presentation, thesis/term paper and/or projects; however, some courses may include a written examination.

Q13. Is a master’s thesis a MUST?

Ans:

The Department has not, for the time being, prescribed a master’s thesis as one of the requirements. Students are required to submit only assignments according to the requirements of each course.

Q14. Can students of this programme apply for campus housing?

Ans:

Owing to the current shortage in hostel places in the University, no on-campus accommodation can be provided for students taking self-financed taught programmes (including our programme). However, off-campus housing information will be made available to students on the website of the Incoming Students Section (ISS) of the Office of Student Affairs (http://www.cuhk.edu.hk/osa/ohis/). Information related to off-campus housing, including accommodation for rental in relevant districts, means of transport, points to note in signing a tenancy agreement, and useful links will be provided. Moreover, there will be a forum on the website for students to share housing information and experiences with each other.

Q15. May I defer my admission?

Ans:

Deferment requests are considered on an individual basis and subject to the approval of the Department/Graduate School panel. Applicant can approach the Department for application. The deferment request should not exceed one year.

Q16. What should I do if I want to apply for leave of absence?

Ans:

Applicants should complete the “Application Form for Leave of Absence” (it can be downloaded from “Programmes” > “M.A. Programme” > “Download Area” in this website or from the ‘Application Forms’ section on the GS Platform (Students)) and return it to our office before the beginning of the teaching terms. Upon the recommendation of the Programme Director and the Division Head, and the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, you are required to pay a non-refundable retention fee of HK$300 (per term). Leave of absence is limited to a maximum of one year in the first instance, and any extension is limited to a maximum of one more year, beyond which no further extension will be granted.

Q17. What should I do if I want to apply for shortening of my normative period of study?

Ans:

When you have completed all programme requirements before the normative study period, you should complete the “Application Form for Shortening of Normative Study Period” (it can be downloaded from “Programmes” > “M.A. Programme” > “Download Area” in this website or from the ‘Application Forms’ section on the GS Platform (Students)) and return it to our office for our further processing. Upon the recommendation of the Programme Director and the Division Head, and the approval of the Dean of the Graduate School, the date for your completion of the programme will be advanced. The maximum period to be shortened should not be more than 1 year (i.e. 2 teaching terms). However, please note that the tuition fee will not be reduced and the applicant still needs to pay the full tuition.

Q18. What should I do if I want to apply for withdrawal from the programme?

Ans:

Applicants should complete the “Notice of Withdrawal and Application Form for Refund of Caution Money” (they can be downloaded from “Programmes” > “M.A. Programme” > “Download Area” in this website or from the ‘Application Forms’ section on the GS Platform (Students)) and return them to our office for our further processing. Upon the recommendation of the Division Head and the approval of the Graduate School, the caution money (HK$450) would be refunded if there is no outstanding claim at the University.