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

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:

 (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.

 (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.

Ans: It is acceptable as long as it is sealed. Please be reminded of writing to “M.A. Sociology”, your name and application numbers on the envelope.

Ans: Generally speaking, our programme only accepts transcript copies with formal university stamps. You can put the transcript into an official envelope provided by your university, then request your university to impose an endorsed stamp on the seal. Please be reminded of writing to “M.A. Sociology”, your name and application number on the envelope. You send the relevant materials to us altogether.

Ans: Recommendation letters can be delivered by other forms, but they have to be written by referees, with their signatures on the seals. Applicants can send the sealed recommendation letters to us together with other materials. Please note that if you have submitted the recommendation letters via our online system, you do not need to send them again by mail.

Ans: We do not have specific requirements on the referees. We suggest you invite referees who have sufficient knowledge on your career or academic background.

Ans: Either Chinese or English application is accepted. The Statement of Study Purpose should be limited to 2 A4-pages.

Ans: You can explain the reasons why you intend to apply for this programme, your expectation to the study, your professional interest and goal and etc.

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

Ans: We will review all the applications will full coverage on official transcript and two confidential recommendation letters, upon each round of submission deadline.

Ans: No. The whole admission process ends in late June.

Ans: No. Our M.A. programme accepts applications from the end of each year to February of thec next year. All admitted students shall commence with studying in September.

Ans: The assessment method is subject to each course design. It may include group discussions, term essays and projects, tests and examinations.

Ans: No, graduation thesis is not required.

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” 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.

Ans: You can submit your application for unit exemption to the Division. We will consider each case individually. For the application, you shall submit a completed form, including the relevant course outline and the grade you attained.

Ans: Our programme is not yet recognised under CEF scheme. However, you can apply for tax relief to the Inland Revenue Department.

Ans: According to the Education Bureau, there is no specific requirement of the qualification of a high school liberal studies teacher in Hong Kong. Below is information from the Bureau for your reference, “Teachers from all disciplines with a liberal mind and an extensive reading habit are basically suitable for teaching Liberal Studies.”

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.

Ans: Our programme does not provide admission scholarship. For the scholarship, we offer for academic excellence award, please read the information here.

Ans: Cantonese is the main medium of instruction, while the readings materials will appear in Chinese and English. In CUHK, various learning units offer free or paid intensive Cantonese courses. You can enroll in these courses to improve your Cantonese proficiency.