Admissions

Admissions Requirements

In addition to the general requirements of the Graduate School, applicants should

  • normally possess a good honours degree in English or a language-related field;
  • display a strong interest and basic knowledge in applied linguistics;
  • submit a 500-word statement about their interests and goals related to postgraduate study in applied linguistics.

Preference will be given to applicants who have:

  • obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English, or
  • achieved minimum scores in one of the following English language tests:
    • IELTS (Academic): 7.0 (each sub-score should be at least 6.5), or
    • TOEFL: 100 of 120 / 5.0 of 6 (Internet-based/Home Edition)

Applicants will be shortlisted to an interview (face-to-face or online). The interview aims to assess the applicants’ linguistic and intellectual abilities as well as their understanding of basic concepts in applied linguistics.

Application Procedures

Applicants are required to upload scanned copies1 of the following supporting documents to the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes by the deadline.

  • Create an Account and Submit Online Application. (https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/OnlineApp/login_email.aspx)
  • Scan copies of degree certificates;
  • For degrees obtained from Chinese Mainland: 
    a)    Both degree (學位證書) and graduation (畢業證書) certificates printed in Chinese.
    b)    A valid Online Verification Reports of Higher Education Qualification Certificates (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) and Degree Certificates (中國高等教育學位在線驗證報告) issued from CHESICC for Mainland China degrees.
  • Scan copies of official transcripts and grading schemes with explanatory notes for all tertiary education.  (The University requires applicants to provide verification reports of the qualification obtained. Applicants will be notified by the Graduate Division concerned/Graduate School separately.) 
  • Documents showing the applicant has fulfilled the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirement2;
  • Confidential Recommendations from Two referees (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.

Note:

  1. All required documents must be scanned in A4 size; photos of documents are not acceptable.
  2. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date. GMAT scores are considered valid for five years from the test date.

*The certified true copy must be issued by the official organization or relevant test organization. The University may require applicants to provide the original documents for verification.

Verification of Documents

To step up measures against fraudulent academic qualifications, with effect from the 2025-26 admission exercise, a positive result on the verification of students’ mainland/overseas academic qualifications must be obtained from relevant institutions/ authorities no later than one month before commencement of studies, failing which the student concerned may be required to defer admission to the next term. The onus of producing such proof lies with the student. If the academic records or qualifications submitted by an applicant are verified as false, the offer will be rescinded and all fees paid will be forfeited.
 
In this effect, upon accepting the admission offers, applicants will be required to complete an Authorization Form for the University to verify their academic qualifications. The programme staff may further contact the applicants to proceed with applying for academic verification from a third-party organization, e.g., Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE).

Application Deadline

1st round: 19 November 2025

2nd round: 31 December 2025

 *We will review applications as they are received and continue until all available places are filled. Therefore, applying early is strongly recommended.

Application Fee

HKD$500 (non-refundable and non-transferable)

Tuition Fee

 

Academic Year 2026-2027
One year full-time programme (paid in two installments) HK$210,000 
Two years part-time programme (paid in four installments) HK$210,000 


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

Frequently Asked Questions

My previous obtained degree(s) is/are in other discipline(s), can I still apply to a programme?
Do I need to mail the hard copy of the supporting documents?
Some of my application documents cannot be submitted before the application deadline, what should I do?
If English is the medium of instruction for my obtained degree, do I still need to submit an IELTS/TOEFL/GMAT test report to fulfil the university’s minimum English language proficiency requirement for admission?
When submitting my transcript(s), do I have to provide the grading scheme?
My referee(s) did not receive any invitation emails, what should I do?
I notice that the application period has closed already, can I still apply to a programme?
How will I know if my application is complete?
How can I know the decision on my application?
When will I receive my admission offer/when will I know if I have been admitted?
What do I need to do after receiving an offer?
When will I need to pay the deposit?
Can I request a certifying letter to prove the programme is similar to other programmes in Chinese Mainland, if I am studying in your programme?

Admissions Enquiries

Department of English, The Chinese University of Hong Kong

Address:

Room 334, 3/F., Fung King Hey Building, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong.
Phone: (852) 3943-1983
Fax: (852) 2603-5270
Email:

engma@cuhk.edu.hk

Office Hours:

Monday – Thursday: 8:45am – 1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:30pm
Friday: 8:45am – 1:00pm & 2:00pm – 5:45pm
Saturday, Sunday & Public Holidays: Closed