Applications for the part-time study mode for the academic year of 2026-27 is suspended.
Update: September 11, 2025
The MAES programme is pleased to offer various scholarship opportunities to our new students admitted in 2026-27:
| Nature | Name | Eligibility | Places | Award Amount | Application |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Entrance Scholarship | Entrance Scholarship for the Master of Arts in English Studies | Local and non-local students |
Determined by the Selection Committee each year |
Determined by the Selection Committee each year |
No need to submit a separate application form for this Scholarship, as all eligible applicants are automatically considered upon their submission of a full admission application by 12:00 noon (GMT +8), November 28, 2025 on the basis of academic merit. |
| Entrance Scholarship | Faculty of Arts Scholarship for Local Students | Local students | Determined by the Selection Committee each year | Up to 20% of the total tuition fee | No need to submit a separate application form for this Scholarship, as all eligible local applicants are automatically considered upon their submission of a full admission application by 12:00 noon (GMT +8) November 28, 2025, on the basis of academic merit. |
| Upon completion of studies | Academic Excellence Scholarship for the Master of Arts in English Studies | Final year local and non-local students | Determined by the Selection Committee each year | Determined by the Selection Committee each year | No need to submit a separate application form for this Scholarship, as all eligible students are automatically considered on the basis of academic merit upon completion. |
| External Scholarships | Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers | Serving English Language teachers who joined the teaching profession before the 2004/05 school year to enhance their subject knowledge and pedagogy in the language they teach | Decided by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) | Each applicant may receive a subsidy of up to $84,000 upon successful completion of the relevant programme of study. | See https://scolarhk.edb.hkedcity.net/en/grant_scheme/grant-scheme-program.php?id=2 |
Recent graduates interested in strengthening their academic foundation and pursuing further study, education professionals, and those seeking a change of careers or intellectual challenge.
To be eligible for admission to the programme, a candidate shall satisfy both the University Admission Requirements and the Programme Specific Requirements as listed below:
(a) shall comply with the General Regulations;
(b) shall hold
- a good Bachelor’s degree of this University; or a qualification of equivalent standard from this University or another comparable institution accepted for this purpose; and
- a good Bachelor’s degree with a major in English or a closely related subject;
(c) for a candidate who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English, shall satisfy the University English language requirement applicable to higher degrees as prescribed under General Regulation G2(b).
The programme has its specific requirements with regard to TOEFL and IELTS:
| Test | Minimum requirement | |
|---|---|---|
| TOEFL: Internet-based test (iBT) | Overall score of 80 with 25 in Writing; or | |
| IELTS | Band 7 with no subtest lower than 5.5 | |
Note: Only TOEFL/IELTS scores recorded in the two years before the date of application are considered. IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Special Home Edition are not accepted.
(d) shall satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination if required.
In addition, a personal statement, an academic writing sample and two references will be required for your application. More details on supplementary documents will be made available on the online application form.
For the online reference, each applicant should provide contact information of 2 referees. Referee accounts will be created and referee invitation emails will be sent out to the referee the day after the applicant submits the application.
Other qualifications will be considered on a case-by-case basis. Candidates might be asked to attend an interview.
2026-27: To be announced (subject to University's approval)
2025-26: HKD$255,440 per annum (for reference only)
Candidates who have accepted a conditional offer will be asked to pay the 1st instalment of tuition fees.
***Once you have paid the initial deposit to secure your place on the programme, please note that it is NOT transferable to other MA Programmes at HKU or refundable in any way.***
Overseas students would be able to apply for a student visa through the university upon acceptance to the programme.
Round 1: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), November 28, 2025
Round 2: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), March 20, 2026
The full-time MAES programme is an intensive one-year course that runs over two semesters. In Semester 1, student will take three introductory courses, as well as two elective courses in Linguistics and/or Literature. In Semester 2, students will have the option of specialising in either the Linguistics or Literature stream and can choose two more electives from above, depending on their area of interest. In addition, the students will develop a final research project in the capstone course in the second semester, culminating in a paper, a creative project and a presentation at a conference.
Please find the Regulations & Syllabuses 2025-26 for your reference.
The MA in the field of English Studies consists of three core courses (ENGL6073 & ENGL7101 is 9 credits each, ENGL7801 is 3 credits), four seminar courses (6 credits each), and a capstone experience (15 credits) in the form of a final research project and a conference paper to be presented at a conference on a Saturday in May. This conference will be open to the academic and wider community. The total graduation requirement is 60 credits.
| COURSE CODE | PROGRAMME | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL6073 | Introduction to Literature and Cross-Cultural Theory (Dr. Elizabeth Ho) | |
| ENGL7101 | Introduction to Language and Communication (Dr. Agnes Kang) | |
| ENGL7801 | Academic Research Practices (Dr. Jennifer Gresham) | |
***Please note that not all seminar courses listed below will be offered every year.***
| COURSE CODE | PROGRAMME | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL6056 | Cultural Semiotics (Dr. May Wong) | |
| ENGL7102 | Global Englishes (Professor Daniel Weston) | |
| ENGL7103 | New Media and Discourse (Dr. Mandy Yu) | |
| ENGL7105 | Intercultural Communication (Dr. Jacqueline Militello) | |
| ENGL7110 | Gender, Discourse and Society (Dr. Vincent Pak) | |
| COURSE CODE | PROGRAMME | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL6079 | World Modernisms (Dr. Jennifer Gresham) | |
| ENGL6081 | Global Fictions (Dr. Jennifer Gresham) | |
| ENGL6083 | Postcolonial Representations (Professor Anya Adair) | |
| ENGL7104 | Global Shakespeare (Dr. Kristen Murray) | |
| ENGL7108 | Imagining Asia | |
| COURSE CODE | PROGRAMME | |
|---|---|---|
| ENGL7994 |
Capstone Experience: Final Research Project (Group A: Literature, Group B: Linguistics) (Please click here for award-winning creative projects from previous years.) |
|
The introductory core courses will be held in the evenings, Mondays and Wednesdays. Some elective courses will be offered in the evenings and others in the daytime and will run for 2-3 hours.
Each session may consist of a lecture, workshop, students' presentations or other form of in-class learning. Students' attendance and participation in all courses are required.
