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Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English

Hong Kong's groundbreaking MFA in Creative Writing: discover your creative identity, sharpen your craft, and explore writing across genres, cultures, and languages.
ANNOUNCEMENT: Scholarship Opportunities

The School of English is pleased to let you know that we offer new scholarship opportunities for TPg students admitted in 2026-27 as follows:

Nature Name Eligibility Place Award Amount Application
Entrance Scholarship Entrance Scholarship for the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English Full-time 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 local and non-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.
Entrance Scholarship Faculty of Arts Scholarship for Local Students Full-time 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 Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English Full-time final-year students Determined by the Selection Committee each year Determined by the Selection Committee each year The Scholarship shall be awarded annually to final-year students of the Master of Fine Arts in the field of Creative Writing in English programme, on the basis of academic merit upon completion of the programme. No separate application form for this Scholarship is required.

Update: September 15, 2025


APPLICATION

Opens from September 25, 2025.

For latest admission information, please visit the Admissions Office, Registry’s website at: 
https://portal.hku.hk/tpg-admissions/programme-listing

For links to application documents, please visit: 
https://portal.hku.hk/tpg-admissions/programme-details?programme=master-of-fine-arts-in-the-field-of-creative-writing-in-english-arts&mode=0

DEADLINEs FOR APPLICATION

Round 1: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), November 28, 2025

Round 2: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), March 20, 2026


Programme fee

2026-27: To be announced (subject to University's approval)

2025-26: HKD$298,700 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.***


DESCRIPTION

The Master of Fine Arts curriculum in Creative Writing in English is offered full-time over one year, designed to foster creativity that transcends boundaries between genres, cultures, and languages.

The programme consists of 60 credits, including two compulsory 6-credit courses, two compulsory 9-credit courses, three elective 6-credit courses, and a 12-credit Capstone Experience. Courses in the programme feature foundation courses, workshops, seminar discussions, experiential learning activities in the Black Box Studio, as well as sustained Individual Advising for each writer. Each of these courses will contribute to the writer’s own vision and culminating Creative Dissertation, while emphasising the rigorous coursework, readings and studies needed to realise it.


Admission requirements

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 comply with the Regulations for Taught Postgraduate Curricula;

(c) shall

  1. 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
  2. submit a sample of creative writing as one of the required supporting documents;

(d) 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: Starting from the 2026 intake, IELTS and TOEFL tests must be taken within two years prior to September 1 of each admissions year. IELTS Indicator and TOEFL Special Home Edition are not accepted.

(d) shall satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination if required.

An application for exemption from the above requirements shall be considered on a case-by-case basis.


Programme LEARNING OUTCOMES

On successful completion of the Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English programme , students should be able to: 

  1. Demonstrate knowledge of history and contemporary practices in the field of creative writing and point of view, with a focus in the field of the multilingual and global creative writer.
  2. Analyze with critical and creative skills in the practices of creative perspective and communications internationally, across contemporary and fluid developments of genre and multimedia platforms.
  3. Analyze the problems and productive junctures of period and craft in the field of creative writing and design, along with the identifying major and pivotal moments in language practices and communications for the creative writer.
  4. Identify and practice critical and creative strategies of revision through collaborative workshops and studios, developing expertise in creative approaches for public circulation and dissemination.
  5. Prepare under supervision an original creative work in multilingual contexts eligible for submission to international and professional standards of publication in the field.
  6. Prepare for professional participation in the field of creative writing through guided work in the ‘built environments’ of contemporary creative practices and writing: including professional literary journals, creative agencies, and online presence.

Click here for the pdf version.


Programme Structure

The Master of Fine Arts in Creative Writing in English is a one-year full-time programme that runs over two semesters. The programme is designed to foster creativity that transcends boundaries between genres, cultures, and languages.

Courses in the programme feature foundation courses, workshops, seminar discussions, experiential learning activities in the Black Box Studio, as well as sustained Individual Advising for each writer. Each of these courses will contribute to the writer’s own vision and culminating Creative Dissertation, while emphasising the rigorous coursework, readings and studies needed to realise it.

Please find the Syllabuses 2025-26 for your reference.

Programme Requirements FOR THE MFA IN CREATIVE WRITING IN ENGLISH

The programme consists of 60 credits, including two compulsory 6-credit courses, two compulsory 9-credit courses, three elective 6-credit courses, and a 12-credit Capstone Experience.

Courses

Major

Credits

1. Compulsory Courses

 

30 credits

2. Elective Courses (3 courses from the following options)

***Please note that not all elective courses listed below will be offered every year.*** 

 

18 credits

3. Compulsory Capstone Experience

 

12 credits

Total (1)+(2)+(3)

78 credits

60 credits

 


COURSE OFFERINGS IN 2025-2026 (For reference)
FULL YEAR COURSE (COMPULSORY CAPSTONE EXPERIENCE)
Course Code   PROGRAMME
ENGL7993   Capstone Experience: Creative Dissertation and Showcase (12 credits)
SEMESTER 1 Courses
COMPULSORY COURSES
ELECTIVE COURSES (Total of 3 courses across semester 1 and semester 2)
Course Code   PROGRAMME
ENGL7514   Internship: The History of Practice (6 credits)*
ENGL7519   Building Characters Across Media (6 credits)

*Students may choose to enroll in ENGL7514 in either Semester 1 or Semester 2.

SEMESTER 2 Courses
COMPULSORY COURSE
Course Code   PROGRAMME
ENGL7517   Creative Writing Workshop (9 credits)
Elective COURSEs (Total of 3 courses across semester 1 and semester 2)

*Students may choose to enroll in ENGL7514 in either Semester 1 or Semester 2.


CONTACT

Dr. Brandon Chua
Executive Director
School of English
The University of Hong Kong

Dr. Antony Huen
Programme Director
School of English
The University of Hong Kong

E-mail for enquiries: mfahku@hku.hk