Admission

All applicants shall have:

• graduated from a recognized university and obtained a bachelor’s degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class or achieving an average grade of not lower than “B”; or
• completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to a bachelor’s degree.
• fulfill the “English Language Requirement for Admission” prescribed by the Graduate School before they are admitted. Please refer to Graduate School website at: https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/admissions/requirements

*Knowledge of Japanese Language is not required.

All required supporting documents should be submitted to the Department of Japanese Studies before the application deadline.

The required supporting documents include:

• Submit Online Application Form
  (https://www.gradsch.cuhk.edu.hk/OnlineApp/login_email.aspx);
• 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 via RES. 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 a valid Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) and a valid Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中國高等教育學位在線驗證報告) issued by the CHESICC (學信網) together with their degree certificate and graduation certificate;
• Documents showing the applicant has fulfilled the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirement#;
• Applicants are required to invite TWO referees (former Professors/teachers OR seniors at workplace is recommended) to complete the Confidential Recommendations Report. Upon successful submission of the application, you can input the information of the TWO referees through the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes.  For hardcopy submission, the referees shall arrange the letter sending directly to majs@cuhk.edu.hk.
• Photocopy of Hong Kong Identity Card or other identity document;
• For local students, assessment report from the HKCAAVQ, if necessary;
• Copies of JLPT Certificates, if available, and
• One A4 page “Personal Statement / Reason for Application” written in English or Japanese in PDF format.

*Originals of Official transcripts, grading schemes and IELTS in hardcopies must reach the Department of Japanese Studies directly from the University, in a sealed envelope from the issuing university.  (Documents once submitted will not be returned and will be disposed if the application is unsuccessful.)

# For IELTS, only the original valid official score report sent directly from the respective test organization will be accepted. Original examinee’s score report will not be accepted.

Postal address:

MA in Japanese Studies

Department of Japanese Studies

Room 403, Leung Kau Kui Building,

The Chinese University of Hong Kong,

Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

# For TOEFL, only the original valid official score report sent directly from the respective test organization will be accepted. Original examinee’s score report will not be accepted.

 TOEFL report shall be arranged to the Graduate School of The Chinese University of Hong Kong (select ‘0812 Chinese University of Hong Kong’ for Score Recipient, and ’99-Others’ for Department).

Mark your name, application number and applied programme on the remarks/envelope. Please advise the Test Appointment /reference number when it is sent.

Postal address:

Graduate School

Admission Team (for Japanese Studies)

7th Floor, Yasumoto International Academic Park,

The Chinese University of Hong Kong,

Shatin, N.T., Hong Kong

Notes:

• The University may require applicants to submit additional information or documentary proof if deemed necessary.
• Applicants may be required to attend an interview.
• Successful applications will be recommended to Graduate School for onward admission handlings. Application result will be ready at the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes at Graduate School website from January to June every year. Applicants may consider their applications unsuccessful if they do not hear from us thereafter.
• Students received Conditional Admission Offer are required to submit the original hardcopies of those official documents stated in the offer letter for verification by the condition’s fulfilment deadline. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to register and commence studies at the University.
• Regarding the student visa, prospective students are advised to submit visa applications with all documents required within 3 weeks from the issuance date of the admission notification for offers made before the month of May. For details, please refer to https://www.gs.cuhk.edu.hk/admissions/registration/visa-application.
• In principle, “Concurrent registration” is not allowed. Please refer (HERE) for details.
• Please refer to the General Requirements and Documents Required of the Graduate School for further details.

2026-27 Admission Online Application Deadlines: 

Priority Round: 17 November 2025

Final Round: 31 March 2026

Applications will be processed on a rolling basis until all places have been filled. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged.

Applications submitted after 31 March 2026 may be considered, subject to availability of places.

• Successful applications will be recommended to Graduate School for onward admission handlings. Application result will be ready at the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes at Graduate School website from January to June every year. Applicants may consider their applications unsuccessful if they do not hear from us thereafter.
• Students received Conditional Admission Offer are required to submit the original hardcopies of those official documents stated in the offer letter for verification by the condition’s fulfilment deadline. Otherwise, they will not be allowed to register and commence studies at the University.

2026-27 admission:

HK$ 180,000 per annum (full-time); HK$ 90,000 per annum (part-time)

(Subject to University’s Approval)

Tuition fees for students who are unable to graduate within the normal study period will be adjusted according to the prevailing tuition fee arrangement at the time.