Admission

All applicants shall have:

• Graduated from a recognised 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 – Admission Requirement”.

*Knowledge of Japanese Language is not required.

All required supporting documents should be submitted to Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes before the application deadline. You are not required to submit hard copies/official documents before receiving offers.

The required supporting documents include:

• Submit Online Application Form as instructed in the system;
• All copies of official transcripts and grading schemes with explanatory notes for all tertiary education (including transcripts of existing/graduated universities, exchange studies, associate degree/high diploma etc.), screen capture of internal school system will not be accepted;
• Copies of degree certificates (if any);
• Applicants who obtained degrees from universities in Chinese Mainland 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; For graduate-to-be, please submit the Online Verification Report of Student Record (教育部學籍在線驗證報告);
• 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, and your referees will receive emails for input of the recommendation report in the system.  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;
• Assessment report from the HKCAAVQ (The department will contact the applicant if submission is necessary);
• Copies of JLPT Certificates, if available, and
• One A4 page “Personal Statement / Reason for Application” written in English or Japanese in PDF format.

If an applicant receives a Conditional Offer, they must submit all required documents in accordance with the instructions stated in the offer letter before the specified deadline. Otherwise, their admission offer will be withdrawn. The required documents include, but are not limited to:

Official documents

• Final academic transcript with grading scheme
  • If the graduation certificate is not available at the same time, the transcript must also indicate the degree conferment date and the awarded degree.
  • The original transcript must be sent directly by the issuing university to the Department of Japanese Studies office by postal mail, or electronically by the issuing university to majs@cuhk.edu.hk.
  • Applicants holding CUHK qualification(s) may submit photocopies of their CUHK transcripts via RES instead of hard copy. Unofficial copy downloaded from CUSIS will not be accepted.
• Proof of meeting the Graduate School’s English Language Proficiency Requirement
  • For IELTS results, select “Share Result with “The Chinese University of Hong Kong – Graduate School”
  • For TOEFL results, select “0812 Chinese University of Hong Kong” as the score recipient and “99 – Others” as the department.

Soft copy for uploading to the online application system

• Degree certificate (if available).
• For applicants holding a degree from a Chinese Mainland university, after graduation they must 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.

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 handling. Application results will be available on the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes at Graduate School website until June every year. Applicants may consider their applications unsuccessful if they do not hear from us thereafter.
• Regarding the student visa, please refer to Graduate School website here.
• 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.
• Documents once submitted will not be returned and will be disposed if the application is unsuccessful.

2027-28 Admission Online Application Deadlines:

1st round: 30 September 2026

2nd round: 30 November 2026

3rd round: 31 January 2027

Final round: 31 March 2027

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 2027 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.

2027-28 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.

Application Process

Q: May I know the review process for the MA program? When will I know the application result?

A: Applications are reviewed on a rolling basis until all available places are filled. Therefore, early applications are strongly encouraged. Application results will be announced via the Online Application System for Postgraduate Programmes on the Graduate School website between January and June each year. Applicants who do not receive any notification by then may consider their applications unsuccessful.

Q: I have submitted all required documents via the online application system. When should I send the official documents (e.g. official transcripts, English test report) to the department office?

A: You may wait for our notification before submitting the official documents. Applications are assessed based on the scanned copies uploaded to the system. If your application is successful, you will receive a Conditional Admission Offer. Successful applicants will receive a Conditional Admission Offer and must fulfil the stated conditions by submitting the required official documents by the deadline specified in the offer letter.

We also accept early submission of any official documents. If your application is successful and all required official documents are in order, you will receive the Admission Offer directly.

You may refer to Documents Required in Graduate School website for further information.

Reminders on official documents

Official documents may be submitted in electronic or hard-copy format, but must be sent directly by the issuing university or authority.

Graduating students should submit their current transcript (scanned copy) at the time of application and their final and official transcript immediately upon graduation.

Q: Do I need to have proficiency in Japanese for admission?

A: No. Applicants without prior knowledge of Japanese are also eligible for admission.

Q: Will the recommendation form be sent to my referee immediately after I input their details in the admission system?

A: Yes, once referee details are submitted, the system will automatically email referees a link to complete the reference form. Applicants are advised to notify their referees in advance.

Q:  If I completed my undergraduate studies overseas (e.g. UK, Canada etc.), do I need to submit proof of English proficiency and CHESICC verification?

A: If you are graduating from institutions where English is the medium of instruction, please arrange a certifying letter from the university stating this. However, applicants with degree obtained from countries with English as an official language and the medium of instruction in their higher education (e.g. Australia, Canada (except Quebec), New Zealand, United Kingdom, USA, India, Singapore, and Philippines, etc.) are normally not required to provide additional proof to fulfill the English Language requirements. CHESICC verification is only necessary for graduates or graduate-to-be in Chinese mainland. You may also refer to Graduate School website for further information.

Q:  If I need to revise my application after submission (e.g. adding or removing supporting documents), should I contact the division regarding these updates?

A: You may update your application directly in the system. We appreciate your notification for your final amendments to majs@cuhk.edu.hk.

Q: What is the admission quota for this programme?

A: The program offers a limited number of full-time or part-time places each year. As the exact quota is not specified, early application is recommended.

Q: I am a senior applicant who graduated some time ago. I am now working as a freelancer and do not belong to any companies currently. How can I prepare the two reference letters?

A: Applicants are encouraged to approach former professors or teachers as referees. If this is not feasible, please contact the programme office for further guidance.

Curriculum

Q: For courses requiring Japanese proficiency, must the requirement be met before study commencement or before graduation?

A: You must meet the requirements before enrolling in the class, either by presenting JLPT certificates or by passing our annual placement test.

Q: Are all courses examination-based?

A: No. Assessment methods vary by course and may include examinations, essays, presentations, or projects.

Q: Is graduation thesis required for this master programme?

A: No, graduation thesis is not required for this programme. You may refer to the study scheme and course outlines of each course to fulfil the graduation requirements.

Q:  What is JASP5700 Independent Research Project?

 A:  JASP5700 is a 3-credit elective, research-based course open to both full-time and part-time students. It is offered by term (e.g. available in both Term 1 and Term 2 of the 2025–26 academic year).

Please check the next Q & A also.

Q:  How to enroll JASP5700 Independent Research Project?

A: Students are required to submit their proposals and applications in August, after which potential supervisors will review the submissions and contact selected candidates. Those admitted must add the course during the August registration period and may not drop it during the subsequent add/drop period once results are confirmed.

As the class quota is limited, priority will be given to final‑year students if applications exceed capacity, and final enrollment arrangements will depend on the number of applicants. The Division and supervisors reserve the right to make the final decision.

Programme

Q: May full-time students take up full-time employment or internship during their studies?

A: According to the University Regulations, all full-time students are NOT allowed to take up any full-time employment, paid or unpaid, during term time. 

Non-local students are also subject to HKSAR immigration regulations, which generally prohibit full-time employment during studies without prior authorisation. Please refer to relevant guidelines here.

Q: How much is the tuition fee?

A: Tuition fees are subject to change in accordance with University policy. Applicants should consult the Graduate School or departmental website for the most up-to-date information.

Q: Are there any subsidies or scholarships for MAJS students?

A: For local students, you can apply Continuing Education Fund(CEF) if you fulfil the requirements listed here.
For non-local students, CUHK offers CUHK Convocation Postgraduate Admission Scholarships. Up to two candidates from each faculty would be selected for the scholarships.

For all MAJS students, our programme offers MAJS Graduate Award for High Scholarship (Click here for details).

Other scholarships (for overseas studies) currently available to local students from external organizations include, but are not limited to:
https://hkses.edb.gov.hk/en/index.html
https://www.japansociety.org.hk/tc/subject/%E7%8D%8E%E5%AD%B8%E9%87%912026

Please kindly note that the availability and particulars of the scholarships may vary from year to year.

Q: Is it compulsory to join the study trip?

A: This trip is usually planned by our student representatives and you may join if you are interested. Department may provide subsidies for current MAJS students joining under certain circumstances. Further details will be provided after admission.

Career

Q: Upon the completion of the course, what is the typical career students pursue afterwards?

A: According to our alumni survey, graduates of CUHK’s MA in Japanese Studies often pursue careers in academia, cultural industries, international business, tourism, and media, applying their language skills and cultural expertise in Japan-related fields.