Master of Journalism Admissions 2013 – 2014

The Master of Journalism course is a one year full-time or a two year part-time course. Students address the core skills of journalism – reporting and writing, television and video production, media law and ethics and multiple-media online journalism. They also have the opportunity to take elective courses in a broad range of subjects from business and finance to public health to digital media and to undergo short-term internships.

Deadline for entry in Fall 2013:

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2013, with admissions decisions made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Enrolment is limited.

Entrance Requirements:

• a Bachelor’s degree with honours from this University; or
• another qualification of equivalent standard from this University or from another University or comparable institution;
• a score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 213 or above (computer-based test) or 80 or above (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum overall band of 6.5 with no subtest lower than 6.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if they are seeking admission on the basis of qualifications from universities or comparable institutions outside Hong Kong in which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English.*

Candidates who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree with honours from this University or another qualification of equivalent standard may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to register if they possess proven professional experience in journalism, show evidence of excellence in the practice of journalism and proof of competence in the English language and satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination, if appropriate.

Applicants who successfully pass the first stage of the admissions process may be required to take a qualifying examination that will be administered in Hong Kong and selected cities outside Hong Kong. The examination, which is administered by the JMSC, aims to test candidates’ aptitude for journalism and media studies.

Interviews:

Interviews will be held as soon as possible after candidates have taken the qualifying examination. Overseas applicants will be interviewed by phone or videoconference, or in person.

Fees*:

The tuition fee for the year 2013-2014 is as follows:

The tuition fee is US$450 (HK$3,600) per unit for local students and US$525 (HK$4,200) per unit for non-local students.

To receive a Master of Journalism degree, candidates shall complete no fewer than 33 and no more than 36 units of courses. Thus total tuition fees range from US$14,850 (HK$118,800) to US$16,200 (HK$129,600) for local students and US$17,325 (HK$138,600) to US$18,900 (HK$151,200) for non-local students, depending on the number of units taken.

A technology fee of HK$2,000* per student will be charged.  The technology fee is used to purchase, maintain and upgrade the equipment used by students, and to provide technology training assistance for students.

*To be approved by the University

How to Apply

In case of difficulties e-mailjmscmj@hku.hk or phone (852) 3917-4113 for advice.

1. Can I apply for the MJ programme if I do not have any journalism background?

Yes. While we welcome applicants who are aspiring journalists or mid-career journalists seeking professional enhancement to our programme, we also welcome other professionals seeking a media-related career or expertise in the media to apply.  For the admissions requirement of the Master of Journalism (MJ) programme, please visit the Admissions page .

2. Can I apply for the MJ programme if I have already graduated from school and have been working for some years? Do I need to submit my academic transcripts?

Yes to both.  We welcome both fresh graduates and working professionals who are interested in journalism to apply for our MJ programme. For the admissions requirement, please visit the Admissions page.  We require applicants to submit supporting documents, e.g. academic transcripts, etc. along with the application.

3. Where should I send my supporting documents (e.g. TOEFL or IELTS result, academic transcripts, etc.) to?

Applications for the MJ programme must be made online at http://www.asa.hku.hk/admissions/tpg.  Please send your supporting documents, e.g. transcripts and TOEFL/IELTS result to the following address:

Journalism and Media Studies Centre,
G24 Eliot Hall,
The University of Hong Kong,
Pokfulam Road,
Pokfulam, HK

(Please mark your online application no. on each page of the document. )

You should mark the programme name, your name and online application reference no. on the envelops.

4. When is the latest submission date for any outstanding supporting documents, e.g. TOEFL/IELTS result?

As soon as possible.  For example, if you have just sat the TOEFL/IELTS test but the results have not yet been released, please indicate clearly on Page 2 – Section 5 “English Language Requirement” of the application form and request the result be sent directly to the University once available. Generally speaking, if you are to be accepted but there remain outstanding supporting documents to be submitted, a conditional offer will be given.  You are then required to submit the missing documents as soon as possible. Conditional offers will be dealt with on a case by case basis.

5. Is there any specified GPA requirement?

There is no specified GPA requirement for our admissions requirement, but successful applicants usually have a solid academic record. We will consider your all-round qualifications and credentials.  For further details of the admissions requirement, please visit the Admissions page

6. Do I need to submit reference letters? If so, can these be written in any language?

It is not absolutely required that you submit reference letters with your application.  At the same time, references do help us consider each applicant more closely and in some cases, applications benefit significantly with such supporting documents.  Please note to your referees it is advisable to have the letters written in English.

7. Do I need to submit proof of my family’s financial situation?

Not necessary.

8. What is the purpose of the written test and interview?

The written test and interview help us determine a candidate’s knowledge of English usage, grammar, critical thinking and aptitude for journalism and media studies.

9. How can I pay the application fee? Is it possible for me to pay it online by credit card?

From now on, payment of application fee must be paid online using Visa or Mastercard.

10. How can I apply for a scholarship? What are the selection criteria?

Details of scholarships can be found on the Scholarships page.

11. If I send the application form by post, when is the submission deadline?

Applications MUST be made online at http://www.asa.hku.hk/admissions/tpg.  It is suggested you have your supporting documents reach the University by the deadline of 31 January 2013.

12. Is JMSC’s Master of Journalism programme recognized by employers? How is the employment situation or prospects like for MJ graduates?

Yes, top employers recognize the quality and standard of our MJ degree and graduates. Our graduates are immediately sought after graduation and recruited by many leading news and media organizations in the region and around the world.   To know where some of our graduates are now, please visit the Where Are They Now page under the Alumni section.

13. Do I need to apply for a visa if studying in HK?

Non-local student need to obtain a visa in order to study in Hong Kong. The Hong Kong Immigration Department issues student visas to applicants enrolling in a full-time course in the University. Details of the visa application procedure are available from HKU’s Centre of Development and Resources (CEDARS) website. Students intending to stay for more than 6 months should obtain a Hong Kong Identity Card after their arrival.

14. What is the cost of living in Hong Kong?

It can be difficult to give a precise estimate of the likely cost of living for overseas applicants because it varies depending on the type of accommodation selected and other factors. For students living in on-campus postgraduate residences, approximately US$1,000-$1,200 per month is required to cover food, lodging and general living expenses (excluding tuition fees). If living off-campus, students can expect to budget more as accommodations can be more expensive.

15. Can I live in a dormitory? How do I apply?

Accommodation for non-local postgraduates is available at St. John’s College, Graduate House, Morrison Hall and Pokfield Road Residences. Since on-campus accommodation is highly competitive, not all newly-arriving postgraduates can get a place. Overseas applicants may be required to provide proof that they are able to support themselves financially throughout the course at the time of their application for student visa. Postgraduate students can apply for on-campus residence by visiting the HKU Postgraduate Housing website.

• Download MJ programme brochure (PDF)

The Postgraduate Diploma in Journalism course is a part-time course over one or two years. Students learn the core skills of journalism – reporting and writing, television and video production, media law and ethics and multiple-media online journalism. Students also have the opportunity to take elective courses in a broad range of subjects from business and finance to public health to digital media and to undergo short-term internships.

Deadline for entry in 2013:

Applications will be accepted until January 31, 2013, with admissions decisions made on a rolling basis until all places are filled. Enrolment is limited.

Entrance Requirements:

• a Bachelor’s degree with honours from this University; or
• another qualification of equivalent standard from this University or from another University or comparable institution;
• a score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 213 or above (computer-based test) or 80 or above (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) or a minimum overall band of 6.5 with no subtest lower than 6.0 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) if they are seeking admission on the basis of qualifications from universities or comparable institutions outside Hong Kong in which the language of teaching and/or examination is not English.*

Candidates who do not hold a Bachelor’s degree with honours from this University or another qualification of equivalent standard may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to register if they possess proven professional experience in journalism, show evidence of excellence in the practice of journalism and proof of competence in the English language and satisfy the examiners in a qualifying examination, if appropriate.

All applicants who successfully pass the first stage of the admissions process may be required to take a qualifying examination that will be administered in Hong Kong and selected cities outside Hong Kong. The examination, which is administered by the JMSC, aims to test a candidate’s formal academic abilities or their abilities to pursue the course of study in journalism.

Interviews

Interviews will be held as soon as possible after candidates have taken the qualifying examination. Overseas applicants will be interviewed by phone or videoconference, or in person.

*Fees

The tuition fee for the year 2013-2014 is as follows:

The tuition fee is US$450 (HK$3,600) per unit for local students and US$525 (HK$4,200) per unit for non-local students.
The PDipJ requires candidates to complete no fewer than 18 and no more than 21 course units. Thus total total tuition fees for local PDipJ students range from HK$64,800 to $75,600 (US$8,100-$9,450), and those for overseas students range from HK$75,600 to $88,200 (US$9,450-$11,025), depending on the number of units taken.

*To be approved by the University

How to Apply

In case of difficulties e-mailjmscmj@hku.hk or phone (852) 3917-4113 for advice.

• Guide to MPhil and Ph.D Admissions