The Future of Storytelling:
Introducing the Master of Journalism - Documentary Filmmaking Specialisation

 
  • First journalism master’s degree dedicated to Documentary Filmmaking Specialisation in Asia.
  • Pioneering initiative in Hong Kong's media education
  • Equipping aspiring filmmakers with cutting-edge skills and knowledge
  • Intensive one-year programme culminating in professional film projects
  • Benchmarking against Stanford University's prestigious programme which only admits 8 students per year
  • Pilot programme starting from Fall 2024, with an initial number of students admits of 10-15
 
 

 

Nurturing a New Breed of Documentary Professionals

 
Taught by renowned documentarians and practitioners around the world
 
 
Ruby-MDF
Ruby Yang
Oscar Winner
Uli-new
Uli Gaulke
Award-winning Documentarian
KIRSTEN-JOHNSON-new
Kirsten Johnson
Oscar-nominated Cinematographer
Axel-Schneppat-new
Axel Schneppat
Award-winning Cinematographer
Zhouhao-new1
Zhou Hao
Renowned Documentarian
Alexander-Beyer-small
Alexander Beyer
Post-Production Specialist
catherinechan
Catherine Chan
Producer and Audience Designer
 

Course Overview

 
A total of 72 credits, including 5 core courses, 3 elective courses and capstone project
 
 
 

Core courses

  • JMSC6085  Documentary film appreciation (Fall)
  • JMSC6100  Documentary film production (Spring)
  • JMSC6201  The art of non-fictional camerawork (Spring)
  • JMSC6202  Audience design in documentary (Fall)
  • JMSC6203  Post-production in documentary (Spring)
  • JMSC6200  Documentary filmmaking capstone (Spring & Summer)
 

 

Elective courses

  • JMSC6104  Readings in China media and society (Fall)
  • JMSC6125  Generative A.I. in media applications (Fall)
  • JMSC6133  A.I. and media innovation (Fall)
  • JMSC6130  News literacy and digital fact-checking (Fall)
  • JMSC6041  Storytelling for Social Impact (Spring)
  • JMSC6046  Mastering Social Media for Journalists (Spring)
  • JMSC6111  Long form and feature writing (Spring)
  • JMSC6132  Multimedia production (Spring)
 
 


 

How to Apply

 

Required documents:

  • Your previous work of film or documentary with a minimum length of 10 minutes. (showreel is not accepted)
  • A document that includes the name, length, year of production, and summary of your work; a credit list containing the names of crew members and actors

Entrance Requirements
1. A Bachelor's degree or an equivalent qualification.

2. Applicants seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong in which the language of instruction and/or examination is not English are required to obtain:

  • (a) a score of 550 or above (paper-based test) or 80 or above (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL); or
  • (b) a minimum overall band of 6 with no subtest lower than 5.5 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
  • (c) grade C or above in either the Overseas General Certificate of Education, the International General Certificate of Secondary Education, or the Cambridge Test of Proficiency in English Language.

3. Candidates may be required to pass a qualifying examination and interview administered by the Journalism and Media Studies Centre.

4. Candidates who do not hold a Bachelor's degree from this University or another qualification of equivalent standard may in exceptional circumstances be permitted to register if:

  • They have directed one to two award-winning documentaries or have extensive experience as producers of multiple award-winning documentaries, and
  • Show proof of competence in the English language.

Candidates lacking a Bachelor's degree from this University or an equivalent qualification may, in exceptional circumstances, be considered for registration if:

  • They have directed or produced one or two award-winning documentaries or possess extensive experience as a producer of multiple award-winning documentaries.
  • They provide proof of English language proficiency.

5. Applicants with exceptional qualifications may be offered early admission and be exempt from the qualifying exam, subject to an interview with the admissions panel.

Programme Admissions Advisor(s)
Michael Shen
Tel: 3917 4415
Fax: 2858 8736
Email: mikeswh@hku.hk

Jason Hui
Tel: 3917 4113
Fax: 2858 8736
Email: jmscmj@hku.hk

Deadline: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), April 22, 2024
Tuition Fee: HKD $299,520 with a HKD $5,000 technical fee

 

 

Scholarship

 

Open to all applicants to the Master of Journalism - Documentary Filmmaking programme, funding 20 awards in various amounts.

Awards will be decided based on academic records, professional experience, and financial need.

Applicants are invited to apply for admission and the scholarship concurrently. Only applicants admitted to the programme will be considered for scholarship awards.

Click here to apply.

 
 
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