Master of Science in Global China Studies
MSc(GCS)
Both full- and part-time
Full-time: 1 year
Part-time: 2 years
HK$120,000
Students who take additional course(s) are required to pay HK$5,000 for each additional credit.
Academic Director:
Prof Billy SO, Chair Professor of Humanities
The Master of Science (MSc) Program in Global China Studies is an interdisciplinary program which focuses on four broad subject areas, Economic and Social History, Comparative Humanities, Contemporary China, and Quantitative Social Analysis, providing students global and local perspectives on China’s past and present. It equips students with capacity building, especially capability of analysis, verbal communication and writing in a professional manner, for further study as well as to make a successful transition for future employment. In addition, the program is designed to enable advanced undergraduates from elite universities to take on the challenge of postgraduate study in Global China Studies and receive both a Bachelor’s and a Master’s degree in Global China Studies normally within four to five years.
On successful completion of the program, graduates will be able to:
- Critically analyze significant social and cultural phenomena related to China and regarding China’s relations with the world;
- Interpret events and developments in China's past and present from both global and local perspectives;
- Effectively and appropriately communicate in written papers and reports in English to both non-expert and expert readers;
- Persuasively and appropriately communicate when presenting and discussing with both non-expert and expert audiences and discussants; and
- Carry out advanced research both independently and as part of a research team.
To qualify for admission, applicants must meet all of the following requirements. Admission is selective and meeting these minimum requirements does not guarantee admission.
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Applicants seeking admission to a master's degree program should have obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification.
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A bachelor’s degree with a grade average of 3.0 out of 4.0; and
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One of the following:
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IELTS: 7.0 (all sub-scores: 6.5)
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TOEFL pBT: 600
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TOEFL iBT: 100
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First language being English
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Having obtained a bachelor’s degree awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English
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For early admission of non-local applicants under nomination by strategic partner universities:
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Having completed all the undergraduate coursework requirements with a cumulative grade average (CGA) of 3.0 out of 4.0; and
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Having fulfilled the program-specific English language requirement specified above
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Applicants who are HKUST graduates and have taken MGCS courses during their undergraduate studies may apply for transferring up to 12 of these credits to the MSc program upon admission.
For early admission of non-local applicants under nomination by strategic partner universities:
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If admitted to the MSc program, students will remain registered as undergraduates in their home universities.
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Upon completion of the MSc degree requirements, these students are required to submit an official copy of their bachelor’s degree certificate to the Program Office no later than 31 August each year in order to be conferred the MSc degree in Global China Studies at HKUST.
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Minimum Credit Requirement
24 credits
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Academic Writing Course
3 credits
- Core Courses
9 credits
- Elective Courses
12 credits
The chosen elective courses should cover at least two of the following subject areas, and include at least two China-related courses:
History and Social Science
Quantitative Social Analysis
Humanities and Creativity Arts
Subject to the approval of the Academic Director, students may take MGCS 6000 under the above subject areas to fulfill the elective requirement.
In exceptional circumstances, students may substitute no more than six elective credits (two courses) from other courses (and a maximum of one undergraduate course at 4000-level) offered by the School of Humanities and Social Science to fulfill the program requirements with prior approval of the Academic Director. The approved substituting courses should be either China-related or global-related.
- Optional Project
Selected students can take an extra project course:
Credits earned from MGCS 6980 cannot be counted toward the credit requirements.
- Remarks
Full-time students are required to take a minimum of 9 credits of coursework each regular term.
Last update: 31 July 2018