Sept 2025 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
31
Subjects are mainly taught in Chinese (Putonghua supplemented by Cantonese). English sessions may also be offered.
What's New
Programme Aims
The MA in Chinese Culture is a student-oriented programme with advanced courses of study focusing on Chinese culture. It offers students a methodological foundation for studying Chinese culture as well as a wide range of courses in different areas of Chinese culture to address their needs and interests and to maximise the benefits of their learning.
The programme aims to:
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develop and extend students’ knowledge of key aspects of Chinese culture;
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deepen students’ understanding of Chinese culture;
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enhance students’ appreciation of Chinese culture;
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broaden students’ knowledge of cultural heritage and its management in China; and
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build a foundation for students’ further research on Chinese culture and teaching Chinese culture in schools.
Characteristics
Upon the successful completion of the programme, students should possess the following:
(1) Professional competence equipping them to become specialists in/leaders of a discipline/profession.
They should be able to:
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appreciate the relevance of Chinese thought and values to the modern world in their daily lives;
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demonstrate a sound knowledge of the roots and development of Chinese culture;
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express a deep understanding and appreciation of the forms and spirit of Chinese culture; and
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understand the importance of cultural heritage;
(2) Strategic thinking
They should:
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be able to integrate discrete domains of knowledge for analysis and to formulate actions to solve problems, conduct independent research and think holistically;
(3) Lifelong learning capability
They should:
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develop an interest in Chinese culture and gain the skills needed to explore the complexity of Chinese culture on their own.
This multidisciplinary programme develops and extends students’ knowledge of key aspects of Chinese culture, empowering graduates to pursue further study and excel in workplaces where a broad, humanistic understanding of China is prized. With China’s increasing importance, graduates can expect to apply the knowledge and skills acquired in the programme when making contributions to the government, economy and society of Hong Kong, the rest of China and the world.
Programme Structure
For the MA Non-Dissertation Option
Total: 11 taught subjects (31 credits)
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2 Compulsory Subjects (6 credits) and 1 AIE Subject (1 credit)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 1 Society and Culture (3 credits)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 2 Religions and Thought (3 credits)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 3 Literature and Arts (3 credits)
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5 Elective Subjects from any area (15 credits)
For the MA Dissertation Option
Total: 8 taught subjects (22 credits) + MA Dissertation (9 credits)
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2 Compulsory Subjects (6 credits) and 1 AIE Subject (1 credit)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 1 Society and Culture (3 credits)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 2 Religions and Thought (3 credits)
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1 Elective Subject from Core Area 3 Literature and Arts (3 credits)
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2 Elective Subjects from any area (6 credits)
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MA Dissertation (9 credits)
Students can choose to graduate from the programme with an exit award - the Postgraduate Diploma (PgD) - by completing 19 credits:
Total: 7 taught subjects (19 credits)
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2 Compulsory Subjects (6 credits) and 1 AIE Subject (1 credit)
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4 Elective Subjects from any area (12 credits)
Core Areas of Study
Compulsory Subjects
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Introduction to the Study of Chinese Culture (中國文化研究入門)
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Studying Chinese Culture through Fieldtrips (中華文化考察)
AIE Subject
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Academic Integrity and Ethics in China-related Humanities
Elective Subjects
Core Area 1: Society and Culture (核心範圍一：社會與文化)
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Chinese Dietary Culture (中國飲食文化)
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Chinese Customs and Etiquettes (中國風俗與禮儀)
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Underground Societies in China (中國地下社會)
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Folk Beliefs and Occult Science (民間信仰與術數方技)
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Gender and Sexuality in Modern China (性別與近現代中國)
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Special Topic on Society and Culture (社會與文化專題研究)
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Modern China’s Intra-Asian Political and Cultural Relations (近代中國與亞洲鄰國的政治及文化關係)
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China’s Frontiers: Society, History & Culture (中國的邊疆: 社會、歷史與文化)
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The Culture of Work in Contemporary China: From Maoist China to Reform and Opening-Up to the Age of Artificial Intelligence (當代中國的工作文化：從毛時代到改革開放到人工智慧的時代)
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Society and Culture of Civil Service Examinations in Premodern China (中國科舉社會與文化)
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Chinese-Language Cinema and Society (華語電影與社會)
Core Area 2: Religions and Thought (核心範圍二：宗教與思想)
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Government and Education in Confucianism (儒家思想與中國政教)
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Buddhism and Chinese Culture (佛教與中國文化)
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Daoism and Chinese Culture (道教與中國文化)
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Islam, Christianity and Chinese Culture (伊斯蘭教、基督教與中國文化)
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Special Topic on Religions and Thought (宗教與思想專題研究)
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Early Chinese Thought, Belief, and Technology (早期中國的思想、信仰及科技)
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Song-Ming Confucianism (宋明理學)
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The Making of Chinese Martial Arts Tradition (中國武術傳統之塑造)
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Science, Technology and Thought in China (中國的科學、技術與思想)
Core Area 3: Literature and Arts (核心範圍三：文學與藝術)
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Expression and Application of Chinese Writing (中國文字的表達與應用)
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Appreciation of Chinese Classical Rhymed Writings (中國韻文欣賞)
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Chinese Traditional Theatre and Performing Arts (中國傳統舞臺及說唱藝術)
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Special Topic on Literature and Arts (文學與藝術專題研究)
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Classical Chinese Fiction (中國古典小說)
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Modern Chinese Literature (中國近現代文學)
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Music and Language in Traditional Chinese Poetry and Drama (中國傳統詞曲中的語言與音樂欣賞)
- The Book of Poetry and Chinese Culture (《詩經》與中國文化)
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A History of Chinese Calligraphy and Painting (中國書畫藝術史)
Other Free Elective Subjects and Thesis (其他自由選修課及論文)
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Businessmen and Business Culture in China (中國商人與商業文化)
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Special Topic on Business, Tourism and Cultural Management (商業、旅遊與文化管理專題研究)
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Great Works on Chinese Geography and Travel (中國地理及旅遊名著)
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Chinese Regional Culture (中國著名地區文化)
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Selected Topics and Readings in Chinese Culture (中國名著與文化專題研究)
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Chinese Studies and Generative AI: Opportunity, Challenge, and Ethics (中國研究與生成人工智能：機會、挑戰與道德)
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MA Dissertation (文學碩士論文) (9 credits)
The programme structure listed above is subject to revision/change without prior notice.
31
Dr Tsui Kai Hin Brian
BA(Hons), MA, MPhil, PhD
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A Bachelor's degree (in any discipline) from an institution that is recognised by PolyU.
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If you are not a native speaker of English, and your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English, you are expected to fulfil the University’s minimum English language requirement for admission purpose. Please refer to the "Admission Requirements" section for details.
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Non-Chinese native speaking students need a good knowledge of the Chinese language.
Individual cases will be considered on their own merit by the departments concerned*. Applicants may be required to attend interviews or tests to further demonstrate their language proficiency.
* For applicants with qualifications obtained in Taiwan, a pass in the High-Intermediate level or above in the GEPT may be considered as having fulfilled the English language requirements. Please contact the Academic Registry at ar.tpg@polyu.edu.hk for details.
If you have any questions or require further information, please contact:
Programme Leader
Dr Tsui Kai Hin Brian (徐啟軒博士)
Tel: (852) 3400 8951
Email: brian.kh.tsui@polyu.edu.hk
Executive Officer
Ms Lucy Wong (黃露斯女士)
Tel: (852) 3400 8927
Email: lucy.wong@polyu.edu.hk
The Department of Chinese History and Culture
Tel: (852) 3400 8946
Fax: (852) 2334 3747
Email: ma.chinese.culture@polyu.edu.hk
Website: www.polyu.edu.hk/chc/
Address: HJ631, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, Hung Hom, Kowloon, Hong Kong
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Courses are held in the daytime or evening on weekdays and/or in the daytime on Saturdays.
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Some courses include fieldtrips at weekends.
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The 1-credit AIE subject is assessed on a pass/fail grading system and isn't included in the GPA calculation. There is no need to pay for this credit.
6 for local students
12 for non-local students
HK$6,350 per credit (total : HK$190,500) for both local and non-local students
I truly believe that the study of Chinese culture can only be meaningful when it is linked to our daily experience and helps us to gain insights into the future. The MA in Chinese Culture provides a diversified and well-structured framework for the study of Chinese culture from different perspectives, ranging from literature, religion and art to customs, etiquette and even dietary culture. We learn though dialogue with teachers and discussion with classmates, and through participating in fieldtrips and research presentations. We are therefore able to achieve a good balance between the acquisition of conceptual knowledge and its application to real life situations. Through fieldtrips and methodology courses, we approach past events in an impartial and empathetic manner, using a variety of perspectives to understand ancient traditions from the standpoint of the people under study rather than through the lens of present-day norms. This enables us to appreciate and recognise that a lot of important wisdom from traditional Chinese religions and ethics, such as Confucianism, Buddhism and Daoism, are also values that can be adapted and shared by all of humankind in the contemporary world.
The Master of Arts in Chinese Culture programme offers diverse subjects in literature, history, philosophy, religion and art to help students gain an interdisciplinary understanding of China, past and present. Through innovative class activities such as fieldtrips, we discovered the relevance of Chinese thoughts and values in our daily life and the world today, thus broadening our intellectual horizons.
The relaxed and lively class atmosphere ensured a close rapport amongst peers and teachers alike. When completing class assessments, we regularly received help and encouragement from teachers and classmates, allowing us to identify and overcome our individual shortcomings.
With the guidance of learned and dedicated teachers, we acquired not only academic knowledge across multiple disciplines but also insights in critical thinking and how to conduct oneself in society. Whatever careers we pursue after graduation, the skills and values we learned in the programme — problem-solving strategies, working with peers, handling difficulties and stress, etc. — are of great benefit throughout our lives.
Required
Optional
Optional
Other supporting documents (e.g. reference letter) are optional.
