Master in Communication

The MA in Communication Programme at the School of Communication, Hong Kong Baptist University was launched in 1996. Since its inception, the Programme had been partially supported by Hong Kong government educational subsidies up until September 2004 when it became fully self-financed. The change in the source of funding was accompanied by an opening of the Programme, for the first time, to Mainland and other overseas students and the addition of the full-time study mode. In September 2004, a total of 92 students were admitted to the Programme, approximately two thirds local Hong Kong students and one-third mainlanders. The students divide more or less equally into part-time study mode (Hong Kong students only) and full-time study mode (both from Hong Kong and outside).

In addition to a set of core theory and methodology courses which all are required to take, the Programme provides a wide range of elective courses focusing on knowledge and practice in mass media institutions and operations in the context of social transition in Greater China Area with the specific goal of nurturing quality professionals and managerial personnel in the media industry. The Programme also offers elective courses which revolve around corporate communication, emphasizing public relations and advertising as well as campaign and crisis management skills. Impact of changing media technologies is an area of serious attention.

The School has a faculty team of well-established scholars and seasoned practitioners who possess expertise in mass, interpersonal, and cross-cultural communication, rhetoric and discourse analysis, public relations and advertising research, globalization as well as cultural and critical studies. The Programme features a Distinguished Speakers Series, where high-ranking professionals and industry leaders are regularly invited to the classroom to share with students their experiences and expertise. The Programme also organizes and subsidies short-term study tours that take students outside of classrooms (and often outside of Hong Kong) for field visits and training. This kind of intimate and dynamic interaction with the industry marks a unique characteristic of the Programme.

Curriculum Design

An academically based professional programme, the courses and syllabi in the Programme are designed for the integration of theory and practice in the field of communication and media.

The Programme offers three courses as the Common Core. Foundations of Communication Study provides an overview of the academic study of communication. Approaches and Methods in Communication Research introduce the student to the research process, the idea of evidence, and evaluation of research reports using a variety of methods. Perspectives on Media and Society discusses the relationships between communication media, content, social structures, social processes and audience effects. Starting from the 2012/2013 entry, all elective courses from the previous two concentrations of Integrated Communication Management and Media Studies are pooled together and offered to all students to provide them with more choices.

The Programme’s elective courses aim at educating professionals in the application of conceptual knowledge about communication management and equipping students with analytical concepts and skills for examining issues in media or mass communication practices.

All courses are 3 credits each. A student is required to fulfil a total of 27 credits to graduate (i.e. 9 units of core courses and 18 units of elective courses). For the 18 units of elective courses, students must select at least 12 units from their own Programme.

Course Structure

Core Courses (6 units)

Elective Courses (21 units)

Remarks: Not all elective courses will be offered in any single academic year, and will be offered based on instructor and facility availability. Course enrolment is limited by quotas.

Students must take at least 12 units of elective courses from their own programme

Elective Courses (limited quota offered by other Programmes - whether to offer quota and the number of quotas would be decided by the Programmes offering the courses)

Students are only allowed to take a maximum of 6 units in this category

# CEF reimbursable courses
* co-requisites: ACCT7770 & ACCT7780

Entry Requirements

The Programme will be of interest to the following students: Bachelor’s degree holders who are employed in media organizations or in the communication functions of the public or private sector, or who aspire to such positions, and who see the in-depth understanding of media industries and management as contributory to executive leadership in their career and in the society.

Applicants should

• Hold a Bachelor’s Degree from a recognized university or institution; AND

• Be able to communicate in English at an advanced level, possessing one or more of the following qualifications if they did not study in an English-speaking institution:
  • A minimum score of 79 in TOEFL
  • A minimum score of 6.5 in IELTS

We adopt a rolling admission policy and open a window for application from mid-November to end- June (usually having First Round November – January; Second Round February – June). It may be to your advantage to apply as early as possible, as the window may close earlier when all spots are filled.

If short-listed, applicants may be interviewed by the School of Communication

Online Application

Required documents:

• One copy of all official transcripts and degree certificates;

• One copy of official test scores;

• Two confidential recommendation forms or reference letters from people familiar with the applicant’s academic performance and/or professional work (referees must be able to speak of the applicant’s ability to undertake academic work at an advanced level); and

• A 500-word personal statement in English outlining their academic interests and objectives;

• A sample piece of writing in English, either journalistic or academic;

• Personal particulars: a copy of the passport OR identity document issued by the applicant's home country.

Short-listed applicants may be interviewed by a faculty panel.

Tuition Fee

HK$145,000 (per year for a one-year full-time student)

HK$60,000 (per year for a two-year part-time student) (local Hong Kong students only)

Scholarships

Merit-based scholarships will be awarded in the second semester to students with outstanding academic performance in the first semester. Awarded students receive between HK$10,000 and $20,000.