The School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen aims to become an international, innovative, and world-leading higher education institution for music. With the goal of cultivating outstanding talents equipped with both academic and performance abilities, the school has established innovative training modes for musical talents and an international training system that offers bachelor's, master's, and doctoral degrees. With comprehensive and scientific programs, the school strives to provide corresponding guidance for every student who desires to further their studies in art. The school is recruiting globally and is led by world-renowned musicians and music educators. On April 29, 2021, CUHK-Shenzhen announced the appointment of Professor Xiaogang YE, a famous composer and chairman of the China Musicians Association, as the founding dean of the School of Music.

Currently, the School of Music offers undergraduate programs in music performance, musicology, music composition and theory, postgraduate program in music performance, music composition and theory, and Doctor of Music Programs in music performance, music composition and theory. In the future, the School of Music plans to offer undergraduate programs in dance performance and postgraduate programs in art management, dance performance and more. Classes are taught in both Chinese and English, and other languages such as Italian and German. The School of Music will take on the global environment, the tradition of the college system, the holistic education and the student-oriented education philosophy of the University and broaden the global perspective of students through a modern university management system and internationally recognized academic standards and teaching models.

The School of Music is located in the International University Park in Longgang District, Shenzhen, adjacent to the current campus of CUHK-Shenzhen. The total site area is about 73,800 square meters, the total construction area is about 133,500 square meters, and the total investment is about 1.63 billion yuan. The campus includes a complex building, performance auditorium, teaching building, experimental building, student dormitory, student complex building, and faculty dormitory, and is expected to be delivered by December 2024 and to be put into operation in 2025.

The School of Music is based in Shenzhen, in line with the demand for outstanding musical talents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, drawing on the successful experience of the CUHK-Shenzhen, and the advanced educational philosophy of top universities from home and abroad. Experts and professors from home and abroad have provided guidance and assistance to its planning and development. The School greatly contributes to the development of higher education in the field of music, promotes resource sharing and talent exchange in the field of art and culture of the Greater Bay Area, and cultivates world-class musical talents that integrate Chinese and Western musical cultures.

Ⅰ. Application Instructions

Applicants for the 2025 MA Programme in Music Performance and the 2025 MA Programme in Music Composition and Theory are required to apply online via https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/.

For detailed information, kindly refer to Annex I titled “School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 Master of Arts Major Information” and Annex II titled “School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 Master of Arts Entry Requirement.”

Ⅱ. Application Requirements

1. Academic degree:

• • Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor’s degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
  • Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor’s degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than “B”; or
  • Completed a course of study in a tertiary educational institution and obtained professional or similar qualifications equivalent to an honours degree.

 2. English Language Requirements (Applicants must meet one of the following requirements)

i. Obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong^a or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or

ii.  Achieved scores in the following English Language tests^b as indicated:

• • TOEFL: minimum score of 517 (Paper-based) / 67 (Internet-based/Home Edition);
  • IELTS (Academic): minimum score of 6.0 (Test Centre based/Online); or

iii.  Obtained a pass grade in English in one of the following examinations:

• • Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level);
  • Hong Kong Higher Level Examination;
  • CUHK Matriculation Examination;
  • General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level)/Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level); or

iv. Achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.

Notes:

a. This is based on the understanding that English is the medium of instruction of degree programmes offered by universities in Hong Kong. Moreover, graduates from universities in Hong Kong should have fulfilled the English language requirements of the institution concerned when they were admitted to the degree programmes. The CUHKSZ Graduate School may request applicants to provide additional supporting documents to prove their English proficiency.

b. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date.

All language test scores must be valid and issued by their respective organizations, and should be submitted before August 15, 2025.

III. Application Procedure

1. Application Materials

Applicants need to submit the following materials through this link: https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/

• *Application Form: Automatically generated and obtainable from the online application system. After signing, upload the scanned copy to the same system.
• *Official Transcript(s):   Scanned copy of original official transcripts (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results) and grading scheme of all tertiary level studies.
• *Degree Certificates: A copy of the Bachelor's and/or Master's Degree Certificate, Graduation Certificate, or Student Status Certificate, stamped by the Registrar's Office or respective school. 
  - Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate and Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate, or Certificate of Authentication for Foreign Academic Degrees and Qualifications issued by the Ministry of Education Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CDGDC)（If necessary）
• Language Score Sheet: A copy of the TOEFL or IELTS score.
• Recommendation Letters: Confidential recommendations (for all applicants) from two referees. Referees will receive links via email to upload their signed letters.
• *Curriculum Vitae: Complete in both English and Chinese. 
• *Personal Statement: Complete in both English and Chinese.
• *Identification: An Identity card for Chinese applicants or other official documents for international applicants.
• Music Competition Awards Proof: If available.
• *Repertoire Form: Complete in both English and Chinese if applying for the MA Programme in Music Performance. Please refer to Annex II "School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 Master of Arts Entry Requirement" for repertoire requirements.
• *Original Compositions: If applying for the MA Programme in Music Composition and Theory, applicants must submit two original compositions. The scores for these two compositions should be uploaded as PDFs under the "Supplementary Information” section, “Other Supporting Files" category.
• Additional Documents: Applicants might be asked to provide further supporting materials.

Note: All of the above material must be uploaded in original copies. For information regarding the majors, refer to Annex I, "School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 Master of Arts Major Information." Ensure your chosen major aligns with the Repertoire Form for the audition.

*Starred items are essential materials to be submitted by March 20, 2025. Applicants must accurately fill in personal application information and provide complete materials. The application information once submitted is non-transferrable. Applicants shall bear the consequences caused by unidentifiable or incomplete materials. Please check the information carefully and submit materials cautiously.

Applicants must verify the authenticity and validity of their application materials. Submission of false or misleading information will lead to the application being declined, with the applicant responsible for any legal consequences.

2. How to Apply: To apply, candidates need to submit all necessary documents through the online portal. It's advised to use Google Chrome for the application. Direct link for the application is here: https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/

Note: In-person submissions will not be accepted.

3. Application Deadline: Ensure all application materials are submitted by the deadline. Shortlisted applicants will be notified through the email provided during application. Notification of eligibility for auditions will be sent from muspg@cuhk.edu.cn. Applicants are recommended to check their email regularly.

Application Timeframe: Up to 20 March 2025

Reminder: Late submissions will not be accepted

4. Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of CNY 600 will be charged.

IV. Admission Criteria and Examination Process

 The 2025 intake for the MA Programme at the School of Music involves a two-phase selection: first, assessing qualifications, and second, an examination encompassing a performance audition and an interview.

1. Admission Criteria: Once the online application is completed and submitted, the qualification review will begin. After this assessment, eligible candidates will undergo the examination phase and will be informed via email about their audition.

2. Examination Procedure: The examination is divided into two rounds.

i. First Round (Pre-screening): video-recordings for pre-screening.

ii. Second Round (Audition & Interview)

The audition is a comprehensive evaluation of the candidate’s musicianship and artistry. For in-depth audition details, refer to Annex Ⅱ. After the audition, candidates will have a face-to-face interview conducted in both Chinese and English. Applicants must meet the Chinese and English language proficiency requirements.

Note:

i. The video upload method and video recording guidelines for the first round (Pre-screening) of 2025 Master of Arts in Music Performance will be notified to applicants by email.

ii. There is no first round (Pre-screening) for Conducting (Orchestral Conducting) and Orchestral Instruments major. The examination procedure for each major are as follows:

Ⅴ. Programme Details & Fees

Degree: Master of Arts

Normative Study Period: 2 years

Mode of Study: Full-time

Tuition: CNY 120,000 per academic year

Accommodation Fees: CNY 1,200 per academic year

Upon fulfilling all the requirements, graduates will earn a Master of Arts degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

A MPhil-PhD Programme in Musicology is planned to be introduced in 2025. The specific application requirements will be announced separately upon approval by relevant departments.

VI. Reach Out to Us

• Phone: (0755) 2351 6268
• Email: muspg@cuhk.edu.cn
• Official QQ Group: 651080513

• Websites: School of Music: http://music.cuhk.edu.cn

CUHK-Shenzhen: http://www.cuhk.edu.cn

• Address: 2001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District, Shenzhen

                Postal Code: 518172

Notes:

1. The School of Music of CUHK-Shenzhen reserves the right to the final interpretation of the prospectus.
2. Any special requirements or changes for other reasons will be posted on the official website of the School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen, and WeChat official account. Applicants are advised to check the above websites regularly.