How to Apply

Application Procedures

(a) The application for 2010-2011 will start from 1st December, 2010.

(b) Application Period:

1 Dec 2010-15 March 2011 (first round) ;
16 March - 31 May 2011 (second round)

(c) On-line application (recommended): http://www.hkbu.edu.hk/~ar/admissions/post.htm

(d) Application forms (hard copy) are available from: Office of the Graduate School, Level 7, Fong Shu Chuen Library, HKBU Ho Sin Hang Campus, Kowloon Tong,

All hard-copy application materials, including recommendation letters and personal statements, should be mailed to our MAIJS Programme Office:

CVA802, 8/F, Communication and Visual Arts Building,
Baptist University Road Campus, Hong Kong Baptist University,
5 Hereford Road, Kowloon Tong, Kowloon  

Admission Requirements

The programme seeks applicants who are seriously interested in journalism, committed to journalism as a professional career or devoted to academic, professional or personal research in the field of international journalism. A bachelor's degree and a good command of English are required. Work experience is preferred but not necessary.

Applicants should :
(a) hold a Bachelor's Degree from a recognized university or comparable institution; AND
(b) be able to communicate in English at an advanced level, possessing one or more of the following qualifications:

(i) Grade D or above in AS Use of English (HKALE), or
(ii) A minimum score of 580 (paper-based) or 237 (computer-based) or 92 (internet-based) in TOEFL, or
(iii) A score of 6.5 or above in the International English language Testing System (IELTS), or
(iv) Band 6 (grade 560 or above) in College English Test in mainland China, or
(v) A qualification judged equivalent by the Department of Journalism.

Applicants should submit the following documents for assessment:
(1) one original copy of their academic transcript;
(2) two reference letters from people familiar with their 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
(3) a 500-word self-statement in English outlining their academic interests and objectives, or a sample of a piece of journalism or research paper or similar written by the applicant in English.

Short-listed applicants will be interviewed by a faculty panel. The interview serves as a cross-validation of the evidence given in the above documents and helps to ascertain an applicant's commitment to postgraduate studies.

The Course Director may, with endorsement of the Course Management Committee and the Academic Registrar, waive any of these requirements for applicants with unique qualifications that warrant special consideration as evidenced in an applicant's outstanding professional practice or publication record.

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Duration of Study

The programme is full-time and lasts for one year.

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Scholarships

Kearny Alliance Stipends for Southeast Asian Scholars

The Kearny Alliance is offering three stipend-supported places on the one-year MA in International Journalism Studies one-year programme starting in early September 2010 and finishes in June 2011. There will be funding for one student from each of Burma, Cambodia or Laos, and Vietnam. The stipend covers all expenses: air fares to and from the home country to Hong Kong, tuition fee, accommodation and pocket money. Details of the programme can be found elsewhere on this website.

If you'd like to apply, please send your CV, giving details of your tertiary education qualifications, work experience and your achievements, to Judith Clarke at jlc@hkbu.edu.hk. The deadline is 15 March 2011. Interviews will be arranged after that. Please note that the successful applicants will be required to sign an agreement with the Kearny Alliance pledging to work for three years upon graduation for Kearny or their partner, Global Sources, in any location if Kearny wishes them to do so.

Merit-based scholarships are awarded to students who achieve outstanding academic results. The MA in IJS program is pleased to announce that a merit-based scholarship scheme has been finalized. Details are as follows:

1. How much?
Scholarships are given in three categories: the highest level is HK$20,000, the second level is HK$15,000, and the third level is HK$10,000, depending on the academic performance of individual student.

2. How many students can receive the awards?
28 per cent of all enrolled students for each intake will receive the scholarship.

3. When?
The list of scholarship recipients will be announced in the middle of the second semester.

4. Who will qualify?
Awards will be made on the basis of grade point average (GPA). The highest level scholarship(s) will be awarded to student(s) who attain the highest GPA for the four subjects in the first half of their study period, as long as their GPA is above 3.40, while winners of the second-level scholarship(s) must attain a GPA of at least 3.20, and those of the third-level scholarship(s) a GPA of least 3.00. Students do not need to apply for the scholarship. A panel of faculty members chaired by the Course Director will make decisions on recipient(s) and amounts in cases of tied GPA scores.

5. How is the scholarship money paid?
Recipients will receive a cheque in a sealed envelope.

In addition to the programme scholarships, there are also one “Caijing Scholarship” and two “Kimbolton (in Commemoration of Mr. CHANG Kuo-Sin) Scholarships” specially set for Business and Financial Journalism students. The programme used to award around 15% of students scoring the highest GPA in the first semester. The levels went HK$50,000 (1st with GPA over 3.5), HK$ 30,000 (2nd with GPA over 3.3) and HK$10,000 (3rd with GPA over 3.1).

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The Kearny Alliance stipends

The Kearny Alliance is offering three or four stipends to cover the full costs of students from Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos to study for the MA in International Journalism Studies starting in September 2008. Applicants are requested to apply directly to the course administrator, Ms Bess Wang, besswang@hkbu.edu.hk, noting that they are applying for this stipend. Please apply by February 22. Interviews will take place in Vietnam, Cambodia and Laos in early March, and applicants will be notified in good time. We are looking for candidates with good English (preferably with good IELTS or TOEFL scores), an interest in writing and journalism, and an interest in trade and business.

Tuition Fee

For Concentration of International Journalism, the programme fee is HK$88,000 per student.

For Concentration of Business and Financial Journalism, the programme fee is HK$ 100,000 per student.

This covers tuition fees, field trips, heath insurance and library fees. Students are expected to cover all other costs.

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