SCHOOL OF MUSIC, CUHK SHENZHEN M.Phil.-Ph.D. in MUSICOLOGY PROGRAMME PROSPECTUS 2025
The School of Music of 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 programmes, 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 and graduate programmes in music performance, musicology, and music composition and theory. In the future, the School of Music plans to offer undergraduate programmes in dance performance and postgraduate programmes 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 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 M.Phil.-Ph.D. in Musicology programme is required to apply online via .
For detailed information, kindly refer to Annex I titled "School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 M.Phil.-Ph.D.in Musicology Concentrations Information", Annex II titled "School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 M.Phil.-Ph.D. in Musicology Supervisor".
Ⅱ. Application Requirements
1. Academic degree:
For the Master of Philosophy stream under the "M.Phil.-Ph.D. Programmes", the applicant shall have:
i. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
ii. Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor's degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B".
For the Doctor of Philosophy stream under the "M.Phil.-Ph.D. Programmes", the applicant shall have:
i. A Master's degree holder from a recognized university; or
ii. Graduated from a recognized university and obtained a Bachelor's degree, normally with honours not lower than Second Class; or
iii. Graduated from an honours programme of a recognized university with a Bachelor's degree, normally achieving an average grade of not lower than "B".
2. English Language Requirements (Applicants must meet one of the following requirements)
i. Obtained a degree from a university in Hong Konga or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or
ii. Achieved scores in the following English Language testsb as indicated:
- TOEFL: 550 (Paper-based)/79 (Internet-based/Home Edition);
- IELTS (Academic): 6.5(Test Centre based/Online);
- GMAT: Band 21 (Verbal)c;
- GMAT Focus Edition: Band 78 (Verbal).
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. GMAT scores are considered valid for five years from the test date.
c. GMAT (Verbal) scores at or above the threshold value of 21 will be kept until the score validity phases out.
All language test scores must be valid and issued by their respective organizations, and should be submitted before August 25, 2025.
III. Application Materials
Applicants need to submit the following materials through this link:
1. General Materials
*●&苍产蝉辫;Application Form: Automatically generated and obtainable from the online application system. After signing, upload the scanned copy to the same system.
*●&苍产蝉辫;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.
*●&苍产蝉辫;Degree Certificates: Scanned copy of original official Bachelor's Degree Certificate, Master’s Degree Certificate, Graduation Certificate, or Student Status Certificate, stamped by the Registrar's Office or respective school.
- Including 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).
●&苍产蝉辫;Language Score Sheet: Any one of the following score reports/certificates, showing that you have fulfilled the English Language Proficiency Requirement for admission to the Graduate Panel (upload the scanned copy). Priority will be given to applicants who have met the language requirements.
●&苍产蝉辫;Recommendation Letters: Applicants must submit at least two letters of English recommendation from professors (or specialists with equivalent professional title) in the professional field.
(Please note that an automatic email will be sent to the referee when you complete the information online. The referee can respond directly to this email for the Recommendation.)
*●&苍产蝉辫;Curriculum Vitae: Complete in both English and Chinese.
*●&苍产蝉辫;Identification: An Identity card for Chinese applicants or other official documents for international applicants.
2. *Application materials for the first-round examination
For applicants pursuing a master's degree:
i. Research Proposal (in English and also in Chinese for the students from Mainland China, explaining the chosen topic for the master’s degree, research objectives, and the current conditions available.
ii. Academic thesis (Chinese thesis should be supplemented with an English abstract of not less than 1,000 words)
Applicant Category | Requirements |
For those who have already obtained a bachelor's degree | A complete undergraduate thesis or a paper equivalent to a bachelor's thesis in musicology (≥15,000 characters in Chinese or ≥10,000 words in English) |
For those nearing the completion of a bachelor's degree | As complete an undergraduate thesis as possible or a paper equivalent to a bachelor's thesis in musicology (≥12,000 characters in Chinese or ≥8,000 words in English) |
For applicants pursuing a doctoral degree:
i. Research Proposal (in English and also in Chinese for the students from Mainland China), explaining the chosen topic for the doctoral degree, research objectives, and the current conditions available.
ii. Academic thesis (Chinese thesis should be supplemented with an English abstract of not less than 1,500 words)
Applicant Category | Requirements |
For those who have already obtained a bachelor's degree | A complete undergraduate thesis or a paper equivalent to a bachelor's thesis in musicology (≥15,000 characters in Chinese or ≥10,000 words in English) |
For those nearing the completion of a bachelor's degree | As complete an undergraduate thesis as possible or a paper equivalent to a bachelor's thesis in musicology (≥12,000 characters in Chinese or ≥8,000 words in English) |
For those who have already obtained a master's degree | A complete master's thesis or a paper equivalent to a master's thesis in musicology (≥25,000 characters in Chinese or ≥20,000 words in English) |
For those nearing the completion of a master's degree | As complete a master's thesis as possible or a paper equivalent to a master's thesis in musicology (≥20,000 characters in Chinese or ≥16,000words in English) |
iii. Master's degree applicants pursuing a doctoral degree are also required to submit two academic research papers (with preference given to applicants who have published influential academic papers).
iv. If necessary, applicants may be asked to submit additional information or supporting documents.
Other Notes:
i. Applicants cannot apply for both master's and doctoral programmes simultaneously.
ii. Submission method: Please scan the above original documents and upload them to the system in PDF format: Supplementary Information/Materials-Professional Qualification. The files should be named as Name-Major (Professional Direction)-Professional Qualifications Materials, for example, Zhang San-Musicology (Historical Musicology)-Professional Qualifications Materials.
Notes:
For the professional directions, please refer to Annex I, “School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2025 M.Phil. - Ph.D.in Musicology Concentrations Information”.
Application materials marked with an asterisk need to be submitted by the closing date of the application on 25 May 2025 (TBD). Applicants should fill in their personal application information accurately as required and provide complete application materials. The application information cannot be amended after submission. 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.
IV. Application Procedure
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:
Note: In-person submissions will not be accepted.
Application Deadline: Ensure all application materials are submitted by the deadline. Applicants who pass the first-round (Pre-screening) 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 25 May 2025
Reminder: Late submissions will not be accepted
Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of CNY 600 will be charged.
V. Qualification Review and Professional Examination Process
1. Qualification Review
After the application deadline, the school will conduct a qualification review of all received applications.
2. Professional Examination
The examination is divided into two rounds: the first-round (Pre-screening) and the second-round (On-site Interview).
·&苍产蝉辫;First-Round (Pre-screening):
The committee will evaluate the application materials for the first-round examination submitted by applicants who pass the qualification review. Applicants who pass the first-round (Pre-screening) will be invited to participate in the second-round (On-site Interview).
·&苍产蝉辫;Second-Round (On-site Interview):
The panel will comprehensively assess the applicant's professional level, musical literacy, and other qualifications. The interview will be conducted in English in a Q&A format, requiring applicants to possess English communication skills. The interview content will include, but is not limited to, the applicant's resume, submitted research proposal, knowledge in the relevant field of musicology, and future research plans. The specific interview time of the Second- Round (On-site Interview) will be notified to eligible applicants via email sent from muspg@cuhk.edu.cn.
VI. Programme Details & Fees
1. Duration of Studies
Degree | Study Mode | Concentration | Maximum Pre-Candidacy Period | Normative Period | Maximum Period |
M.Phil. | Full-time | ?Historical Musicology ?Ethnomusicology ?Applied Musicology | N/A | 24 months | 48 months |
Ph.D. (entering with a research master's degree) | Full-time | ?Historical Musicology ?Ethnomusicology | 24 months1 | 48 months | 72 months |
Ph.D. (entering without a research master's degree) | 36 months2 | 60 months | 84 months | ||
i. Students have a maximum of 24 months to pass the candidacy requirement counted from first entry. A student who fails to pass the candidacy requirement within 24 months is allowed to switch to M.Phil. study, subject to final approval. ii. Students have a of maximum 36 months to pass the candidacy requirement counted from first entry. A student who fails to pass the candidacy requirement within 36 months is allowed to switch to M.Phil. study, subject to final approval. |
Notes:
·&苍产蝉辫;A Research Master's degree is regarded as equivalent to an Academic Master's degree.
·&苍产蝉辫;Applicants who hold a Bachelor's degree are also eligible to apply for Ph.D. study.
·&苍产蝉辫;The Applied Musicology concentration will commence admissions starting from the year 2026.
2.Units Required for Graduation
Degree | Major Required | Major Elective | Seminar | Thesis Research |
M.Phil. | 10 | 8 | 6 | 24 |
Ph.D. (entering with a research master's degree) | Pre-Candidacy Period | |||
11 | 16 | 6 | 24 | |
Post-Candidacy Period | ||||
/ | / | / | 48 | |
Ph.D. (entering without a research master's degree) | Pre-Candidacy Period | |||
11 | 16 | 6 | 36 | |
Post-Candidacy Period | ||||
/ | / | / | 48 |
3.Fees & Degree Conferment
Tuition: CNY 140,000 per academic year
Accommodation Fees: CNY 2,400 per academic year
Degree Conferment: Upon fulfilling all the requirements, graduates will be conferred with a Master of Philosophy degree or Doctor of Philosophy degree from The Chinese University of Hong Kong.
Reach Out to Us
·&苍产蝉辫;Phone: (0755) 2351 6268
·&苍产蝉辫;Email: muspg@cuhk.edu.cn
·&苍产蝉辫;Official QQ Group: 838907233
·&苍产蝉辫;Websites: School of Music: http://music.cuhk.edu.cn
CUHK-Shenzhen:
·&苍产蝉辫;Address: 2001 Longxiang Boulevard, Longgang District, Shenzhen
·&苍产蝉辫;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.