The programme aims to (1) enable computer professionals to strengthen and upgrade their technical capabilities in computer software development, (2) broaden students’ knowledge and deepen their understanding of key issues of specific areas in computer science, including artificial intelligence, data science, information security, multimedia, and other related contemporary technologies, and (3) prepare graduates to take up research and advanced innovative development work in the industry or pursue higher research studies.

To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and have:

• a recognised bachelor's degree in a computing discipline such as Computer Studies, Information Technology, Computer Engineering, Information Systems, or equivalent; or
• a recognised bachelor's degree in a related discipline such as Electronic Engineering, Applied Mathematics, Manufacturing Engineering, Quantitative Analysis, or equivalent, together with applicable working experience in information technology.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is NOT English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• 79 (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)^@#; or
• an overall band score of 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)^@; or
• a score of 450 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 (CET-6); 

^@ TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the two years preceding the start of the University's application period.

^# Applicants are required to arrange with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL results directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityUHK is 3401.

Only the above English tests are accepted for MSc Computer Science (P53) and the following English tests are NOT accepted:

• Duolingo
• GMAT
• GRE
• IELTS Indicator
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• TOEIC
• others

Please refer to the updated admissions website for information.

The definitions of non-local applicants and local applicants are set out below:

Non-local Applicants

Persons holding the following documents issued by the Immigration Department (IMMD) of the HKSAR are classified as non-local applicants: 

• Student visa / entry permit; or
• Visa / entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG Visa); or
• Dependant visa / entry permit for applicants who were 18 years old or above when they were issued with such visa / entry permit by the IMMD

Due to immigration restrictions, nationals from Afghanistan, Cuba, Laos, North Korea (DPRK), Nepal and Vietnam may not be able to obtain a student visa to study in Hong Kong. For details, please click here.

Local Applicants

Persons holding any of the following documents issued by the Immigration Department (IMMD) are classified as local applicants:

• Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card
• Documents issued by the IMMD certifying the right of abode / right to land in Hong Kong
• One-way permit for entry to Hong Kong
• Dependant visa / entry permit for applicants who were below 18 years old when they were issued with such visa / entry permit by the IMMD
• Full-time employment visa / work permit (for part-time study)
• Visa / entry permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (QMAS)
• Visa / entry permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (CIES)
• Visa / Entry permit for Admission Scheme for the Second Generation of Chinese Hong Kong Permanent Residents
• Visa label for unconditional stay

If you need further advice on visa requirements, please contact the IMMD. 

The programme consists of three core courses and two groups of Electives (elective courses). The core courses will enable students to acquire a solid foundation in computer science at the postgraduate level. The elective courses are divided into two groups: Group I and Group II. Students are required to take at least 21 credit units of Electives, including at least 3 credit units of Electives in Group I. The elective courses cover a broad range of areas in the field, including artificial intelligence, data science, information security, multimedia, and other related contemporary technologies. Each course is worth 3 credit units except for the elective Project course which is worth 6 credit units. Through suitable choices of elective courses, students may concentrate on a study stream (Artificial Intelligence Stream, Data Science Stream or Information Security Stream) based on their interests. Alternatively, students may also choose any elective courses without concentration on a particular stream. Refer to the programme’s website (https://www.cs.cityu.edu.hk/academic-programmes/msc-computer-science/aims) for details.

• Students may be considered for the award of the Postgraduate Diploma in Computer Science after obtaining a total of 24 credit units (including all the 3 core courses and at least 3 credit units of elective courses in Group I) with satisfactory academic results if they decide to exit early.
• The Project course is optional. Students may take 2 other elective courses in lieu of the Project course.
• By taking one of the Guided Study courses and/or the Project course, students may gain the experience of working on a small-scale research problem (under supervision of an academic staff in the department) to get better prepared for higher research studies.
• Students will have a good chance of admission to higher research studies if they obtain excellent academic results upon graduation.

Department of Computer Science

Frequently Asked Questions