MA in Psychology
This programme aims to provide university graduates who did not major in psychology an opportunity to pursue graduate studies in psychology. This conversion programme would prepare eligible candidates a solid foundation in psychology for future pursuit of various professional and research postgraduate programmes in psychology in Hong Kong.
Applications for 2025/26 will be processed on a rolling basis. Please upload all required documents via online application system as earliest as possible.
- Acquire a foundation in psychology with a strong theoretical and empirical understanding of psychology theories and methods.
- Be able to communicate and apply their knowledge in real life situations
- Be able to design and conduct psychological research
Applicable to students admitted in 2023-24 and thereafter
The programme takes one year in full-time mode or two years in part-time mode.
Students are required to complete a total of 30 units following either the Research stream or the Applied stream.
The Research stream includes 8 required courses (24 units), and an independent study (6 units).
The Applied stream includes 8 required courses (24 units), an elective course (3 units), and a capstone project (3 units).
| A. | For Research Stream Students: | ||
| Coursework Requirement | |||
| i. | 8 Required courses (3 Units per course): | 24 units | |
| PSYC5110 Statistics and Research Design in Psychological Science | |||
| PSYC5120 Psychological Testing and Measurement | |||
| PSYC5130 Biological Psychology | |||
| PSYC5140 Cognitive Psychology | |||
| PSYC5150 Developmental Psychology | |||
| PSYC5160 Social Psychology | |||
| PSYC5170 Abnormal Psychology | |||
| PSYC5190 Personality Psychology | |||
| ii. | 1 Independent study: PSYC5250 Independent study | 6 units | |
| Total: 30 units | |||
| B. | For Applied Stream Students: | |||
| Coursework Requirement | ||||
| i. | 8 Required courses (3 Units per course): | 24 units | ||
| PSYC5110 Statistics and Research Design in Psychological Science | ||||
| PSYC5120 Psychological Testing and Measurement | ||||
| PSYC5130 Biological Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5140 Cognitive Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5150 Developmental Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5160 Social Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5170 Abnormal Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5190 Personality Psychology | ||||
| ii. | 1 Capstone project: PSYC5121 Capstone Project | 3 units | ||
| iii. | 1 Elective course from the following courses (3 Units per course): | 3 units | ||
| PSYC5122 Health Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5123 Educational Psychology | ||||
| PSYC5124 Industrial-organizational Psychology | ||||
| Total: 30 units | ||||
There are three consecutive terms (including Summer Term) each academic year. Most classes are held in the evenings on weekdays while a few might be delivered on weekends if needed. Courses in Summer Term will be delivered twice per week over 5-6 weeks.
All classes will be taught in English.
- General qualifications required by the Graduate School
- Possess a Bachelor’s degree (NOT majoring in psychology) from a recognized university
- A personal statement in English (word limit: 400 words) stating how a study in psychology contributes to your career development or personal growth
- Application Instruction: Applicants are required to indicate your choice of study stream (Research Stream or Applied Stream) (Subject to University Approval) in the box of “Field of Study” in online application system. Otherwise, your application will not be proceeded.
*Required Documents for admission
Selection
The final deadline for applications is January 2, 2025.
Applications will be reviewed on a rolling basis. Please ensure to upload, send, or submit all required documents promptly.
Shortlisted candidates will be sent an email invitation to attend an admission interview at various stages of the admission process. Outstanding candidates with remarkable academic achievements and qualifications may be eligible for admission to the program without interview.
Admission Interview
Admission interview will be conducted online in an oral format by two interviewers. The interview aims to evaluate the understanding of key concepts in psychology and statistics of the candidates, as well as their preparedness for advanced studies within the program.
To prepare effectively for the admission assessment, we strongly advise candidates to familiarize themselves with the foundational content of psychology. While we do not offer a specific study guide, we encourage applicants to utilize reputable resources to bolster their knowledge. For comprehensive preparation, we suggest exploring the following textbooks:
"Introduction to Psychology" (Chapters 1-3, 5, 7-8, 11-13) available at: https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/48
"Introduction to Statistics in the Psychological Sciences" (Unit 1: Chapters 1-6) available at:
https://open.umn.edu/opentextbooks/textbooks/709
The admission assessment, a crucial component of the selection process, will cover psychology concepts and content from the recommended textbooks and assess candidates' readiness for advanced studies.
Specific details regarding the date and time of the admission interview will be communicated directly to shortlisted candidates in the near future."
Result
Applicants may login the Application for Admission to Postgraduate Programmes and check the application results in “View Application Result” section.
If applicants fail to get information from the Division by July 2025, the applications could be regarded as unsuccessful.
Students may apply for a course and unit exemption for a maximum of 4 courses (12 units), which they have completed under prior postgraduate or equivalent programmes. Courses completed under undergraduate programmes may also be considered. However, only up to 3 units may be exempted by using undergraduate courses in advanced level.
No replacement for the exempted courses is required.
No adjustment on tuition fee will be granted.
To complete the programme, a student must achieve a minimum grade of “C-” in the courses taken during the study which will be counted towards the total number of units required for graduation.
Any student fails to achieve this, he/she will have to re-take the same course(s) in another term when the course(s) is(are) offered again and pass it(them) with a “C-” or above grade. Students are allowed to re-take each failed course only once.
Students who complete this Programme with a first degree in another subject are regarded as possessing an education comparable to that of a Bachelor’s degree in psychology in Hong Kong.
This programme is designed to take the place of the Postgraduate Diploma in Psychology Programme, which has been offered by the Department since 1993. Upon successful completion of the programme requirement, graduates will be eligible to apply for graduate membership of The Hong Kong Psychological Society and other psychological professional bodies.
For the past years, many of our graduates could successfully get into the postgraduate research and professional training programmes in psychology (e.g. Clinical Psychology, Educational Psychology, Industrial-Organizational Psychology, M.Phil. /Ph.D. in Psychology) and become professional psychologists in the field. Many other graduates also apply their knowledge in psychology and research in their profession.
Mr. Kris CHOI
Scholarship Award for Master of Arts in Psychology (2018/19)
I am
very honored to receive this prestigious award as a recognition of my hard work in this program. Commencing a part-time master degree while doing a full-time job was much challenging and energy-draining than I ever expected, but it was overall an intellectually stimulating and rewarding journey when looking back. This course broadened and deepened my psychological perspective in understanding human and mind. It also entailed a rich exposure to a wide range of literature as well as extensive training in first-hand independent research, critical thinking, and argumentation skills, which are all very applicable to my current job as a practicing health professional. Its teaching quality is good, and most professors are well-published researchers and experienced teachers who deliver information very clearly in their areas of expertise. They are supportive, enthusiastic about their disciplines, committed to excellent teaching, and prepared to guide students to think logically and scientifically. The course experience, which unfolded naturally as the program progressed, encouraged an opportunity for self-reflection, rendering a personal space for re-examining own inner materials as well as better self-understanding. I also made good friends who share similar interests, values, and aspirations with me. I have grown both professionally and personally at CUHK.Mr. Arsum WONG
Scholarship Award for Master of Arts in Psychology (2019/20)
Life is not easy, and that is why studying psychology has its values. Psychology is an 
angle. Through which you see things clearly so you could act wisely. This programme not only equips you with essential psychological theories but also fosters you to think like scientists. And the chance to work closely with an eminent scholar helps you to appreciate what you have studied. These, with the support of great teaching assistants, build fundamental capacities for you to pursue personally meaningful objectives.
Ms. Kelly WONG
Scholarship Award for Master of Arts in Psychology (2020/21)
“Your hearts a weapon the size of your fist.” I like how this quote highlighted the power of our minds. It was a fulfilling year in CUHK to study human mind and behavior in scientific manners. In particular, I enjoyed the experience of working with well-published scholar to develop an independent psychological study from scratch. It was a huge sense of achievement to have finished that in parallel to other theoretical courses within a year. I am also glad to meet friends from diverse backgrounds. They inspired me to think in new perspectives when we were exchanging ideas in our group projects. In this master’s program, it was more than the study of psychological theories and scientific methods, it was also a chance to broaden our horizons, and an opportunity to understand ourselves.
Ms. Tina CHAN
Scholarship Award for Master of Arts in Psychology (2020/21)
I am very impressed by the professionalism and passion of the teachers in the Psychology Department. Doing the Master's degree in Psychology is one of the best decisions I have made in my life. Intimidated by the Biological Psychology class at first since I was an Arts student, but my worries were quickly shed away by the teacher who was able to explain neuroscience in the most engaging and interesting way. I also highly appreciate the freedom and autonomy I have had in doing group projects in different courses and my independent study. All the teaching staff were so supportive. Thank you so much for the marvellous learning experience!
