Master of Arts (MA) in Literary and Comparative Studies

1. Applicants may be interviewed in order to elicit further information such as interests, motivation, communication skills, language proficiency, maturity and suitability.
2. Application result will be reflected in the application status in the online application system.

The MA in Literary and Comparative Studies (MALCS) aims to provide students the opportunity to explore literatures in English, activate experiential learning, conduct independent research, and present their findings in a comparative and globalized context. These emphases give a distinctive character to the Programme and reflect the 2020 vision of HKBU—a vison that purports to promote world class research and deliver the best student experience. 

Our research-enriched curriculum is designed to strike a good balance between global and local literary studies. Students take methodology-based core courses that examine classic and contemporary critical theories and literary works in relation to ideas in larger contexts, such as world literatures, global modernisms, comparative literature and the arts. They are also required to take research-driven elective courses that highlight current major themes that affect the global and local communities, and how these themes are mediated in literary texts. Students can also take part in the workshops, seminars and postgraduate conferences organized by the department. They are also given the opportunity to do a Master’s thesis as the culmination of work for the MA. 

The MA Programme strives to deliver the best student experience by emphasizing experiential and multimodal learning. Students will complete media-enriched projects, take part in outdoor activities and study tours, with a view to enhancing their abilities to think out of the box, develop cross-cultural understanding, engage with different peoples and communities, and apply their knowledge to real-world issues. 

Students can opt for the full-time or part-time study mode to suit their interests. If pursuing the degree full-time, students will complete 27 units in one academic year; if part-time, students will complete the same number of units in two academic years.  

Common destinations for graduates with an MA in Literary and Comparative Literature include doctoral or advanced studies, as well as careers in academic teaching, publishing, government policy, journalism, advertising, and marketing.