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 Science, 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 for the whole programme 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) (Academic)^@; or
• a score of 450 in the Chinese mainland’s College English Test Band 6 (CET-6) 

IELTS (UKVI) (Academic) for UK student visa application is acceptable.

^@ 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. There is no validity period for CET-6.

For Submission of TOEFL Score to CityUHK:

Please arrange with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send your result(s) directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityUHK is 3401 (Graduate School Admissions) and the Department code is 99.

For Submission of IELTS Score to CityUHK:

Please send your result(s) via the IELTS Results Service e-delivery to the University.

The following English tests are NOT acceptable:

• Duolingo
• GMAT
• GRE
• IELTS Indicator
• IELTS One Skill Retake
• IELTS Online
• TOEFL iBT Home Edition
• TOEFL MyBest Score
• TOEIC
• Others

Please refer to the updated admissions website for information.

This programme has been selected by the University Grants Committee (UGC) for the scholarship award under the main priority area of ‘STEM’. Scholarships are available to local students admitted to the programme. Nominated students will be invited to submit applications for the scholarship. For details, please visit the scholarship website. 

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 Internship/Project courses, which are 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 Internship/Project courses are optional. Students may take 2 other elective courses in lieu of the Internship/Project courses.
• By taking the Internship course, students may gain valuable hands-on industry experiences.
• 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