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 (for tests taken prior to 21 January 2026) or 4 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards) (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as Foreign Language (TOEFL)^@#; or
• an overall band score of 6.0 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.

^Individual Colleges and Schools may stipulate a higher English proficiency requirement, or equivalent acceptable qualifications, as deemed appropriate for their disciplines.

^@ 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.
^# Applicants with an IELTS overall band score of 6.0 or a TOEFL overall score of 4 will be required to pass an interview for English proficiency. Applicants with a comparable overall score of 79 or above shown on the TOEFL report may be exempt from the interview requirement. Interviews for the applicants may not be required.

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 ‘City University of Hong Kong – Graduate School’.

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.

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 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.

 

Core Courses
CS5222 Computer Networks and Internets
CS5351 Software Engineering
CS5481 Data Engineering

Sampe Electives
Artificial Intelligence (AI) Stream Core/Electives
CS5187 Vision and Image
CS5486 Intelligent Systems
CS5487 Machine Learning: Principles and Practice
CS5491 Artificial Intelligence (AI Stream Core)
CS6535 Guided Study in Artificial Intelligence

Data Science (DS) Stream Electives
CS5483 Data Warehousing and Data Mining
CS5488 Big Data Algorithms and Techniques
CS5489 Machine Learning: Algorithms and Applications
CS6536 Guided Study in Data Science

Information Security (IS) Stream Electives
CS5285 Introduction to Cybersecurity (subject to approval)
CS5294 Information Security Technology Management
CS6290 Privacy-enhancing Technologies
CS6537 Guided Study in Information Security

Non-Stream Electives
CS5182 Computer Graphics
CS5188 Virtual Reality Technologies and Applications
CS6520 Project (6 credit units)

 

 

 

• 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 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