Admission Information

The MSoDA programme requires students to to complete a total of 10 courses amounting to 30 credits as specified in the Programme curriculum. 

Mode of Study

The normal duration of the programme is one year.

Medium of Instruction

English

To be eligible for entry into this programme, candidates should have: 

• A relevant bachelor’s degree (e.g., sociology, psychology, political science, economics, public policy, data science) awarded by a tertiary education institution recognised for this purpose by the University; or have obtained an equivalent qualification; or have provided satisfactory evidence of academic and professional attainment; 
• Prior training in statistics is not required, though basic familiarity with research methods or descriptive statistics is welcomed and will be advantageous for study in the programme ; and 

• An applicant whose degree or, exceptionally, an alternative qualification deemed equivalent from a tertiary institution is not using English as the medium of instruction (MOI) for the programme should obtain:

   

  • A minimum score of 79 (internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)¹ ;
  • A band score of 6.0 or above in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS)¹; 
  • A minimum score of 450 or above in College English Test Band 6 (CET-6), with proof of competency in spoken English²; 
  • We will consider equivalent qualifications on a case-by-case basis.

• For academic qualification obtained in Mainland China, the applicants are required to provide the online verification report of your bachelor degree certificate from the following website: https://xwrz.chsi.com.cn/gateway. You are required to submit the verification report in your online application.

Interviews will be conducted by the Admissions Co-ordinator, the Programme Director, and the Associate Programme Director. Moreover, a one-week pre-entry workshop will be organised. Additional online materials will be provided for self-study prior to the programme commencement.

¹ For IELTS and TOEFL qualifications for admission purpose, the University only accepts results of tests that are conducted at a test centre and within the validity period, viz. 2 years, from the time of submission of an admission application for the specific intake cohort.

 

² For CET-6 results submitted for admission purposes, the University accepts only those obtained within the five-year validity period, counted from the date of submission of the admission application for the specific intake cohort. Applicants must also demonstrate competency in spoken English through an oral interview conducted by the Program and/or obtain grade B or above in the CET-6 Speaking English Test.

Important Notes

Any false or misleading information and/or document(s) provided in the application, or any dishonest conduct observed during the application process, e.g. plagiarism, employing surrogate examination-taker, etc., will result in disqualification of application for admission, revocation of admission offer or termination of studies at the University if admitted, and any fees paid will be forfeited. 

According to the laws of Hong Kong, forgery is a serious criminal offence that a convicted offender may be liable to imprisonment for a maximum of 14 years.

To apply to the MSoDA programme, the applicants are required to submit the following application materials through the online application system:

• Identity documents (e.g. Identity card¹, passport or other travel document)
• Official Transcript (for academic qualifications of undergraduate and/or postgraduate studies):
  • An official final transcript for a completed programme
  • The latest transcript if the programme is not yet completed
  • An official English-translated copy must be attached if the transcript is not in English. The interpretation of grades (in English) is also required.
• Degree Certificate/Graduation Certificate/Proof of Study (as appropriate)
• Verification proof by third-party authorities (for a completed programme):
  • Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中國高等教育學位在綫驗証報告), both Chinese and English versions, issued by the CHSI (中國高等教育學生信息網) for qualification(s) awarded by universities in Mainland China
  • Online Query of Overseas Credentials Evaluation Reports國(境)外學歷學位認証書 issued by the Chinese Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) (教育部留學服務中心) (applicable to Mainland applicants with qualifications awarded by overseas universities)
• Proof of English language proficiency, e.g. IETLS, TOEFL Score Report (applicable to applicants whose degree or, exceptionally, an alternative qualification deemed equivalent, is not from a tertiary institution where English is used as the medium of instruction (MOI) for the degree programme)
• Personal statement
• Reference letters 

¹ Do not upload copy of HKID. Local students will be required to present HKID for verification upon registration. 

The MSoDA Programme Office will conduct interviews with all applicants before making a formal offer for admission. 

The MSoDA programme tuition fee from AY2027-28 is HK$181,500.

An application fee of HK$400 will be charged upon completion of an online application. The application fee is non-refundable and non-referable.

You will also be expected to take care of additional expenses including accommodation, travel to and from Hong Kong, and Hong Kong Immigration visa charges (HK$700, if applicable). 

For more details for coming to Hong Kong for postgraduate study, you may visit: http://www.studyinhongkong.edu.hk/en/.

• Application Period: 1 August 2026 – 15 June 2027 (Non-local),  1 August 2026 – 31 July 2027 (Local)