Master of Arts in English for the Professions

For students joining in the academic year 2008/09 & part time students joining in the academic year 2007/08.

Programme Code

Full-time: 71024 - MPF
Part-time: 71024 - MPP

Aims of the Programme

This credit-based programme, offered by the Department of English, is intended for professionals of all disciplines who wish to upgrade their qualifications in English for professional contexts. It is designed primarily for middle-level managerial staff who need to demonstrate a high level of communicative competence in English in situations relevant to their personal needs. The Programme will enable students to communicate effectively, appropriately and confidently in managerial tasks requiring a high level of English.

The aim of the Programme is to equip graduates with an understanding of the concepts and skills that underlie the use of English in professional contexts. These include:

  • a critical awareness of how communication functions in organisations;

  • an improved understanding of the principal language systems of English (phonology, lexis, grammar, discourse);

  • an effective repertoire of practical communication strategies for demanding managerial tasks; and

  • research skills required to undertake and write up an optional research project focusing on organisational communication.

Programme Content

Stage 1

  • ENGL 561 Practical Communication Strategies I*

  • ENGL 560 Analysis of Contemporary English I (phonology and lexical studies) *

  • ENGL 563 Analysis of Contemporary English II (grammar) *

Stage 2

  • ENGL 564 Practical Communication Strategies II*

  • ENGL 510 Analysis of Contemporary English III (discourse and pragmatics) **

  • Elective subjects **

Stage 3

  • ENGL 511 English as an International Language

  • ENGL 518 Research Design and Methods or Elective subjects

Stage 4

  • ENGL 580 Research Project or 2 Elective subjects

Elective subjects (Students choose 4 from the electives list)

Information on the subjects offered can be obtained at http://www.engl.polyu.edu.hk/Courses/MAscheme-electives.html.

Students taking Research Design and Methods and Research Project take only one elective at Stage 2. All subjects are 3 credits except for Research Project which is 6 credits. Students may take Research Design and Methods as an elective subject only.

Completion of 12 credits (indicated with a single asterisk in the table) is the requirement for the award of PgC and completion of a further 6 credits (indicated in the table with a double asterisk) is the requirement for the award of PgD. Completion of 30 credits is required for the award of MA.

Programme Structure

  • Full time mode: 1 year
    Students study 5 subjects (a total of 15 credits) each semester. In semester 1 students study 4 compulsory and 1 elective subject, and 2 compulsory and 3 elective subjects (or 1 elective and the Research Project) in semester 2.

  • Part time mode: 2 years
    Students take 3 compulsory subjects in semester 1, and 2 compulsory subjects and 1 elective in semester 2 of their first year of studies. Students take 1 compulsory subject and 1 elective in semester 1, and 2 electives (or the Research Project) in semester 2 of their second year of studies.

Classes take place on weekday evenings (and on Saturday afternoons in the first year of study). Students must attend at least 75% of the taught classes for the subjects Practical Communication Strategies I and II to obtain pass grades.

Award

Completion of all taught subjects in Stages 1 – 4 leads to the award of a Master of Arts Degree in English for the Professions. Students who exit the Programme after the completion of 12 specified credits are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Certificate in English for the Professions. Students who exit the programme after the completion of 18 specified credits are eligible for the award of a Postgraduate Diploma in English.

Entrance Requirements

Bachelor's Degree or equivalent qualification; and

A minimum of two years' relevant post-qualification work experience.

Applicants should be in relevant full-time employment. They must show evidence that they have either studied English at tertiary level or studied at that level through the medium of English.

Direct entry to Stage 3 is possible for those already holding a PgD in English for the Professions (with preference given to those with a Credit or Distinction).

For non-local applicants*:
TOEFL 550 or above, or IELTS 6 or above, or CET Band 6 is required, but TOEFL 600 or above, or IELTS 6.5 or above, or TEM Level 8 is preferred.
Exceptional cases will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

*Non-local applicants are those who are not native speakers of English, or their Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English.

Application Period

The first round of applications for admission to the Programme commerce in December for the intake in September. Subsequent rounds of application, if any, will be posted on the MAEP website.

The English competence of short-listed applicants will be appraised by test and interview, to ensure that they can successfully follow a course at this level.

Enquires

Professor Martin Warren (Tel. 2766-7559) or Ms Zoe Mak (Tel. 2766 7573) in the Department of English.

Fees

HK$2,700 per credit

*This programme is offered within the MA Scheme in Language Studies for the Professions