The Department of English at City University of Hong Kong is an international leader in research on English in Asia. Equally important, the Department is committed to providing an innovative undergraduate programme that prepares students for professional careers. The Department is rapidly establishing itself as one of the most creative and dynamic English departments in the Asia-Pacific Region.
The Department of English has an international faculty with teachers from Canada, mainland China, Hong Kong S.A.R, Italy, New Zealand, Singapore, South Korea, the UK and the US.
The Bachelor of Arts in English programme offers a unique approach to the study of English as used in professional and cultural contexts. The programme trains students to be practical, innovative and creative users of the English language in multilingual and multicultural workplaces. The programme combines a strong foundation in English language studies with a practical orientation towards English use in the corporate world and the creative professions. The programme focuses on developing students' English-language communication competencies for a wide range of professions, including management and administration, editing and publishing, writing, teaching, public relations, advertising, entertainment and the arts.
Global Outreach and Engagements
The programme adopts a global perspective on English and emphasises the importance of intercultural knowledge, effective communication, and critical thinking. Students are encouraged to take part in at least one overseas learning experience (e.g. English language immersion, student exchange or overseas internship) to improve their global awareness and enhance their English communication skills within diverse settings.
Business Community Outreach and Attachments
The programme provides students with hands-on workplace experience of using English and communication skills in real-world corporate and creative settings. The internship course (Professional Internship or Creative Internship) is compulsory for all students. The internship and workplace attachment is designed to provide students with a chance to apply the theories and skills they have learnt in the classroom to real-world workplace situations. Host organisations have included South China Morning Post Publishers Ltd., the American Women's Association, Hong Kong Arts Centre Bee, Sinclair Communications, Ogilvy & Mather Marketing Communications Limited, Branding Records Limited, Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education and Integrated Brilliant Education Ltd.
Programme structure
Students can choose either the English and Professional Communication stream or the Language and Literature stream. The programme structure consists of a core (required by both streams), a core for each stream, and electives.
The programme core provides a foundation in English studies, and introduces key topics within English language studies, literary cultural studies, and professional communication. Core stream subjects provide a more detailed engagement with topics relevant to each stream, while elective courses allow students to expand their interests and build more specialized knowledge. All students must complete the internship course and also complete a final year project (either research or industry-based) as a core requirement.
Study Plan
Please download the study plan for cohort 2023 and onwards here.
Note: The major title of BA in English, the choice of English and Professional Communication stream and the Language and Literature stream only applies for students admitted/changed to the Major with catalogue term Semester A 2019/2020 and thereafter.
Please also download our pamphlet here.