Programme Introduction
Finding Your Muse
Do you love music? Would you like to channel your musical creativity through performance or composition? Are you interested in acquiring a deeper understanding of how music of different cultures and traditions reflects society, expresses emotions, and enriches human existence? Are you ready to make music your profession rather than just a hobby?
At CUHK Music we foster a community of passionate students who possess the talent, discipline and intellectual curiosity to succeed in music. The undergraduate programme has a dual focus on the study of music both as a humanistic discipline and as a practical skill. Academic courses are taught by world-class scholars and span a wide range of genres and styles. Performance and composition courses are offered by some of Hong Kong’s leading musicians, including members of the Hong Kong Philharmonic Orchestra, the Hong Kong Sinfonietta, and the Hong Kong Chinese Orchestra.
Whether you have already decided what kind of musical career you want to pursue or wish to expand your horizons before deciding on a specialisation, our programme will nurture and support you along your musical journey. Are you interested in being a part of the CUHK music community and joining like-minded classmates to grow together in music?
Craft Your Path
The four-year BA in Music programme offers a choice of four study streams: composition, pedagogy, performance and research (selected at the end of Year 2). In the first two years of study, students take core courses in music theory, history, and one-to-one applied music lessons, which provide a strong foundation for later specialisation. In Year 3, the students focus more on their selected stream, and in Year 4 complete capstone courses that culminate in a composition portfolio, pedagogy project, solo recital or research thesis. Students may also choose electives on diverse topics, including electronic music, conducting, ensembles, and advanced academic courses in Western and Chinese music history, theory and analysis, as well as world music.
Career Prospects
Over half of our graduates pursue postgraduate studies in performance, composition or scholarly research. Among them, about 70% have been admitted to top universities and conservatories in the UK, US and Europe, and about 30% have studied locally. CUHK Music graduates have a good track record in competing for overseas postgraduate scholarships offered by the HKSAR Government, the Hong Kong Jockey Club and other major funding bodies.
Graduates who join the work force after completion of the B.A. degree have taken up careers in school teaching, arts administration and broadcasting.
CUHK’s Department of Music has a longstanding tradition in the training of music professionals. Among our distinguished alumni are many influential figures in the Hong Kong music scene. Watch the video at https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=piBa9aml2KI to hear from some of them!
If you are interested in this programme, please review the application requirements and deadlines specific to the respective admission scheme to increase your chances of getting accepted.
