BA Linguistics and Language Applications
Tat Chee Avenue, Hong Kong
BA
DURATION
4 years
LANGUAGES
English
PACE
Full time
APPLICATION DEADLINE
EARLIEST START DATE
Sep 2026
TUITION FEES
HKD 170,000 / per year *
STUDY FORMAT
On-Campus
* for non-HK citizens | 10,000 HKD acceptance fee + 450 HKD application fee
Key Summary
This major aims to educate students so that they will become language professionals who are familiar with linguistics and language-related applications. Students will also develop an analytical, critical and creative mind and an open attitude towards people from different cultures.
There are two main subject areas: Linguistics and Language Applications.
- Core courses in Linguistics include: Fundamentals of Linguistics, Introduction to Linguistic Research, Language in Society, Language and Mind, Phonetics, Phonology, Syntax, and Semantics.
- Core courses in Language Applications include: Introduction to Language Technology and Computational Linguistics.
At a more advanced level, students may choose from among courses such as Computational Lexicography, Computer-Aided Translation, Computer-Assisted Language Learning, Conversation Analysis, Corpus Linguistics, Experimental Phonetics, First/Second Language Acquisition, Historical Linguistics, Psycholinguistics, and Sociolinguistics.
Upon successful completion of this Major, students should be able to:
- Apply knowledge of linguistics, language skills, and modern language technology to their professional careers.
- Perform as proficient, effective, and versatile communicators with a good understanding of the nature of language, language-related applications in a competitive and multilingual workplace.
- Benefit from their exposure to world languages and cultures when working with people in an international and culturally diverse workplace.
- Think analytically, critically, and creatively, and apply their training in knowledge discovery, evaluating alternatives, and formulating ideas, which may be innovative, to their study, work, and life.
- Continue to develop intellectually in a lifelong learning process.
1. Participating in internships and other co-curricular activities offered provides students with valuable job experience in fields that require knowledge of languages, linguistics, and language applications.
2. Exchange programmes provide students with opportunities to gain experience of studying and living abroad for a semester, by paying the local tuition fees.
3. The department also offers two Joint Bachelor's Degree Programmes with National Taiwan University and Columbia University.
- Students can get 2 degrees by studying 2 years in LT and 2 years at a partner university.
4. Students may also opt for double majors within CityUHK and major plus minor programme or Undergraduate plus Taught Postgraduate Degree (TPg) programmes.
This major provides students with a solid foundation in the scientific study of human language. Students will be prepared for careers that require language expertise and language-related computing skills. In addition to opportunities in advanced studies, graduates will have employment prospects in education and research, as well as in administrative and executive positions in various public and private sectors. They will have an important role to play in the language and information service sectors of Hong Kong, Greater China, and the world. Moreover, this major is recognized by the Education Bureau as an English language major degree for the purpose of teaching in Hong Kong.
Entrance Scholarship Scheme
CityUHK has an Entrance Scholarship Scheme for international students with excellent academic performance who are admitted to full-time government-funded bachelor's degree programmes.
The Scheme offers three kinds of scholarships:
- Top Scholarships of HKD210,000 (approximately USD27,000), covering annual tuition fees, university-managed accommodation and partial living expenses
- Full Tuition Scholarships, covering annual tuition fees (approximately USD21,800)
- Half Tuition Scholarships, covering half of the annual tuition fees (approximately USD10,900)
Applicants do not have to apply for these scholarships. The appropriate level of scholarship is awarded based on merit. Students who receive the scholarship are required to attain a Cumulative Grade Point Average (CGPA) of 3.2 or above each year throughout their period of study in order to renew the scholarship.
Diversity Grant
Non-local students admitted from underrepresented nationalities except Top Scholarship recipients will be eligible for the new grant of HKD 30,000 per annum.
Awardees will be required to engage in a volunteer activity to enhance internationalisation of CityUHK annually. The grant will be paid in installments and automatically renewed each year.
HKSAR Government Scholarship Fund
The Fund supports outstanding non-local students to pursue undergraduate studies in Hong Kong, with targeted scholarships made available to first-year full-time students from countries/regions along the Belt and Road, such as Indonesia, Malaysia, Thailand, Myanmar and Mongolia.
Outstanding Athletes Entrance Scholarship for Non-Local Students
This scheme is to provide opportunities for outstanding student athletes to study in CityUHK. Through the provisions of scholarships, it is hoped to attract high performing international athletes to CityUHK and further enhance the performance of university sports teams. Selected students will be able to receive Outstanding Athletes Entrance Scholarship of up to HK$200,000 (approximately USD25,600) per annum for International / Continental Level.