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The School of Music of the Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen aims to become an international, innovative, and world-leading higher education institution for music. With the goal of cultivating outstanding talents equipped with both academic and performance abilities, the school has established innovative training modes for musical talents and an international training system that offers bachelor¡¯s, master¡¯s, and doctoral degrees. With comprehensive and scientific programs, the school strives to provide corresponding guidance for every student who desires to further their studies in art. The school is recruiting globally and is led by world-renowned musicians and music educators. On April 29, 2021, CUHK-Shenzhen announced the appointment of Professor Xiaogang YE, a famous composer and chairman of the China Musicians Association, as the founding dean of the School of Music.

Currently, the School of Music offers undergraduate and graduate programmes in music performance, musicology, and music composition and theory. In the future, the School of Music plans to offer undergraduate programs in dance performance and postgraduate programs in art management, dance performance and more. Classes are taught in both Chinese and English, and other languages such as Italian and German. The School of Music will take on the global environment, the tradition of the college system, the holistic education and the student-oriented education philosophy of the University and broaden the global perspective of students through a modern university management system and internationally recognized academic standards and teaching models.

The School of Music is located in the International University Park in Longgang District, Shenzhen, adjacent to the current campus of CUHK-Shenzhen. The total site area is about 73,800 square meters, the total construction area is about 133,500 square meters, and the total investment is about 1.63 billion yuan. The campus includes the Academic Office Building, Performing Arts Center, Music Teaching Building, Music Practice Complex, Eighth College, Student Development Center, and Staff Residence.

The School of Music is based in Shenzhen, in line with the demand for outstanding musical talents in the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area, drawing on the successful experience of the CUHK-Shenzhen, and the advanced educational philosophy of top universities from home and abroad. Experts and professors from home and abroad have provided guidance and assistance to its planning and development. The School greatly contributes to the development of higher education in the field of music, promotes resource sharing and talent exchange in the field of art and culture of the Greater Bay Area, and cultivates world-class musical talents that integrate Chinese and Western musical cultures.

I. Application Instructions

Applicants for the 2026 Doctor of Music Programme in Music Composition and Theory are required to apply online via https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/.

For detailed information, kindly refer to Annex I titled ¡°School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2026 Doctor of Music in Music Composition and Theory Programme Information¡±, Annex II titled ¡°School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2026 Doctor of Music in Music Composition and Theory Programme Admission Entry Requirement¡±, and Annex III titled ¡°School of Music, CUHK-Shenzhen 2026 Doctoral Supervisor Information¡±.

II. Application Requirements

1. Academic degree:

A Master¡¯s degree holder from a recognized university.

2. English Language Requirements (Applicants must meet one of the following requirements)

i. Obtained a degree from a university in Hong Kong^a or taken a degree programme of which the medium of instruction was English; or

ii.  Achieved scores in the following English Language tests^b as indicated:

- TOEFL: 517 (Paper-based) / 67 (Internet-based/Home Edition); or

- IELTS (Academic): 6.0 (Test Centre based/Online); or

iii. Obtained a pass grade in English in one of the following examinations:

- Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (AS Level);

- Hong Kong Higher Level Examination;

- CUHK Matriculation Examination;

- General Certificate of Education Examination (GCE) Advanced Level (A-Level)/Advanced Subsidiary Level (AS-Level); or

iv. Achieved Level 4 or above in the English Language subject of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination.

Notes:

a. This is based on the understanding that English is the medium of instruction of degree programmes offered by universities in Hong Kong. Moreover, graduates from universities in Hong Kong should have fulfilled the English language requirements of the institution concerned when they were admitted to the degree programmes. The CUHKSZ Graduate School may request applicants to provide additional supporting documents to prove their English proficiency.

b. TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years from the test date.

All language test scores must be valid and issued by their respective organizations. Applicants are advised to provide proof of a passing language score when submitting their applications. The final submission deadline will be specified in the official Offer of Admission.

III. Application Materials

Applicants need to submit the following materials through this link:

1. General Materials

¡¤ *Application Form: Automatically generated and obtainable from the online application system. After signing, upload the scanned copy to the same system.

¡¤ *Official Transcript(s):   Scanned copy of original official transcripts (with a complete record of courses attended and examination results) and grading scheme of all tertiary level studies.

¡¤ *Degree Certificates: A copy of the Master's Degree Certificate, Graduation Certificate, or Student Status Certificate, stamped by the Registrar's Office or respective school.

- Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate and Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate, or Certificate of Authentication for Foreign Academic Degrees and Qualifications issued by the Ministry of Education Service Center for Scholarly Exchange (CDGDC).

¡¤ Language Score Sheet: A language score report/certificate that meets the admission requirements, showing that you have fulfilled the corresponding English language proficiency requirement (upload the scanned copy).

¡¤ Recommendation Letters: Confidential recommendations (for all applicants) from two referees. Referees will receive links via email to upload their signed letters.

¡¤ *Curriculum Vitae: Complete in both English and Chinese.

¡¤ *Personal Statement: Complete in both English and Chinese.

¡¤ *Identification: An Identity card for Chinese applicants or other official documents for international applicants.

¡¤ Music Competition Awards Proof: If available.

¡¤ Additional Documents: Applicants might be asked to provide further supporting materials.

2. *Application materials for the first-round examination

i. Three original compositions by the applicant, including two chamber works (scored for three or more instruments, with either Chinese or Western instruments acceptable) and one orchestral or Chinese orchestral work. Each piece must be no less than 7 minutes in duration. Only scores are required, recordings are not necessary.

- Please upload the original compositions to the system in PDF format: : Additional Relevant Information - Professional Qualifications.

ii. A Statement of Purpose (approximately 1,500 words) in English. The content should explain the reasons for choosing the composition major, the applicant¡¯s strengths and academic background, compositional style and direction, study objectives at the School of Music, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, Shenzhen, as well as the academic and artistic achievements the applicant hopes to attain upon graduation.

-Please upload Statement of Purpose to the system in PDF format: Research Proposal.

iii. A Statement of Originality confirming that all submitted works are entirely the applicant¡¯s own independent creations.

-Please upload the fully completed Original Statement (see Attachment IV) to the system in PDF format: : Additional Relevant Information - Other Supporting Documents.

Notes:

Application materials marked with an asterisk need to be submitted by the closing date of the application on 12 January 2026. Applicants should fill in their personal application information accurately as required and provide complete application materials. The application information cannot be amended after submission. Applicants shall bear the consequences caused by unidentifiable or incomplete materials. Please check the information carefully and submit materials cautiously.

Applicants must verify the authenticity and validity of their application materials. Submission of false or misleading information will lead to the application being declined, with the applicant responsible for any legal consequences.

IV. Application Procedure

How to Apply: To apply, candidates need to submit all necessary documents through the online portal. It's advised to use Google Chrome for the application. Direct link for the application is here: https://pgapply.cuhk.edu.cn/

Note: In-person submissions will not be accepted.

Application Deadline:

Application Timeframe: Up to 12 January 2026

Reminder: Late submissions will not be accepted

Application Fee: A non-refundable application fee of CNY 600 will be charged.

V. Qualification Review and Professional Examination Process

1. Qualification Review

After the application deadline, the school will conduct a qualification review of all received applications.

2. Professional Examination

The examination is divided into two rounds: the first round (Pre-screening) and the second round (Written Examination & Interview).

The panel will evaluate the application materials for the first-round examination submitted by applicants who pass the qualification review. Applicants who pass the first round will be invited to participate in the second round. The specific interview time of the second round will be notified to eligible applicants via email sent from muspg@cuhk.edu.cn.

The interview will be conducted in English in a Q&A format, requiring applicants to possess English communication skills.

The examination procedure as follows: