The Chinese Language Centre
School of Chinese, Faculty of Arts
THE UNIVERSITY OF HONG KONG
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香港大學中文學院漢語中心

A. Eligibility

1Q: Who can join this Cantonese course?

1A: These classes are launched exclusively for School of Chinese (SoC) Master of Arts Programme students, namely MA in the Field of Chinese Language and Literature (MACLL), Chinese Historical Studies (MACHS), and Translation (MAT). If you are not from these programmes, please check with your home unit for other Cantonese learning possibilities, and/ or referring your home unit to consider CLC’s Cantonese Commissioned Course.

2Q: How are the seats allocated for the Cantonese courses?

2A: The available seats for the Cantonese courses are allocated on a first-come-first-serve basis, with a higher priority given to the students whose affiliated MA programme initiated the selected course schedule. MACLL Cantonese courses are limited to MACLL only. MACHS and MAT students can choose the Cantonese course schedule between the 2 programmes.

B. About the course

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1Q: What is the course duration?

1A: The courses run from September to December. Each course consists of 24 contact hours (2 hours/ week x 12 weeks). Click the tab "Course Schedule" to view the course schedule. 

2Q: What will be taught in this Cantonese course? What is the scope of the assessment?

2A : Please refer to the course outline. 

3Q: What is the deadline for course applications?

3A: The deadline for 2025/26 course applications is 4:00 p.m. Monday, 11 August 2025. Click the tab "Enrollment Forms" for application links.

4Q: Do I need to buy textbooks for this course?

4A: The course fee has covered the cost of a textbook for lesson use and self-study. It will be distributed during the lesson.

5Q: How many students are there in one class?

5A: Around 20-25 students.

C. Course fee and payment

1Q: What is the course fee?

1A: Students have to pay the full course fee of HKD1800 first. Upon satisfactory attendance and assessment, a maximum refund of HKD 1,440 (approximately 80% of the fee) will be issued, after deducting any applicable bank charges.

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2Q: How do I make the payment for the course fee?

2A: Successful applicants will receive a payment notification email from arts-noreply@hku.hk, containing a link for online payment. 

3Q: What is the deadline for payment of the course fee?

3A: The deadline for payment of the course fee is within one week of the email notification date or by August 21, whichever is earlier.

D. Attendance and reimbursement

1Q: What are the requirements for the course fee reimbursement?

1A: A student must attain 80% attendance and satisfactory assessment to be eligible for the reimbursement. A teacher will take attendance in class. Leave of absence and withdrawal for whatever reason will be counted towards attendance and construed as incompletion of course requirement. The course fee will not be reimbursed and refunded.

2Q: How will the course fee be reimbursed?

2A: The University’s Finance Office will refund a net amount of HKD 1,440 to the student’s Hong Kong bank account after deducting any bank charges incurred during the receipt of the tuition payment and course fee reimbursement. Since bank charges vary depending on the bank and payment method, the final reimbursement amount may differ slightly for each student.

3Q: To minimize absence and enhance my learning, can I swap whole or part of the lessons with another class ?

3A: No, swapping lessons with other classes is not allowed.

E. About the Certificate

1Q: Will I receive a certificate upon completion of the course?

1A: Yes, students who meet 80% attendance AND a minimum passing grade on the assessment will receive a completion certificate. Further details will be communicated to students via email in mid-December.

2Q: When will students receive their completion certificate and reimbursement, if applicable?

2A: Students will receive a notification about their grading and collection of their completion certificate in mid-December (after confirming the attendance record and assessment result). The reimbursement for eligible MA students will be provided by mid-February 2026.

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3Q: Will there be any grading on the certificate?

3A: Pass or Pass+ or their equivalence will be printed on the certificate.

F. Others

1Q: How and when will students be informed about the lesson venue and other details?

1A: Students will be informed about the lesson venue and other details through a confirmation email sent in late August, after acceptance and successful course fee payment. Thus, students should ensure their email address has been entered correctly and to check email from time to time.

2Q: Will there be Cantonese classes of this kind in semester two or in the new academic year?

2A: The launching of new classes, whether at the next successive level or beginning level, is subject to demand and the available resources. Interested students may voice out during the course evaluation exercise or through the Staff-Student Consultation Committee meetings.

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3Q. May I ask about the arrangement for students during Bad Weather?

3A: Please refer to the University’s guidelines for students by clicking HERE.

4Q: How can I contact the school for further inquiries about the Cantonese courses?

4A: You can send your inquiries through email at learn-cantonese@hku.hk or call at 3917-1199.