Master of Science in Language Neuroscience and Neurotechnology
Entrance Year Sept 2027
Programme Code 72031
Stream Code
LNF (Full-time)
LNP (Part-time)
Mode of Study Mixed Mode
Normal Duration
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
Fund Type Self-Financed
Credits Required for Graduation
31
Local Application Deadline
25 Feb 2027 *
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
Non-Local Application Deadline
25 Feb 2027 *
Early Round: 2026-10-20
Main Round: 2027-02-25
Tuition Fees
HK$9,000* per credit * The following four subjects are charged at a higher rate of HK$10,100 per credit: (Note: No credit fee will be charged for the 1-credit subject “CBS5T01 Professional Ethics and Academic Integrity”.)
Programme Leader(s)
Prof. Si CHEN
PhD, MS, MA, BA
Prof. Luyao CHEN
PhD, BA
Remarks
Under normal circumstances, the programme is completed in 1 year by full-time students and 2 years by part-time students. Non-local students must register as full-time. Those who wish to extend their studies beyond the normal duration may submit a formal request to the department for consideration.
Applicants are required to choose either the full-time or part-time mode on their application for admission to the programme. Students who study full-time are required to take a minimum of 9 credits per semester.
Notes to Applicants
Application to our postgraduate programmes can be done without any agency service. Applicants are required to apply online via the Study@PolyU website: https://www.polyu.edu.hk/study/pg.
Please note that all fields in the application forms should be filled. We will not consider applications that do not provide details of academic qualifications.
Aims and Characteristics
Programme Aims
Foster Interdisciplinary Mastery: Provide students with a comprehensive and synergistic understanding of Linguistics, Neuroscience, and Neurotechnology, enabling them to navigate the complex relationship between neural activity and language processing.
Bridge the Technical-Humanities Divide: Equip students from diverse academic backgrounds (e.g., Humanities, Health Sciences, or Engineering) with the necessary "bridge" skills, such as computational coding for linguists and neuro-linguistic theory for engineers, to collaborate effectively in high-tech research and clinical environments.
Develop Advanced Technical Competencies: Equip students with cutting-edge methodologies for neural data acquisition (including fMRI, EEG, and fNIRS) and train them to apply machine learning and Large Language Models (LLMs) to decode human speech and intent from brain signals.
Advance Translational Clinical Innovation: Empower students to design, evaluate, and implement assistive technologies including BCIs and neuro-rehabilitation protocols that address the needs of individuals with language disorders.
Cultivate Ethical and Professional Leadership: Instil a deep awareness of the ethical, legal, and social implications of neurotechnology, including neural privacy and data security, preparing graduates to lead responsibly in the rapidly evolving MedTech and Neurotechnology industries.
Promote Research Excellence and Industry Readiness: Cultivate critical thinking and problem-solving skills through a rigorous Capstone project, enabling students to contribute to original research or lead innovation in the global neurotechnology market.
Characteristics
This programme offers a unique, interdisciplinary education grounded in language science and technology. It integrates neuroscience and neurotechnology to explore the biological basis of language, model its computational principles, and pioneer technologies, such as brain-computer interfaces (BCIs), that decode and interpret brain activity. This innovative approach aims to drive transformative advancements in the diagnosis, therapy, and rehabilitation of speech and language disorders, while also positioning graduates to lead innovation in several emerging fields. By integrating language neuroscience and neurotechnology, the programme creates versatile applications, including adaptive assistive tools for real-time cognitive monitoring and early learning disorder assessment; advanced communication-restoration systems in healthcare; neuroergonomic solutions for safety and performance in high-stakes industries; and non-clinical neurofeedback technologies to enhance attention and cognitive well-being. Through this interdisciplinary foundation, the programme empowers professionals not only to redefine clinical practice but also to pioneer human-centred innovation across education, industry, and daily life.
Building upon these interdisciplinary objectives, the programme is uniquely structured to address two distinct yet complementary pathways within the field. While both tracks share a common foundation in language neuroscience and neurotechnology, this dual-track model allows students to tailor their expertise to match their professional goals—whether pioneering new knowledge at the frontiers of research, or translating that knowledge into tangible technologies that improve human communication, learning, and performance. This specialisation ensures graduates are not only versatile thinkers but also highly skilled practitioners, ready to lead in either academic innovation or applied technological development.
