
Sept 2026 Entry
1 year (Full-time)
2 years (Part-time)
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This programme has two specialisms:
English for Professional Communication (專業英語)*
English Language Teaching (英語教學)
Applicants should indicate their chosen specialism when applying.
Students admitted to the programme may switch to another specialism after completing the 2 Core Subjects (6 credits in total).
*subject to approval
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
Early Round: 2025-10-15
Main Round: 2026-01-15
Extended Round: 2026-04-30
What's New

- MPhil
- PhD
- Taught Postgraduate
- Undergraduate

- Undergraduate
Aims and Outcomes
The programme aims to provide students with a comprehensive and critical understanding of the theory and practice of English in educational and professional contexts. The knowledge and skills students acquire in the programme enable them to become innovative and reflective professionals in a range of institutional settings.
After completing the MAESP programme, students should have the following attributes.
Professional competence
1. A comprehensive understanding of the principal language systems of English (sound, semantics, discourse and lexico-grammar) and their interrelatedness
2. An awareness of contextual variation in English across a range of modes, genres and settings
3. A profound understanding of how English functions in educational and professional contexts and communities
4. A deep understanding of advances in theory, research and practice in their chosen specialism
5. Ability to apply a repertoire of methodologies, approaches and tools to analyse language and communication in settings relevant to their specialism
6. Ability to plan, conduct and report on empirical research into issues and problems relating to the acquisition and use of English for educational and/or professional purposes
7. An advanced understanding and appreciation of a wide range of literary and imaginative texts and events
Strategic thinking
8. Ability to work independently and collaboratively to analyse and resolve theoretical issues and practical problems relating to the use of English in their chosen specialism
9. Ability to apply critical and creative thinking skills strategically in educational and workplace contexts
Lifelong learning
10. Capability for lifelong learning and professional development through inquiry into and reflection on professional practices.
Characteristics
There are two possible study outcomes and qualifications, as follows:
1. Postgraduate Diploma in English Studies for the Professions (19 credits): students should complete the 3 Core Subjects (7 credits), 3 subjects from the lists of specialism-specific Core Subjects (9 credits), and any 1 subject from the lists of Elective Subjects (3 credits).
2. Master of Arts in English Studies for the Professions (English Language Teaching/English for Professional Communication) (31 credits): Students need to complete 3 Core Subjects (7 credits); 3 specialism-specific Core Subjects (9 credits); and 15 credits of Electives in either coursework mode or coursework & research mode. The coursework mode includes 5 Electives, of which at least 2 should be specialism-specific electives. The coursework & research mode includes the Research Project (6 credits) plus the associated Research Methods subject (3 credits), and 2 Electives (6 credits, including at least 1 specialism-specific elective).
Whom is the programme for?
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English Language Teaching (ELT) – for serving and future English language teachers who wish to acquire the knowledge and skills needed to design and deliver engaging and effective English-language courses for general and specific purposes.
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English for Professional Communication (EPC) – for professionals of all disciplines who wish to upgrade their ability in English and need to demonstrate a high level of communicative competence in English in their professional workplace.
Professional Recognition (subject to EDB's approval)
- New and serving English language teachers who have successfully completed the MAESP (ELT) programme are regarded by the Education Bureau (EDB) as having a degree with a relevant language major.
- The MAESP (ELT) programme meets the EDB’s Subject Knowledge Requirement (SKR).
- All two specialisms meet the Language Proficiency Requirement (LPR) provided that on graduation students meet the training requirement for language teachers.
Programme Structure
Full-time mode: 1 year (2 semesters and 1 summer term)
Part-time mode: 2 years (4 semesters and 1-2 summer terms)
Core Areas of Study
Compulsory Subjects
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Introduction to English Linguistics*
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Discourse Analysis
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Professional Ethics and Academic Integrity
Specialism-specific Core Subjects
English for Professional Communication
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Professional Communication and AI: Theory and Practice*
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Sociolinguistics at Work*
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Digital Media and AI Strategies for Professional Communication*
English Language Teaching
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Second Language Learning
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Second Language Teaching in the Age of AI*
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Testing and Assessment
Specialism-specific Electives
English for Professional Communication
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Language and Intercultural Communication in the Workplace
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Communication and Leadership Strategies*
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Applying AI in Writing for Specific Purposes*
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Communication and Health in the Age of AI*
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Multimodality and Professional Communication
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Language and Crime
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Pragmatic Disorders
English Language Teaching
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Task-based Language Teaching
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Language Teaching in Practice with AI*
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The Psychology of Language Learning and Teaching
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Syllabus Planning and Materials Design
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Bilingualism and Multilingualism*
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Introduction to the Sound System of English
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English Grammar and Pedagogy*
Common Electives
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Research Design and Methods
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Corpus Linguistics and AI
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Advanced English Literature*
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Cultural Studies
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Popular Culture and English
* New/retitled subjects are subject to approval.
Information on the subjects offered can be obtained here.
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Prof. William Dezheng Feng
BA, MA, PhD
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A Bachelor’s degree in any subject or the equivalent from a recognised institution. In the case of applicants intending to specialise in English Language Teaching, English Language Studies or English Language Arts, preference will be given to those who majored in English or a communication-related field. Applicants wishing to specialise in English for the Professions are not expected to have majored in English or a communication-related field.
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Applicants are expected to meet ONE of the following requirements:
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A Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) score of 96 or above for the Internet-based test;
OR -
An overall Band Score of at least 7 in the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) Academic module;
OR -
A level of competence in English as demonstrated in the admission interview and written test set by the Department of English and Communication, which indicates that the applicant is capable of studying successfully at the taught MA level*.
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Notes
*This only applies to either native English speakers or non-native English applicants with a Bachelor’s degree from a university using English as the medium of instruction (EMI). Non-native speakers or applicants without a Bachelor’s degree from an EMI university must still fulfil the University-wide minimum language requirements. Exceptional cases will be considered individually.
For further information, please contact:
Prof. William Dezheng Feng (email: will.feng@polyu.edu.hk);
or Ms Jenny Kwan (email: jenny.py.kwan@polyu.edu.hk).
Please click here to download.
HK$6,900 per credit for both local and non-local students
Copies of both academic transcripts and graduation certificates are required.
- Copy of IELTS or TOEFL results is required (if your Bachelor's degree or equivalent qualification is awarded by institutions where the medium of instruction is not English).
- Recommendation letter, CV and personal statement are optional.
Note
For students who fail to provide original or true certified copies of the above documents upon request, PolyU has the right to withdraw their offers to the program, or terminate their student status.
