Master of Arts in Performing Arts Studies

Study Mode: Full-time / Part-time

Normal Duration: 1 years / 2 years

Tuition Fee (HK$): Please refer to Fees and Financial Aid

Credit Requirement: 24

Programme Overview

The Master of Arts in Performing Arts Studies is the first postgraduate programme that provides a macro perspective on the study of performing arts at the Academy. This programme aims to nurture critical thinkers and reflective practitioners in the performing arts. It equips students with both theoretical knowledge and research skills, enabling them to reflect on various forms of performing arts and gain a nuanced and comprehensive understanding of the field.

The curriculum provides an interdisciplinary learning experience, allowing students to choose elective courses from the six Academy Schools: the School of Chinese Opera, the School of Dance, the School of Drama, the School of Film and Television, the School of Music, and the School of Theatre and Entertainment Arts. We welcome applicants from both performing arts and other disciplines.

The learning process is creative and reflective, fostering interdisciplinary synergy. Students will gain a solid understanding of various performing art forms while developing essential skills in research, effective communication, entrepreneurship, and community engagement. By connecting these skills with the unique arts and cultural landscape of Hong Kong, the programme equips arts practitioners and aspiring individuals with tools necessary for meaningful professional growth.

Graduates are expected to become cultural advocates and leaders, with opportunities to pursue careers in managerial, curatorial, and educational roles within the creative, cultural, and performing arts industries. This programme is offered by the General Education and Research Unit at the Academy.

Admission Requirements

Possess a Bachelor's degree from a recognised institution, normally with honours not lower than Second Class (upper division), or an average grade not lower than B; and
Language Requirements: IELTS 6.0 (Academic test) or 78 or above in TOEFL iBT (from a testing centre recognised by the Academy).

Auditions, Interviews, and Tests

Selected applicants will be invited to attend an interview in person via email. Interview will be conducted in English.

Please visit Auditions, Interviews, and Tests for more details about the interview.

Curriculum

Required Courses Students must take the three required courses listed below, 3 credits each (Total: 9 credits)
Offering School/unit	Course Title
General Education and Research	Research and Practice-as-Research
General Education and Research	Decoding Performance
General Education and Research	Contemporary Hong Kong Arts Practice

Elective Courses Students are required to take 15 credits from the elective courses listed below:
Offering School/unit	Course Title
General Education and Research	Independent Research (Prerequisite: Research & Practice-as-Research)
General Education and Research	Art and Media
General Education and Research	Arts Entrepreneurship and Leadership
General Education and Research	Culture and Communication in Performing Arts ¹
General Education and Research	Identity Formation: Race, Gender and Class in Popular Music Culture ²
General Education and Research	Safeguarding Diversity of Cultural and Artistic Expressions
Chinese Opera	Chinese Opera: Culture and Practice
Chinese Opera	Cross-media Studies of Chinese Opera and Cinema
Dance	Contemporary Dance in Action
Dance	Reading Dance
Drama	Interdisciplinary Dramaturgy
Drama	Critical Studies in Education for Performing Arts Educators I
Drama	Critical Studies in Education for Performing Arts Educators II
Film and Television	Cinema Studies I
Film and Television	Cinema Studies II
Music	Cross-Cultural Perspectives in Music
Music	Curating Performing Arts
Music	Time, Space and Spatiality in Music
Music	Wellness and Performing Arts
Theatre and Entertainment Arts	Arts Management
Theatre and Entertainment Arts	Creative Industries

Note: Some of the Electives may be offered in a two-year cycle.

Note: 1 and 2 Pending approval by the Academy, scheduled to be offered in Semester 2 AY2025/26

Alumni Sharing

CHOW Yung Hoi, Antonio 周瑢鎧

(MA 2023/24)

Pursuing the MA in Performing Arts Studies program at HKAPA has been a transformative experience, as a musician and researcher. Collaborating with esteemed faculty and talented peers, I've delved into innovative research, focusing on the intersection of Zheng music and sports science, which allows me to engage with medical experts, expanding my understanding of this unique field.

The MA program is a vibrant fusion of passion and professionalism. It fosters creativity, critical thinking, and innovation in students. It opened the doors to various opportunities in the performing arts. Now, as a part-time lecturer teaching interdisciplinary projects, I am grateful for the mentorship that I’ve received at HKAPA, which provided a nurturing environment for my academic and professional growth.

LI Molin 李墨琳

(MA 2023/24)

The MA in Performing Arts Studies at HKAPA marked a pivotal moment in my transition from choreography into interdisciplinary research. With a background rooted in movement and performance, I was drawn to the programme’s openness to artistic and academic exploration. HKAPA provided a unique environment where I could critically engage with theories of embodiment while also experimenting with emerging intersections between performance, media, and technology.

What made the experience truly impactful was the intellectual freedom and mentorship I received. I was encouraged to question conventional artistic practices and develop a research trajectory that aligned with my evolving interests. These explorations laid the foundation for my current role as a research assistant at City University of Hong Kong, where I work on projects involving human-computer interaction and movement embodiment.

Looking back, the MA programme was not only a space of artistic inquiry but also a bridge to new disciplinary landscapes. It expanded my perspective on what performance can be in the digital age and empowered me to take bold steps toward integrating technology, body, and research in my ongoing work.

Cinny Xing 星怡

(MA 2024/25)

The Master of Arts in Performing Arts Studies at the Hong Kong Academy of Performing Arts has been a profoundly enriching and intellectually stimulating experience. As the first postgraduate programme of its kind at the Academy, it offers a unique platform for interdisciplinary learning and critical engagement with the performing arts.

Throughout the programme, I benefited greatly from the opportunity to select elective courses across all six schools. This highly flexible structure allowed me to tailor my studies to my academic and professional interests, while the emphasis on theoretical knowledge and research skills enabled me to develop a deeper understanding of contemporary arts practices in Hong Kong and beyond.

The programme’s reflective and critical approach has significantly enhanced my abilities in writing, presentation, and analytical thinking. I am grateful for the guidance from the faculty of the General Education and Research Unit, whose expertise and support were instrumental in my growth as a reflective practitioner and cultural advocate.

This MA has equipped me with the necessary tools to pursue a career in the arts as an actress in Hong Kong, offering the opportunity to become a better version of myself, and I feel confident in contributing meaningfully to the cultural and creative industries. I highly recommend this programme to anyone passionate about the performing arts, whether they come from an arts background or other disciplines.