Selection of Majors

After admission to the Faculty of Arts, students will indicate their preferences for Major to the Faculty Office by the beginning of their second term of study at Lingnan. In the selection and allocation of Majors, students’ preference will be respected as much as possible. While this is the basic principle, Departments will also exercise their judgment to allow students to join a programme that suits their interest, inclination and ability. The two main criteria to be used by ALL the Departments are: (a) the academic performance of the student; and (b) the suitability of the student for the Major. Some specific criteria are provided by the various Major programmes, as follows:

Chinese
Main criteria include (a) HKDSE scores or equivalent, (b) HKDSE Chinese Language and/or Chinese Literature scores or equivalent, (c) first term GPA at Lingnan University, (d) best score of a course achieved in the first term from among the Free Elective (CHI) courses and Core Cluster courses taught by the Chinese Department, and (e) interview if needed.

Contemporary English Studies
Students with the equivalent of Level 4 or above in their HKDSE English Language who declare English as their first preference are given high priority.  The main selection criteria are (a) results of the diagnostic test given to students by CEAL in the beginning of the first term at Lingnan, (b) their first term grade in LCE1010, and possibly also, in some cases, (c) an interview.

Cultural Studies
The main selection criteria include (a) the results of the HKDSE or equivalent and the applicant’s GPA at the end of his/her first term at Lingnan, and/or (b) performance in an interview.  Preference is given to those who have taken CUS course(s) with satisfactory results.

History
Main criteria include (a) HKDSE scores or equivalent, (b) first-term GPA at Lingnan, (c) demonstration of good English skills through LCE1010 and diagnostic test given to students by CEAL in the beginning of the first term at Lingnan. Preference is given to students with the equivalent of Level 4 or above in their HKDSE English Language and perform satisfactorily in History course(s) during their first term at Lingnan. An interview may be arranged if necessary.

Philosophy
The main selection criteria are (a) results of the diagnostic test given to students by CEAL in the beginning of the first term at Lingnan, (b) the student’s first term GPA, and (c) results of any free electives in philosophy if any such courses were taken in the first term.  An interview may be arranged if necessary.

Translation
Preference is given to students with good overall scores, and in language-related subjects in particular, in the HKDSE or equivalent.  Academic performance, especially in English, in the first term of a student’s first year at Lingnan will be taken into consideration.  Tests and interviews will be conducted where necessary.

Visual Studies
The main selection criteria are (a) the results of the HKDSE or equivalent, and (b) the applicant's GPA at the end of his/her first term at Lingnan.  These criteria are equally weighted.  An interview may be arranged if necessary.