Programme Requirements

Notes:

1) The first elective must be any Category A subjects including Extended Part of Mathematics (Module 1 or Module 2);

2) The second elective can be any of the following subjects:
a) Category A subjects;
b) Other Language subjects at Grade E or above.
 

Programme Description

The Faculty of Arts will implement a hybrid admissions model starting from 2020 entry. Students may apply for admission to the Broad-based Programme or to a specific Major Programme. This interdisciplinary Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme provides an excellent opportunity to study major world religions, philosophical traditions, and ethical schools of thought in a systematic and critical way. Students will develop a capability in correlating religious ideas and values, as well as philosophical and ethical thought with both the personal quest for meaning in life and the reflection of contemporary socio-cultural issues, such as life and death, gender equality and social justice. They can understand more about the human person itself and human culture through a comparative and interdisciplinary study of different religious and philosophical traditions, showing the vast range of human response to various life problems, such as life and death, meaning of life, social justice from ancient times to the contemporary world. 

Unique Features

First Ever Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme in Asia for the World

The programme, specialising in three different but closely related disciplines of religion, philosophy and ethics, is the first-of-its-kind not only in Hong Kong, but also in Asia. Religion, Philosophy and Ethics (RPE) is a multidisciplinary programme and in fact one of the flourishing programmes in the international trend in recent decades. Examples include the RPE programme in King's College London and University of Nottingham in UK.

Four Study Areas

Foundational courses covering key areas of religion, philosophy and ethics are covered in the second year. In their third to fourth years, students can choose major electives among the four study areas, namely Philosophical Studies, Christian Studies and Comparative Religion, the Interdisciplinary Study of Religion, as well as Ethics and Society. The multiple foci of the programme would be able to cater for the diverse interests of students. Students can choose to declare or not a concentration in one of the four study areas at the end of their second year of study.

Critical Thinking

We emphasise nurturing students' abilities in critical thinking, formulating cogent arguments and critically evaluating claims, which help to enhance their reasoning and analytic skills. These are transferable skills which are essential to many professions.

Value Analysis

We emphasise the analysis of underlying moral values, social values, political values and cultural values in current issues, which are diverse, complex and often in conflict with one another. Students are trained to make up their own minds after navigating through a complicated web of ideas.

Excellence in Liberal Studies

Our programme provides a channel for achieving the higher goals of Liberal Studies, namely, (a) the cultivation of the ability to analyse complex human problems with intellectual rigor, and (b) the cultivation of practical wisdom for moral reasoning and impartial value analysis.

Student Learning Experiences

Summer Internship Programme

The Department organises Summer Internship Programme for our students since 2002 to work in NGOs (Non- governmental Organisations), social enterprises, offices of Legislative Councilors, and institutions from public and private sectors. Students can widen their exposure through working, relate the real life with their studies, gain valuable working experience and be able to identify their career path after graduation.

Overseas Exchange Programme

Our students have opportunities to study abroad in partner institutions by joining the University's Overseas Exchange Programme.

Career Opportunities

Besides the opportunity of teaching Liberal Studies or Religious and Ethics in secondary schools, graduates of this programme are well qualified to work in other professions, including social services, media, business, religious organisations as well as civil services.

Admissions Scholarship

To award outstanding HKDSE students admitted to the Faculty of Arts, the Faculty offers a new scholarship starting from the 2020 intake:

The Priority to Select Major Programme of Study (HKDSE students who obtain score of 25 or above have the priority to choose their preferred Major programme) will be cancelled with effect from the 2020 intake, in keeping with the introduction of the Hybrid Admission Scheme.  

Please refer to the website for more details.