Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences 
The medium of instruction for classroom teaching (in all forms) at HKBU is English, except for those courses that are granted exemption.
Government Funded
September 2025
HK$44,500 (local); HK$175,000 (non-local) i
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Choices of Programme
For details of Programme assignment, please visit Faculty website at http://sosc.hkbu.edu.hk/bap/.
Programme Description
Students who are interested in European Studies - French/German Stream, Geography, Global & China Studies, Government & International Studies, History, and Sociology will be considered for a joint admission. Students will choose their Majors via internal application.
BSocSc (Hons) in European Studies - French/German Stream:
European civilisation is among the most influential in the world. The European Union has emerged as a major actor in world politics and economics; its growth and development are of vital global importance. Students will undergo rigorous training in French or German up to levels of academic and professional fluency. They may also be eligible for one of the double degree programmes with our European partners. By the time of graduation, students will have a firm knowledge of the European world and possess the communicative skills necessary for a future professional or academic career in the fields of European-Asian relations.
BSocSc (Hons) in Geography:
The Programme provides a solid training in geographical theories and methods, and helps students acquire the intellectual and practical skills to analyse, assess and interpret geographical information both independently and as part of a team. It aims to provide students with a comprehensive knowledge of spatial order and the interdependence of different regions of the world, and a critical understanding of environmental and socio-economic development issues with a focus on global-local connections. The Programme also provides students with the ability to apply a variety of geographical techniques and methods to analyse and to interpret diverse people-environment interactions.
BSocSc (Hons) in Global & China Studies:
The Programme trains students to explore the on-going transformations and engage with indigenous communities inside and beyond China. It highlights the situation of a changing China in the evolving world order. Students will study the socio-political, economic, environmental, and cultural processes of globalisation and the developments in China, and gain opportunities of language training and experiential learning in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas via international exchange opportunities. The Programme trains students to understand Hong Kong, China and the world in relational and comparative perspectives. It also cultivates cosmopolitan, intercultural citizens who think globally and act locally.
BSocSc (Hons) in Government & International Studies:
The Programme provides students with a firm grasp of the different areas of political science including comparative politics (e.g. political institutions, political culture and political behaviour), public policy and administration, international relations, political economy, political theory and research methods. Geographically, the Programme focuses on the politics of Hong Kong, Mainland China, the Asia-Pacific region and the European Union. The Programme seeks to sharpen the student’s awareness by incorporating a systematic, comparative and international dimension, drawing both on the European Studies and Global & China Studies Programmes. It will prepare student for global careers related to public affairs, business, philanthropy, and international development.
BA (Hons) in History:
The Programme aims to help students develop a holistic perspective of history. It provides a balanced curriculum with equal emphasis on China and the global world. After completing the programme, students will possess a sound understanding of major events and movements that have shaped the growth of the human community, as well as the skills necessary to trace the historical roots of contemporary issues and to analyse worldwide the impact of individual events. Students will develop a critical and broadminded attitude toward the traditions and cultural heritage of different civilisations.
BSocSc (Hons) in Sociology:
The Programme offers a comprehensive exploration of social relationships within global, regional, and local institutional contexts, underpinned by rigorous and cutting-edge data analytic research methodologies. This programme is designed to cultivate students' ability in three areas: (1) understanding the persistence and change of social actions, structures, and their relationships with diverse social institutions; (2) fostering a critical comprehension of social values and meanings of social behaviors; and (3) nurturing the capacity to undertake rigorous research on pertinent social issues.
Student Learning Experiences
BSocSc (Hons) in European Studies [French/German Stream]:
European Studies is a global programme with a special emphasis on the French- and German- speaking world. In addition to the academic exchange and internship opportunities in Europe, it also offers numerous intercultural seminars, workshops, as well as international service-learning, career talks and visits in various European corporations and organisations, that operate in the Greater Bay Area and the Asia-Pacific.
BSocSc (Hons) in Geography:
The Programme attaches great importance to student learning experiences and strives to provide students with a wide range of fieldwork and practical training. Geography students will have opportunities to participate in local and regional field trips and subject-related fieldwork and practical work. In addition, a mandatory field camp of around 4 to 9 days is organized for Year 3 students in semester 2 of every year. The past field camps have been held in the U.S., Australia, Mainland China and Southeast Asia, etc.
Besides, students will be able to participate in service-learning and interdisciplinary courses and projects and become responsible citizens with a global outlook. Students will examine social and/or environmental issues and leverage the geographical training to create possible solutions.
BSocSc (Hons) in Global & China Studies:
The Programme normally organises the Summer Sojourn I in Mainland China for the second-year students. Students may also choose between Global Work Placement and Summer Sojourn II in European countries during their third or fourth year of study. In addition, the Programme encourages and facilitates students to join the internship programmes offered by the Social Sciences Faculty.
BSocSc (Hons) in Government & International Studies:
BA (Hons) in History:
BSocSc (Hons) in Sociology:
These Programmes offer the best student experience by enabling students to expand social network through interacting with students and academic staff from a variety of backgrounds, e.g. course-related and outside classroom learning organised by the Major Departments and/or student Societies. All Programmes also offers opportunities to participate in local and/or overseas internship such as Social Sciences Internship and USA Disney Internship Programmes, etc.
All Programmes also offer opportunities to participate in local and/or overseas internship such as Social Sciences Internship and USA Disney Internship Programmes, and exchange with overseas agencies, firms and universities available from the University, Faculty and Departments.
Career Opportunities
BSocSc (Hons) in European Studies - French/German Stream:
Multinational corporations; European government or business organisations (e.g. Consulates and Chambers of Commerce); media and communication; finance/banking; trading/merchandising; transport/logistics; retail; tourism, cultural and education sectors.
BSocSc (Hons) in Geography:
Commerce/finance, teaching/research, civil service, the media, tourism, administration/management, community/social services, and non-governmental organisations
BSocSc (Hons) in Global & China Studies:
International business, trade and development, consultancy work, tourism, marketing, education and research, management, public relations, media and communication, international organisations, government agencies, NGOs.
BSocSc (Hons) in Government & International Studies:
Civil service, media, local and international non-governmental organisations, social services, academic and commerce, district organisations, local and international think tanks.
BA (Hons) in History:
Teaching, museum and archive work, civil service, cultural affairs, business, the media, publishing, or journalism.
BSocSc (Hons) in Sociology:
Careers in NGOs, social marketing, social enterprises, data management, social research, journalism and media, social services, education, civil services, public relations, administrative management, and human resources management.
A substantial number of students continue on to postgraduate studies in related professional fields in Hong Kong and overseas.
Note
We adopt a holistic approach in selecting applicants on individual merits. Applicants are required to meet the University entrance requirements, English Language requirements and Programme entrance requirements (if any).
Associate Degree (AD)/ Higher Diploma (HD) Final Year Students/ Holders
AD/ HD holders or final year students may apply for Year 1 entry.
Associate Degree (AD)/ Higher Diploma (HD) Non-final Year Students
Non-final year students studying AD/ HD programmes at a higher education institution recognised by the University are eligible to apply for Year 1 entry only. These applicants are required to fulfill the Entrance Requirements for HKDSE or equivalent qualifications.
Transfer Students
Transfer students who are currently enrolled in a Bachelor’s degree or higher degree programmes at a local or non-local university may apply.
Please note that according to the guidelines of the University Grants Committee (UGC) on inter-institutional transfer of students, repeating of UGC-funded undergraduate study across institutions, irrespective of whether there is a change of programme or discipline, is generally discouraged unless under very exceptional circumstances.
General Entrance Requirements
For Applicants with HKDSE result, please refer to HKDSE.
For Applicants with other International Qualifications, please refer to International Qualifications.
English Language Requirements
The following public examination results are recognised as meeting the English Language requirements stipulated by the University:
| Proficiency Tests | Minimum Requirements |
| TOEFL | Internet-based test (iBT) - Score: 79; or Paper-based test (PBT) - Score: 550 |
| IELTS Academic | Overall Band: 6.0 |
| SAT | Minimum score of 550 in both Critical Reading and Writing with a sub-score of 8 or above in Essay in old SAT; or Minimum score of 590 in Evidence-Based Reading and Writing in new SAT |
| ACT | Minimum score of 23 in both ACT English and Reading |
| AP | Score 4 or above in AP English Language and Composition/ AP English Literature and Composition |
| GCE O-Level/ GCSE English/ English Language/ English Literature | Grade C/ Grade 4 |
| IGCSE First Language English | Grade C/ Grade 4 |
| IGCSE English as a Second Language | Grade B/ Grade 5 |
| GCE AS or A-Level English | Grade E |
| HKDSE English Language | Level 3 |
| HKALE Use of English | Grade E |
| IB | Grade 4 in: IB English A (Higher or Standard Level); or IB English B (Higher Level); or IB English Literature and Performance (Standard Level) OR Grade 5 in: IB English B (Standard Level) |
| Others | Other English language qualifications deemed acceptable by the University |