First Religion, Philosophy and Ethics Programme in Hong Kong

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 at King’s College London and University of Nottingham in the UK.

Four Study Areas

Foundational courses covering key areas of religion, philosophy and ethics are covered in the first and second years. 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, all of which helps to enhance their reasoning and analytical 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 Arts Education

Our programme provides a channel for achieving the higher goals of liberal arts education, 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.

Admissions Scholarship

To award outstanding HKDSE students admitted to the Programme, the Faculty offers a scholarship starting from the 2024 intake:

Please refer to the website for more details.

The University envisions the importance of transdisciplinary innovations in response to the global challenges and offers a flexible curriculum structure that is much more agile and fits the present and yet-to-known future needs. Students of designated programmes will have the opportunity to opt for a transdisciplinary second major (TSM) / second major (SM) on top of their major. TSMs are geared for particular talent needs in Hong Kong and prepare students to pool knowledge from disciplines to excel in multiple careers, whereas SMs prepare students to gain in-depth knowledge from another discipline to complement the first major. This approach equips students not only for their careers, but also the future development of their respective fields. Seven TSMs and two SMs are launched in the 2025/26 academic year. Please click here for more details.

Summer Internship Programme

Summer Internship Programme has been organised for our students since 2002 to work in NGOs (Non-governmental Organisations), social enterprises, and institutions in public and private sectors. Students can widen their exposure through working, relate real life to their studies, gain valuable working experience and acquire the ability to identify their career paths after graduation.

Overseas Exchange Programme

Our students have opportunities to study abroad in partner institutions by joining the University's Overseas Exchange Programme.  We have established a unique study abroad programme with the Faraday Institute for Science and Religion that students can stay at a college of the Cambridge University for a short-term study.

Graduates can choose a career not only in teaching Ethics and Religious Studies (after obtaining PGDE/DipEd from a qualified tertiary institution), but also in cultural affairs, publication business, religion-related social service agencies, administration of the civil service and the business sector.