I D E A POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE
CONTENTS 02 03 04 05 Welcome School Profile Research Foci Research Postgraduate Programs 06 08 Taught Postgraduate Programs Submit Your Application
Division of Humanities Division of Social Science Center for Language Education 9th in Asia for Social Sciences & Management2 In a rapidly changing society today, humans need stronger skills of critical thinking, communication, and analytics to address big social challenges. This is why we are studying humanities and social science issues at HKUST. We welcome you to join us at SHSS as MPhil or PhD students! Our School includes the Division of Humanities, Division of Social Science, and Center for Language Education. Our internationally renowned faculty are committed to excellence in research, education, and knowledge transfer. We emphasize application of best pedagogical practices in undergraduate teaching, multi-disciplinary postgraduate training and placement, student engagement in innovation and leadership, and faculty research in broad disciplines on China, the region, and the world. Technology has profoundly shaped how we live and work, and the disciplines within SHSS are well positioned to address related key issues including ethics and AI governance, emotion in arts and literature, inter-cultural communication, aging and the brain, lifespan development, and the complex dynamics of human, society, politics, and technology. Spanning over 15 disciplines, our researchers and staff bring expertise across all these areas. We aim at creating synergy in interdisciplinary studies not only within our School but also with other disciplines in the University for world-class research and innovative education. Our strategic partnerships with leading universities worldwide offer international opportunities for collaborative research, exchanges, and joint student training. Our programs aim to equip students not only with knowledge but also curiosity, creativity, collaborative spirit, and essential abilities in a wide range of professions. SHSS is a culturally and linguistically inclusive and welcoming environment – open to diverse perspectives, free of discrimination and harassment, and supported by an ecosystem that enables our core missions of nurturing talent, discovering knowledge, and impacting the society. Despite the challenges in an era of uncertainty, I firmly believe that we can change the world for the better when we work together. 1 HKSAR University Grants Council Research Assessment Exercise 2020 2 QS World University Rankings, 2026 3 Times Higher Education Rankings, 2026 SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES AND SOCIAL SCIENCE 14th in Asia for Social Sciences3 50+ BOOKS by Faculty in 2019-2026 1st in Hong Kong for Social Sciences, History, Political Science, and Chinese Language & Literature1 Welcome to the HKUST School of Humanities and Social Science. 2 DIVISIONS 1 CENTER + WELCOME Prof. Andrew Ping LI Dean of Humanities and Social Science SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2027-28 03 02
RESEARCH FOCI Division of Humanities In Humanities, our foci are Chinese social and cultural history, transnational Chinese history, European intellectual history, history of science and art, Chinese dialects, psycholinguistics, neurolinguistics, cognitive and socio-linguistics, Chinese and comparative philosophy, philosophy of science, Chinese and comparative literature, animation and film studies, cultural anthropology of South China and of medicine and psychology, and Digital Humanities. huma.hkust.edu.hk MPhil Master of Philosophy in Social Science The MPhil program is designed to provide rigorous training in the research methods required to conduct substantive research in one of the following disciplines related to China (in the majority of instances): demography, economics, geography, political science, psychology, and sociology. The MPhil degree is intended to facilitate students interested in pursuing a PhD degree. Email soscrpg@ust.hk Contact (852) 3469 2845 PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Social Science The PhD program is designed to prepare students for a career in academia, policy research or consultancy related to the affairs of society, polity or the economy. A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to make original and substantial contributions to knowledge in his/ her chosen discipline/ field of research. Email soscrpg@ust.hk Contact (852) 3469 2845 Division of Social Science In Social Science, research focuses primarily on governance and economy of greater China in comparative perspective, population and health, and psychology. Specific topics encompass economic reforms and development, governance, demography and migration, aging, social mobility, personality, developmental/ environmental/ cognitive psychology, cognitive neuroscience as well as broad issues pertaining to gender and culture. sosc.hkust.edu.hk RESEARCH POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS MPhil Master of Philosophy in Humanities The MPhil program provides training for students who intend to pursue careers in teaching and research. It can be an end in itself or serve as preparation for a PhD degree. Students may specialize in linguistics, history, anthropology, philosophy and religion, or literature, film, and media studies, though they are expected to go beyond conventional disciplinary boundaries and cultivate knowledge and expertise in interdisciplinary dialogue and interaction. A candidate for an MPhil degree is expected to demonstrate knowledge in the discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making a contribution to the field. Email hmrpg@ust.hk Contact (852) 2358 7811 PhD Doctor of Philosophy in Humanities The PhD program is interdisciplinary in nature. It provides training for students who intend to pursue professional and academic careers. Students may specialize in linguistics, history, anthropology, philosophy and religion, or literature, film, and media studies, though they are expected to go beyond conventional disciplinary boundaries and cultivate knowledge and expertise in interdisciplinary dialogue and interaction. A candidate for a PhD degree is expected to demonstrate mastery of knowledge in the chosen discipline and to synthesize and create new knowledge, making an original and substantial contribution to the discipline. Email hmrpg@ust.hk Contact (852) 2358 7811 SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2027-28 05 04
MA Master of Arts in Chinese Culture Students are equipped with a multidisciplinary range of knowledge about Chinese culture from the humanities perspective. Disciplines include history, literature, religion, philosophy, anthropology and linguistics. This knowledge is imperative for students who aspire to know more about the culture of the country. Students may choose to graduate with the Chinese Language and Literature Concentration or Chinese History and Anthropology Concentration upon fulfilling specific credit requirements. Email ccma@ust.hk Contact (852) 3469 2205 Website shss.hkust.edu.hk/tpg/ccma MA Master of Arts in Social Science An interdisciplinary curriculum for those seeking employment in business, government, mass media, and education, as well as those who subsequently wish to pursue a research program in one of the social science disciplines. It is designed to provide the necessary skills required for social science research and a broad spectrum of analytical perspectives for a critical understanding of a variety of issues and phenomena in the modern world. Email joinmass@ust.hk Contact (852) 3469 2205 Website shss.hkust.edu.hk/tpg/mass MA Master of Arts in International Language Education The program offers advanced postgraduate education, taught in English, with two specialized concentrations: Teaching English as a Second Language (TESL), and Teaching Chinese as a Second Language (TCSL). Our research-informed approach to language education prepares language professionals for a dynamic global career in teaching English or Chinese as a second or other language. The program provides a solid foundation across a broad range of language education and applied linguistics topics. Email maile@ust.hk Contact (852) 3469 2096 Website shss.hkust.edu.hk/tpg/maile MSc Master of Science in Global China Studies The broad and interdisciplinary curriculum of this program provides global and local perspectives on China’s past and present. The one-year program emphasizes capacity building, especially in verbal and writing communication skills. An optional twoyear program additionally focuses on fostering research capacity. The program is also designed to enable advanced undergraduates from elite universities to take on the challenge of postgraduate study and receive both a bachelor’s and a master’s degree within four years. The program serves as an excellent foundation for research-oriented students, with many of our graduates continuing their academic journeys at renowned universities in Greater China and abroad. Email mgcs@ust.hk Contact (852) 2358 8275 Website shss.hkust.edu.hk/tpg/mgcs TAUGHT POSTGRADUATE PROGRAMS SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2027-28 07 06
SUBMIT YOUR APPLICATION @ fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/apply This booklet was published in August 2026. The details may be subject to change. For the most up-to-date information, please refer to fytgs.hkust.edu.hk. Admissions Requirements @ fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/adm-req To qualify for admissions to the University, applicants should have: Obtained a bachelor’s degree from a recognized institution, or an approved equivalent qualification; For PhD applicants (in addition to the above): a proven record of outstanding performance from a recognized institution or presented evidence of satisfactory work at the postgraduate level on a full-time basis for at least one year, or on a part-time basis for at least two years; Fulfilled the English language admissions requirements with one of the following proficiency attainments1: PROFICIENCY TEST MINIMUM SCORE TOEFL Internet-based Test (iBT)2 80 (for tests taken prior to 21 January 2026) 4.5 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards) TOEFL Paper-based Test (pBT) 550 TOEFL Revised Paper-delivered Test 60 (total scores for Reading, Listening and Writing sections) IELTS (Academic Module)2 Overall Score: 6.5 and All Sub-scores: 5.5 1 You are not required to present TOEFL or IELTS score if your first language is English, or your bachelor’s degree (or equivalent qualification) was awarded by an institution where the medium of instruction was English. 2 Refers to scores in one single attempt only. Test at home option is not accepted. Met program-specific admissions requirements, if any. World-Class Faculty @ fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/faculty Wide Range of Programs @ fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/programs Extensive Scholarships @ fytgs.hkust.edu.hk/funding SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE 2027-28 09 08
T L A S S SCHOOL OF HUMANITIES & SOCIAL SCIENCE SHSS.HKUST.EDU.HK
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