Faculty of Social Sciences 
The medium of instruction for formal classroom teaching at HKBU is English, except for those courses that are granted exemption
Government Funded
100 - 110 (subject to changes)#
September 2019
HK$42,100 (local); HK$140,000^ (non-local)
128
Choices of Major Programme
For details of Major Programme assignment, please visit Faculty website at http://sosc.hkbu.edu.hk/bap/
Programme Description
Students who are interested in Geography, Government & International Studies, History or Sociology will be considered for a joint admission provided with broad-based social sciences training for their first year of study. Before progression to Year 2, students will choose their Majors via internal application.
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 Government & International Studies:
The Programme provides students with a firm grasp of the different areas of political science including political sociology (e.g. political institutions, political culture and political behavior), public policy, international relations, political economy, political theory and political thought and methodology. 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 China Studies Programmes.
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 instruction in the study of social relationships in different institutional settings and at different scales with rigorous research methods. It aims to provide students with (1) knowledge of the persistence and changes in social structures and their relationships with various social institutions; (2) a critical understanding of social values and meanings of behavior in different social situations; and (3) the ability to conduct independent research on social issues.
Student Learning Experiences
Career Opportunities
BSocSc (Hons) in Geography:
Commerce/finance, teaching/research, civil service, the media, tourism, administration/management, community/social services, and non-governmental organizations
BSocSc (Hons) in Government & International Studies:
Civil service, media, local and international NGOs, social services, academic and commerce
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 research, journalism and media, social services, education, civil services, public relations, marketing, administrative management, and human resources management.
A substantial number of students continue on to postgraduate studies in Hong Kong and overseas.
Remarks
1) #As the 2019/20 Academic Year is the start of the 2019-2022 triennium for which UGC-funded programmes are still subject to the Government's and the Legislative Council's approval, the number of student intake places shown in this web page is indicative only and subject to change or confirmation at a later date.
2) Students may take an integrated programme by extending their undergraduate study by one year, leading to the award of a bachelor's degree plus a Diploma in Education.
3) ^Subject to annual review and University's approval.
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).
General Certificate of Education (GCE), International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma & SAT
GCE: Grade E or above in three AL/ IAL subjects; or Grade E or above in two AL/ IAL subjects plus two Advanced Supplementary Level (ASL) subjects (Not including Chinese and English Language subjects. The same subject cannot be counted at both the AL and ASL.) Applicants sitting the 2018 GCE examinations should submit their predicted grades to the University upon the application.
IB: IB Diploma. Applicants should request the IB organisation to send their scores to the University via internet (HKBU institution code: 000247). Applicants sitting the 2018 IB examinations should submit their predicted scores to the University upon the application.
SAT: Minimum score of 1,190 (out of 1,600) in new SAT or 1,650 (out of 2,400) in old SAT (minimum score of 550 in each of Critical Reading, Mathematics and Writing), and a sub-score on essay writing of no less than 8. Applicants should request the College Board to send scores to the University (HKBU institution code: 7904).
Other Overseas Qualifications by Region
Applicants who apply for admission on the basis of overseas qualifications should refer to particular region for details. Given the diversity of education systems around the world, the acceptable overseas qualifications listed may not cover every region.
The University normally expects applicants to have obtained 12-year pre-university years of schooling. School-leaving qualifications that are acceptable for admission to universities in other places may not necessarily be acceptable or sufficient for admission to the University.
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 |
| GCE O-Level/ GCSE/ IGCSE English | Grade C |
| 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 |
For students who intended to take History Major, they are expected to have a Chinese language qualification as deemed acceptable by the University.
For applicants holding international qualifications, they may fulfill the Chinese Language requirement with the following Chinese qualifications:
|
Proficiency Test |
Minimum Scores |
|
GCE A/ AS Level Chinese |
Grade E |
|
GCSE/ IGCSE/ GCE O-Level Chinese |
Grade C |
|
Others |
Other Chinese Language qualifications deemed acceptable by the University |