The Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences uses a broad-based admissions system for five programmes, giving students more flexibility. Under the broad-based admissions system, students will spend their first year of study exploring different Arts disciplines. Then, towards the end of their first year, they will choose the Programme they would like to study. The broad-based admissions system consists of the following programmes: (1) Chinese Language and Literature, (2) Creative and Professional Writing, (3) English Language and Literature, (4) Humanities, and (5) Translation.

(1) Chinese Language and Literature

The Programme is committed to providing students with a thorough training in Chinese language, literature, and culture. The acquisition of knowledge and skills of basic research and training in critical thinking enables students to achieve their academic goals, personal growth, and their commitment to lifelong learning and preparation for future careers. This serves the University’s common goal of “Whole Person Education”, and empowers students to contribute to both the local and international communities.

(2) Creative and Professional Writing

The Creative and Professional Writing Programme of HKBU is the first UGC-funded undergraduate programme among Hong Kong tertiary institutions dedicated to creative and professional writing in both Chinese and English.

The Programme emphasises the following general aims:

• To provide students with a vigorous curriculum to develop creative and professional writing skills in Chinese and English;
• To develop students’ abilities when writing professionally in different genres and contexts to enhance students’ career opportunities;
• To cultivate students to produce original works of fiction, poetry, or nonfiction;
• To enhance students' cultural literacy which would act as a solid basis for their creative and professional writing;
• To build up their knowledge for self-directed and life-long learning in the world of professional writing and publishing.

(3) English Language and Literature

This Programme offers excellent opportunities for students to develop their disciplinary knowledge in English language and literature with a cross-cultural perspective; written and verbal communication skills; critical thinking skills and appreciation of creative writing; leadership skills and teamwork techniques; awareness or international values, including overseas study and/or work experience.

(4) Humanities

The first and unique undergraduate programme in Hong Kong to offer a broad liberal arts education, the Humanities programme dedicated itself to training students to think critically and creatively, to write logically and speak confidently, to sympathise with humanity, and to appreciate life. 

Our teaching staff profile includes renowned scholars and emerging young ones. Our programme continues to be distinguished by the three pillars of interdisciplinarity, bilingual teaching and learning, and cross-culturalism. Based on these unique strengths, our programme is marked by three Cs:

• “Creative”: Students of Humanities will develop and defend the freedom of mind;
• “Cultural”: They will learn both classical and contemporary cultures;
• “Critical”: They will appreciate diverse perspectives.

(5) Translation

The Translation Programme aims to “educate bilingual and bicultural communicators for professional translation and language careers”. Teachers of the Department of Translation, Interpreting and Intercultural Studies share with students their expertise in academic research, their experience of frontline fieldwork in interlingual and intercultural communication, and their pedagogic vision. Students are thus prepared to meet the cultural, socio-political and economic needs of the local community, as well as those of a rapidly developing China. The Programme provides a strong mix of both academic intellectual training and professionally-oriented practice. It offers a range of specialist options such as Translation Technology, Localisation, Spanish-Chinese Translation, Media Translation, and different forms of Interpreting.

In their final year, all students undertake a one-year Honours Project. This involves an extended translation of 10,000 words, plus critical commentary, or alternatively a research project of similar length. The Programme also incorporates a one-semester project-based internship.

Unique Features

Only Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences offers Double Major Programmes in Hong Kong Baptist University. Student may choose to take a Double Major Programme which consists of two Majors in one Bachelor’s degree. Student can choose any two Majors from (1) Chinese Language and Literature, (2) English Language and Literature and (3) Religion, Philosophy and Ethics or Double Major in Translation and English Language and Literature.

Transdisciplinary Second Majors / Second Majors
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 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. Nine TSMs / SMs will be launched in the 2025/26 academic year (subject to the approval of the University Senate).

Student Learning Experiences  

Student can join the internship programmes and exchange programmes organised by the University. 

Apart from University’s programmes, some programmes offer Internship to their students, such as Creative and Professional Writing Programme offers writing internship to their students.

In addition to the internship and exchange programmes, some Programmes will organise study tours to broaden students’ horizons. For example, Humanities Programme has organised summer study tours to Tsinghua University and Shaanxi Normal University, etc.

Career Opportunities 

Administration, education, publishing, media, public relations, marketing, social service, culture and arts, etc.

Admissions Scholarship 

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

Please refer to the website for more details.