CityU’s flexible degrees allow students to make a difference in communities

Dr Anna Hui Na-na, associate professor at the department of applied social sciences at City University of Hong Kong (CityU), says that CityU’s bachelor of social sciences programme is special. “Other universities in Hong Kong are more discipline-based, but we have created a more inter-disciplinary environment,” Hui says.

CityU has been committed to the social sciences for many years. The institution  has been developing its social work programme for a quarter of a century, and this year marks further refinements to the structure of the courses on offer.

“This year, we have changed the admissions system to one of departmental admission,” Hui explains. Students will enter the department without having already declared a major.

“In Year One, they will study psychology, sociology and the social welfare system as their common core. After the first year, they declare which major they are interested in. The three options are psychology, applied sociology and criminology, and social work,” she says.

Hui thinks this structure will benefit graduates throughout their careers. “Social workers, for example, need to have some knowledge of psychology when they are helping mentally-ill clients,” she says. “Similarly, psychologists offering psychotherapy to their patients need to understand the social welfare system.” 

Successful graduates from CityU’s social sciences in social work programme are sufficiently qualified to become registered social workers. The government funded degree has consistently lead graduates to prosperous careers with high levels of job security, Hui notes.