Welcome to the Bachelor of Arts and Sciences (BASc) in Interdisciplinary Studies at The University of Hong Kong! As HKU’s most personalised degree in this area, our programme invites students to co-design their own pathways of study under the mentorship of teachers who care deeply about their passions, ambitions and whole-person development. This programme was created for students who refused to fit neatly into a single box, and who wanted to ask questions that no single discipline could answer on its own.
The BASc in Interdisciplinary Studies has always stood for something bold and distinctive: the belief that the most pressing questions of our time cannot be answered by a single discipline alone. By weaving together the creativity of the arts and humanities and the analytical rigour of the sciences, this programme empowers students to design their own journeys of discovery, guided by curiosity, compassion, and a commitment to whole-person development.
The programme drew inspiration from leading models of innovative education worldwide, but it was firmly rooted in HKU’s proud traditions of academic excellence and its vision for forward-looking change. At the intersection of Eastern and Western educational philosophies, the BASc in Interdisciplinary Studies offers a rare opportunity for students to cultivate intellectual agility, resilience, and the ability to connect ideas across boundaries. In doing so, our students learn to navigate complexity, to think critically and creatively, and to engage with the world in ways that are both rigorous and humane.
While the programme is currently not open for admission, its legacy endures. The graduates of BASc in Interdisciplinary Studies carry forward the values of creativity, adaptability, and compassionate leadership into diverse fields of work and study. They exemplify the spirit of interdisciplinarity by bringing together insights from psychology, biology, history, literature, and beyond to address challenges that demand more than one perspective. Their journeys remind us that education is not only about acquiring knowledge, but about shaping character and vision.
As Programme Director, I am particularly grateful to Dr. Andrew Pau Hoang, my predecessor in this role, for his excellent work, invaluable mentorship, and compassionate care. I extend my deepest gratitude to the students, faculty, and supporters who made this programme a living community of ideas Your contributions have ensured that the BASc in Interdisciplinary Studies will continue to inspire future innovations in education at HKU and beyond.
Dr. Estela Ibáňez Garcia
Programme Director of Bachelor of Arts & Sciences