Application Procedures
You are considered as a local student if you hold the following document(s):
- HKID Card (Permanent)
- Documents issued by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR showing right to land / right of abode in HK
- One-way Permit for entry to Hong Kong
- Full-time employment VISA / work permit
- Dependent VISA / entry permit (students who were below aged 18 years old when they were FIRST issued with such VISA / entry permit by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR)
- VISA / entry permit for Quality Migrant Admission Scheme (優秀人才入境計劃)
- VISA / entry permit for Capital Investment Entrant Scheme (資本投資者入境計劃)
- VISA / entry permit for Admission Scheme for the 2nd Generation of Chinese HK Permanent Residents
- VISA label for unconditional stay
- Student VISA / entry permit
- VISA / entry permit under the Immigration Arrangements for Non-local Graduates (IANG)
- Dependent VISA / entry permit (students who were aged 18 years old or above when they were FIRST issued with such VISA / entry permit by the Immigration Department of the HKSAR)
- VISA / entry permit for Top Talent Pass Scheme (高端人才通行證計劃)
No, at the application stage, only scanned or digital copies of supporting documents are required. These should be uploaded to the online application system.
Yes, you may apply before completing your undergraduate degree. Please upload your most recent transcript and other required supporting documents to the Online Application System. To facilitate the selection process, you are strongly advised to provide the best estimation of the degree completion date with related supporting documents. Conditional offers may be extended to selected applicants before the required qualifications are obtained. However, if you received a conditional offer, you must provide all required documents by the deadline stated in the offer letter for verification.
Yes, reference letters are required as part of the application process. Applicants should provide their referees’ professional email addresses (public-domain email addresses will not be accepted unless they are used for professional purposes and printed on the referees’ business cards/official websites) via the HKU Taught Postgraduate Online Application System.
Applicants would need to provide two reference letters via the application system, with at least ONE being an academic reference from the university that you have graduated or will graduate from. Applicants are required to provide their referees’ details in the Application System and remind them to submit references through the hyperlink they receive in the email invitation.
After completing the application form via the HKU Taught Postgraduate Online Application System, you will receive an acknowledgement email within 48 hours after successful application via the system. Please upload all required documents according to the instructions in the acknowledgement email before the stipulated deadline.
Admissions decisions are generally available in 1-2 month(s) after the application deadline and successful applicants will be notified by email. Those who have not received an offer will be considered again in the clearing round until the end of the whole admissions cycle of the year.
The application system doesn’t allow any changes in the application form after submission, but you may upload updated supporting documents to the HKU Taught Postgraduate Online Application System and inform the Programme Office via email (mpoppa@hku.hk) quoting your application number afterwards.
Admission Requirements
Applicants who obtained a bachelor’s degree or an equivalent qualification from a university or comparable institution where English was the medium of instruction should provide an official letter or equivalent proof, such as transcript or degree certificate, confirming that your qualifications were obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is English.
You are not required to take English Proficiency Test if you obtained a master’s degree from an institution where the medium of instruction was English, given that an official letter or equivalent proof is provided to confirm the medium of instruction is English
No, only examinations listed in the following website are accepted:
HKU University Entrance Requirements
HKU University Entrance Requirements
Yes, shortlisted applicants will be invited for an interview or further review process, and invitation emails will be sent to the corresponding applicants in due course.
According to the admission requirements:
- Applicants shall hold a Bachelor’s degree preferably in a social sciences field: Anthropology, Cognitive Science, Communication, Economics, Education Studies, Ethnic Studies, Linguistics, Political Science, Psychology, Sociology, Urban Studies and Planning, or a closely related field, and preferably have some prior training in applied statistics, mathematics, programming, and/or one or more technical domains (e.g. demographic methods).
- Applicants with a Bachelor’s degree in Statistics, Mathematics, Computer Science, or a related field may be considered if they have a minor, or have completed substantial coursework, in one or more social sciences domains before admission – or if they commit to pursuing additional domain-specific study upon admission.
Career Prospects
Graduates can pursue various career paths in social sciences, including but not limited to:
- Population Scientist
- Demographer
- Public Policy Analyst
- Population Policy Consultant
- Statistician
- Recruitment Research Manager
- Data Scientist
- Market Research Analyst
- Research Fellow
Study at HKU
Due to high demand, on-campus accommodation is not available for taught postgraduate students. However, students may explore off-campus housing options via the Centre of Development and Resources for Students (CEDARS). For more details, please visit Campus Life at HKU.
The HKU campus is conveniently accessible by public transportation. For detailed information on transportation options and routes, please visit Transportation – Onboard@HKU.
The Faculty of Social Sciences is located in The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus. For detailed directions, please refer to the Faculty’s website.