WHY COLLEGE OF LIBERAL ARTS AND SOCIAL SCIENCES
The College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences (CLASS) places strong emphasis on whole-person development through well-rounded and broad-based professional education, enabling CLASS students to build the competence and knowledge necessary to succeed in their studies, career and life. Join CLASS, go global, go professional.
Leading centre for the study of humanities and social sciences
CLASS builds and sustains a reputation as a leading centre for the study of humanities and social sciences in Asia. According to the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2024, in which more than 1,200 institutions were ranked, three subjects are placed in the Top 50 globally: Communication and Media Studies, Linguistics, and Social Policy and Administration.
Excellent and innovative teaching
CLASS stresses the importance of equipping students with analytical and critical thinking, as well as excellent communication skills. It offers broad-based, multidisciplinary, professionally-oriented programmes in liberal arts and social sciences to ignite and cultivate passion for knowledge and discovery in students. As well, it commits to developing a strong sense of social responsibility in students through various strategies such as guiding students to conduct problem-focused research on people and societies in Asia and beyond. These learning activities also enrich their university life, widen their local and global perspectives, and give them experiences in knowledge generation and transfer. It endeavours to strive teaching excellence, and it is the only College in Hong Kong with the record of having two University Grants Committee (UGC) Teaching Award being scooped by academic staff.
Go global, International exposure
To help students gain international experience and broaden global vision, CLASS actively promotes global engagement and offers students an array of opportunities to join study tours, international exchanges, study abroad programmes, cultural and language immersion, summer schools, community service and internships.
Students majoring in Asian and International Studies, Criminology and Sociology (Applied Sociology stream only), Linguistics and Language Applications, Public Policy and Politics (Politics stream only), and Psychology are eligible for the Joint Bachelor's Degree Program between City University of Hong Kong and Columbia University. This program offers students an international undergraduate educational experience and draws upon elements both traditional and innovative, combining the academic rigor of two world-renowned universities with an attention to the roles that social and cultural traditions play in a student’s intellectual formation. Students within the program will complete the curricula of both universities and earn two bachelor’s degrees. Students majoring in Linguistics and Language Applications are also eligible for the Joint Bachelor's Degree Programme with National Taiwan University.
Go professional, comprehensive student life and learning
CLASS makes every effort to prepare students to become leaders with professional competence, multicultural awareness and broad vision who are ready to lead, serve and make a difference. It encourages students to seize every learning opportunity and live their university lives to the fullest. The College implements an effective academic advising system to provide students with useful information and advice to make a positive start to their studies. It also runs a series of career preparation programmes to develop leadership potential of outstanding students, and organises workshops and seminars from time to time with distinguished guest speakers to share the ways to succeed in the workplace. These activities not only foster students’ whole-person development, but also benefit their personal growth and future career.
