The Department of Public and International Affairs (PIA) is an internationally-leading research hub for public policy, international studies, philosophy, and urban governance. Our staff come from top universities around the world, and our PhD students are very successful in gaining positions in government, academia, business, and with non-governmental organizations. We are one of the leading departments for winning HKPFS awards, and guarantee excellent training and resources for our doctoral students. Studying in PIA exposes students to leading debates and techniques across the field and its subdisciplines as well as provides students with the opportunity to discuss their research with visiting scholars from around the world.

PIA graduates are people who can communicate effectively, possess strong leadership skills and have the necessary analytical skills to dissect societal problems and make improvements to the world. Our faculty have well established track records in taking their academic research and making an impact on Hong Kong and global institutions. PIA professors are frequently interviewed in the international and local media on issues of daily concern.

The personal and professional development of PhD students is central to PIA’s education strategy. Students will have opportunities to gain international experience, publish their research, and develop their pedagogical skills alongside top faculty members; all of which leaves our PhD students well-placed for careers in academia, thinktanks, private and public sectors after graduation. Joining PIA means joining one of the leading departments in Hong Kong and across Asia. According to the QS World University Rankings 2023, CityU ranks the 54^th in the world, and the 4^th for the “top 50 under 50”. As for the 2023 Global Ranking of academic subjects, our public administration is the 1^st in Hong Kong, and 2^nd in Asia, 23^rd in the world, while political science is also the 1^st in Hong Kong.