Study what you love. Stand out from the crowd. Develop as your ideal self.

The BASc (Interdisciplinary Studies/IS) is designed for students who wish to become exceptionally well-rounded, with the chance to explore and develop their own passions and intellectual interests at university. As our most personalised BASc degree, we offer students the chance to create their own degree under the mentorship of teachers who truly care about students’ passions, ambitions and whole person development.

This degree provides intellectually ambitious students with maximal flexibility and choice over what they learn. We cultivate within students a rare unity between unbounded imagination and creativity (from the humanistic disciplines) with rigour and systematic analysis (from the scientific disciplines). Students are provided opportunities to develop compassionate leadership and work-readiness skills. As true interdisciplinarians, BASc(IS) students develop their potential as young scholars with a signature intellectual agility for an ever-changing world.

Two Pathways converge for a Holistic Education

Students select courses of their own interest available within the Social Sciences, Arts & Science faculties, which have been grouped under two multi- and interdisciplinary pathways:

Pathway A: Society, Culture & Communication
Pathway B: Nature, Science & the Physical World 

Insights from courses in these pathways are combined with our unique, interdisciplinary courses designed and co-taught by academic interdisciplinarians across Social Sciences, Arts & Science faculties.

Second Major/Minors/Free Electives

In addition to the Major in Interdisciplinary Studies exclusive to this programme, students can choose from any of over 63 Majors, 94 Minors, and thousands of free elective courses across HKU.  This can add further depth/specialisation to their interdisciplinary studies.

If you are interested in mental health and well-being: BASc(IS): Major in Interdisciplinary Studies; Major in Psychology.

If you are interested in nature and preserving heritage through storytelling: BASc(IS): Major in Interdisciplinary Studies, Minor in Comparative Literature, Minor in Ecology and Biodiversity.

Personalised Concentration

An innovative curriculum feature unique in all of Hong Kong, which allows BASc(IS) students to create a portfolio around an overarching, interdisciplinary theme.  The following Personalised Concentrations are being developed by our students:

Faculty of Social Sciences

Email: bascfoss@hku.hk
Tel: 3917 1207

Alumni Sharing

Tailor-Made/Social Innovation Internship and Exchange Opportunities

Each of our students gains hands-on work experience with community partners to develop professional knowledge and skills during the academic year (part-time) or in the summer (full-time). They can select from opportunities with over 150 community partners, or create new opportunities of their own that are specific to their interests, in consultation with their advisors.  Many students also go on exchange in Year 2 or 3.

Career Prospects

We are proud that 100% of our first cohort of BASc(IS) graduates (2019-23) have secured employment before graduation. They are currently working in Commerce and Industry, Higher Education, and Community, Social and Personal Services. They have been especially sought out for their sharp intellect, research skills and well-rounded personability.