In 2005 the US National Intelligence Council released a landmark report entitled Mapping the Global Future, in which it stated that ‘In the same way that commentators refer to the 1900s as the “American Century,” the 21st century may be seen as the time when Asia …comes into its own.’ It is essential, therefore, to equip students with the necessary skill sets to not only understand the dynamics of this rise but also the implications of it on their daily lives, the functionality of their societies and economies, the performance of their states and governments. Without such an understanding students will be passive receptors of change and remain ill-equipped to maximise their potential in an ever-globalising workplace.

This programme is designed to provide students with a deeper understanding of regional and international affairs. This knowledge will not only help to upgrade their professional abilities but will also ensure that they are equipped with the necessary tools to understand the global and regional forces that shape our world. It will provide advanced training for students seeking to upgrade their analytical capacity, research and data collection skills as well as their communication and presentation capacities. 

This programme is designed for:

Graduates from disciplines of relevance to Asian and International Studies, including: 

Asian Studies/International Studies/Communications/Law/Economics/Public and Social Administration/Geography/Political Science/History/Sociology

As well as professionals working in Asian or International Studies-related fields, including from:  

Corporations/International Organizations/the Diplomatic core/Mass Media/Government agencies/Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)

To be eligible for admission, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements and

• have a Bachelor's degree in a relevant discipline from a recognized tertiary institution or an equivalent qualification.
• One or more years of working experience in a related field would be an advantage.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is not English should also fulfill the following minimum English proficiency requirement:

• TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 79 (internet-based test); or
• Overall band score of 6.5 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS); or
• Score 450 in the new College English Test (CET-6) of Chinese mainland or a pass in the old CET-6 test; or
• Other equivalent qualifications

There are four core courses:

• International Political Economy
• Theory in International Studies
• Security Studies
• International Relations of Northeast Asia

Plus up to four electives from the following:

• Special Topics in Development Studies
• Research Design for the Social Sciences
• Authoritarian Resilience and Democratic Change in East Asia
• East Asia and the US: Conflict and Interdependence
• Environmental Challenges in Asia and the World
• Human Rights in Asia
• BRIC Countries and the Emerging Global Order
• Special Topics in Asian and International Studies
• Fieldwork Studies
• Religion and Development
• International Organisations
• Women and Politics in Asia
• History of Sino-Japanese Relations
• Power and Culture in Buddhist Southeast Asia
• Development Policy and Advocacy
• Gender and Development
• Welfare Regimes and Social Protection in Asia
• Disaster Management, Development and Regional Governance in Asia
• Indonesia: Politics and Society
• Labour and Development
• Infrastructure Development in China
• AIS Postgraduate Internship
• Thesis (6 credit units)

Students will acquire the ability:

1. independently identify the forces shaping the interplay of Asian and international policies and programmes;
2. generate innovative hypotheses to explain similarities, differences, patterns, and relationships across a range of critical issues;
3. conduct theory-based analyses of regional and international issues across the fields of political economy, political science, security studies and international relations;
4. perform methodologically sound empirical research aiming to produce novel findings and develop new insights into contemporary issues and problems relevant to Asian and international studies;
5. investigate governance challenges facing international organizations, governments, markets and civil societies, applying critical thinking skills to formulate creative solutions.

The Programme, commencing in 2010, is the first and the ONLY one of its kind in Hong Kong that develops expertise on issues of Asian and International Studies. This is an essential skill for anyone who wants to understand the future and forge an international, successful career.

The Department of Asian and International Studies is the only academic department dedicated to the study of this subject in Hong Kong.

You will be taught by a group of Asian and International scholars who have research and teaching expertise as well as in-country professional experience, providing you with unparalleled access to the latest knowledge and research.

Course Descriptions
Department of Asian and International Studies
College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences