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Urban Studies, BA

The University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong

The University of Hong Kong

Study options for this course

The award How you will study Study duration Course start Domestic course fees International course fees
BAFull-time4 yearsfind outHKD 42100 per yearHKD 171000 per year

About Urban Studies, BA - at The University of Hong Kong

Programme Aims and Features

The Bachelor of Arts in Urban Studies BA(US) programme is offered by the Department of Urban Planning and Design (DUPAD), which has more than 35 years of experience in postgraduate training in urban studies and planning; it was established as the Centre of Urban Studies and Urban Planning (CUSUP) in 1981 and restructured to the present department in 2008. Its MSc (Urban Planning) programme is the only professional-education programme recognised by the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and the Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI).

BA(US) is multidisciplinary and studio-based with emphasis on design, multimedia communication skills and problem-based learning projects, equipping students to become professionals in the built environment who can approach any problem from multiple perspectives. It enables students to understand and face the challenges associated with cities and urban development in Hong Kong, China and the rest of the world. Graduates can become Planning and Development Surveyors of the Hong Kong Institute of Surveyors (HKIS) (http://www.hkis.org.hk/pdd/en) and the Royal Institution of Chartered Surveyors (RICS) (http://www.rics.org).

The programme also enables students to acquire broad knowledge of issues and methods in urban studies, including urban planning and design, urban policy and management, land development, real-estate economics, sustainability, community development, public participation, urban renewal, conservation and place making. In the final year, students undertake an independent research project on contemporary urban issues. As the field has international scope, study abroad is encouraged, and there is professional training through internships.

Professional Recognition

Graduates from this programme can become professional chartered planning and development surveyors of the HKIS and RICS respectively. They can also become professional urban planners if they continue with the Master of Science in Urban Planning of HKU, the only programme in Hong Kong recognised by the Hong Kong Institute of Planners (HKIP) and Royal Town Planning Institute (RTPI). They are also eligible for professional postgraduate programmes in architecture, urban design, conservation, landscape architecture, real estate, transport policy and planning, and housing management at the University of Hong Kong, which lead to the relevant professional qualifications while also providing an interdisciplinary educational foundation for success in any field.

Notes about fees for this course

You (or your parents) only need to pay a fraction of the cost of education in Hong Kong, even though our educational standards are at an international level. We value what you bring to HKU, in terms of your background and culture, and our fees are set at a level that students everywhere can afford, as long as your academic results are good enough!

Entry requirements

If you take the International Baccalaureate Diploma, GCE A-level/International A-Level, SAT/AP or All India Senior School Certificate Examination and Indian School Certificate, please take note of the standards as below:

  • International Baccalaureate Diploma - 31, candidates should have completed the full IB Diploma, including CAS, TOK, and the Extended Essay.
  • GCE A-Level/International A-Level - 2A's and 1B, candidates should present at minimum of 3 A-level subjects, excluding English and Chinese language.
  • SAT Reasoning Test/ACT plus Writing and SAT Subject Test/Advanced Placement Test - Redesigned SAT: 1350, SAT Subject Tests: 550 in each of the 3 subjects, AP Exams: Level 3 in each of the 3 subjects
  • All India Senior School Certificate Examination and Indian School Certificate - 90%, Candidates should present a minimum of 5 subjects in the Grade 12 Indian Board examinations.

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