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College of Liberal Arts and Social Sciences

Master of Social Sciences in Cross Sectoral Leadership
(Taught in Chinese)

简中版本 繁中版本

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Application Deadline
Local: 13 June 2026
Non-local: 30 May 2026

Programme Aims and Objectives

The Master of Social Sciences in Cross Sectoral Leadership cultivates visionary leaders dedicated to advancing societal well-being, economic inclusivity, and technological innovation. By nurturing future leaders and socially minded entrepreneurs, this programme aims to elevate the socioeconomic status, cultural standards, and living environments, thereby creating a new and forward-looking community for the common good. This holistic approach ensures that graduates are equipped to make meaningful impacts across various sectors, driving progress towards a more inclusive, innovative, and prosperous society. The elective courses ensure that students can select the specialised topics related to public sector leadership, social entrepreneurship and culture innovation. The programme will enhance students’ expertise and deepen their domain-specific knowledge to meet societal demands and equip them with the specialised skills necessary for their future careers.

The curriculum of the Master of Social Sciences in Cross Sectoral Leadership is uniquely designed to incorporate contemporary leadership models with cross sectoral disciplines integrating public sector leadership, social entrepreneurship and cultural innovation. These areas are woven into the fabric of the required courses, ensuring that all students gain a robust foundation in the essential principles and practices applicable to each field.

The programme aims to equip learners with the skills, knowledge, and networks to address challenges and opportunities within the cultural, social, and public sectors, emphasizing holistic approaches, balanced leadership, and positive impact-driven leadership.

  1. Develop Leadership Skills: Equip students with essential leadership skills, including social business planning, market analysis, funding strategies, and leadership abilities, necessary for launching and managing successful ventures in diverse sectors.
  2. Enhance Practical Experience: Provide hands-on learning opportunities through internships, project-based learning, and collaboration with agencies and organisations in different sectors, enabling students to apply theoretical knowledge in practical settings.
  3. Promote Global Perspective: Encourage a global mindset by incorporating international case studies, cross-cultural communication skills, and opportunities for study abroad, preparing students to operate effectively in a globalised economy.
  4. Encourage Social Responsibility: Instill a sense of social responsibility and ethical decision-making, focusing on creating sustainable and socially impactful enterprises.
  5. Foster Interdisciplinary Innovation: To encourage students to explore and integrate knowledge across various sectors, such as technology adaptation, social enterprise, arts, and sustainability, promoting innovative solutions that transcend traditional industry boundaries.

Admission Requirements

Applicants must satisfy the following general entrance requirements:

  • hold a bachelor’s degree from one of the universities in Hong Kong or from an overseas institution recognised for this purpose by the University; or
  • hold such other qualifications as deemed acceptable by the University as equivalent to the above.
  • Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution where the medium of instruction is NOT English should also fulfil the following minimum English proficiency requirement:
    1. a score of 79 (Internet-based test) in the Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL)@#; or
    2. an overall band score of 6.0 in International English Language Testing System (IELTS)@##; or
    3. a score of 450 in College English Test-Band 6 (CET-6) in the Chinese mainland; or
    4. other equivalent qualifications.

@TOEFL and IELTS scores are considered valid for two years. Applicants are required to provide their English test results obtained within the two years preceding the start of the University's application period. 'TOEFL iBT Home Edition', ‘TOEFL MyBest Score’, ‘IELTS Indicator’, ‘IELTS One Skill Retake’ and ‘IELTS Online’ are not acceptable.

#Applicants are required to arrange with the Educational Testing Service (ETS) to send their TOEFL results directly to the University. The TOEFL institution code for CityUHK is 3401.

##Applicants are required to arrange for sending their IELTS result(s) via the IELTS Results Service e-delivery to the University. Please note that applicants with an overall band score of 6.0 will be required to pass an interview for English proficiency conducted by the concerned academic unit. Interviews for other applicants may not be required.

In addition to the University General Entrance Requirements, applicants are expected to meet the following specific Chinese language requirement:

  • Applicants who have graduated from Putonghua medium universities will be exempt from the Chinese language proficiency requirement.
  • Applicants whose educational background is not in a Putonghua-speaking environment—such as those from Central or Southern Asia—must submit proof of Chinese language proficiency or take a Chinese language proficiency test such as the Hanyu Shuiping Kaoshi (HSK) Exam to ensure they meet the required Chinese language proficiency level to study in the programme.

Remarks

The programme will be primarily conducted in Chinese (Putonghua), with selected courses delivered in English. Teaching materials and readings will be provided mainly in Chinese, supplemented by English resources where appropriate. Coursework, assignments, and projects will generally be completed in Chinese; however, submissions in English are also acceptable.

Programme Requirements

The total credit unit of the programme is 30.

Master of Social Sciences in Cross Sectoral Leadership Level Credit Units
1. Core Courses (21 credit units)
CLA5001 Cross Sectoral Leadership P5 3
CLA5002 Research Design and Methods P5 3
CLA5003 Innovative Finance for Global Leaders P5 3
CLA5004 Impact Management and Evaluation P5 3
CLA5005 Marketing for Social Impact P5 3
CLA5006 Technology for Social Transformation P5 3
CLA5007 Project Management and Capstone P5 3
2. Elective Courses (6 credit units) – pick 2 courses from different groups out of the below 3 groups
Group 1
CLA5008/
*COM5110/
*COM5402		 Public Sector Innovation/
Public Communication Campaign Management/
Public Relations Strategies		 P5 3
Group 2
CLA5009/
CAH5741		 Cultural Policy and Diplomacy/
Cultural Heritage Theories and Practices in China		 P5 3
Group 3
CLA5010 Social Entrepreneurship P5 3
3. Experiential Learning (3 credit units) – pick 1 course out of 2
CLA5011 Experiential Learning - Field Trip P5 3
CLA5012 Experiential Learning - Internship P5 3
Remarks:
  1. COM5110 and COM5402 will be taught in English.
  2. Whether elective courses from COM (Department of Media and Communication) and CAH (Department of Chinese and History) will be offered, and the quota available, depends on the decision of the respective departments.
  3. If a student chooses a field trip as an experiential learning course, he or she will be responsible for covering the cost of the field trip.
  4. If a student chooses an internship as an experiential learning course, internship-related expenses will be borne by student.

The curriculum of the Master of Social Sciences in Cross Sectoral Leadership programme is thoughtfully crafted to integrate research elements that enhance the academic experience for all students. The programme aims to instill a culture of research-driven inquiry and critical thinking among learners.

The research elements of the programme are embedded in 3 core courses:

  • CLA5002 - Research Design and Methods
  • CLA5003 - Innovative Finance for Global Leaders
  • CLA5004 - Impact Management and Evaluation