Department of Policy and International Study, CityU
The Department of Public and International Affairs  The Department of Public and International Affairs

Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability and Development Studies*
社會科學碩士(可持續及發展研究)*

*revised programme title (applicable to students admitted in 2024/25 and thereafter)

About the Programme

The Master of Social Sciences in Sustainability and Development Studies (MSSSDS) is housed in the Department of Public and International Affairs. This programme aims to prepare students for a broad range of careers in development, sustainability, and public policy – including the rapid emergence of industry and research jobs that require integrated knowledge about all three; equip students with the broad-based knowledge and specific skills to integrate aspects of development, sustainability, and public policy into their existing career trajectories; cultivate students as citizen-thinkers with a thorough understanding about pressing global and local issues in development and sustainability that impact not only their careers but also society more broadly. 

What will you gain from the Programme

Students will acquire the ability:

  • To undertake the analysis of current sustainability and development issues
  • To investigate practical problems using a comparative methodology
  • To plan, manage and monitor sustainability and development projects
  • To communicate and collaborate with partners from other countries
  • To apply acquired knowledge and skills in a variety of work settings

Special benefits of undertaking the programme

Featuring an innovative curriculum designed by leading scholars and practitioners, MSSSDS allows students to:

  • Critically engage major theories and debates in sustainability and development studies
  • Explore the political economy of Asia in a comparative perspective
  • Gain practical training amenable to a variety of career paths
  • Gain hands-on training in policy advocacy and analysis
  • Examine social and political foundations of sustainability and development in Asia
MSSSDS provides students with an opportunity to gain skills and knowledge relevant to working in non-governmental organisations, government, international organisations, business and journalism.

Career Prospects

  • Government / Public Affairs
  • Non-governmental Organizations (NGOs)
  • International Organisations
  • Business
  • Education
  • Journalism / Mass Media
  • Public Relations

Programme Structure

(applicable to students admitted in 2024/25 and thereafter)

Core Courses (12 credit units):

  • PIA5001 Theories and Approaches in Development Studies
  • PIA5058 Sustainability Infrastructures and Measurements
  • PIA6502 Sustainable Development: Theories and Policy
  • PIA6021 Master's Thesis or PIA6019/6020 Capstone Project
The programme has two study streams: Development Challenges Stream and Sustainability Strategies and Policy Stream. Each stream has 15 credits units core courses.

Development Challenges Stream Core Courses^ (15 credit units):

  • PIA5032 Authoritarian Resilience and Democratic Change in East Asia
  • PIA5038 Environmental Challenges in Asia and the World
  • PIA5048 China and Developing World
  • PIA5300 Politics and Social Movements in Developing Asia
  • PIA5312 Comparative Development in Asia
  • PIA5336 Cutting-edge Cases in Development Under late Capitalism

Sustainability Strategies and Policy Stream Core Courses^ (15 credit units):

  • PIA5057 Collaborative Governance for Sustainability
  • PIA5059 Food Governance and Sustainability
  • PIA5100 Managing Sustainable Development
  • PIA5339 Labour, Sustainability, and Development
  • PIA6501 Urban Development and Sustainable Cities
  • PIA6505 Financing Sustainability: Policy and Mechanism
^ The Department will decide which FIVE stream core courses will be offered for eash of study stream at the beginning of each academic year.

Electives* (3 credit units):

  • PIA5003 Project Planning and Management for Development
  • PIA5026 Research Design for the Social Sciences
  • PIA5051 Women and Politics in Asia
  • PIA5510 Understanding and Managing Smart Cities
  • PIA5711 Environemntal Governance in China
  • PIA6202 Evidence-based Policy and Practice
  • CA5240 Urban Design and Regional Planning History, Theory and Practice
  • CA5249 Energy Management for Building Sustainability
  • CA5250 Renewable Energy for a Sustainable Building Performance
  • CA5251 Sustainable Building Development
* Any ONE of the above courses or any ONE stream core course of the study stream that the student does not specialze in. 

30 credits required for graduation.

Normal Study Period

1 Year Full-time / 2 Years Part-time


2023 cohort students


Rules on Academic Honesty 

Information for Current Students (sign in required)

Programme Leader: Professor Kris HARTLEY
Enquiries: MSS.DS@cityu.edu.hk