Lingnan University

Doctor of Policy Studies

Experiential Learning

The Doctor of Policy Studies programme has flexible delivery modes and strong experiential learning elements including field visits, and academic workshops and seminars. The field visits (including overseas tours) are to ensure that students understand the current mindsets and practices regarding policy studies in other countries and can conduct their research from an international perspective, without simply relying on textbooks, journals, and other publications.

International Outlook

The Doctor of Policy Studies programme offers students a truly comparative and international perspective in understanding the rapid social, economic and political changes in the context of policymaking. It is delivered by a team of local, regional and international scholars who engage with students in critical analysis of policy responses to the many global challenges.

To assure its international competitiveness and extensive exposure of students to practices elsewhere, the programme is delivered with support from these leading international institutions:

• University College London Institute of Education’s Centre for Global Higher Education (CGHE) (UK)
• Hertford College, University of Oxford (UK)
• Faculty of Humanities and Social Sciences, University of Bath (UK)
• Department of Social Policy and Social Work, University of York (UK)
• Graduate School of Education, National Chung Cheng University (Taiwan)
• Department of International Development, King’s College London (UK)
• Research Institute for Higher Education, Hiroshima University (Japan)
• Graduate School of Education, Peking University (China)

Students can expect to visit some of these partner institutions in the UK, notably the University of Bath and University of Oxford.

Interdisciplinary Approach

The programme offers students a wide range of sector-specific policy expertise including education, health, housing, labor and social welfare, children/youth studies and sociology and social policy. It also provides an excellent learning platform to engage students in reflecting on current research and practices in the various policy areas with the support of Lingnan’s numerous partners.

The programme team works closely with the Asia Pacific Institute of Ageing Studies, the Centre for Social Policy and Social Change, the Asia Pacific Higher Education Research Partnership, and the Department of Sociology and Social Policy to provide a high-quality and comprehensive learning experience.

Unique Features

• The only professional doctorate in policy studies in Greater China
• Comparative perspectives in policy studies with a wide range of sector-specific expertise
• Excellent teaching team with internationally renowned scholars and policy leaders
• Flexible and interactive delivery modes including experiential learning elements such as field visits, academic workshops, and seminars
• Provides opportunities for student exchange at University of Bath and a summer programme at University of Oxford

Duration of Study

The DPS Programme is offered in both full-time and part-time modes.

Full-time mode:

• Minimum period: 36 months
• Maximum period: 60 months

Part-time mode:

• Minimum period: 48 months
• Maximum period: 72 months

Programme Structure

Must satisfactorily complete 5 Core Courses, 4 Experiential Learning Courses, 1 Elective Course, and Policy Studies Project (Individual project).

1. Core Courses

• Globalisation, Changing Governance and Policy Analysis
• Research Methods in Policy Studies
• Professional Writing Workshop
• Guided Study in Policy Issues
• Policy Dissemination and Strategic Communication

2. Experiential Learning Courses

• Dialogue with Policy Practitioners: Theory and Practice
• Seminar on Social Policy and Social Change
• Asia Pacific Comparative Development and Policy Symposium
• Engaging the Media and Public Communications

3. Elective Course

• Internationalising Higher Education: Institutional Strategy and Development
• Branding and Marketing of Higher Education
• Internationalisation and Quality Management in Higher Education
• Managing Talents and Finance in Higher Education
• Creating an Effective Student Learning Environment
• Social Policy Analysis: Comparative Perspectives
• Comparative Social Policy in Greater China and East Asia
• Understanding Social Indicators and Social Policies
• Regional Policy Study and Visit in Greater China and East Asia

The programme is particularly suitable for professionals with experience in public administration, education sector, non-governmental organizations, and think tanks. “They will gain specialized knowledge plus analytical skills from the comparative and international perspective,” Professor Maggie Lau, Programme Director says. “Graduates will be able to successfully transfer and apply overseas policies and practices in Hong Kong, tackle critical social problems by analyzing and setting the right policies for the city.”

The Programme provides a flexible articulation pathway for graduates of our master’s degree programmes, including the Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Social Policy or the MA in International Higher Education and Management, Lau says.