The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong (HSUHK)

Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Philosophy, Politics and Economics

Philosophy, Politics and Economics (PPE) originated from the University of Oxford in the 1920s. Since then, over 100 PPE programmes have been developed at leading universities in the US, the UK and beyond.

HSUHK is the first and only university offering a PPE Programme in Hong Kong. Compared to other programmes that concentrate solely on Philosophy, Politics or Economics, BSS-PPE serves as a unique interdisciplinary study programme that emphasises generalist training and aims to equip students with capacities and skills that are applicable in a variety of careers. As much as encouraging students’ intellectual development with the study of major social, political and philosophical thoughts, PPE is way more than a summation of 3 independent disciplines.

BSocSc-PPE adopts a “Bridge Model” that emphasises the interconnection among philosophy, politics and economics. While training in philosophy nurtures students with critical and analytical reasoning and a humanistic concern about social and economic problems, training in politics and economics provides them with an important conceptual and up-to-date awareness that helps them understand and evaluate what happens around the world. Based on these foundational concepts and knowledge, students will acquire comprehensive and flexible visions by taking a number of interdisciplinary modules that address how a public problem can be understood, analysed and solved from these three perspectives. We believe that the bridge model can equip students with open-mindedness and a comprehensive vision for better coping with the ever-changing 21st century.

Programme Objectives

• Encourage students to think independently and creatively, and to become autonomous learners for life-long learning;
• Cultivate students’ interpersonal and communication skills in preparation for them to take up leading roles in their careers;
• Instil in students a strong sense of social responsibility and high commitment to be upright citizens;
• Provide students with a solid foundation of the theoretical and practical knowledge required in the areas of Philosophy, Politics and Economics;
• Enhance students’ awareness of the multifaceted nature of contemporary public affairs and policies;
• Nurture students’ analytical skills through exploring and evaluating the cause, transformation, and significance of contemporary public affairs;
• Hone students’ problem-solving skills to devise innovative solutions in intellectual and professional contexts.