Master of Social Sciences in Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Cities
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Programme Overview
This programme aims to equip students with state-of-the-art knowledge and skills to commence a career associated with smart, resilient, and sustainable cities. It will do so by providing students with an interdisciplinary learning opportunity across natural, social, and data sciences. Students will learn how to address sustainability issues with skills in urban analytics, resilience modelling, and risk management. The programme will also benefit those who seek a thorough education in the theories and training practice of data analytics in sustainable urban development. The programme addresses the global imperative for sustainable development, ensuring that graduates are at the forefront of shaping the cities of the future.
Programme Objectives
The programme is designed to accomplish the following objectives:
- Provide students with a foundational understanding of the theories of urban systems, science and resilience, training in new technologies, and hands-on experience in sustainable development of cities.
- Offer students the opportunity to pursue personal interests, enhance analytical skills and domain-specific knowledge in the context of smart and resilient cities, and pursue further study for doctoral degree locally or internationally.
- Train the next generation of urban analysts, planners, and practitioners who are well grounded in urban resilience, skilled in urban data and analytics, and adept at urban and regional policy and management.
Programme Structure
The structure of the curriculum is as follows:
- Required Courses (12 units)
- Elective Courses (15 units)
- Total: 27 units
| Required Courses (12 units) | |
|---|---|
| Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Cities | 3 units |
| Geospatial Analytics, AI and Big Data for Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Cities | 3 units |
| Carbon Management for Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Cities | 3 units |
| Geopolitics in Smart, Resilient and Sustainable Cities | 3 units |
| Elective Courses (15 units) | |
|---|---|
| The Built Environment, Transport Choice and Wellbeing | 3 units |
| Urban Environmental Hazards and Health | 3 units |
| #Group Project | 6 units |
| #Professional Placement | 6 units |
| Urban and Regional Development of China | 3 units |
| Graduate Seminar on Geography of China | 3 units |
| *Resource and Environmental Management in China | 3 units |
| *Sustainable Energy and Technological Innovation in China | 3 units |
# Students may choose to complete a group project/professional placement or two additional elective courses.
* Joint courses with undergraduate students.
Programme Duration
The Programme is offered in the full-time mode to be completed in one academic year.
Medium of Instruction
English
Admission Requirements
Applicants should possess a bachelor’s degree in geography, urban planning/studies, data science, geographic information science, architecture, landscape planning, public policy, or related disciplines with a good grade average (a second-class honours degree, upper division, or an equivalent professional qualification) from a recognized university or comparable institution.
Applicants should also fulfil at least one of the following requirements: 1) Hold a bachelor's degree obtained from a recognized institution where English is the medium of instruction; or 2) Provide one of the following English test results to meet the English proficiency requirements: an overall band score of 6.5 in IELTS; a TOEFL score of 79 (internet-based test); or a score of 480 in CET-6. The test result provided must be within two years of the date of issuance of the Admission Offer letter.
Tuition Fee
HK$210,000
How to Apply
Application link: https://ar.hkbu.edu.hk/tpg-admissions/programmes/master-of-social-sciences-msocsc-in-smart-resilient-and-sustainable-cities
Application deadline: 4 June 2025 (non local), 24 July 2025 (local)