Programme Overview
In today’s globalised world, studying the experiences of different societies is critical to understand the social issues that many of us face. The MSocSci in Comparative Social Policy (International) (IMCSP) programme meets the demand for individuals with relevant comparative knowledge in government, think tanks, NGOs, social enterprises, and the broader public at large. It is the only taught Master programme in Hong Kong, making international comparisons the focal point of studying social policy, development and governance.
Comparative Focus – Understanding Social Policy Across Societies
Learn to analyse how different societies address shared challenges from ageing populations and housing affordability to healthcare reform and labour market transformation.
You will explore social policy across core domains:
- Ageing and social security
- Children and family support
- Health and well-being
- Housing and urban governance
- Employment and lifelong learning
- Environmental change and climate adaptation
Through structured comparison, you will learn not only what works, but why policies succeed or fail across different political and cultural systems. IMCSP offers two concentrations — Social Innovation and Social Research — allowing students to tailor their studies to their career goals: lead social change and design innovative solutions, or develop advanced research expertise for policy analysis and doctoral study.
Learn where policy happens.
IMCSP takes you beyond the classroom through structured engagement with:
- Government bureaux and policy units
- Legislative Council sessions
- NGOs and social enterprises
- Policy institutes in Hong Kong and the Greater Bay Area
You will participate in:
- International Social Policy Symposium (SOC604) – dialogue with leading global scholars
- Dialogue With GBA Practitioners (SOC603) – comparative governance in the Greater Bay Area
IMCSP graduates pursue careers in government, NGOs, social enterprises, think tanks, financial services, insurance, and education across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and internationally.
You will benefit from:
- Personalised career coaching
- CV and application workshops
- Alumni networking events
- Targeted guidance for civil service or NGO recruitment
- Structured support for MPhil/PhD applications
- Work placements in ongoing research projects
Whether you aim for public service, social sector leadership, or doctoral study, we provide tailored guidance to help you achieve your goals.