Programme Overview
The Master of Social Sciences in Sociology and Data Analytics (MSoDA), is hosted by the Department of Sociology and Social Policy (SOCSP) at Lingnan University. Rooted in the University’s liberal arts mission and its strategic vision to integrate interdisciplinary training with real-world relevance, the MSoDA responds to a growing demand for graduates who can combine sociological insight with advanced data analytical skills.
The programme is designed to equip students with the theoretical grounding and methodological expertise necessary to analyse complex social phenomena using both traditional sociological tools and cutting-edge computational techniques. In doing so, it bridges a significant gap between academic training in the social sciences and the data literacy increasingly required in government, policy institutions, NGOs, and the private sector across Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the Asia-Pacific region. The MSoDA builds on the Department’s established strengths in social policy, cultural sociology, and inequality studies, as well as its growing engagement with computational social science. It also strategically complements existing programmes such as the Master of Social Sciences in Comparative Social Policy (International) (IMCSP), with which it shares several courses and resources, while offering a distinct curriculum focused on applied sociology and data-driven research.
Structured as a one-year, full-time programme, the MSoDA combines a core curriculum in sociology and statistics with cutting-edge computational methods, such as machine learning and social network analysis. Students will gain hands-on experience working with real-world data and producing research outputs tailored to academic, policy, or professional audiences. Through its innovative structure and interdisciplinary orientation, the MSoDA aims to prepare graduates for leadership in a data-rich world where sociological thinking is increasingly vital.
