Media, Culture & Creative Cities

Master of Social Sciences in Media, Culture & Creative Cities

Our Master of Social Sciences programme in Media, Culture & Creative Cities [MSocSc(MCCC)] provides an innovative sociologically-grounded approach to understanding the central role of media, culture and creativity in a world city context. Our programme provides academic and professional training for students and practitioners in the fields of media, culture and creative industries, and a foundation for advanced research degree studies in these areas.

Our programme is particularly ideal if you:

  • Intend to start, or already have, a career in media and culture related fields
  • Work in business, government and other non-cultural fields but want to increase your conceptual understanding of, and skills in, media and cultural studies
  • Are a graduate from related disciplines of sociology, anthropology, journalism, urban studies, or media and cultural studies wishing to pursue further research

In this programme, we aim to provide you with:

  • Theoretical knowledge for understanding how media, culture, and creative cities function in today’s global society
  • Skills to allow you to conduct original and rigorous research on media, culture, and creative cities
  • Exposure, connections, and career prospects in related fields
  • The ability to analyse, and contribute to, related policy discussions in order to have an impact upon government, industry, and civil society

Capstone project is the centrepiece of the MCCC programme. You will conduct a research project in collaboration with a leading company/organisation in the field of media and culture. This is a valuable experience where you can integrate and apply the theories and knowledge acquired through the programme in a real-life context, as well as acquire practical skills and connections in the field.

Further information on this programme is available from our Facebook page.

Mode of attendance

  • Full Time (one year, with classes on evenings and occasionally weekends)
  • Part Time (two years, with classes on evenings and occasionally weekends)

Medium of instruction

English

Programme entrance requirements

  • Candidates should hold a Bachelor’s degree, or another qualification of equivalent standard; and preferably have relevant working experiences in the media and cultural sector.
  • Candidates must pass a written test and a face-to-face interview, and if necessary a language test will be scheduled to assess their English proficiency.
  • You may need to satisfy visa restrictions (for non-local applicants) and English language requirements.

Tuition fee / funding

For study commencing in academic year 2024/25, the programme tuition fee is HK$172,000 (subject to approval). Payments are split into two instalments over one year (full-time study), or four instalments over two years (part-time study).


This programme is also eligible for the UGC Targeted Taught Postgraduate Programmes Fellowships Scheme, with 5 places to be awarded for academically outstanding local students for study commencing in 2024/25 (both full-time and part-time study mode). Successful awardees will be required to pay a tuition fee of HK$52,000, with the remainder covered by the fellowship. Applicants wishing to be considered for these fellowships should first submit their application for admission to the programme as normal, after which they should submit a separate application for Fellowship via the dedicated form.

Programme director

Dr Travis SK Kong

General enquiries

Tel: +852 3917 2309
Email: socimccc@hku.hk

Student experiences

This program provided me with a comprehensive foundation on explicating insights from theoretical debates, which I could apply to my learning.

— LT, Alumnus of Media, Culture & Creative Cities

This programme has a diverse and helpful faculty. Love all the interesting speakers who come to give talks. Great for networking too!

— Nora, Alumna of Media, Culture & Creative Cities

Courses

Compulsory courses

Elective courses

Final year (compulsory)

You are typically required to complete 10 courses in total to fulfill the programme requirements:

Full-time study: Four compulsory courses, four elective courses and the capstone project (equivalent to two courses).

Part-time study:

  • Year 1: Four compulsory courses
  • Year 2: Four elective courses and the capstone project (equivalent to two courses).

Courses offered vary each year based on availability of teachers and student demand. Please see the MSocSc regulations and syllabus for definitive course options and requirements.

Important dates

  • Applications period: normally mid-December to February each year
  • Programme commencement date: early September following close of application period

Apply

Click here for online application

Application Deadline

Full Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 14, 2024

Part Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 14, 2024

Video highlights

You can see video highlights of information talk held in 2020 below.