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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

The Capstone project is the centrepiece of the MCCC programme. You will work with other students to conduct a research project in a topic related to the field of media and culture. This valuable experience allows you to integrate and apply the theories and knowledge acquired from the programme, gain practical research skills and be able to analyse concrete social experiences and real-life cases. Our MCCC Speaker Series will help inspire your capstone project by giving you the opportunity to engage with industry professionals and scholars working at the forefront of the media, culture, and creativity. 

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

  • 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 will probably be required to 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.

Programme entrance requirements
Tuition fee / funding

For study commencing in academic year 2024/25, the programme tuition fee is HK$172,000. 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

Prof Travis SK Kong

General enquiries

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

Student experiences

The research methods module probably had the greatest impact… having an academic perspective and training on different methods was really useful.

— Jay, Alumnus of Media, Culture & Creative Cities

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
Courses
SOCI7005

Theories of media, culture and creative cities

1st semester

SOCI7006

Research methods in media, culture and creative cities

1st semester

SOCI7007

Globalization and cultural mosaic: An Asian perspective

2nd semester

SOCI7008

Critical issues of media, culture and creative cities

2nd semester

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.

Compulsory courses

Elective courses

SOCI8030

Capstone Project in Media, Culture and Creative Cities

Full-year course

Final year (compulsory)

SOCI8011

Media and crime

1st semester

SOCI8023

Media and popular culture in Asian cities

Unavailable this year

SOCI8024

Digital media, moralities and cultures

2nd semester

SOCI8025

Consumer cultures and everyday life

2nd semester

SOCI8026

Self-identity and late-modern society

Unavailable this year

SOCI8027

Body, intimacy and sexuality

1st semester

SOCI8028

Cultural policies and global cities

1st semester

SOCI8029

Creative industries and creative cities

2nd semester

SOCI8031

Special topics in media, culture and creative cities – Visual Criminology (Jointly taught with SOCI8008)

Unavailable this year

SOCI8033

Co-presence – Human-animal relationships in modern cities

2nd semester

  • Applications period: normally mid-December to February each year

  • Programme commencement date: early September following close of application period

Important dates
Apply

Click here for online application

Applications Deadline (2025/26):

Full Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 14, 2025

Part Time: 12:00 noon (GMT +8), February 14, 2025

All applications will be reviewed by our panel, and the shortlisted candidates will receive an update and/or invitation to interview within one month, after the application deadline.

Video highlights

You can see video highlight of "Celebrating 10 years of Master of Social Sciences in Media Culture & Creative Cities" event below.

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