Frequently Asked Questions
Note: The information provided below is for reference only and may be subject to change without prior notice.
Q: How and when should I select courses?
A: You should select courses via Student Information System (SIS) during the course selection period before the academic year begins. Course modifications can be made during the add/drop period, usually within the first two weeks of classes each semester.
Q: Why does the course status showing “closed” during the add/drop period?
A: A “closed” status indicates that the course has been full. You may continue to attempt enrollment during the add/drop period, as students may change their course selection. If a currently enrolled student dropped a course, available spots will be re-opened.
Q: How will I know if my course registration is approved or disapproved?
A: Course enrollment is managed through an automatic ballot system, and the system will notify you of the enrollment result. Course teachers are asked NOT to approve individual course selection manually.
Q: Where can I find information about courses offered by the Department of Sociology?
A: Please visit our website https://sociology.hku.hk/courses for information about available courses.
Q: Will the Department offer the same course every academic year?
A: The courses available each semester may vary, and NOT all the courses listed on the syllabuses will be offered annually. Availability depends on departmental scheduling and curriculum planning.
Q: How can I study in Bachelor of Social Sciences (BSocSc) for Sociology / Criminology / Media and Cultural Studies?
A: All undergraduate admissions programme are centrally organized by the HKU Admissions Office https://admissions.hku.hk/contact-us, please contact them directly for application procedures and inquiries.
Q: Are there any pre-requisite course requirements for capstone project courses?
A: There are no specific pre-requisites required. However, as these are final-year courses, students are expected to have completed most of the required compulsory / core courses of the programmes.
Q: If I am double majoring in Sociology and Media and Cultural Studies or Sociology and Criminology, how should I arrange my capstone projects?
A: Students who are doing double majors in the Department are allowed to do both capstone projects courses either in the same semester or across different semesters (i.e. to do one capstone project in semester 1 and another capstone project in semester 2)
Q: Can I take the capstone project course in semester 2?
A: The Capstone project courses are primarily offered in the semester one. In exceptional circumstances, students may apply to the Department for special approval to undertake the course in semester 2. Please note that taking capstone in semester 2 may be challenging due to limited class sizes and supervision availability. If you have strong justification and wish to pursue this option, you should submit your request along with supporting documents to socicaps@hku.hk for consideration of special arrangement.
Q: Where can I find the information about Global Citizenship (GC) and credit transfer?
A: Please visit the Faculty’s SIGC website https://www.socsc.hku.hk/sigc/ and Credit Transfer Database https://www.socsc.hku.hk/sigc/credit-transfer-database/ for more information and guidance.
Q: Can I seek pre-approval of credit transfer?
A: Yes. Please send an email with the detailed course information such as course description, assessment method, reading list, etc. to sociug@hku.hk. Please note this is a preliminary assessment of the course only, and you should contact your home Faculty Office to formally apply for credit transfer.
Q: How do I confirm if I have fulfilled all the requirements of a major/ minor?
A: You must follow the regulations and syllabuses corresponding to your year of admission: https://web.socsc.hku.hk/bachelors-regulations-and-syllabuses/ to ensure all requirements are met.
Q: If I am double majoring in Sociology and Media and Cultural Studies, or Sociology and Criminology, can I fulfil introductory disciplinary requirement of the two majors by taking only one disciplinary course?
A: No. Courses cannot be double counted towards multiple majors/minors, students should complete the required courses for each major/minor separately.