Programme Features
The BASc(GHD) equips students with interdisciplinary knowledge and competencies essential for assuming leadership roles. These skills are critical in developing sustainable solutions for today’s rapidly-evolving global health and development challenges.
>>Read our programme prospectus to find out more<<
The Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Health and Development [BASc(GHD)] is a four-year undergraduate programme, with a particular focus on the interdisciplinary study in the context of global health and development. This programme is intended to nurture future leaders with a diverse set of knowledge, skills and competencies necessary for tackling some of the world’s most pressing challenges.
Broad in scope, our well-designed curriculum is delivered in partnership with Faculties across HKU, including Architecture, Business and Economics, Law, Science, and Social Sciences. This allows students to develop a core body of knowledge from a multidisciplinary and international perspective. Aside from building knowledge and academic credibility, the programme encourages the development of practical skills applicable in today’s highly competitive job market. This is why as part of the programme, students are required to gain practical work experience by undertaking a 6-month field placement supported by experts and mentors in global health and development organisations.
The BASc(GHD) encompasses:
- Basic to intermediate level courses across multiple Faculties (Architecture, Business and Economics, Law, Medicine, Science, Social Sciences)
- Advanced seminars
- Field placement in one of the global health and development organisations
- Mentorship on career choices and leadership
- BASc courses on leadership and big data analytics
Why was the BASc(GHD) created
Challenges ranging from combating chronic and infectious diseases; the development of better and more accessible health systems; the reduction of poverty and inequities; the consequences of societal and conflict-related displacement; to the existential planetary threats of climate change are on the agenda of modern health and development. To tackle such complexities in a rapidly evolving landscape, all of them not only require approaches taking the human health development of communities and countries as a whole into consideration, but also a combination of cross-disciplinary ideas. The BASc(GHD) was then created to better prepare the next generation of leaders to work on (and solve) such incredibly important challenges.
“We are right here to help you discover the ambition of this programme and stand by you in preparing your lifelong career. Welcome to the journey from Pokfulam to the world!”
Professor Pui Hong Chung
Assistant Dean (Health Sciences Admissions)
Clinical Associate Professor of Practice and BASc(GHD) Programme Director, School of Public Health
At the core of our programme is a 96-credit interdisciplinary major hosted by the LKS Faculty of Medicine in collaboration with the Faculties of Architecture; Business and Economics; Law; Science; and Social Sciences.
- Anchoring Courses
- A total of four anchoring courses must be completed, one in each year of study. Each adopts a case-based problem-solving approach to assist students to navigate the interconnection and interplay among various academic disciplines. These courses include:
- Foundations in Global Health and Development
- Globalisation and Health
- Leadership and Advocacy in Global Health and Development
- Global Health Policy
- A total of four anchoring courses must be completed, one in each year of study. Each adopts a case-based problem-solving approach to assist students to navigate the interconnection and interplay among various academic disciplines. These courses include:
- BASc Core Courses
- Three BASc Core Courses will be offered in Year 1 and Year 2 to cultivate students’ interdisciplinary mindset, nurture their leadership and advocacy talents, and hone their skills in the field of cutting-edge big data sciences. These courses include:
- Sustainable Leadership
- Approaching Interdisciplinarity: Knowledge Beyond Disciplines
- Data Science 101
- Three BASc Core Courses will be offered in Year 1 and Year 2 to cultivate students’ interdisciplinary mindset, nurture their leadership and advocacy talents, and hone their skills in the field of cutting-edge big data sciences. These courses include:
- Field Placement / Capstone
- The programme highlights a 6-month field placement. Students can gain exposure to real-life challenges as well as the mentorship opportunity from leading global health and development organisations such as UN agencies, Non-Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Contract Research Organisations (CROs), philanthropic foundations and more.In addition to offering expert guidance and professional training workshops, HKU provides scholarships to support students during their placements.
- Arts and Sciences
- Economics and Finance
- Globalisation
- Interpretation of Statistics
- Research Methods
- Global Development
- Economics of Development
- International Relations
- Politics and International Trade
- Population Growth and Development
- Global and National Issues
- Global Health Governance
- International Law
- Social and Cultural Priorities
- Major Global Trends
- Global Health
- Epidemiology
- Global Burden of Disease
- Health and Healthcare Systems
- Planetary Health
- Risk Prevention and Risk Reduction
- Principles of Public Health
Programme Structure
The BASc(GHD) encompasses:
- Basic to intermediate level courses across multiple Faculties (Architecture, Business and Economics, Law, Medicine, Science, Social Sciences)
- Advanced seminars
- Field placement in one of the global health and development organisations
- Mentorship on career choices and leadership
- BASc courses on leadership and big data analytics
“ The Capstone is more than the placement alone – it is designed to make students think critically about the work they are doing, and how it relates to global health and development challenges in a broader sense. Students are also pushed to improve their communication skills by providing timely oral updates and staging a presentation to their peers at the end of their placement. This year we have students working in organisations such as UNICEF, UNDP, IFRC, and a host of other NGOs in Asia Pacific, Central Africa, Central Europe, and North America. In addition to gaining valuable professional experiences, these students will take away rich memories of exploring new places and cultures. This is what the placement is all about! ”
Dr Andrew Thomas Park
BASc(GHD) Placement Coordinator Lecturer, School of Public Health
Admissions Information
For JUPAS Candidates
In addition to satisfying the University entrance requirements, candidates for admissions shall satisfy all of the following requirements in HKDSE:
* Candidates with level 4 in English Language, if admitted, will be required to take 6 additional credits in Core University English to complete their degree studies.
b) attain at least level 3 in two electives^
^ Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 (M1) / Module 2 (M2)) will be recognised as equivalent to a full elective subject.
Scoring Formula
The best 5 subjects of HKDSE$
$may include M1/M2 or Category C subject whichever is higher
Consideration of Other Factors
- Interview performance
- Student learning profile
Consideration of HKDSE Combined Results & Penalty for HKDSE Repeaters
- Best results in the recent three years
Interview
Before release of HKDSE results
- 16 & 17 June 2025
After release of HKDSE results
- 24 July 2025
For Non-JUPAS Candidates
University Entrance Requirements
Additional Requirements
- Preference for First Choice Applicants
Interview
- 9 December 2024
- 12 December 2024
- February 2025 (tbc)
- May 2025 (tbc)
- July 2025 (tbc)
Competitive Score for IB Diploma and GCE/International A-level Candidates^
IB: 33
GCE/International A-level: 2A*1A (excluding Chinese and English language subjects)
^ Competitive Score refers to the score which most successful candidates achieved over the past few years. Please note however that achieving the Competitive Score does not guarantee admission to the programme as admission decisions are based on a number of factors.
Field Placement and Career Prospects
Field Placement
As stated in our aims and objectives, the programme features a 6-month field placement, during which students can gain real-life exposure to tackle challenges as well as the mentorship opportunity from leading global health and development organisations such as UN agencies, Non- Governmental Organisations (NGOs), Contract Research Organisations (CROs), philanthropic foundations and more. In addition to offering expert guidance and professional training workshops, HKU provides scholarships to support students during their placements.
The past year has seen BASc(GHD) students undertake their placements in locations across the world, where they contributed to projects delving into the breadth and depth of today’s global health and development challenges. Through participation, our students got the chance to work on and compile global-level policy reports for international organisations; work at the interface of international and national policy formulation; explore the role of the private sector and the application of innovative technology in making impacts; and work with NGOs for direct connection with societal communities and for the betterment of the lives of people in need.
“After spending six months in New York and working as a fellow in UNICEF, I can say without a doubt that it has been an incredible journey. I had the opportunity to meet many interesting people and earn many unique experiences.
The whole journey really gave me insights into how these organisations have been running and making their contributions to global health, which in turn solidified my passion for global health and development, and my goals”
Jamie Wan
BASc(GHD) Graduate, Class of 2024
Field Placement at UNICEF (New York)
“The interdisciplinary knowledge gained through the BASc(GHD) programme, combined with valuable overseas global health experiences, has enabled me to cultivate a holistic perspective for addressing global health challenges. The practical skills I’ve acquired have equipped me to effectively carry out various tasks in my career, and have supported my aspiration to contribute to the field of medical humanitarian responses in the future.”
Dickson Tong
BASc(GHD) Graduate, Class of 2023
Project Officer, GX Foundation
“The Capstone is more than the placement alone – it is designed to make students think critically about the work they are doing, and how it relates to global health and development challenges in a broader sense. Students are also pushed to improve their communication skills by providing timely updates and a presentation to their peers at the end of their placement.
This year we have students working in organisations such as UNICEF, UNDP, IFRC, and a host of NGOs in Asia Pacific, Central Africa, Central Europe, and North America. In addition to gaining valuable professional experiences, these students will take away rich memories of exploring new places and cultures. This is what the placement is all about!”
Dr Andrew Thomas Park
BASc(GHD) Placement Coordinator
Lecturer, School of Public Health
Career Prospects
With a market-centric education foundation, interdisciplinary skills and practical experience, our students will be able to access a broad range of careers in sectors such as global health, development and economics, relevant industries, academia, local or international governments and non-governmental organisations. The competencies, perspectives, knowledge and skills being developed will enable students to take on technical, academic, strategic or leadership roles.