Discover the Largest Faculty Dedicated to Humanities Research and Education in Hong Kong

Established in 1980, the department offers the only undergraduate programmes in anthropology and archaeology in Hong Kong and has grown into an internationally recognized centre for the study of culture and society in Hong Kong, mainland China, and Asia.

As the oldest academic unit at CUHK, the department offers a diverse range of programmes. The department sets a foothold in Asia with a global vision, while also aiming to synthesise tradition with modernity.

The department comprises three units: Cultural Studies, Religious Studies and Theology. It is committed to cultivating world-class research on culture and religions, and advancing interdisciplinary humanities pedagogy, while cultivating students’ critical and creative thinking.

The department engages the diverse uses of the global language, from digital media to second language acquisition, Shakespeare to crime fiction. Teaching and research address the language’s worldwide reach, its regional vitality and its creative transformation in Hong Kong.

Placing dual emphases on studio art and art history, the department explores contemporary art while promoting traditional Chinese art and culture. As the first tertiary institute to offer visual arts education in Hong Kong, it has trained generations of local artists, art historians and art professionals.

For over 50 years, the department has nurtured talent in the historical profession and served as a world-leading centre of historical scholarship. Its wide range of research and teaching specialities ensures its continuation as a vibrant hub for advancing our understanding of the past.

Previously known as the Japanese Studies Section, the department was established in 1967 offering minor and elective courses. Since 1991, it has developed into a comprehensive programme providing undergraduate and postgraduate training in Japanese studies and language.

The department was established in 2004 to address Hong Kong’s need for graduates with intellectual calibre as well as bilingual or multilingual competency.

The department has provided practical and academic training in both Chinese and Western music for more than 50 years. Apart from a BA in Music, it also offers MA, MMus, DMus, MPhil, and PhD programmes.

The department offers a diverse, balanced curriculum incorporating Eastern and Western philosophical traditions that meets international standards while maintaining national and regional relevance.

Established in 1972, the department was the first of its kind in Asia. The Department offers BA, MA, MPhil, and PhD programmes covering the history, theory, and practice of translation between Chinese and English.

The centre provides students with the opportunity to explore China from an interdisciplinary perspective. It is committed to advancing scholarship and education in all areas of China Studies and the Chinese language, with the aim of cultivating the next generation of specialists in the field.  

The unit is tasked with enhancing students’ English language proficiency primarily through a core 9-credit curriculum that comprises academic, discipline-specific, and professional English instruction. This is also complemented by university-wide literacy enhancement projects and student-centred events.