Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies

Overview

HKUST’s pioneering Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies (AIS) exemplifies the University’s well-established tradition for innovative teaching, learning, and research. Since AIS' establishment in 2008 (previously named Interdisciplinary Programs Office), our dynamic academic units have provided unique education and research programs for students who are keen to make full use of the holistic learning and self-development opportunities that AIS provides.

To tackle the challenging and multi-faceted issues of today’s world—be it climate change, optimizing the big data revolution, or effective management of technology—it is necessary to fuse knowledge and know-how from different fields to bring multiple perspectives to the task of changing the world for the better.

We strive to tailor our programs to the newly emerging needs of society and of the students we educate. We co-operate closely with corporate partners to offer students projects and professional training with instructors and mentors from industry. Our goal is to provide a nurturing learning environment in which undergraduates and postgraduates can discover their true passion and interests through an education that connects them to the wider world.

We currently offer five cutting-edge interdisciplinary undergraduate programs:

Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management (T&M-DDP)
Environmental Management and Technology Program (EVMT)
Individualized Interdisciplinary Major Program (IIM)
Integrative Systems and Design Program (ISD)
Sustainable and Green Finance (SGFN) (Jointly offered by the Division of Environment and Sustainability and School of Business and Management)

These programs bring together two or more different academic disciplines and offer a brand-new type of educational experience, characterized by

1) Multicultural cohorts with small class sizes of 2–40 students per cohort per program, which allows close and supportive relationships to develop between students, professors and staff

2) Ambitious curricula across different schools

3) Wide-ranging personal and professional enrichment activities and an exclusive team of professional advisors who provide counseling and career advice to students.

At AIS, we learn, we experience, and we lead without boundaries.

Facts

First in Hong Kong

To establish an interdisciplinary academic unit at a local university

First in Hong Kong

To create an undergraduate dual degree program integrating technology and business knowledge
(Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management)

First in Hong Kong

To start an undergraduate program nurturing future leaders to embed and advance sustainability
(BSc in Environmental Management and Technology)

First in Hong Kong

To create an experiential learning degree program educating technologists and innovators
(BSc in Integrative Systems and Design)

First in Greater China

To offer an undergraduate program allowing students to create their own major and curricula
(BSc in Individualized Interdisciplinary Major)

Career Prospects

We understand that a student’s development is about more than academic knowledge. An understanding of personal motivations and goals, professional know-how, and business experience all help students plan for their future and adapt well to the working environment. AIS provides a wide range of career workshops and one-on-one individual advice to students to help them map out their own career paths.

AIS graduates with interdisciplinary knowledge and skills work in professional fields including engineering, banking and finance, consultancy, NGOs, and many more. For detailed employment statistics, please refer to the websites of AIS Programs.

Admissions and Programs

Students interested in BEng/BSc & BBA Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management, BSc in Environmental Management and Technology or BSc in Integrative Systems and Design, may apply to the programs directly. Students who would like more time to explore their interests can first apply for admissions to the School of Science, School of Engineering, School of Business and Management or School of Humanities and Social Science, and then apply to enroll in one of the AIS majors in the Spring Term of the first year of study.

If you are interested in the BSc in Individualized Interdisciplinary Major, all HKUST students are eligible to submit the applications during the first year of study. You will be able to explore more after getting in HKUST.

Programs Offered by Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies Jointly offered by School of Business and Management and the Division of Environment and Sustainability

Programs Offered by Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies

BEng/BSc & BBA Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management

BSc in Environmental Management and Technology

BSc in Individualized Interdisciplinary Major

BSc in Integrative Systems and Design

Jointly offered by School of Business and Management and the Division of Environment and Sustainability

BSc in Sustainable and Green Finance