4 Asian universities to unlock your full potential in social science

At a time where rapid developments in technology, a pandemic, and the climate crisis are dramatically evolving the way we live, the social sciences have never been more important or necessary. 

According to Insider Intelligence, Southeast Asia has become the world’s second-fastest-growing region of internet users, with a projected growth rate of 3.1% in 2022. TeleGeography shows that every region in the world experienced massive growth in internet traffic during 2019-20 due to the Covid-19 pandemic. The 2022 Global Report on Internal Displacement reported 5.9 million people in 84 countries and territories are displaced due to disasters in 2021 and in previous years. 

Thankfully, most universities around the globe are adapting their curriculum to give students a deeper understanding of human interaction — so that they may be ready to provide solutions to some of the most pressing issues of our time. In Asia, four dynamic institutions are ramping up their knowledge of complex human physiology and emotions to cultivate a generation of students able to tackle the needs of an ever-changing world while positively impacting society.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

If you seek an enlightening and inspiring education that answers the big questions with bold answers, head to the Faculty of Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Source: The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Faculty of Social Science, The Chinese University of Hong Kong offers diverse programme choices and options for aspiring social scientists preparing to become globally competitive professionals with the Faculty’s 15 programmes and different study options. You can choose broad-based programmes, individual programmes, double degrees, and more.

Here, undergraduate students can enter any of the eight schools or departments, including Department of Economics, Department of Psychology, and School of Journalism and Communication, along with interdisciplinary programmes such as Urban Studies, Data Science and Policy Studies, and Global Studies, via direct or broad-based admission.

Double degrees, like the BSSc in Journalism and Communication and BBA in Integrated BBA, and BSSc (Sociology) and Juris Doctor allow students to experience the best of both worlds. Such multidisciplinary approaches are applied throughout the Faculty too.

Whichever option you choose, you’ll stand to receive a practical and rewarding learning experience. There are learning modes unique to each discipline, engaging students in a hands-on manner so you may gain the knowledge, skills and experience to respond to the needs of society.

That’s not all. You will further benefit from the cultural and structural diversity of the Faculty’s departments and schools. To date, all programmes under the Faculty have a vast number of international students.

To learn more about the Faculty that has nurtured many graduates who go on to win top honours including Rhodes Scholarship, Fulbright (Hong Kong) Scholar Programme, Sir Edward Youde Memorial Fellowship for Postgraduate Research Students, and many other highly competitive prizes and awards, click here.

Kyoto University

Source: Kyoto University/Facebook

Are you looking to pursue a holistic education in social science and enjoy the experience of studying in the Land of the Rising Sun? You may want to consider doing so at Kyoto University’s Faculty of Integrated Human Studies.

The faculty focuses on key areas such as Human Sciences, Cognitive and Information Sciences, Multidisciplinary Studies of Civilisations, Cultural Environment Studies, and Natural Sciences. Each area is covered by a division of the faculty which sets its own education and research objective to provide a dynamic and interdisciplinary environment for students to learn about human beings and their surroundings from broad perspectives.

A four-year integrated curriculum at the faculty will cover both general and specialised courses. First-rate professors from the Graduate School of Human and Environmental Studies and other graduate schools teach these courses to ensure students receive a quality education. On top of that, they receive guidance on course selection and advice on student life from the faculty’s Professor Advisory System. 

University Malaya

Source: University Malaya /Facebook

There are many reasons why University Malaya is ranked 50th for Social Sciences and Management in the QS World University Rankings by Subject 2022. It has also placed among the world’s top 100. Its Faculty of Arts and Social Science is behind this prestige. 

Established in 1959, it is currently Malaysia’s largest, most diverse and accomplished division. Students from all over the world choose UM because they know their aspirations are welcomed. Here, a broad range of courses — spanning most aspects of social science — are ready to teach the complex art of human interaction.

A study of social science at University Malaya covers Anthropology and Sociology, Chinese Studies , English, Indian Studies, International and Strategic Studies, Southeast Asian Studies, East Asian Studies, Environmental Studies, Geography, Media Studies, and Social Administration. While distinctive from one another, each programme was developed to prepare students for a new globalised and digital world. 

“We draw on our progressive heritage to promote theoretically inventive scholarship that has the potential to transform how we engage with one another as human beings,” says Professor Dr. Danny Wong Tze Ken, Dean of the Faculty of Arts and Social Sciences. 

Nanyang Polytechnic

Source: Nanyang Polytechnic/Facebook

If you seek a rewarding career as a highly-skilled social service professional, start with a diploma from Nanyang Polytechnic’s School of Health and Social Sciences (SHSS). Here, you will gain the knowledge and skills to become a competent professional through programmes tailored to meet the specific needs of the dynamic social service industry.

What sets SHSS apart is its history and curricula. It is the most established health and social sciences school in Singapore. Students here follow a forward-looking curriculum with innovative and hands-on experiential learning opportunities — this includes practising in authentic social service environments under the guidance of specialists.

The Diploma in Social Work will prepare you to play a major role in creating a more cohesive and caring community as a social work associate. The programme includes principles and practices of social work, plus the skills and intervention techniques to work with clients. Through  field placements and various community service projects and initiatives, you will gain the skills to handle casework, programme planning, community practice and project management as well.

Graduates will be set to join a dynamic growing sector. Not only will you be eligible to join the Singapore Association of Social Workers as an associate member, you will always be in demand in Singapore due to the aging population, widening income gap and changing family support systems. 

“Pursuing this Social Work course at SHSS, NYP, has given me the knowledge, skillset, and opportunities to fulfil my life’s passion,” says Elshaddai Jeevanathy d/o Venkatesan. “I have absolutely no regrets doing this course because, due to the expansive curriculum, we have been exposed to working with persons with disabilities, older adults, youths, families and more.” 

*Some of the institutions featured in this article are commercial partners of Study International