Clear perspectives on a complex world
Global and Area Studies is an interdisciplinary BA major that connects regional expertise, language learning and global engagement from a distinctive Hong Kong vantage point.
Why area studies?
Global processes are never experienced in exactly the same way everywhere. GLAS starts from the premise that meaningful global understanding requires attention to place, history, culture, society and politics.
The programme combines interdisciplinary area studies with sustained language learning so that students engage with regions through more than one intellectual and linguistic lens.
Regions
Based at HKU, GLAS encourages students to connect Hong Kong and Mainland China with broader regional and global contexts. The goal is not a generic “global studies” degree, but a structured pathway toward identifiable regional expertise.
What defines GLAS?
Build coherent expertise through a Regional Concentration.
01
Regional depth
Complete sustained language study aligned with your regional pathway.
02
Language
Learn through a credit-bearing field trip, internship or other experiential activity.
03
Experience
Complete a supervised independent project connected to your region.
04
Capstone
3
1
2
3
4
Interdisciplinary by design
GLAS draws on cultural studies, history, politics, international relations, society, media, literature and language. The revised curriculum integrates foundational research practices into Region in the World courses while keeping space for wider comparative and global electives.
Part of SMLC
GLAS is housed in HKU's School of Modern Languages and Cultures, linking the major directly to the School's language teaching and area-studies expertise.