Liberal Arts & Citizenship and Social Development

Curriculum Framework and Learning Pathway

Hong Kong’s modern humanities and social sciences framework offers a progressive, comprehensive learning pathway designed to prepare students for the complexities of the 21st century. Spanning from Junior Secondary Citizenship, Economics and Society (CES) to Senior Secondary Citizenship and Social Development (CS), the curriculum seamlessly integrates personal, local, national, and global dimensions.

Through these interconnected subjects, students explore foundational modules in economic literacy, public governance, and national development, complemented by experiential learning such as the Mainland study tour. The curriculum aims to broaden students’ global horizons, cultivate critical thinking, and instill a deep sense of civic responsibility and national identity. By analyzing contemporary issues from multiple perspectives, our students develop the essential skills, positive values, and objective insights needed to navigate an interdependent world and contribute meaningfully to society.

Medium of Instruction

To enrich students’ learning experiences and unleash their fullest potential, A-School offers both English and Cantonese as the Medium of Instruction (MOI) for Liberal Arts (transitioning to Citizenship, Economics and Society [CES] starting from 2026–2027) and Liberal Studies (which transitioned to Citizenship and Social Development [CS] in 2021–2022). Students may apply at the end of each academic year. Applicants who pass the enrollment test can enroll in the English-medium CES/CS class for the following academic year.

Curriculum Framework Highlights

Liberal Arts (transitioning to Citizenship, Economics and Society [CES] starting from 2026–2027)

Citizenship and Social Development [CS]

Mainland Study Tour

The Mainland study tour, along with its related project learning, incorporates elements of Chinese culture alongside the latest developments and achievements of our country. While it forms an integral part of the Citizenship and Social Development (CS) curriculum and involves no public assessment, it is a mandatory component rather than an optional arrangement, ensuring students do not miss out on valuable peer learning experiences. This year, the Mainland study tour provided Secondary 5 students with an immersive exploration of China’s booming artificial intelligence and creative culture sectors in Shenzhen. As part of their CS curriculum, students visited leading innovation hubs, including the Shenzhen-Hong Kong Exchange Center. Throughout the trip, they engaged in hands-on activities, such as playing chess against advanced AI robotic arms and interacting with robotic quadrupeds. Through these activities, students gained a practical understanding of China’s rapid technological advancement, transforming abstract classroom concepts into a tangible, memorable learning experience that highlighted the real-world capabilities of modern engineering.

Enrichment Programmes and Experiential Learning

Education at HKBAUS extends far beyond the traditional classroom, transforming academic knowledge into real-world application. Through a rich array of enrichment programmes and experiential learning initiatives, our department actively fosters critical thinking, an innovative mindset, and a deep sense of social responsibility.

From inter-school debates and transdisciplinary design competitions to subject-themed academic weeks and community-based projects, our students are consistently challenged to think critically, create purposefully, and engage empathetically with the world around them.

Inter-School Competitions & Eloquence Chinese Debate Team

To sharpen critical thinking and cultivate eloquence, debate is seamlessly integrated into our Liberal Arts and Citizenship and Social Development (CS) curricula. Regular debate activities take place both within classrooms and through external platforms. Our Chinese Debate Team actively participates in various prestigious inter-school competitions, fostering a vibrant culture of multi-perspective analysis and intellectual inquiry across the campus.

Student Achievements in Inter-School Competition