Religion is a fundamental and distinctive aspect of human culture. As religion represents the deepest hopes, fears, concerns and values of human being, it can play both constructive and destructive roles in society.

Religious Studies takes religion primarily as a cultural and social phenomenon and studies it critically as well as sympathetically. Since religion is embodied in different culture and in various dimensions, including social, experiential, ritual, ethical, narrative, doctrinal and material, Religious Studies must be cross-cultural and inter-disciplinary, including the methods of cultural studies, psychology, sociology, philosophy, anthropology, history and literature, etc. Hence, Religious Studies is an academic discipline that is an integral part of the human sciences.

MPhil Stream

Students are required to complete a minimum of 39 units for graduation, including a minimum of 15 units of lecture courses and graduate seminars. Students are also required to take thesis research courses every term before graduation.

PhD Stream

The PhD stream requires students to complete a minimum of 15 units of lecture courses and graduate seminars. Students are also required to take thesis research courses every term before graduation.

Fields of Specialization

• Chinese Religions
• Buddhist Studies
• Taoist Studies
• Biblical Studies
• Christian Studies / Christianity in China
• Islamic Studies
• Religion, Education and Society