Programmes
The Integrated BBA (IBBA) Programme offers you the ultimate freedom to customise a curriculum that truly suits your interests and aspirations. The programme boasts nine concentration areas, from which you are at liberty to select your specialisation.
Apart from selecting up to two concentrations, you may also choose to pursue double majors, double degrees in collaboration with the School of Journalism and Communication, dual degree programmes jointly offered by world-class institutions, and minors as needed to achieve your dreams.
The programme’s prestige and flexibility attract students from all over the world, making IBBA students among the most diverse groups on campus. Enjoy exploring different perspectives on today’s most pressing topics and ideas alongside a high-achieving group of peers from diverse cultural backgrounds. As an IBBA student, you will also have access to a host of resources to enhance your learning. Mentorship programme, partnership courses and internship opportunities are ready vehicles that will groom you to tomorrow’s business leaders amidst innovation and change. You will form strong relationships across the business world and have the groundwork laid for a fruitful and professional network.
The Flag in a Flagship
Among the many flagship programmes pioneered by CUHK, the undergraduate business administration programme offered by the CUHK Business School since 1963, the year the University was established, is the first of its kind in the region.
The School has now developed into a leading business school internationally and in the region with over 100 faculty members and an annual intake of over 800 promising young men and women tipped to develop into global business leaders for the Asian Century. Its Integrated BBA (IBBA) Programme, the programme with largest annual intake among all business programmes, offers a flexible curriculum and comprehensive exposure to all aspects of business administration, which enables its students to succeed in a wide range of professions. IBBA is distinctive in that it equips students with both broad-based knowledge and specialised expertise.
Dr. Fred Ku, Co-Director of IBBA, said, ‘Along with in-depth business knowledge, we also equip our students with a repertoire of professional skills like leadership, analytical thinking, problem-solving as well as presentation and communication skills. All these skills are essential for personal development and workplace success.’
CUHK Business School offers an ideal environment where students can learn and equip themselves with knowledge in various business aspects and enjoy the numerous opportunities to find their future pathways. Justin Ho, who has just finished a full-time internship, said, ‘The programme nurtures students to be leaders in a rapidly changing world. With the flexible curriculum, I am able to gain expertise in specific concentrations such as finance. Together with broad-based knowledge in other business subjects, I am able to acquaint myself with the cutting-edge knowledge and best practices in business and have grown confident of performing to excellence in future.’
IBBA students can freely choose from 9 concentration areas:
There is no quota to any concentration. Students can choose at most two areas of concentration according to their interests, strengths and aspirations, and declare their concentration(s) in their final year of study.
The IBBA programme offers a wide range of options for students with different aspirations. A student may graduate with a BBA degree with (a) specialisation in one concentration; (b) specialisation in two concentrations; (c) double majors with another business programme (Professional Accountancy, Quantitative Finance, or Insurance, Financial and Actuarial Analysis); or (d) minors discipline offered in the University.
To further support our students to expand their global vision and networks, starting from 2019 academic year IBBA programme has launched the Dual Degree Programme (DDP), in collaboration with IE Business School of IE University in Spain. IBBA students can apply to the DDP by year 1 term one. Successful applicants will spend two years, out of four in the normative study period, to study at the partner institution, and will be awarded two degrees, one from CUHK and another from the partner institution, upon completion of the programme.
Alternatively, students may opt for International Business and Chinese Enterprise. (IBCE), which is a stream under IBBA. IBCE is a joint programme between CUHK Business School and the Darla Moore School of Business at the University of South Carolina (USC) that students will spend a year in USC among 4 years of study. It is the first and only undergraduate programme in Hong Kong with an emphasis on international business activities between the United States and China. It aims at training a group of future business leaders who are equipped with comprehensive knowledge about the complex yet delicate business environment in China and the United States. In IBCE, students are offered exclusive opportunities to explore the world and business by study trips, as well as the rare chances to train up their transnational mindset by working abroad.
Justin described his learning experience thus: ‘The professors are enthusiastic and have a strong desire to share their expertise with the students. They help us develop critical-thinking and problem-solving skills. Some professors have become my mentors through the mentorship programmes and guided me in the search for a career path.’
What about his peers? ‘Teamwork is vital in the workspace,’ said Justin. ‘The collaborative environment on campus enables us to work as a team and be team players. My classmates are collaborative but not competitive. We have a shared vision and work together to overcome challenges and achieve targets as a team.’
Dr. Ku said that IBBA is not just about classroom learning: ‘Global experiential learning is an essential component to the IBBA curriculum. Our students are highly encouraged to immerse themselves in cultural exchange programmes such as international exchanges, overseas learning trips, international case competitions and global internships. Our personal development and career planning support also provides students with all-rounded skills essential to working in the real business world.’
Over 80% of IBBA students go on overseas exchanges in countries in the Americas, Asia, Europe and Oceania. Over 90% of the CUHK Business School students take on internships before graduation in accounting, banking and finance, consultancy, the internet, tourism and hospitality, etc.
Justin has not missed the point of a China advantage and the benefit of overseas experience. He commented, ‘Hong Kong is strategically located at the gateway to the fast-growing Chinese economy. Being students in a metropolis, it is crucial for us to develop a global mindset. Spending a semester in the US as an exchange student has enabled me to experience new cultures and communicate with people from all walks of life.’
IBBA students enjoy a diversified career path upon graduation. Graduates are employed in a wide variety of industries, ranging from banking, finance, accounting, public relations, civil services to research. Some of them have even started their own businesses.
CUHK Business School graduates enjoy the largest business school alumni network in Hong Kong with more than 35,000 graduates worldwide. This unparalleled network, both regional and international, gives rise to long-lasting friendships, business connections and opportunities for current students and young graduates.
Dr. Ku concluded, ‘The CUHK Business School is a global community where you will have the opportunity to embrace cultural diversity, expand your own global network and develop a truly international world-view.’
Justin shared his advice: ‘Learning and practising are essential to success. IBBA provides a good platform on which the students can equip themselves with practical knowledge and contribute to society by making use of what is learned here.’
Published: Summer 2017
Last Updated: Summer 2020