The Department of Academic Studies provides a wide range of courses to music students in all programmes of study. There is a core curriculum of music history, theory and analysis, and aural skills in the Diploma, Advanced Diploma and Bachelor of Music (Honours) degree programmes. In addition, a wide range of academic and practical electives, such as World Music, Jazz Improvisation and Music and Society in Hong Kong, are available. The department adopts an integrated pedagogical approach so that the design and content of academic courses are related as much as possible to students' performance activities. The staff members in the department have specialisms in the areas of historical musicology, ethnomusicology, music theory and aural training.