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Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood and Family Studies
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Programme Description

Hong Kong witnesses an increasing need for parent education and related studies. The BA(ECFS) programme addresses this need by training students who are able to empower parents to promote the development of young children using science-informed methods.

Students will learn how to develop and evaluate family-oriented programmes. Students will also learn how to collect data to address research questions about early childhood and family studies. Graduates are expected to be competent practitioners who are able to support families and schools in their efforts to take care of young children, run systematic family-oriented programmes in school and community settings, and deal with a wide range of family-related issues.

Study Mode Normal Period of Study JUPAS Code EdUHK Programme Code
Full-time 2 Years (for Senior Year Admissions) N/A A2B102
Enquiry (Admissions) Programme Leader Enquiry (Programme) Programme Booklet Programme Webpage
(852) 2948 6886
Submit Your Enquiry
Dr Lam Chun Bun Ian
(852) 2948 7107
ianlam@eduhk.hk
Miss Tsui Wai Lam Stephanie
(852) 2948 7085
baecfs@eduhk.hk
Programme Booklet Programme Webpage

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Programme Aims

The BA(ECFS) programme addresses the emerging needs for family studies in Hong Kong, particularly in the developmental period of early childhood. The programme introduces both theoretical knowledge and practical skills on how to empower parents, as well as other caregivers, to promote the development and learning of young children.

Students will learn how to develop, implement and evaluate family-oriented programmes, taking into account both micro factors (e.g., child developmental needs, parent-child dynamics) and macro factors (e.g., societal structures, cultural values). Students will also learn how to collect data by themselves, and address specific research questions pertaining to early childhood and family studies. Graduates of the programme are expected to be competent practitioners who are able to support families and schools in their efforts to take care of young children and to develop and evaluate more systematic family-oriented programmes in school and community settings.

What Our Students Say

SEI YUEN LING

I used to think that a university degree merely reflected one’s academic level. However, the study at the EdUHK has changed my perception towards tertiary education. The University offers a wide range of experiential learning opportunities that encourage students’ whole-person development and strengthen our soft skills, which are essential for career preparation and potential realization.

Sei Yuen-ling

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood and Family Studies 

Programme Structure (for Senior Year Entrants)

The BA(ECFS) programme prescribes a total of 60 cps, which are typically earned within two years of full-time studies. The programme structure is set out as below:

Domain Credit Points (cps)
Major/Programme Specific
  • Major (30 cps)
  • Major Interdisciplinary Course (3 cps)
33
Final Year Project 6
University ePortfolio 3
GE Experiential Learning Course 3
Electives / Minor 15
Total: 60

Notes:
(1) Classes will be held in Tai Po Campus and Tseung Kwan O Study Centre / North Point Study Centre / Sports Centre / Kowloon Tong Satellite Study Centre as decided by the University.

(2) Students who did not complete a postsecondary programme in Early Childhood Education (ECE) before admission to the BA(ECFS) programme are required to study a 3-cp bridging course in the first semester of Year 3, ECE 2244 Child Development [retitled from ECE 1148 The Child as a Learner] (an existing BEd(ECE) course). The Major Study and Final Year Project requirements of these students would be 42 cps (i.e, 63 cps for the whole programme).
(3) Mandatory Greater Bay Area activities in course(s) are required.
(4) Students admitted into this programme are required to visit the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and/or other parts of Mainland China. Programme may also require students to participate in other non-local learning experience for completion of the programme. While the visits are heavily subsidised, students are still required to contribute part of the estimated cost of the visits ("student contribution"), whereas personal entertainment, meals expenses, travel document fee and personal insurance costs will not be supported. The estimated cost of the visits for students admitted to the 2024/25 cohort is not available yet as it is subject to a variety of factors such as changes to the cost of the visits as a result of inflation, trip duration, traveling expenses, the exchange rate, etc. The exact amount of student contribution is thus not available.

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Major

The major study curriculum covers courses which enable students to understand how micro factors (e.g., child developmental needs, parent-child dynamics) and macro factors (e.g., societal structures, cultural values) may shape the learning and development of children. The curriculum also covers how frontline practitioners may use scientific evidence to develop programmes for children and families. Through taught courses and experiential learning, theory and practice are closely interwoven to enable graduates to become efficient and effective practitioners in the areas of child and family studies.

Interdisciplinary Course

The interdisciplinary course prepares students for leadership roles in enhancing home-school collaboration, developing innovative policies, and implementing empowering practices.

The Final Year Project comprises of two 3-cp courses:

  • Honours Project I/Capstone Project I: Introduction of research methods and proposal in Semester 2 of Year 3; and
  • Honours Project II/Capstone Project II: A one-year project to be conducted in the final year. Students can choose their topic from either their Major, and will complete an individual project under the supervision by an academic staff member.

University ePortfolio—which promotes students’ reflective learning—is a required component of the BA(ECFS) curriculum. Based on personal reflections on their own learning experiences throughout their studies, students will construct their University ePortfolios using the knowledge, skills, and deliverables gathered from different courses in the programme. Importantly, students will be able to demonstrate their IT proficiency through the construction of the University ePortfolio, which is completely digitalised.

Experiential Learning Course on “Entrepreneurship and Innovation” will be offered to increase students’ awareness of entrepreneurship as a process and strengthen their self-efficacy beliefs and confidence to complete entrepreneurial tasks; provide students with concrete experience for proposal and reflection in “entrepreneurship models/ phases” and/or “innovation as taking a new approach to solving a problem”; and equip students with competencies and experiences that enable them to initiate/ participate in entrepreneurial value-creating processes.

The BA(ECFS) programme allows its students to take up to 15 cps of elective courses, so that they can use these opportunities to meet their interests, diversify their experiences, and move towards their career aspirations. The students may:

  • study courses available in the Elective Course List, General Education, or other elective courses recognised by the programme; or
  • design a Minor, based on their own interests and goals, and study courses among the Minor choices available within the University.

Medium of Instruction

The programme will mainly be conducted in English: All Major courses will be taught in English, but non-Major courses, depending on the course nature, may be taught in English, Putonghua, or Cantonese, if appropriate.

Career Prospects/Professional Qualifications

  1. Professional practitioners in social service sectors;
  2. Teachers* or Teaching Assistants in early childhood settings;
  3. Project Officers or Community Liaison Officers in public organisations, private enterprises, and community agencies that serve children and families; and
  4. Research Assistants in academic institutions, as well as government and non-government organisations, who study child development and family relationships.

*for those who possess teacher qualifications before admission to this top-up degree programme.

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Disclaimer
Every effort has been made to ensure that information contained in this website is correct. Changes to any aspects of the programmes may be made from time to time due to unforeseeable circumstances beyond our control and the University reserves the right to make amendments to any information contained in this website without prior notice. The University accepts no liability for any loss or damage arising from any use or misuse of or reliance on any information contained in this website.

Any aspect of the course and course offerings (including, without limitation, the content of the course and the manner in which the course is taught) may be subject to change at any time at the sole discretion of the University. Without limiting the right of the University to amend the course and its course offerings, it is envisaged that changes may be required due to factors such as staffing, enrolment levels, logistical arrangements, curriculum changes, and other factors caused by unforeseeable circumstances. Tuition fees, once paid, are non-refundable. 

In the event of inconsistency between information in English and Chinese version or where an interpretation of the programme content is required, the decision of the University shall be final.