Programme Description

HD(ECE) aims to provide students with the academic and professional preparation necessary to become competent, caring and reflective beginning teachers able to work in a range of early childhood settings and undertake further professional advancement. Graduates will (i) be eligible to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Registered Child Care Workers; (ii) be recognised as having acquired training on the One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Work of the Social Welfare Department; (iii) have the professional qualification required of child care supervisors; and (iv) be eligible to apply for the University's Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programmes (Part-time).

Programme Aims

This programme aims to provide students with the academic and professional preparation necessary to become competent, caring and reflective beginning teachers able to work in a range of early childhood settings and undertake further professional advancement.

Programme Features

• A wide range of teaching methods will be used, including workshops, school visits, seminars, discussions and practicum, where appropriate.
• The programme emphasises guiding and encouraging students to actively participate in the learning process; to understand, critically evaluate and apply what is taught, and to acquire skills for independent, lifelong learning and development.
• Students have opportunities to participate in academic exchange visits.

Education Studies

The courses in this domain are designed to assist students in developing the professional knowledge, understanding and attitudes needed by competent beginning early childhood teachers. Important aspects such as special educational needs and information technology elements are infused throughout the programme. The courses are as follows.

Foundations of Early Childhood Education Strand

• Child Development
• Educational Management and Sustainable Development of ECS
• School, Parents and Community Collaborations
• Social Environment for Children with Diverse Needs
• The Professional Teacher in the Development of ECE
• Understanding the Diverse Needs of Young Children

Teaching and Learning in Early Childhood Education Strand

• Children's Health and Care
• Contemporary Learning and Teaching of Young Children
• Creative Experience in Music for Young Children
• Designing and Developing an Integrated Play-based Curriculum
• Language and Literacy in Early Childhood
• Curriculum for Children with Diverse Needs I
• Curriculum for Children with Diverse Needs II
• Curriculum Practice for Children with Diverse Needs
• Promoting Children's Emotional and Social Well-being
• Promoting Children's Physical Fitness and Health
• Scientific and Mathematical Explorations for Young Children
• Visual Arts Education in Early Childhood

One elective from the following

• Drama Education for the Early Years
• Early Experience in English
• Early Experience in Putonghua
• Information Technology in Education
• The Young Child in a Technological World

Subject Studies

This domain enhances students' academic background through the following course:

• Chinese

General Education

This domain enhances students' personal development. Students are required to take one of the following courses:

• Lifeskills
• Culture and Society

Lifeskills focuses on self-improvement skills needed to meet the needs of a modern society. Culture and Society helps students understand the overall context in which they will work as teachers.

Field Experience

This domain provides an avenue for students to apply theory in practice, with an emphasis on the development of critical and analytical thinking. Through block practice, school attachment and educational visits, Field Experience enables students to acquire, refine and demonstrate the skills required of competent beginning teachers.

Important Note: The University will ask students of our full-time teacher education programmes (e.g. Bachelor of Education programmes) to declare whether they have been convicted of or are being prosecuted for any sex-related offence in Hong Kong or elsewhere, and to provide relevant details prior to undertaking teaching practice. Such information may be released to their placement schools. The University reserves the right not to allow these students to attend the block teaching practice. If so, they won't be able to meet the graduation requirements of the programmes.

Streams of Study

The programme will offer two streams of study in the 2022/23 academic year:

• Chinese as the Medium of Instruction [CMI] - The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese. English will be adopted as the language of instruction for specific courses, as deemed appropriate.
• English as the Medium of Instruction [EMI] - The medium of instruction is mainly English.

Students will be given the opportunity to choose either the CMI or the EMI stream upon admission to the programme. The final allocation of students to the CMI or EMI stream will be decided by the University.

Venue of Teaching and Learning

Teaching and learning activities of the programme will be mainly conducted at Tai Po Campus/ Tseung Kwan O Study Centre#/satellite study centres at urban locations as decided by the University.

#The Tseung Kwan O Study Centre is located at 1 King Yin Lane, Tseung Kwan O

Career Prospects/Professional Qualifications

Graduates of the programme:

• are eligible to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Registered Child Care Workers;
• are recognised as having acquired training on the One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Work of the Social Welfare Department;
• have the professional qualification required of child care supervisors; and
• are eligible to apply for the University's Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education) Programmes (Part-time).

General Entrance Requirements

Applicants can apply for this programme through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) or Direct Application (Non-JUPAS) route.

JUPAS Route

If applicants are applying on the strength of their HKDSE results, they should apply through JUPAS.

Applicants are normally required to possess Level 2 or above in five HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language and English Language (not more than two Applied Learning subjects).

Direct Application (Non-JUPAS) Route

Applicants are eligible to apply through the Direct Application (Non-JUPAS) route if they:

1. have obtained (i) Grade E or above in at least six different subjects, including Mathematics, Chinese Language* and English Language (Syllabus B)* at the HKCEE level in not more than two sittings, with at least four subjects in one sitting; and (ii) Grade E or above in AS Use of English and AS Chinese Language & Culture; or
2. have completed a Pre-Associate Degree / Associate Degree Foundation Programme or equivalent (i.e. QF Level 3 Qualification); or
3. graduated from Yi Jin Diploma; or
4. possess recognised post-secondary qualifications or are currently attending Year 1 of a recognised post-secondary programme (i.e. QF Level 4 programme); or
5. have obtained acceptable non-local qualifications (e.g. GCE A-level / International A-level, IB Diploma, etc); or
6. are mature out-of-school applicants (aged 25 or above by 31 August 2022) and demonstrate the sustained development of specific talents or achievements and a wealth of experience.

*Grade C in English Language (Syllabus A) is regarded as equivalent to Grade E in English Language (Syllabus B). Since 2007, the University has accepted Level 2 or above for Chinese Language and English Language.

Language Requirements

In addition to the foregoing general entrance requirements, applicants holding non-local qualifications have to demonstrate an acceptable level of proficiency in both the Chinese and English languages, unless exempted by the University.

English Language Requirement

The following is a list of acceptable tests and the score required:

• Level 2 / Grade E or above in the HKCEE English Language; or
• Grade E or above in ASL Use of English in the HKALE; or
• Level 2 or above in English Language in the HKDSE; or
• A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet-based test); or
• A minimum overall band of 6 in the academic version of IELTS; or
• Grade E or above in GCE AS Level or AL Level English; or
• Grade C or above in GCSE/GCE O-level English

Chinese Language Requirement

Applicants are normally required to obtain:

• Level 2 / Grade E or above in the HKCEE Chinese Language; or
• Grade E or above in ASL Chinese Language & Culture in the HKALE; or
• Level 2 or above in Chinese Language in the HKDSE; or
• Grade C or above in GCSE / IGCSE / GCE O-level Chinese.

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 and curriculum changes.