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 of the programme 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) and Undergraduate Programmes (Full-time) (Senior Year Admissions).
| Study Mode | Normal Period of Study | JUPAS Code | EdUHK Programme Code |
|---|---|---|---|
| Full-time | 2 Years | JS8507 | A2H049 |
| Enquiry (Admissions) | Enquiry (Programme) | Enquiry (Programme) | Download Booklet | Programme Webpage |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| (852) 2948 6886 Submit Your Enquiry |
Ms Woo Yuen Shan (852) 2948 7567 yswoo@eduhk.hk |
(852) 2948 7129 / 2948 6791 karenkwan@eduhk.hk / lauln@eduhk.hk |
Programme Booklet | Programme Webpage |
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.
What Our Student Says
The programme underscores how to put theoretical knowledge into practice. I have learnt to interact and communicate with children through various types of games and handcrafts. Through the upcoming block practices, I can acquire more hands-on experience in a real kindergarten setting. My experience at the EdUHK has definitely lightened up my passion towards working in the childcare industry.
Lai Yee-man
Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education
Programme Structure
This programme adopts a credit point system. It requires the successful completion of 66 credit points of course work and 6 credit points of Supervised Teaching and Field Work, including 8 weeks of block practice in early childhood settings, school attachment and educational visits.
This programme comprises the following domains:
| Domain | Credit Points (cps) |
|---|---|
| Major | 24 |
| Education Studies | 21 |
| Electives | 3 |
| Language Enhancement | 9 |
| General Education | 6 |
| Field Experience | 9 |
| Total: | 72 |
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 admitted into this programme may be required to visit the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and/or other parts of Mainland China or participate in other non-local learning experience for completion of the programme. While the visits are subsidised, students are still required to contribute part of the estimated cost of the visits ("student contribution"), whereas personal entertainment, meal 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
- Child Development
- Children’s Health and Care
- Professional Teacher
- Sustainable Preschool Management and Parent Involvement
- Understanding the Diverse Needs of Young Children
- Social Environment for Children with Diverse Needs
- Promoting Children's Emotional and Social Well-being
- Language and Literacy in Early Childhood
- Designing and Developing an Integrated Play-based Curriculum
- Scientific and Mathematical Explorations for Young Children
- Curriculum for Children with Diverse Needs I
- Curriculum for Children with Diverse Needs II
- Curriculum Practice for Children with Diverse Needs
Education Studies Electives
Two courses from the following:
- Visual Arts Education in Early Childhood
- Physical Play and Fitness
- Play in Early Years
- Creative Experience in Music for Young Children
One course from the following:
- Information Technology on the Society and Daily Lives
- Applied Drama for Personal and Social Transformation
- Putonghua for Daily Communication
- English in the Early Years
- Exploring STEM in Everyday Life
- Practical Capstone Project in Action
- Becoming Global Citizens through Experiential Learning
- Summer Fun Fair
- Project in Action Research
- Chinese
- English One
- English Two
One course from the following:
- Essential Lifeskills for Personal Growth
- Culture and Modern Society
One course from the following:
- A list of courses offered in EdUHK Undergraduate Programmes (Senior Year Admissions)
- Practicum Workshop
- Supervised Teaching and Field Work I
- Supervised Teaching and Field Work II
Important Note: The University will ask students of our full-time teacher 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 2024/25 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.
* Non-local students who are not proficient in Cantonese will only be admitted to the EMI stream upon admission to the programme.
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), and Undergraduate Programmes (Full-time) (Senior Year Admissions)
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:
- 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
- have completed a Pre-Associate Degree / Associate Degree Foundation Programme or equivalent (i.e. QF Level 3 Qualification); or
- graduated from Yi Jin Diploma; or
- possess recognised post-secondary qualifications or are currently attending Year 1 of a recognised post-secondary programme (i.e. QF Level 4 programme); or
- have obtained acceptable non-local qualifications^ (e.g. GCE A-level / International A-level, IB Diploma, etc); or
- are mature out-of-school applicants (aged 25 or above by 31 August 2024) 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.
^ Country-specific entrance requirements can be found HERE. Other non-local qualifications not listed therein will be considered on individual merits.
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 / Grade 4 or above in GCSE/GCE O-level English; or
- Grade C / Grade 4 or above in GCSE English or English Literature
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 E or above in GCE ASL or AL Chinese; or
- Grade C / Grade 4 or above in GCSE / IGCSE / GCE O-level Chinese.
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