Psychology is the scientific study of behaviour and mental processes. Psychologists try to describe, predict, and explain human behaviour and mental processes, as well as help change and improve the lives of people and the world in which they live. Knowledge in psychology can be applied to many different fields, such as teaching, counselling, health and community services, marketing, management, training etc. Graduates of this programme will be trained in knowledge and skills needed for a wide range of work.

Programme Aims and Features

This programme aims to provide a broad-based social sciences education and a solid foundation in the core areas of psychology, including abnormal, biological, developmental, organisational and social psychology. Special emphasis will be given to the application of knowledge in psychology to the workplace and to everyday life. Some examples include understanding the biological bases of emotions, perception and cognition, group processes and social interaction, and the different developmental stages. Students will also be trained to conduct scientific research.

Opportunities for Further Studies

• Graduates will be eligible to apply for admission to Year 2 (of a 3-year curriculum) or Year 3 (of a 4-year curriculum) of Bachelor of Social Sciences degree programmes (with psychology as a major or a minor study) offered at local as well as overseas universities.
• Graduates will also be able to articulate to a top-up BA (Hons) programme in Criminology with Psychology, which is a collaborative effort with the University of Hull of Great Britain.
• After graduating from an undergraduate degree programme, students could also further their studies in postgraduate training in specialised areas of psychology, such as counselling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, industrial / organisational psychology and so on.

Career Prospects

Graduates will find their training in psychology helpful when applying for jobs in the business sector (e.g., marketing assistants, customer services assistants and junior positions in retail and personnel management etc.) as well as the social services sector (e.g. executive assistants or field assistants in NGOs etc.).

2-year Associate Degree Programme (Direct Entry to Year 1)

HKDSE

• Level 2 or above in 5 subjects^# (including Chinese Language and English Language);

Applicants whose HKDSE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Associate Degree Programme should apply for admission to the Certificate in General Studies Programme.

OR

HKALE

• Pass in one AL subject or two AS subjects in the HKALE; and three passes in HKCEE* PLUS Level 2 / Grade E or above in Chinese Language and English Language, or equivalent;

Applicants whose HKALE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Associate Degree Programme should apply for admission to the Foundation Programme.

OR

• Hold a recognised Pre-Associate Degree / Foundation Programme qualification; OR
• Hold a recognised post-secondary certificate or diploma.

#Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.
The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
“Attained with distinction” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2.

Certificate in General Studies Programme^ / Foundation Programme

Certificate in General Studies Programme^:
HKDSE

• Level 2 or above in English Language and any three other subjects^# (which may include Chinese Language); in any event Chinese Language must be at Level 1 or above;

OR

• Level 2 or above in English Language and any two other subjects^# (which may include Chinese Language); in any event Chinese Language must be at Level 1 or above; and at least 8 points^@ in the best three subjects.

Foundation Programme:

HKCEE

• Three passes in the HKCEE* PLUS Level 2 / Grade E or above in Chinese Language and English Language in the HKCEE, or equivalent;

OR

• Completed Project Yi Jin with satisfactory results.

^ Subject to EDB approval.

^# Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.
The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
"Attained with distinction" is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and
"Attained" is deemed equivalent to Level 2.

^@ Level 5** = 7 points; Level 5* = 6 points; Level 5 = 5 points; Level 4 = 4 points; Level 3 = 3 points; Level 2 = 2 points; Level 1 = 1 point.

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications but are aged 21 or above and have relevant working experience will be considered by the College.

Foundation Programme*

• General English I & II
• Foundations of Chinese Language
• Mathematics and Statistics for Daily Life Applications
• Computer Studies
• The Process of Design
• Popular Culture: Identities and Institutions
• Ethics and Society
• The Science of Everyday Life
• Individual and Society
• Multiple Intelligences and Competencies

Associate Degree Year 1

• General English III
• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part I
• Putonghua
• Elements of Logic and Critical Thinking
• Introduction to Multimedia / Introduction to Information Technology
• Quantitative Analysis I
• Intra- and Interpersonal Competencies
• Appreciating Social Research
• Foundation Psychology
• Principles of Sociology
• Fundamentals of Management in Organizations

Associate Degree Year 2

• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part II
• Advanced Chinese Language
• Contemporary World since 1945
• Hong Kong and Chinese Societies in Transition
• Food and the Body
• Introduction to Social Psychology
• Introduction to Developmental Psychology
• Abnormal Psychology
• Biological Bases of Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Organizational Behaviour
• Research Methods in Psychology