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Programmes

Psychology

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCESPsychology

Programme Code

  • HP001 Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS)
  • HP204 Year 1 & 2, Associate Degree (AD)

 

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QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 07/001829/4
Registration Validity Period: 05/05/2008 to ongoing 
Successful completion of this programme leads to an award within The University of Hong Kong system through HKU SPACE
 

DFS Application Code: HPDFS-PSY

AD Application Code: ASSPSY

​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 in. Knowledge in psychology can be applied to many different fields, such as teaching, counselling, health and community services, marketing, management and training. Graduates of this programme will be trained in knowledge and skills needed for a wide range of work.

 

Programme Aims and Features

  • Equip students with a broad-based Social Sciences education and a solid foundation in the core areas of psychology, including abnormal, developmental, personality, organisational, social psychology and research methods;
  • Emphasises the application of knowledge in psychology to the workplace and to everyday life;
  • Prepares and equips graduates to work in diverse settings in the business and social services sectors.

 

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Social Sciences or other related disciplines offered by local universities (including HKU).

The list below shows the degree offers that our graduates / students received in the past*:

  • The University of Hong Kong
    BASc Social Data Science
    Bachelor of Engineering
    ​Bachelor of Social Sciences
  • Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    Bachelor of Business Administration 
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    BA History
    BA Philosophy
    BSc Gerontology
    BSSc Gender Studies
    ​BSSc Global Studies
    BSSc Psychology
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    ​BA (Hons) Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship
  • City University of Hong Kong
    BA English
    Bachelor of Laws (LLB)
    BSocSc Asian and International Studies
    BSocSc Criminology and Sociology
    BSocSc Environmental Policy
    BSocSc Psychology
    BSocSc Public Policy and Politics
    BSocSc Social Work
  • Hong Kong Baptist University
    Bachelor of Communication (Hons)
    Bachelor of Social Work (Hons)
    BSocSc (Hons) Global and China Studies
    BSocSc (Hons) Sociology
  • The Education University of Hong Kong
    BA (Hons) Language Studies (English major)
    BEd (Hons) (Primary) English Language
    BEd (Hons) (Primary) General Studies
    BSocSc (Hons) Global and Hong Kong Studies
    BSocSc (Hons) Psychology
  • Lingnan University
    Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons)
    BA (Hons) Contemporary English Studies

*The above list is not exhaustive and only shows some of the examples.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for the below degree programmes offered by other institutions:

Other Local Institutions

  • HKU SPACE
    • Full-time, 2-year, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Sciences, offered by Edinburgh Napier University (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

Students who articulate to an undergraduate degree programme and subsequently to postgraduate studies may also be trained in a specialised field of psychology, such as counselling psychology, clinical psychology, educational psychology, and industrial / organisational psychology to become professional psychologists.

 

Career Prospects

Graduates could take up positions 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

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjectsincluding English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination; OR
  • Hold a recognised Diploma in Foundation Studies programme; OR
  • Hold a Diploma Yi Jin; OR
  • Hold a Diploma of Applied Education; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.

Applicants whose HKDSE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Associate Degree programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.

 

Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme

  • Obtain Level 1 or above in English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination, AND at least 6 points+ in the best 5 subjects*^§; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.

 

Mature Students

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications, but are aged 21 or above and with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

 

*Applicants are allowed to use not more than 2 Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application. The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows: 

“Attained with Distinction (II)” is deemed equivalent to Level 4 or above;
“Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and 
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.

#ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

§ If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the requirement will be “Attained” for the subject.

If the candidate has attempted less than 5 subjects but obtained 6 points or above, the application will still be considered.

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.

Effective from 2024-25 Academic Year:

 

Diploma in Foundation Studies

  • General English I & II
  • College Speaking / Introduction to Information Technology and AI
  • College Writing / Grammar for College Studies
  • Foundation of Chinese Language*
  • Chinese Language Enhancement*
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Elements of Business
  • Multiple Intelligences and Competencies
  • Understanding Hong Kong Popular Culture

 

Associate Degree Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Quantitative Analysis I
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Advanced Chinese Language*
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning in Discipline-based Studies
  • Social Problems in Contemporary Societies
  • SELF-Exploration & Enrichment
  • Principles of Sociology
  • Foundation Psychology

 

Associate Degree Year 2

  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • English for Arts and Humanities
  • Health, Technology and Society
  • Representation of People in Popular Art Forms
  • Introduction to Social Psychology
  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Personality and Individual Differences
  • Organisational Behaviour
  • Research Methods in Psychology 

 

The College reserves the right to make modifications to individual courses on a need basis.

* Non-Chinese speaking students or students who have not received sufficient training in the Chinese language may apply for exemption from the Chinese course(s), and alternative courses may be assigned.