Higher Diploma

Academic Recognition

Students who have successfully completed the two-year programme and fulfilled all graduation requirements will be awarded the Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education by the Hong Kong Baptist University.

Professional Recognition

Graduates of the Programme are recognised by the Education Bureau (EDB) for the Certificate in Early Childhood Education [C(ECE)] qualification. In addition, they are recognised by the Social Welfare Department (SWD) for registration as Child Care Workers (CCW) and Child Care Supervisors (CCS). 

Apart from professional career paths, graduates may opt for furthering their studies in the Hong Kong Baptist University or other higher institutions. Graduates of the Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education programme are eligible to apply for admission to Year 3 of the four-year full-time Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education programme or the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education (Part-time mode) - Senior Year Admission programme offered by the SCE of the Hong Kong Baptist University.

The School of Continuing Education (SCE) has a vision for the development of professional training courses for local practitioners in basic education. The Early Childhood and Elementary Education Division (ECEED) is the academic arm of the School to foster the continuing professional development of quality teacher education programmes. The School was the first higher education institute to offer early childhood education programme at the degree level and was commissioned by the government to offer the Bachelor of Education (Honours) Programme to practicing primary teachers in 1994. In view of the expanding need for quality training services in early childhood education, the ECEED made a firm commitment to promote the professionalism of early childhood educare practitioners.

The ECEED offers a range of academic programmes on a full-time or part-time basis to provide pre-service and in-service training in basic education studies with qualifications awarded from certificate to postgraduate levels. All programmes are offered with a core emphasis on the advancement of academic qualifications as well as teaching skills for local early childhood and elementary education practitioners. With the continuous development of basic education programmes and the increasing number of government-commissioned courses operated in recent years, the ECEED has further affirmed its leading role and expertise in the provision and enhancement of early childhood and elementary education training in the community.  

The programme consists of 72 units.

Students are required to take the following courses:

Face-to-face mode will mainly be adopted to cater for the needs of the students and to encourage interaction between lecturers and students. The process of re-thinking teaching beliefs and behaviour with further be facilitated through peer interactions as well as stimuli afforded by the classroom environment, including pedagogical materials and teaching strategies such as scaffolding and guided questions that provoke critical thinking and intellectual discussions in various kindergarten classroom contexts.

In addition, practical sessions will be provided for students to apply the theoretical concepts acquired.

The medium of instruction for formal classroom teaching is English, except for those courses that are granted exemption.

All practicum courses will be conducted in Cantonese in order to prepare students for working in local early childhood education settings.

• Libraries
• Recreation facilities
• Online course management system (Moodle)
• Medical and dental services
• Counselling support

Remarks:

Tuition fees and application fees are non-refundable and non-transferable, and are subject to revision.

Scholarships to recognise students' outstanding achievements are bestowed on the selected recipients on the basis of academic merits or other criteria as set out by the School or donors.

• Entrance Scholarships
• Other Scholarships

Students can apply for Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.

1. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Level 2 in five subjects^* (including Chinese Language^# and English Language)

* If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the minimum entrance requirement would be “Attained” for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese and English. Level 2 in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognized as one of the five HKDSE subjects. Applicants are allowed to use Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.

# “Attained” or above in Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

Or

2. Relevant and substantial work experience and/or prior qualification(s) obtained in or outside Hong Kong with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education

Or

3. Successful completion of the Diploma of Applied Education or equivalent

Or

4. Other equivalent qualifications to be assessed by the School

Or

5. Applicants aged 21 or above with acceptable qualifications to justify admission

Method 1:

2024 HKDSE candidates can apply for admission through E-APP.

Method 2:

Online Application

Method 3

• Result Notice/Certificate of HKDSE (if applicable);
• School reports (Senior Secondary 1 to 3 (F.4 to F.6));
• Other academic certificates, e.g. transcript and graduation diploma of your highest academic qualification, etc. (if any)

Remark: Successful applicants should present originals of the above documents for verification during the admission interview/registration.

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview from June to July 2024.

Remarks
If Typhoon Signal No. 8 or above is hoisted or Black Rainstorm Signal is in force at or after 11:00 am on the day of the information seminar, the scheduled seminar will be cancelled.

The School reserves the right to make changes as required.

01. How long will I need to complete the programme?

It will take 2 years to complete the Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education programme.

02. What is the study mode?

Full-time face-to-face mode is adopted for the programme. Students will also have attachment and block placement in local kindergartens to acquire necessary pedagogical skills as a competent teacher. Classes are normally held from Monday to Saturday between 8:30 am and 6:30 pm.

03. When will classes start?

Classes start in early September.

04. How can I apply for the programme?

Students can apply through E-APP. We also accept online application. 

05. Will the University acknowledge receipt of my application?

• For online application through E-APP, applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledgement from E-APP and the School;
• For online application at the School's programme webpages, applicants will receive an e-mail acknowledgement from the School.

06. How can I send application fee to the University if I apply through E-APP?

The applicants will receive an email inviting them to pay the application fee by means of online payment.

07. Do I need to attend any interviews?

Yes. Interviews will be arranged from June to July.

08. How will I be notified if I am selected for interview?

Applicants will be invited to attend an interview through e-mail/phone.

09. When will the University make the admission offer?

Admission offers are normally made in July.