Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings)

Unique Master’s degree programme in Psychology designed for non-psychology degree holders and concentrated on schools and community settings

Excellent education in psychological principles, application, and research training

Option to work on an independent research project and accordingly, produce a dissertation under the close supervision of our teaching team

Choice of elective courses such as Educational Psychology, Health Psychology, Stress and Coping, Interpersonal Communication Skills etc.

Online bridging course for participants with no prior formal training in psychology

Recognition of prior learning via credit transfer*

*subject to approval

Gateway to careers and further studies in the fields of psychology and education such as

• Master / PhD in Clinical Psychology
• Master / PhD in Educational Psychology
• MPhil / PhD in Psychology
• Master of Social Sciences / PhD in Industrial and Organizational Psychology

Doctor of Education

Graduates can apply for membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society*

*   Subject to approval from the Hong Kong Psychological Society for individual applications.

Non-psychology degree holders, especially educators or other community workers, who wish to embark on a path to professional training and career development in psychology.

*Applicants with a recognised Bachelor’s degree who have not previously completed a course of Introductory Psychology (or equivalent) offered by a recognised university or institution (at undergraduate level or above) must complete this online bridging course before taking other courses in the programme. The credit points earned upon completion of this course will not count towards the total credit points of the programme.
 

The medium of instruction and assessment is English.

Full-time students are expected to complete the programme in 1 year, while part-time students are expected to complete the programme in 2 years. Full-time students will attend 4 classes per week and part-time students will attend 2 classes per week, usually held on weekday evenings and Saturdays at the Tai Po Campus. Classes in the same or different semester(s) may be scheduled on weekday evenings, weekends and/or during long holidays at the Tai Po Campus / Tseung Kwan O Study Centre / North Point Study Centre / Kowloon Tong Satellite Study Centre and/or other locations as decided by the University.

Applicants should hold a recognised Bachelor’s degree and preferably have introductory psychology training at a recognised tertiary institution. Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview/ take a test.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution in a non-English speaking system should normally fulfil one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

• Overall score of IELTS 6.0 (academic version)#; or
• TOEFL (internet-based test) #: Score of 80 (for tests taken before 21 January 2026) or Score of 4.0 (for tests taken from 21 January 2026 onwards); or
• Grade C or above in GCSE / GCE OL English; or
• Other equivalent qualifications.

^#The test should be taken in test centres and the result should be valid within two years. If you are applying for 2026/27 academic year, your IELTS / TOEFL must be obtained on or after 1 January 2024.

TOEFL Home Editions, TOEFL MyBest Score, IELTS Indicator, IELTS Online, IELTS One Skill Retake, Duolingo and National Postgraduate Entrance Examination (全國碩士 研究生招生考試) are NOT acceptable.

*Those who pass the initial screening may be required to participate in an interview.

Submission of Supporting Documents for Application

• A copy of graduation certificate and academic transcript (Applicable to graduates);
• A copy of the latest transcript / testimonial (Applicable to final year students);
• English language test report (e.g. IELTS, TOEFL, etc.) (for applicants whose entrance qualification obtained from an institution in a non-English speaking system);
• Other qualifications documents;
• A brief personal statement (Recommended)
  In up to 400 words, please write a brief personal statement. What are your aspirations for personal development, work, or further study after obtaining this English-language, Master's degree in Psychology? Please briefly describe your aspirations, your past relevant experiences (e.g., work experience, community work, past degrees, other relevant experience or non-academic achievement), and how this programme will help you reach those future aspirations.

Tuition Fee: HK$174,960 (Provisional and subject to adjustment)
The tuition fee is HK$4,860 per credit, which is provisional and subject to adjustment. Tuition fees paid are normally not refundable or transferable.
(For those required to take the bridging course, the tuition fee is HK$189,540)
Extension fees will be charged to students who have to extend their studies beyond the normal duration (i.e., 1 year for full-time and 2 years for part-time).

1. The Department of Psychology Entrance Scholarship for the Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings) Programme 2025/26

The Department of Psychology Entrance Scholarship for the Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings) Programme will be awarded to a maximum of two new students who are enrolled in the 2025/26 academic year. To be eligible, students must have demonstrated an outstanding academic background and achieved exceptional academic accomplishments during their undergraduate studies. Each awardee will receive HK$10,000.

Any eligible applicants who fulfilled the selection criteria will be automatically considered for the scholarship. 

2. Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings) Programme Entrance Scholarship 2025/26

Master of Social Sciences in Psychology (Schools and Community Settings) Programme Entrance Scholarship will be awarded to a maximum of two new students who are enrolled in the 2025/26 academic year. To be eligible, students must have demonstrated good academic accomplishments during their undergraduate studies and shown notable non-academic achievements, such as making significant contributions to local schools and community settings, or engaging in relevant community service activities. Each awardee will receive HK$10,000.

Any eligible applicants who fulfilled the selection criteria and submitted the personal statement with evidence to the online application system will be automatically considered for the scholarship. 

3. The Scholarship for Teachers (Pursuit of Master's Degree Programmes) 2025/26

This programme is under "The Scholarship for Teachers (Pursuit of Master's Degree Programmes)" hosted by the Education Bureau. The Scholarship (2025/26) is open for application from 16 May to 12 June 2025.

For further information, please visit Education Bureau's website.

The arrangement for 2026/27 will be announced soon.

This programme is on the list of eligible taught postgraduate programmes under the Hong Kong Future Talents Scholarship Scheme for Advanced Studies (FTSS) by the University Grants Committee (UGC). Local students who are admitted to the programme in full-time or part-time study mode will be invited to submit applications for the FTSS. For more details, please visit the UGC website.

• Students who have fulfilled the programme requirements will be conferred the degree upon the approval of the University's Academic Board. The University bears no responsibility for the evaluation of its degrees outside of Hong Kong. Students are advised to consult with the relevant authority(ies) for the prevailing rules/regulations.
• Individuals who would seek qualification certification in Chinese Mainland after graduation should contact the Chinese Service Centre for Scholarly Exchange (CSCSE) 中國(教育部) 留學服務中心 for updated details.
• The certification in Chinese Mainland is an independent process from the conferral of academic qualification in Hong Kong by the University. For the avoidance of doubt, no warranties are given in respect of individual graduate's qualification certification or recognition in Chinese Mainland or any other professional qualification or license outside Hong Kong.
• CSCSE  takes a very prudent approach in evaluating each application, including the students' residential period in Hong Kong during the entire study period. When evaluating graduates' credentials, the full border entry and exit records of individual applicants will be examined.
• Students who would pursue credential recognition should be aware that short stays in Hong Kong during the study period may not fulfil the CSCSE residential requirements, leading to possible uncertainty and risks to their credential recognition.
• Students are seriously advised to consider the above when making personal plans, such as accommodation and travel plans from Hong Kong, etc. and make necessary arrangements where appropriate. 
• It is the responsibility of the students to be familiar with and comply with the University regulations and guidelines governing the Taught Postgraduate Programmes. Students should refer to the Graduate School website for the General Academic Regulations and the Code of Practice for Taught Postgraduate Programmes for details.
• Students should consult with CSCSE if they have any enquiries.