Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Early Childhood Education)

This programme is suitable for aspiring or current early childhood educators who are keen to develop as middle management professionals, such as head teachers responsible for curriculum planning or administration, or as principals in kindergartens. The programme aims to help participants advance their academic and professional qualifications.

This is a three-year part-time programme consisting of 60 credit points (cps). It is designed as an add-on to the in-service Certificate / Higher Diploma in Kindergarten Education Programme (CE(KG) / HD(KG)), or the pre-service Certificate / Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education Programme (CE(ECE) / HD(ECE)) or equivalent. This programme comprises the following domains:

Students are normally required to attend two to three 3-hour sessions per week. Classes may be scheduled on weekdays during daytime or evenings and/or on weekends at the Tai Po Campus, Tseung Kwan O Study Centre, North Point Study Centre, and/or Kowloon Tong Satellite Study Centre, as decided by the University. Some classes may also be offered on Saturday afternoons at one of the campuses.

This programme offers a Chinese stream (CMI) and an English stream (EMI). Applicants must choose which medium of instruction they prefer upon application.

• Chinese as the medium of instruction (CMI)
  The medium of instruction is mainly Cantonese. English or Putonghua may be adopted as the language of instruction for relevant courses, as appropriate.
• English as the medium of instruction (EMI)
  The medium of instruction is mainly English.

To be eligible for admission, applicants should normally have completed the Certificate / Higher Diploma in Kindergarten Education Programme (CE(KG) / HD(KG)) or Certificate / Higher Diploma in Early Childhood Education Programme (CE(ECE) / HD(ECE)) or equivalent. Eligible applicants may be required to attend an interview.

The tuition fee for the programme is HK$28,100 per annum for local students. This fee is provisional and subject to adjustment.

• Entrance Scholarship – Professional Excellence Scholarship for Graduates of Higher Diploma Programmes in the field of Early Childhood Education
• Final-year Project Award – Project/Capstone Course Excellence Award for Bachelor of Education (Early Childhood Education) Programmes
• Outstanding Field Experience Award for Early Childhood Education Students

• Meet the professional qualifications needed to become a kindergarten principal (Note 1)
• Fulfil the EDB’s recommended professional qualification of BEd(ECE) for appointment or promotion to senior teacher posts in kindergartens participating the Free Quality Kindergarten Scheme (Note 2)
• Be able to work in a range of positions that involve working with children and families
• Be eligible to apply for the University's Master's Programmes

Note 1: Graduates' individual registration on professional qualifications as kindergarten principal is subject to the approval of the Education Bureau.

Note 2: According to the Kindergarten Administration Guide (2023), For appointment or promotion to senior teacher posts, Scheme-KGs should accord priority to suitable candidates with a bachelor degree in early childhood education (BEd(ECE)) or equivalent.

* As required by the Education Bureau (EDB), all new kindergarten principals from the 2009/10 school year should possess a degree in early childhood education. Graduates of this Course are recognised by the EDB as meeting one of the requirements for registration as kindergarten principals in Hong Kong. Registration on professional qualifications as a kindergarten principal is subject to individuals’ relevant work experience and further principalship training, and is subject to EDB’s final approval.

**Graduates of this programme who have been teaching in special child care service units and have completed the required courses in Diverse Needs will be considered as having acquired training on the One-year In-service Course in Special Child Care Work recognized by the Social Welfare Department. Students may be required to provide proof of service for taking the courses in Diverse Needs. The University reserves the right to approve students' eligibility.