Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong

Programme Overview

Since its foundation in 1911 the University of Hong Kong has prepared professional educators for Hong Kong’s education and training sectors. The Master of Education (MEd) programme, offered since 1978, has significantly contributed to that goal. MEd graduates from the University of Hong Kong are actively involved in school administration, policy development, adult and vocational training, teacher education, curriculum development, classroom teaching, educational assessment and evaluation, and educational research both in Hong Kong and abroad. However, the educational context is changing rapidly and with it the demands on teachers and education professionals for new skills and knowledge. Hence, the MEd programme has been significantly restructured to provide more choices for applicants.

Programme Structure

The MEd programme can be completed over one academic year of full-time study, or two but no more than four consecutive academic years of part-time study. Classes are generally held on weekdays, from 5:30 p.m. to 8:00 p.m. There are two parallel strands within the MEd programme:

Both strands consist of eight modules. A module (other than the dissertation modules and project by independent study) involves 24 hours of class contact, plus self-directed study, active involvement in eforums and other interactive networks/study groups, intensive reading, and assignments and out-of-class exercises. Overall for the whole course there is a minimum of 300 hours of prescribed work.

Fields of Study^     (2010 September Intake)

When you apply for admission to the MEd, you will be asked to choose no more than two preferred fields of study and your study mode on the application forms. The following fields of study are on offer for admissions in September 2010. Please note that some specialisms are only available for part-time study.

• Specialist Strand
• Generalist Educational Studies Strand

Generalist Educational Studies strand

This field of study aims to serve educators who may be interested in, for example, curriculum studies, educational management, theories of learning, values in education, and psychology of education. This programme allows you to tailor-make a course of study across the broad field of education, according to your own interests, without having to narrow your focus of study. Students registered for the Generalist Strand are required to complete the core module “Educational Studies”, a research methods module and an option of either three elective modules and a dissertation or five elective modules and a project by independent study, of which the elective modules to be chosen from a pool of about 30 elective modules.

Click here for detailed information (PDF)

Course Coordinator

Prof. Gerry Postiglione

Contact No.

2859-2526

Module(s) to be taken for Personal Advancement/Interests

The Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Studies (PCAdvEdStud) was launched in September 2003. It aims to serve practising teachers and educational professionals who wish to upgrade and extend their knowledge and skills in a specific area of education or follow an alternative pathway into our expanding Master of Education (MEd), Master of Science in Information Technology in Education (MSc[ITE]) or Master of Science in Library and Information Management (MSc[LIM]) programmes. The programme provides a more flexible and individualized structure which may appeal to those who wish to do a shorter or more intensive programme or who have already completed a Master’s level qualification some time ago and/or in a different area.

Students may enroll in a generic Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Studies [PCAdvEdStud (Individual Programme)] with up to three accredited Master’s level modules for their particular interests and needs, for completion in not more than four academic years. Teachers who would like to pursue one or two MEd modules for professional development can also apply. For those who cannot complete all three modules within four years, advanced standing may be granted to students who have completed one or more module(s) in the PCAdvEdStud, MEd, MSc[ITE] or MSc[LIM] programmes, as long as the application for advanced standing is made within 5 years after completion of that particular module(s). Candidates may refer to the the PCAdvEdStud programme via pcaes.edu.hku.hk for more details.

Electives

Elective modules provide you an opportunity to study in the areas that give you a deeper understanding of topics related to your specialization and also other areas in which you might be interested, without direct relevance or usefulness, in order to broaden your general appreciation of education. Course Coordinators may give students some guidance and advice for the elective modules that are related to your area of specialization.

A wide variety of elective modules will be available for students registered in the MEd and PCAdvEdStud programmes. The elective modules on offer will vary in each academic year.

Students' Comments

“ 1977 was a turning point in my life. I was admitted to the first cohort of M Ed in HKU. The following two years had been most fruitful, and very tough, too. I met the most talented group of young educationalists at that time working in different areas – Education Department, Teachers Training Colleges, schools and polytechnics. We enjoyed the truly academic discourse and debate, through which I had formulated my education philosophy. ”

Law Hing Chung Graduated in 1979 Head, Pui Kiu College
Immediate past chair, Hong Kong Direct Subsidy Schools Council

“ It was my great fortune for studying at the MEd Programme in the field of Education for National Development at the Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong from 1988 to 1990. The Programme not only equipped me academically for my doctoral study in the United States, but also helped me to become an academic staff in various higher education institutions for nearly two decades. More importantly, my respected teachers nurtured both my mind and my heart to act as development researcher and practitioner, through founding a NGO — Living Knowledge Communities, currently devoting myself to serve voluntarily for the professional and pedagogical development of rural school principals and teachers in western China. ”

Philip Hui Kwok Fai Graduated in 1990 with Distinction Director, Living Knowledge Communities

“ The prominent value of the MEd in HKU for me was to discover my own inadequacy in knowing about school as an organization and education as a process. The discovery was due to the exposure brought about by the programme, not only to the myriads of theories and literature as guided by the professors, but also to the rich and varied experience shared by the classmates, which was really unexpected and crucial added values for a learner who seeks to improve his or her educational mind and professional practice. ”

Ip Kin Yuen Graduated in 1994 with Distinction Principal, HKICC Lee Shau Kee School of Creativity
President, HKU Education Alumni Association

“ Inspiring professors and enlightening course mates! A very positive and enriching experience which benefits not only my own development, but also my school and my students! ”

Clio Chan So Ming Graduated in 1995 with Distinction Principal, Creative Primary School

“ The MEd programme at HKU is the most important and memorable course I have taken to date. Not only did it help me to consolidate my knowledge of teaching and learning, it also gave me insights into educational theory and practices which enhanced my pedagogy and gave me the confidence and expertise to undertake leadership roles in school. I remember being taught by some of the best educators in Hong Kong on the MEd programme and it is still the flagship for the Faculty of Education. ”

Gary Harfitt Graduated in 1999 Teacher Consultant, Faculty of Education, University of Hong Kong
Ex-secondary School Teacher

“ Doing a MEd opens new horizons in learning which enhance and support human dynamics and intellectual development. The programme aims to ‘draw out’ the passion for educational enquiry rather than to ‘pour in, to fill up with knowledge’. ”

Chan Wing Kwong Graduated in 1998 with Distinction Principal, Po Leung Kuk Laws Foundation College &
Po Leung Kuk Luk Hing Too Primary School

“ Stepping into a classroom after a long break of 20 years (I received my BA in the USA in 1981), I felt like a stranger. I felt even more strange to my classmates who were all teachers and who had clear reasons for being there.
I was then asked the unavoidable question: you are a lawyer, a politician, a public figure and only a school supervisor, why do you have to take these courses?
This is how I answered them: being involved in education is so different from other public service as what you do affect and influence many other lives. I am fascinated by education, I have a role in school operation, and I really want to be an insider and make a difference.
Four years have gone by since I received my M Ed (Distinction) from HKU. I have toiled at the frontline tackling educational issues everyday. I guess I am more than a supervisor because the M Ed has pulled me closer to being an insider.
I recommend the M Ed to everyone who is committed to education. I gained a lot from it, far more than a degree. It broadened my knowledge base, my research skills and heightened my endurance level (in toiling through the M Ed dissertation). It allowed me to understand theories and see how they are implemented in practice.
I enjoyed those two years so much, that to the surprise of many, I have now embarked on a more difficult and long journey - the pursuit of the Ed D. ”

Ada Wong, JP Graduated in 2003 with Distinction Lawyer, School Supervisor

“ After several years of teaching Chemistry and Computer Literacy in secondary schools, I thought I should envision teaching and education from a broader perspective. Then I joined the MEd in Comparative Education in 2001. The programme helped me to see, through the studies of education systems in different parts of the world and at different time frames, how education has shaped society and has been shaped by local, national, international and other forces. I was lucky that the programme was taught by world renowned scholars, who are the key figures of their research areas. To name a few, they include, Prof Mark Bray, Prof Gerry Postiglione and Prof Cheng Kai-Ming. The classmates I had was a big surprise to me. They were from very diverse backgrounds which made the class discussions most fruitful. They included people working in international school, primary school, secondary school, tertiary institute, EDB (then ED); peoples from Canada, India, Japan, Korea, mainland China, Philippines, US etc. I doubt if I could have such a cultural mix of teachers and classmates, who brought different expertise and perspectives from their first hand experiences, elsewhere in Asia. You will never be the same person after two years of intensive study! ”

Maurice Cheng Man Wai Graduated in 2003 Teaching Consultant, HKU
B.Pharm., PCEd (Chemistry), MEd (Comparative Education)
Started full-time PhD (Science Education) at the University of Reading, England in 2006

“ It is my honour to be the graduate of the Master of Education in 2005 that I was not only refreshed my knowledge in the area of early childhood education after working for more than 20 years, but the course also broadened my perspectives in the field of education that indeed gave me the drive to continue my work at present post. I was also delighted to complete an initial research study on some issues related to my specialist that I was grateful to my supervisor Dr Nirmala Rao for all her support and most important of all, I have got the confidence to pursuit excellence of quality early childhood education in my career.”

Gloria Leung Chi Kin Graduated in 2005 with Distinction Director, Caritas Pre-school Education and Child Care Service
Member, Education Commission, EDB

“ The MEd Programme in the University of Hong Kong enables me to refresh myself after working 21 years in the education sector. The student identity keeps me young and energetic. I am always keen to learn through various taught programmes including lectures, tutorials and workshops. The libraries and electronic resources provide vast academic references for my study. I also enjoy the inspirations from tutors and classmates who bear diverse backgrounds and experiences. The interactions bring me new insights and enjoyment. I treasure the time and opportunity for studying this MEd Programme and I look forward to complete my educational research in the coming months. ”

Brenda Wu Shuk Yin Graduated in 2008 Head, Y.O.T. Tin Ka Ping Primary School

Tuition and Fees

Fees for 2010 September intake will be as follows:

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Payment instructions:
Please refer to the “Instruction for Application Fee Payment for Taught Postgraduate Programmes” which is attached to the application form. If in a special case, you cannot use of the mentioned payment methods, you may make payment through Bank of East Asia (BEA) counter to HKU bank account no. “015-514-40-59222-6” by cash or crossed cheque payable to “The University of Hong Kong”. After the completion of the payment transaction, please ensure that the 19-digit payment reference (i.e. 2099999983 00000 4001) printed on the bank pay-in slip is correctly input by the bank teller.
Enquiry: Please call Finance and Enterprises Office (FEO) at 2859 2322 or send email to student@fo.hku.hk if you have any question on the payment instruction.

*

On leaving the University, a student’s caution money shall be used to offset the graduation fee or, if the student is not graduating, be returned to the student.

**

Provisional

Admissions Requirements

To be eligible for admission, applicants shall hold a recognized Bachelor’s degree either of this University or of another University; or the Advanced Diploma in Education of this University or another qualification of equivalent standard.

Admissions Schedule (2010 September Intake)

Information Session

Date

February 6 , 2010 (Saturday)

Time

2:30 pm

Venue

Rayson Huang Lecture Theatre, HKU

Please register your seat on-line at http://web.edu.hku.hk/programme/infosessions/

Application Deadline: February 20, 2010.

Interview

Applicants who are short-listed may be invited to attend an interview, normally in March 2010.

Announcement of Offers

Successful applicants will be informed of their admissions results by email, and will receive an Offer of Admission letter enclosing a Notice of Admission statement by post shortly after the interviews.

Application (2010 September Intake)

Applicants may submit hard-copy of the completed application forms to Faculty of Education Office apply online via the online application system at http://www.hku.hk/rss/online or Room 219, Runme Shaw Building, The University of Hong Kong.

Application forms can be obtained from:

• Academic Services Enquiry Office
  Room UG-05, Upper Ground Floor, Knowles Building, The University of Hong Kong
• Offices of the Faculty of Education
  Main Office: G/F, Hui Oi Chow Building, The University of Hong Kong
  Programme Office: Room 219, Runme Shaw Building, The University of Hong Kong
• Online at this website (Download application form here)

APPLICATION DEADLINE: February 20, 2010

If you are interested in studying at the Master’s level, but would like to do only a few modules, please refer to our information on the Postgraduate Certificate in Advanced Educational Studies programme.

Admission Decisions

Successful applicants for MEd will be informed of their admissions results by email, and they will receive an Offer of Admission letter enclosing a Notice of Admission statement by post.

Applicants are required to complete and return the Notice of Admission statement and pay the deposit to secure their place on the programme. The offer may be withdrawn if the Notice of Admission statement and the deposit are not received by the deadline as stipulated in the Offer of Admission letter.

Applicants who have not received the email notification or Offer of Admission letter may contact the following Faculty of Education enquiry hotlines for checking:

• Application for Master of Education: 2859-2544 and 2859-1951