Faculty of Education, The University of Hong Kong

Programme Aim & Overview

The Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) programme prepares university graduates to teach in Hong Kong in sectors ranging from kindergarten to tertiary institutions. The PGDE programme is also relevant to teachers teaching in training institutions, community colleges and international schools. PGDE is a recognized teacher training qualification by the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government.

Full-Time (one year)

The full-time programme is primarily intended for graduates without formal teaching experience.

The programme runs throughout the academic year from September to June. It emphasizes methods and practices of teaching and the theoretical aspects of education. Course participants will be given the opportunity to gain practical teaching experience in Hong Kong schools in the first semester and to undertake further teaching practice in the second semester under the guidance of a university teacher and school mentor.

Students may be required to join evening classes or Saturday classes for some courses.

Part-Time (two years)

The part-time programme is primarily designed for students who are serving teachers normally with at least one year of relevant teaching experience. It covers the methods and practices of teaching and the same theoretical aspects of study as the full-time programme.

The programme extends over two academic years of part-time study. Classes are held on two evenings per week in Year 1, and one evening per week in Year 2, from 5:30 to 8:00 p.m., 6:00 to 8:30 p.m. or 6:30 to 9:00 p.m. depending on different courses and run through each academic year from September to June. However, some Major Methods tutors may schedule classes on Saturdays.

Intending candidates should seek prior approval from their principals or employers to ensure that they are willing to release you to attend classes punctually.

Course Outline

The following are the major components of the Programme:
(In-service teachers will be observed in their normal course of teaching)

• Major Methods
• Educational Studies
• Elective
• Practical Teaching
• Self-Directed Learning

Major Methods Course

The Major Methods course examines methods of teaching of subjects of a cognate area within the school curriculum. It focuses on work in Hong Kong schools, and concerns issues such as the place, value and problems of the area within the curriculum; the planning, design and evaluation of lessons, programmes and syllabuses to achieve interest and learning; organization and control in classrooms, laboratories and other teaching settings; new developments in teaching in Hong Kong and overseas; the use of information and communications technology in teaching and learning; methods of assessment; production of resources and evaluation of textbooks and other materials. Candidates are required to take a major methods course of your major methods subject.

The Major Methods course helps you develop specialist subject teaching competence within a Key Learning Area (KLA) of the Hong Kong school curriculum. It is delivered in group seminars and workshops as well as in lectures. You will work on the analysis and development of effective classroom practice. This involves, in part, the synthesis of the best of traditional and newer methods, developed with the support of relevant theory and empirical evidence. The practical focus of the course is supported by microteaching and information technology. Certain groups will be involved in field work, and groups may meet for discussions or activities of common interest at times not specified in the timetable.

Key Learning Areas / Major :

• Chinese Language Education^1,2
  
  • Chinese (Primary)⁴ (full-time and part-time)
  • Chinese (Secondary)⁴ (full-time and part-time)
• English Language Education^{2, 3}
  
  • Full-time English (Primary & Secondary)⁴
  • Part-time English (Primary & Secondary)⁴
• Mathematics Education
  • Mathematics (Secondary)⁴ (full-time and part-time)
• Liberal Studies (full-time and part-time)
• Personal, Social and Humanities Education (full-time and part-time)
  • Majors in Economics, Geography, and History (including Chinese History)
• Science Education (full-time and part-time)
  • Majors in Biology, Chemistry and Physics
• Early Childhood Education (part-time only)⁵
• Special Education (part-time only)

1

English is used as the medium of instruction in all courses, except Chinese Methods courses which are taught in Chinese.

2

Serving language teachers may apply for grants under the Professional Development Incentive Grant Scheme for Language Teachers. PGDE students majoring in relevant language subjects are recognized by the Standing Committee on Language Education and Research (SCOLAR) as having fulfilled the "Language Major Teacher Training".

3

English as a Second Language

4

The emphasis given to primary / secondary education in the chosen stream should not confine you to teaching only within that context.

5

Graduates of the PGDE (Major in Early Childhood Education) programme are eligible for registration as kindergarten (KG) teachers, and as child care workers and child care supervisors, with the Education Bureau (EDB) and the Social Welfare Department respectively. Moreover, the EDB considers that a Bachelor Degree plus a Certificate (ECE) or equivalent (including PGDE[ECE]) as having met the required B(ECE) for KG principals. Serving KG teachers and principals may apply for course fee reimbursement from the EDB.

External Experience

Full-time students majoring in Chinese and English Language Education are required to participate in a compulsory Immersion Programme of 6-8 weeks (in around October/November 2013) in Mainland China and Australia or another English speaking country respectively, for a mixture of school experience, language study and cultural activities. Subject to confirmation by the HKSAR Government, a proportion of the total cost for the Immersion Programme will be subsidized by the Government. Students are required to contribute the remaining amount of the total cost. Financial assistance may be available from the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) for eligible students.

Students' Perspectives

Hear what our PGDE graduates say:

“ The teacher was really knowledgeable and passionate and provided excellent examples both in her teaching and in the lesson ideas/materials provided. Everything was relevant and I could immediately implement these ideas in my own classroom. ”

“ The best thing about the course was the positive learning environment created by all course lecturers. To the best of their ability whenever possible they gave timely and constructive feedback that helped me make positive changes ”

“ The course helped me to see “how” students actually learn and to enhance the quality of learning through interaction. ”

“ I really enjoyed the way lessons were structured. There were ample opportunities for us to discuss and learn from our classmates. This course was exciting in many ways, definitely a 'breath of fresh air'! Overall, I enjoyed this course a lot and I feel that it is a great first step in preparing me to become a teacher! ”

Fees

Fees for September 2013/14 intake are as follows:

Candidates are required to pay a non-refundable deposit on acceptance of offer of admission:
(i) for FT candidates, HK$21,050 for local students and HK$67,500 for non-local students#
(ii) for PT candidates, HK$10,525 for local students and HK$33,750 for non-local students#
(iii) Successful candidates are also required to pay caution money of HK$350 with the deposit.

*

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

#

For the purpose of admission of non-local students, "non-local students" are defined as persons entering Hong Kong for the purpose of education with a student visa/entry permit issued by the Director of Immigration. For details, please visit the HKSAR Immigration Department website at http://www.immd.gov.hk/ehtml/hkvisas.htm or HKU CEDARS website at http://beta.cedars.hku.hk/sections/campuslife/VisaMatters/VisaPolicy.php

##

Due on acceptance of offer of admission and will be credited to the composition fee.

Admissions Requirements

The Full-time Programme

To be eligible for admission to the full-time programme, applicants should hold a Bachelor's degree with honours of this University, or the equivalent. Applicants are normally expected to have completed a substantial portion of their undergraduate studies in the major subject for which they wish to apply. Intending applicants who have not completed such studies in their first degree may be considered as special cases.

The Part-time Programme

To be eligible for admission to the part-time programme, students should (i) hold a Bachelor's degree with honours of this University, or its equivalent; and (ii) normally be serving teachers in Hong Kong schools with a minimum of one year of relevant teaching experience.

Applicants are normally expected to have completed a substantial portion of their undergraduate studies in the major subject for which they wish to apply and be teaching that subject for a substantial part of their school timetable. Special consideration may be given to intending applicants who (i) hold a recognized Bachelor's degree not majoring in the subject applied, but have relevant teaching experience; or (ii) hold a relevant Bachelor’s degree but do not have a minimum of one year of relevant teaching experience.

Practical Teaching requirements for part-time applicants

Applicants who do not hold a teaching position may still apply for the part-time programme but may be given a lower priority for admission comparing with applicants who have met the admissions requirements specified above.

If a conditional Offer of Admission is given to an applicant without a teaching position, the applicant may be required to submit evidence of having a suitable teaching context (e.g. a copy of the teaching contract or a supporting letter from the school principal) by June 30, 2013 before a confirm Offer of Admission is given. Failing to fulfill the condition(s) of offer by the specified deadline may result in withdrawal of conditional offer due to non-fulfillment of the admissions requirements.

If a confirm Offer of Admission is given to an applicant without a teaching position, the applicant is required to make his/her own arrangement to present himself/herself for Practical Teaching with a suitable teaching context throughout the two years of part-time study. The Practical Teaching requirements will be specified on the conditional Offer of Admission letter.

English Language Requirement

An applicant who is seeking admission on the basis of a qualification from a university or comparable institution outside Hong Kong of which the language of teaching and/or examination isnot English is required to fulfill one of the following requirements:

Subject Test / Interview

Details of subject test and/or interview arrangements will be sent to shortlisted applicants by EMAIL only (at least one day before the subject test/interview).

Application

Application deadline: Jun 30, 2013 (Sunday)

Major (part-time mode only)
PSHE: History/Chinese History
Science: Biology, Physics

Application for all other Majors has closed.

Application and application fee of HK$300, which is non-refundable and non-transferable, should be submitted online at http://www.asa.hku.hk/admissions/tpg. Early submission of application is strongly encouraged.

Please submit one application with complete set of supporting documents for each Major which you are applying (Note: Different Majors and different study mode/study stream of the same Major are regarded as two programmes). Applicants are not allowed to transfer the chosen Major subject, study mode and study stream of the chosen Major once an online application has been submitted.

Submission of Supporting Documents

1. Tertiary Education*
   1. For all tertiary level studies undertaken in institutions other than HKU, applicants should attach a photocopy [or the original copy or an officially certified transcript (e.g. by a Commissioner for Oaths at a City District Office in Hong Kong)] with complete record on the courses attended, examination results and date of award.
   2. For all tertiary level studies undertaken in HKU, applicants should attach a photocopy of their transcript with complete record on the courses attended, examination results and date of award.
   3. For all current undergraduate studies undertaken either in this University or other institutions, which are still enrolled and not completed, applicants should attach a photocopy of their transcript/examination result slip on the courses attended.

2. Post-secondary Education
   Applicants whose Bachelor's degree is a top-up programme and/or with advanced standing/credit transfer granted should also attach a photocopy [or the original copy or an officially certified copy] of the post-secondary qualification (e.g. associate degree, higher diploma, etc)

3. Certificates of HKALE and HKCEE (for applicants applying to the Key Learning Areas in Chinese Language Education, English Language Education, Mathematics, Liberal Studies and Science Education).

4. TOEFL/IELTS/GCE/IGCSE/CPE/GMAT* official score report
   (for applicants from universities or comparable institutions outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching and/or examination is not English).Please note that the University’s TOFEL code is 9671.

5. Copy of appointment letter(s)/contract(s) for your current teaching position (for applicants applying for PGDE part-time programme only).

You may also ask your home institution to send transcripts directly to the Faculty of Education by completing the “Transcript Request Form” and send it to the appropriate officer of the institution from which the transcript is issued.

* For qualifications obtained in China, a photocopy [or the original copy or an officially certified copy] of BOTH the Graduation Certificate (畢業証書) AND Certificate of Bachelor Degree (學士學位証書) translated to English by the issuing institution is also required.

** Please do NOT submit non-academic related documents.

Important notes to applicants:

• Please mark your full name, application number, PGDE FT/PT Major subject applied on the envelope.
• Certificates/transcripts which are not in English should be accompanied by a formally certified translation in English (i.e. certificate/transcript should be translated to English by the Registry of the issuing institution).
• Applications will be reviewed based on the information and documents submitted so applicants are reminded to provide accurate information. Failure to submit supporting documents by the application deadline may cause delay in processing. Documents submitted after the deadline may not be considered.
• Please note that all supporting documents submitted will not be returned and will be destroyed at the end of the admission exercise for unsuccessful applicants.

Concurrent Registration

University Regulation G6 prohibits concurrent registration by a student for another post-secondary qualification either at this University or at another institution, unless approval of the Senate has been obtained in advance. A breach of this regulation may result in discontinuation of studies at this University. Students may be required to withdraw from / defer the other programme of study after acceptance of Offer of Admission to the PGDE programme.

Admission Decisions

Successful applicants will be informed of their PGDE admission results by EMAIL, and will receive an official 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 PGDE programme. The offer will automatically 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 are not allowed to transfer the Major subject, study mode and study stream of the same Major after acceptance of offer and during the course of study under any circumstances (e.g. job situation change).

Applicants who do not hear from the Faculty of Education by June 30, 2013 may assume their application unsuccessful. No individual notifications will be sent to unsuccessful applicants.