Master of Education
Fields of Studies
Enquiries Information
General Enquiries
+852 3917 5712 /
+852 3917 1951 /
+852 3917 8044
[javascript protected email address]
Room 420, 4/F, Meng Wah Complex
The University of Hong Kong
Fields of Studies^ (2024 Intake)
The following specialisms are offered for admissions in September 2024. Please note that most of them are available in both one-year full-time and two-year part-time modes, while some of them are available for full-time mode only.
When you apply for admission to the MEd, you will be asked to choose your specialism and mode of study. If you are applying for more than one specialism/mode of study, separate online applications should be submitted. Applications are non-transferrable among specialisms/modes of study once an online application has been submitted.
For further information about the specialism, please contact the relevant Specialism Coordinator.
^ The University reserves the right to withdraw the offering of any field of study if the number of enrolment is insufficient to form a viable class or due to any unforeseen circumstances. In the event that a field of study is withdrawn, applicants may have their deposit refunded.
EDB's Scholarship for Teachers (Pursuit of Master's Degree Programmes)
The Education Bureau (EDB) has launched a scheme called the Scholarship for Teachers (Pursuit of Master's Degree Programmes). The Scholarship for Teachers aims to celebrate achievements of high-performing teachers and to encourage teachers’ pursuit of higher qualifications as well as to enhance their professionalism. It is offered to selected full-time serving teachers who take part-time studies in the following MEd fields of study in 2023-24 school year (the list for 2024-25 will be announced in due course):
1. Chinese Language Education
2. Content and Language Integrated Learning
3. Educational Administration and Management
4. English Language Education
5. Guidance and Counselling
6. Mathematics Education
7. STEM Education
For details, please visit EDB website at: https://www.edb.gov.hk/en/teacher/qualification-training-development/training/scholarship-for-teacher-master/index.html.
Full-time and part-time
This Generalist Strand consists of a compulsory core course (6 credits), 7 general elective courses (6 credits each), plus a research project or a professional portfolio (12 credits).
| Specialism Coordinator | Dr Cheng Yong Tan |
| Contacts | 3917-4635, [javascript protected email address] |
Chinese Language Education (CLE)
Full-time and part-time
This specialism provides teachers, language educators and teacher educators with theoretical knowledge and the latest research developments in Chinese linguistics and language education and enhances their pedagogical skills. This specialism also aims to promote research relevant to language in education in Hong Kong.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Chin-Hsi Lin (+852 3917 1512; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
Comparison is a fundamental tool for all forms of enquiry. When applied to education in an international setting, it assists in identification of factors which shape education systems, processes and outcomes, and instruments for improvement. The comparisons in this specialism will be framed by theories and understandings of the forces of globalisation. These forces bring benefits for many people, but can also have negative dimensions. The specialism will examine forces of continuity and change and the implications for educators. It will also focus on the nature of development in an international context and on the role of education in the processes of development. This will include analysis of all levels of formal education (early childhood to higher education), and various types of non-formal education. It will include particular reference to UNESCO’s work in the context of the United Nations’ Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Jeremy Rappleye (+852 3917 0356; rappleye@hku.hk)
Full-time and part-time
This specialism aims to cater for more content and language in-service and pre-service teachers in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and overseas. It is designed for subject teachers who are directly involved in English medium instruction (EMI) and English language teachers who have a role to play in supporting EMI content teaching. It equips participants with the linguistic principles and knowledge of practice to develop and implement language-across-the-curriculum initiatives in schools to improve both English academic literacy and EMI content instruction.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinators:
Dr Simon Chan (+852 3917 5416; [javascript protected email address])
Professor Hamid Mirhosseini (+852 3917 4343; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
The specialism aims to develop an advanced understanding (appropriate to the Master's level) and leadership in the field of curriculum studies. Specifically, students will follow specialist courses that explore ideas and theories in the areas of curriculum concepts and design, learning, assessment and pedagogy, curriculum policy and practice, curriculum implementation and evaluation.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Dr Anthony Cheng (+852 2241 5797; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
The specialism aims to provide participants with the knowledge, skills, and attitudes to facilitate high quality and contextually appropriate early childhood education. Specifically, the specialism will help participants acquire scientifically-based knowledge about early childhood education, develop a deeper understanding of contextual influences on children’s development and learning, and further develop their professional competence in planning, implementing and evaluating programmes of early childhood education and care. Participants will also be encouraged to access the most recent international knowledge in the field.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Carrie Lau (+852 3917 7601; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This specialism provides educators with related theoretical background, cultivates their research interests and abilities to understand and analyse the effective practice of administration and management in education, as well as in other relevant contexts as appropriate. Topics discussed will include organisation theories; management theories; theories and strategies for decision-making; sociological perspectives of educational institutions; educational policy-making and planning; organisational performance; accountability and law in education; and research methodology in educational administration.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Dr Vincent Wong (+852 2859 2986; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
The specialism aims to provide experienced teachers and language specialists with an appropriate theory-based framework within which to understand and investigate issues involved in English language education, in order that they can develop leadership roles in the profession. The specialism focuses on the development of participants’ language awareness, with a view to equipping them with the expertise necessary for a critical understanding of approaches to research and development in English language teaching and learning. The specialism also develops the practical skills needed for school-based classroom research, curriculum development, and the implementation of innovations.
Entry requirements:
- Have obtained a minimum level 7 overall in IELTS or equivalent and no less than 6.5 in any skill (where applicable)
- Hold a first degree in a language related discipline
- Hold a teaching qualification
- Have at least 1 year of full-time teaching experience (discretion may be applied in considering individual cases
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinators:
Dr Simon Chan (+852 3917 5416; [javascript protected email address])
Professor Hamid Mirhosseini (+852 3917 4343; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This is a professional graduate course designed for administrators, teachers, enrichment specialists, student affairs professionals, and guidance personnel concerned with various aspects of gifted education and talent development in schools and similar settings. The course is based upon the belief that talent development is essential for all school students. The course provides not only the theoretical framework for gifted education but also practical strategies for organising and implementing activities that foster students’ creativity, talent development, social and emotional development, and career preparation. The course addresses participants’ development of key competencies necessary for implementing school-wide gifted education and talent development programmes. The participants in this specialism will be encouraged to reflect on their own practices and strategies in gifted education and talent development, which in turn can contribute to the building of a school-wide talent development system.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Mantak Yuen (+852 3917 8542; [javascript protected email address])
Professor Jesus Datu (+852 2859 2532; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This specialism is designed to provide students with a comprehensive perspective on the theories and practices in higher education. In the increasingly globalised and complex higher education environment, the programme aims to enhance students’ critical thinking, research skills, and professional development in higher education. The courses draw on interdisciplinary perspectives from philosophy, sociology, economics, political science, pedagogy, and comparative education. It also covers multiple layers of higher education, including global and national systems, institutional policy and practice, and teaching and learning. Teachers in the specialism are globally known scholars in higher education and their research works are widely published internationally. Students who want to develop their research skills for further study, seek career advancement in the higher education sector, and pursue interdisciplinary knowledge in education are welcome.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Jisun Jung (+852 2859 1183; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This specialism is designed to familiarise teachers/educators/individuals interested in psychological studies in education with the basic concepts and principles of developmental, educational, and social psychology and their application in educational contexts. Strong emphasis will be placed on topics and issues in contemporary research that are relevant to schools and higher educational institutions in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the rest of the world. Sample topics covered are (i) learner characteristics (e.g., cognitive development, language development, moral development, psychosocial development, interpersonal development, and factors influencing student development such as individual differences in learning approaches, motivation, and learning styles); (ii) teacher characteristics (e.g., conceptions of teaching and learning, emotions in teaching, teacher self-efficacy, teaching styles, and teaching approaches); and (iii) the process, context, and culture of learning (e.g., theories of learning and teaching, curriculum, pedagogy, learning how to learn, designing effective learning, classroom talk, assessment, computer-supported collaborative learning, and the Chinese Learner).
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Li-fang Zhang (+852 3917 2522; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This specialism aims to develop teachers’ understanding of various issues and global trends in science education (e.g. STEM education) to enable them to contribute more effectively towards initiating, designing and implementing innovative teaching in science education in Hong Kong or worldwide. The specialism also aims at equipping teachers with the knowledge and skills in planning and implementing STEM education.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Dennis Fung (+852 2219 4607; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This specialism aims to equip education students with an in-depth understanding of theoretical and practical issues surrounding STEM education. The specialism will explore philosophy, theories, learning design, technologies and policy at local and international level with respect to STEM. Specific theoretical constructs will be examined in the specialism, with a focus on developing further research agenda at graduate level, e.g., STEM literacies, learning design, levels of integration, computational thinking, and design thinking.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Logan Chen (+852 2859 2447; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time only
This specialism is designed for pre-service or in-service Chinese language teachers in primary or secondary schools, who want to equip themselves with knowledge and skills in teaching Chinese in international contexts. The programme connects theory and practice, focusing on issues related to pedagogy, curriculum design, assessment and classroom research for teaching Chinese as a second language. The programme aims to develop qualified TCSL teachers versed in various international curricula, with a particular focus on the (International Baccalaureate) IB curriculum. Completion of this specialism leads to the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Ms Louisa Yen (+852 3917 5430; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time only
The specialism equips the participants with knowledge and pedagogical skills in teaching Chinese language and literature. It focuses on the International Baccalaureate (IB) Diploma Programme (DP) and other international curricula. It aims to enable participants to become effective teachers in international education, thus building their capacity to develop inquiring, knowledgeable and globally minded young people. It is a specialism requiring both coursework and a professional portfolio. The course arranges teaching practicum experience in IB schools for pre-service teachers. The participants will explore theories and practices of teaching Chinese language and Chinese literature requiring critical thinking about teaching and learning. Completion of this specialism leads to the IB Certificate in Teaching and Learning.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Ms Wendy Lai (+852 3917 2538; [javascript protected email address])
Full-time and part-time
This Generalist Strand does not have a specialist course. It allows students to choose seven elective courses of various areas that are of interest or needs of the candidates. Candidates who do not wish to commit to a particular specialism may consider this Strand.
Click here for detailed information (PDF)
Specialism Coordinator:
Professor Frank Reichert (+852 2241 5571; [javascript protected email address])