Experiential Learning
The Faculty actively promotes Experiential Learning (EL) as a crucial element in teacher preparation programmes across the Faculty. From 2019-2020 onward, EL is a compulsory part of many programmes, such as the Double Degrees at undergraduate (UG) level and the Postgraduate Diploma in Education (PGDE) full-time programme.
This section contains the programme requirements and a number of exciting EL opportunities for students across our UG and PGDE programmes. These projects have been developed over the past few years with various NGOs and organisations in Hong Kong and outside of it. Students are invited to read the project descriptions and take the initiative to apply for at least one of the projects.
Undergraduate EL Electives
Requirements
Double-degree programmes
All incoming UG students for BA&BEd(LangEd)-English, BA&BEd(LangEd)-Chinese and BEd&BSc from the 2019-20 cohort are required to fulfill the requirements of at least one EL activity through a Community-based Professional Practicum (CPP) project before the start of their fourth year. The settings for CPP projects may be local, overseas or in mainland China. All are aimed at pushing students out of their comfort zones and enabling them to foster skills and values that are relevant to a career in education. Students are required to undertake 6 credits from education-related EL courses or CPP projects offered by the Faculty of Education before the start of Year 4.
In addition, BA&BEd(LangEd)-English and BA&BEd(LangEd)-Chinese students are required to participate in the compulsory language immersion programme funded by the HKSAR Government.
BEd&BSocSc students from the 2019-20 cohort onward are required to take a 6-credit Professional Practicum course in Year 3 and 24 credits of off-campus learning under the twin themes, Social Innovation and Global Citizenship, through the Faculty of Social Sciences.
Other programmes
Students in other programmes are strongly encouraged to participate in at least one optional EL activity throughout their period of studies.
PowerPoint file for UG EL Orientation 2024-25
Community-based Professional Practicum (CPP) Courses 2024-25
BBED6747
Developing the Competence in STEM Education
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Local partner schools/organisations
Location: Hong Kong
Eligibility: BEd&BSc, BSc and BEng students
BBED6787
Ocean Park Experiential Learning Project
(6 credits) 
Community Partner: Ocean Park Hong Kong
Location: Hong Kong
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6802
Outdoor Environmental Education Experiential Learning Project
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Outdoor Wildlife Learning Hong Kong
Location: Hong Kong
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6803
Serving to Learn: Co-constructing the Community through Student Leadership
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Local partner schools/organisations
Location: Hong Kong
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6804
Greater Bay Area Hong Kong School Experiential Learning – STEAM Projects
(6 credits)
Community Partner: MinXin Hong Kong School (Guangzhou Nansha)
Location: Hong Kong and Greater Bay Area
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6805
‘Ps’ of Mind in Education – A Mindfulness-based Experiential Learning Project
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Local partner schools/organisations
Location: Hong Kong
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6806
Opening Doors to Education for Sustainable Development (ESD) – An Experiential Learning Project in Sri Lanka
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Service Civil International (Hong Kong China)
Location: Hong Kong and Sri Lanka
Eligibility: All UG students
BBED6808 (NEW)
Museums as Classrooms – Experiential Learning at Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area and Singapore Museums
(6 credits)
Community Partner: Various museums
Location: Hong Kong, Greater Bay Area and Singapore
Eligibility: All UG students
The following non-Faculty courses are also accepted as CPP courses in 2024-25 (please check with the course-offering units for the offerings):
ARTH2110 Archaeology and Digital Humanities in the Field (School of Humanities)
CAES2004 Communication and Community Engagement through Podcasting (Centre for Applied English Studies)
PGDE (Full-time) EL Block
Requirements
PGDE full-time non-language major students are required to undertake EL in Semester 1 of the programme. The experiential placement normally lasts for five to six weeks. Students can either enrol in an EL project offered by the Faculty of Education or nominate their own project (which must be approved by the Faculty’s EL Team and their Methods Coordinator first). Please note that Chinese and English majors have their immersion programmes at this time, and the following:
- Students are normally expected to work five full days per week at the partner organisation. Weekend or evening duties may be required on a case-by-case basis with compensatory leave arranged on weekdays, subject to the community partners’ approval. Individual community partners will decide the work schedule at the outset of the project.
- Students are expected to comply with the requirements set by individual partners and these will also be negotiated with the Faculty.
- After students sign up for a particular project, the Faculty expects them to remain committed throughout the duration of their engagement with the respective institution/organisation. If students fail to complete their projects due to unsatisfactory attendance or by leaving the project earlier, they will not receive any credits for this compulsory part of the programme.
PowerPoint file for PGDE (Full-time) EL Orientation 2024-25
PGDE (Full-time) EL Assessment Descriptors
EL Block Projects 2024-25
AFTEC Jockey Club Creative Futures Project (NEW)
Community Partner: The Absolutely Fabulous Theatre Connection
Comprehensive Period-positive Education (NEW)
Community Partner: Free Periods Hong Kong
Experiential Learning at DISI
Community Partner: Jockey Club Design Institute for Social Innovation
Experiential Learning at Knights Nurturing Foundation
Community Partner: Knights Nurturing Foundation Limited
Experiential Learning at Principal Chan Free Tutorial World (Mun Chung Kwai Chung Learning Centre)
Community Partner: Principal Chan Free Tutorial World
Experiential Learning for Ethnically Diverse Communities at EmpowerU (NEW)
Community Partner: EmpowerU
Financial Education in Hong Kong (PGDE-FT)
Community Partner: Hong Kong Family Welfare Society – Financial Education Centre
Life Education through Experiential Learning at World Vision
Community Partner: World Vision Hong Kong
Life Sciences Education at the Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum (NEW)
Community Partner: Hong Kong Biodiversity Museum
Ocean Park Experiential Learning Programme (PGDE-FT)
Community Partner: Ocean Park Hong Kong
Positive Education at Teengineer - The Institute of Positive Psychology (PGDE-FT)
Community Partner: Teengineer – Institute of Positive Psychology
STEAM Teaching and Curriculum Development Experience
Community Partner: Big Bang Academy Hong Kong
YMCA STREAM Experimental Learning International Project
Community Partner: Chinese YMCA of Hong Kong
PGDE (Part-time) EL Elective
Requirements
EL is optional for PGDE part-time students to enrol as an elective course. Students will be asked to apply for an EL project offered by the Faculty of Education or nominate their own project (which must be approved by the EL Team first) by the end of their first year of studies. EL may take the form of professional learning experiences in or outside Hong Kong.
PowerPoint file for PGDE (Part-time) EL Orientation 2024-26
PGDE (Part-time) EL Assessment Descriptors
Learning Opportunities
Financial Education in Hong Kong (PGDE-PT) (NEW)
Community Partner: Hong Kong Family Welfare Society
“I CAN DO IT” Parental Training Programme (NEW)
Community Partner: Centre for Advancement in Inclusive and Special Education, HKU
Learn Through Stories: Empowering EM Youth in Teaching English for Underprivileged Children
Community Partner: mLang
Ocean Park Experiential Learning Project (PGDE-PT)
Community Partner: Ocean Park Hong Kong
Popular Science Programmes at the Science Promotion Unit of the Leisure and Cultural Services Department (NEW)
Community Partner: Science Promotion Unit of Leisure and Cultural Services Department
Teaching at Rural Schools in Sri Lanka
Community Partner: Service Civil International (Hong Kong China)
EL in HKU and Community
Students are encouraged to explore EL opportunities with other HKU units and in the community:
HKU EL Opportunities
- Experiential Learning at HKU
- Gallant Ho Experiential Learning Centre
- HKU Horizons
- HKU Worldwide Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme
- Mainland Affairs Office
- International Affairs Office
Community EL Opportunities
(Please note that the information provided in this section is presented by our community partners to promote their programmes. Any views or opinions expressed by our community partners do not necessarily reflect those of the Faculty of Education.)
Incubator Internship Opportunities at Integrated Brilliant Education
Eligibility: UG students