1. Can I apply for more than one programme?
Candidates may apply for more than one programme. However, as the selection panel for each programme is different, you must submit separate applications along with relevant sets of supporting documents and pay the corresponding fees for each application. Please note that even if they are admitted to more than one programme, they will only be allowed to enrol in one of them.
2. Can I apply for the programme if I am currently studying for a postgraduate degree at HKU or other institutions?
According to the HKU General Qualifications for Admissions, concurrent registration by a student at this University for another post-secondary qualification at this University or another institution is not permitted unless approval from the Senate has been obtained in advance.
3. When will the courses be scheduled?
All courses are generally scheduled on weekday evenings and Saturday mornings/ afternoons.
4. Is online learning available?
All courses are to be taught in a face-to-face format. Online and hybrid learning modes were offered solely because of unexpected circumstances.
5. Is MSocSc(Counselling) programme offered in a full-time mode of study?
No. Our programme currently only offers a part-time mode of study.
6. Is MSocSc(Counselling) programme offered in a two-year part-time mode of study only?
Yes. Our programme currently only offers a two-year part-time mode of study.
7. I am a non-local student. Can I apply for a part-time mode of study?
The Hong Kong Immigration Department issues student visas to part-time students on a limited number of days only. Please refer to their website https://www.immd.gov.hk/eng/services/visas/study.html for details.
8. Will I be considered if I don’t have two years post qualification working experience?
Work experience is usually an important criterion for application and a key consideration factor for the programme’s selection process. The two-year work experience mark is counted till the end of August instead of the date of the application deadline.
9. Will I be disadvantaged in taking up the programme if I do not have prior training in counselling/ psychology/ social work/ human services?
No, this would not be an issue as nearly half of our students come from other disciplines.
10. Will the Department assign me a placement setting if I cannot identify a placement setting?
Students are expected to secure their own placement. If they fail to find one after exhausting their personal resources, placement by the department will be provided. However, please note that the choice of placement settings would be limited.
11. What is the arrangement for placement and supervision?
Students are required to complete a total of 250 practicum hours, 60 individual and group supervision hours and a practice-based project based on their practicum work. Each student is assigned a supervisor who will be responsible for overseeing the practicum activities performed by the students.
12. After completing the HKU programme, will I be eligible for counselling registration or membership in Hong Kong or overseas?
Different professional bodies have different criteria for various ranks of membership. Graduates of our programme are eligible for membership in some local bodies, such as The Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA). Regarding overseas registration, it greatly depends on the individual circumstances and the expectations posed by the professional bodies.
13. What is the career prospect upon completion of the training?
The skills learned can be applied to a wide range of professions and career paths, but generally, we have observed the following:
14. How should I submit my application?
Please apply at http://www.aal.hku.hk/tpg.
15. Are paper forms provided when submitting my application?
No. Only online application is accepted.
16. I cannot upload my documents to the online application system. Why?
Candidates are not required to upload documents on the online application system. As the interviewer reviews the documents before the admission interview, please immediately post original/certified true copies of supporting documents after submitting the application.
17. How should I submit my supporting documents?
Please submit the following documents by post to:
Department of Social Work and Social Administration
Room 534, 5/F, The Jockey Club Tower, Centennial Campus
The University of Hong Kong
Pokfulam Road, Pokfulam
Hong Kong
Attention: Master of Social Sciences in Counselling
Your Full Name & Application Number
Or in person during office hours (Monday – Friday, 9:00 a.m. to 1:00 p.m.; 2:00 p.m. to 7:00 p.m., closed on public holidays and university holidays).
18a. What supporting documents should I submit for my application?
Candidates are required to submit the following supporting documents:
Candidates may refer to the table below for their reference.
| Bachelor in Mainland China | Bachelor in HK | Bachelor in Australia, Canada, UK, USA, Singapore, New Zealand | Bachelor in Other Countries | |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Bachelor’s degree |
Complete official transcript in Chinese and English (certified true copy / original) |
Complete official transcript with award/conferment information (certified true copy / original) |
Complete official transcript with award/conferment information (certified true copy / original) |
Complete official transcript with award/conferment information (certified true copy / original) |
| Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子注冊備案表) from CHSI in Chinese and English | Not required | Not required | Graduation Certificate (certified true copy) | |
| Degree Certificate in Chinese and English / Online Verification Report of Higher Education Degree Certificate (中国高等教育学位在线验证报告) from CHSI in Chinese and English | Not required | Not required | Not required | |
| English Language Requirement |
TOEFL/IELTS report (certified true copy / original) |
Not required* | Not required* |
TOEFL/IELTS report (certified true copy / original) |
*If the medium of language of teaching and/or examination is English.
18b. If a person enrolls in both a 2-year Associate Degree and a 2-year bachelor’s degree Programme in Hong Kong, is it required to submit transcripts for both degrees?
No, it is not necessary to submit transcripts for both degrees. Submitting the bachelor’s degree transcript will be sufficient.
18b. May I provide additional evidence of my academic qualifications?
If candidates want to provide evidence of their performance in other courses or Programmes, they can choose to submit to us as well for our review.
19. What does “certified true copy” mean?
A photocopy of the original document that has been duly declared as a true copy before a notary public (e.g. a Commissioner for Oaths at a District Office in Hong Kong民政事務處/公證處 for mainland China) (Please click here for details on making declarations of documents at District Offices). For overseas candidates, copies of documents may be certified by appropriate officials of their home institute.
Candidates should complete the declaration process and submit the full set of documents along with the cover page that includes the following wordings in English or Chinese:
| English | The documents marked xxx attached to this declaration are true copies of original documents held by me. |
| Chinese | 聲名附件xxx與本人持有之正本原件相同 |
They may find a declaration sample below. Please note that the document is provided by the Home Affairs Department, HKSARG.
https://admissions.hku.hk/tpg/sites/default/files/Declaration%20Sample%20210520.pdf
Please note that missing declaration cover page/not submitting the whole set of declared documents/declaration cover page missing the above wordings may not be accepted by the Registry of the University.
20. Am I required to submit a reference form?
Two references (i.e., one about the candidate’s academic ability to pursue graduate studies at the master’s level; another on the candidate’s character, interpersonal skills and personal integrity to become a counsellor). Candidates are suggested to find two referees with different backgrounds to fulfil the above requirements.
21. How should I complete my reference form?
Candidates should nominate 2 referees on the application system to support their application to the University. Please communicate with the referees and seek their consent prior to submitting the application. An email will be sent to each referee AUTOMATICALLY to seek their confidential reference after successfully submitting an application. Hence, valid information must be provided. Otherwise, the application may not be processed.
22. How should I submit my reference form?
An email will be sent to each referee automatically seeking their confidential reference after they have successfully submitted the application. The referee will receive an email specifying how to log in to the Online Reference Report System. They should remind their referees to input the reference form promptly to avoid delays regarding their application.
23. Can my referees submit their confidential references after the application deadline?
The submission deadline of the reference form varies for each candidate. The actual time is 14 days after the referee receives the invitation email disregarding the application deadline.
24. When is the submission deadline for the reference form?
The submission deadline of the reference form varies for each candidate. The actual time is 14 days after the referee receives the invitation email.
25. Is it compulsory to fill in the personal statement in the application form?
A completed personal statement is a requirement for applying to the programme. Hence, it is compulsory to fulfil this requirement as part of the application process.
26. Do you accept graduation certificates and/or transcripts that are not in English?
Graduation certificates and/or transcripts that are not in English should be accompanied by an officially certified translation into English, normally completed by the Registry of the awarding institution and/or the High Court/Lawyer.
27. What are the purposes of the admission test and interview?
The purposes of the selection procedures are threefold:
28. What will the written test and interview be?
The written test lasts for 1 hour. Candidates are required to answer two essay-type questions in English:
The group interview lasts for 45-minutes. Candidates are advised to prepare themselves by:
29. Could online admission tests & online interviews be provided to candidates?
Online admission tests and interviews are applicable only to candidates not residing in Hong Kong. Candidates in Hong Kong are required to attend both sessions face-to-face on the HKU Campus.
30. Are intake quotas evenly distributed on each round of admission?
No. Places are offered on a first-come-first-serve basis. Due to keen competition, potential candidates are strongly encouraged to apply earlier.
31. When will I find out the result of my application?
The Department will contact candidates around mid-December (Round 1) and mid-April (Round 2) to make a provisional offer via email for those who are successful in their applications. Once the email has been received, please reply as soon as possible whether you accept the offer or not. The final and official offer from the Faculty Office will be made in January (Round 1) and May (Round 2), respectively.