1. How do we define Expressive Arts?
The Expressive Arts are the use of visual art, dance, music, drama and poetry. Although people may have a preference or strength in one or two, this programme promotes our Expressive Arts Therapy Students to be competent in the use of expressive modalities within a therapeutic context.
2. Portolio
The portfolio you submit is to contain art pieces that you have created in either visual art, dance/movement, music, drama or a combination of different art modalities. Your chosen pieces should reflect some response or understanding of some experiences.
Please also go to our website to look into the details of applying for our programme, including preparation for the Arts Portfolio. It is one major item for us to know you and your competence and passion in arts.
3. How long should I be involved with Arts before the application?
Candidate should be able to demonstrate involvement and competence in the arts with at least 3 years before applying for the programme (either formal training, or joining recreational arts course on a rather regular basis). Those interested in studying for the Master of Expressive Arts Therapy should prepare by enrolling in a formal or recreational art course and spending some time prepare a portfolio.
We also greatly encourage student to have voluntary work experience or social exposure because interacting with people is one of the important elements in therapeutic work.
4. 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 of this University for another post-secondary qualification at this University or another institution is not permitted, unless approval of the Senate has been obtained in advance.
5. Can I apply for both Full-time and Part-time of MExpArtsTh programme?
Yes, candidates should submit an online application and pay the application fee online for each study mode. The required supporting documents can be submitted once but please mark both application numbers on each document.
6. Will I be disadvantaged in taking up the programme if I do not have prior training in counselling/ psychology/ social work/ human services?
In this programme, each application is considered and assessed holistically including the academic background, arts experience, helping experience, and interview performance etc. Hence, there is no single factor leading to a disadvantaged consideration.
7. What does the programme look for in its applicants? How could I best demonstrate my competence and potential for the course in the application as I lack practicum experiences?
We would be looking at academic qualifications relevant to either a B.A. or a Master’s Degree in the fields of the Arts, Psychology, Social Work, Education, or other qualifications relevant to the helping services arena.
Our programme prepares our students to be able to work as expressive arts therapists serving a wide spectrum of client populations, including those disadvantaged children, special needs/ or SEN youth, autism, those with emotional issues, psychological disorders, chronic illness, physical disabilities, and the elderly to name a few. It is not necessary to have formal practicum experience at this stage, but it would be helpful if you have had any service work/ or volunteer work with people in some helping capacity.
8. 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.
9. 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.
10. Would it be possible to shorten or extend the period of study?
The curriculum shall normally extend over two academic years of full time study; or three academic years of part-time study. Candidates shall not be permitted to extend their studies beyond the maximum period of registration of three academic years of full-time study or five academic years of part-time study, unless otherwise permitted or required by the Board of the Faculty.
11. Do I have to submit a TOEFL/IELTS score?
Applicants with qualifications from a university of comparable institution outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching or examination is not English are required to satisfy the University’s English language requirements for admission.
12. What is the timetable of study?
Trying to accommodate the needs of students who are working, we shall schedule our classes at the most convenient time slots (e.g. weekday evenings).
For full-time student, normally you will attend three 3-hour classes per week during the first year of study. Class hours will be reduced to two 3-hour classes per week in the second year, giving you more time for the practicum (total 500 to 750 hours) and dissertation.
For part-time student, normally you will attend two 3-hour classes per week each year. You will spend a total of 500 to 750 hours of practicum in the second and the final year of study. Also, you will start your dissertation in the final year.
13. Will the Department assign me the practicum if I cannot identify a practicum setting?
Yes, practicum will be arranged for all students by the programme team as there is continuous collaboration with agencies since the development of this programme. In addition, students are encouraged to conduct practicum at different practicum settings.
14. What is the arrangement for practicum and supervision?
For full-time study, practicum will be commenced in Year 1 Summer Semester; for part-time study, practicum will be commenced in Year 2 semester 1. Clinical supervision is offered every semester once the practicum period has started with the format of individual and group supervision, case colloquia and retreat.
15. I am a non-Cantonese applicant. Are there any English speaking practicum provided by HKU?
Our students come from diverse background, which of course includes English speaking students, and there are three ways they complete their practicum, which are more or less the same as everyone else.
(1) Arranged practicum: We have established practicum collaborations with English speaking charity organizations, schools, community and business/ organizational settings, so there is plenty of room to arrange English speaking placements in Hong Kong.
(2) Self-initiated practicum: Apart from arranged practicums, you can also self-initiate practicums with agencies that you have connections with. This gives you a freedom to liaise with English speaking agencies that you would like to work with in a more direct manner.
(3) Overseas practicum: There is also opportunity to practice abroad with on-site supervisory support in other countries.
16. What is the career prospects and professional recognition upon graduation?
The field of expressive arts therapies is relatively new in Hong Kong, although there is a growing interest. This programme is geared towards preparing students to work in healthcare, education and community arts sectors. To work in specific posts, it may require additional education or credentials beyond what this program can provide. Applicants are encouraged to research what requirements are necessary for their desired career path.
Graduates are eligible for professional registration as a Registered Arts Therapist (AThR) with the Australian, New Zealand and Asian Creative Arts Therapies Association (ANZACATA) upon completion of 750 supervised practicum hours.
To be considered as a Registered Expressive Arts Therapist (REAT), you need to fulfill the post-training clinical experience requirement. More details about registration can be found in the website of IEATA (http://www.ieata.org/).
17. Are there any financial aids or loans for this programme?
Hong Kong residents may apply for an Extended Non-means-tested loan (ENLS loan) from the government’s Extended Non-means-tested loan scheme. Please check for more from the Government Student Finance Office (SFO) https://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/sfo
18. How should I submit my application?
Please apply at https://admissions.hku.hk/tpg/programme/master-expressive-arts-therapy.
19. Are paper forms provided when submitting my application?
No. Only online application would be accepted.
20. How should I submit my supporting documents?
Please submit your supporting documents by post to:
2/F, 5 Sassoon Road, Pokfulam
Attention: Master of Expressive Arts Therapy
Your Full Name & Application Number
Or in person during office hours
(Monday – Friday, 9:30am to 12:45pm; 2:00pm to 6:00pm), closed on public holidays and university holidays).
Please note that the University will only ACCEPT originals or copies of the documents that have been duly declared as true copies before a notary public (e.g. a Commissioner for Oaths at a City District Office in Hong Kong). Copies of documents may be certified by the appropriate officials of your home institute if you are an overseas applicant. No photocopies will be accepted.
21. 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.
22. For applicants from the Mainland, do I need to hand in Online Verification Report?
Yes, you need to prepare Online Verification Report of Higher Education Qualification Certificate (教育部學歷證書電子註冊備案表) issued by CHSI (學信網) / CHESICC (全國高等學校學生資訊諮詢與就業指導中心) in both Chinese and English, and set the validity period of the report as 6 months or the longest available.
Chinese version and English translation of the above documents certified by your home institution bearing official stamps or declared as true copies before a notary public (公證處).
23. 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.
24. 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 |
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.
25. Am I required to submit a reference letter?
It is not compulsory to submit a reference letter but you are welcome to submit it to us as well for our review.
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. How will the interview be conducted?
Only shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview. The interview will be conducted in both individual and group formats including written tests, discussion and arts experiential.
28. Could online admission test and interview be provided to candidates?
Online admission test and interview 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.