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?
The Programme adopts an intensive semester mode with a mixture of face-to-face teaching and online learning. Campus class teaching will be scheduled: for one week per month from September to December and January to April with structured lectures with effective peer learning circles. In between monthly campus teaching weeks, online real-time lectures and tutorials are offered through teaching software for interactions with teachers. On campus, the teaching team organizes field visits to charitable organizations to facilitate interactive learning and common shares of experiences. For details, you may take reference from the timetable MSocSc (Nonprofit Management ) of the following link:
https://www.socialwork.hku.hk/students/
4. Does the Programme offer a part-time study mode?
Yes, starting from 2020, the Programme also offers a part-time option which allows candidates to finish the Programme in 2 years.
5. For non-local students, will HKU support my entry and stay in Hong Kong as a full-time student?
For full-time non-local candidates, the University of Hong Kong will facilitate you to apply for a student visa to Hong Kong.
6. Do I need to include my part-time and volunteer experience in the application?
Yes. Please list the details of your working experience, including full-time, part-time, and volunteer experience in your application.
7. Will I be considered if I don’t have three years post-qualification working experience in the public, private or non-profit sectors in the public, private or non-profit sectors?
Although our Programme prefers candidates with 3 years of relevant work experience, you could still apply to our Programme and list all your full-time/part-time work experiences, as well as your internship/volunteer experience (if any), which are relevant to nonprofit management in your application.
It is important to note that to be eligible for admission, a candidate shall also comply with the Admissions Requirements. Please refer to the following websites for more information.
https://www.socialwork.hku.hk/mnpm/admission/
8. What is the medium of instruction of the MSocSc (Nonprofit Management) Programme?
The medium of instruction at the University of Hong Kong is English. Written work and examinations are also completed in English.
9. Is there a quota for applicants from the same organizations?
No. The Programme aims to recruit a diverse student body in terms of country of origin, ethnicity, experience, academic background, personal capacities, study plan, potential contribution to mutual learning and nature of NPO.
10. How can I be selected to receive a scholarship or fellowship?
We look for outstanding applicants who can effectively and attractively convey a personal profile articulating their vision of nonprofit development. Together with your application, we expect to receive your “Scholarships/Fellowships Application” personal profile and a short video about your work, and how your organisation will support your study to enable you to do this Programme.
For more information, please visit:
https://www.socialwork.hku.hk/mnpm/mnpm-scholarships/
11. Can I defer my admission to the next year if I am admitted?
You are required to re-apply for admission for the next year.
12. What are the differences between our Programme and other master’s degrees in humanities or public service management?
The MSocSc (NPM) Programme is designed as an Executive Mode Master Programme to nurture change makers in confronting Global Challenges through strategic entrepreneurship and holistic management capabilities of mid- and senior level nonprofit leaders in Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) in the world, with a special emphasis on Greater China and the Asian-Pacific Region. Graduates will bring their Non-Profit Organizations (NPO) into new horizons. Students will be able to learn from each other their successes and problem-solving in their respective NPOs. Curriculum and capstone projects will contribute to the consolidation of existing practice to form a new hub of knowledge and experience. Emerging issues and trends of nonprofit management will be integrated into a comprehensive syllabus that addresses leadership, non-profit governance, behavioral economics, social innovations, strategic organizational development and talent management, philanthropy and grant-making as well as legal and financial aspects of the non-profit sector of service organizations and foundations. Students will also study philanthropic issues and non-profit incubations such as community-interest companies, social venture capital and new marketing approach in the virtue community.
13. I think a postgraduate course should deliver more than knowledge and skills. How will this Programme benefit nonprofit professionals?
As the Programme invites applicants to have a minimum of two years of working experience or have served in NGOs or corporations, all students in the Programme will be able to contribute to this executive mode Master Programme. Not only will students benefit from learning from each other, the multi-cultural network among the students formed by this Programme will foster creative synergy among NPOs in the Asia-Pacific Region. Study tours and field visits will expand students’ field exposure and evidence-based research. And, elective course: Brand Building and Social Marketing (MNPM7012) adopts a professional practicum mode for empirical learning. The Programme supports practices-based wisdom and evidence-based practice in for-profit and non-profit organisations.
14. Will the Programme help students liaise with nonprofit organisations for field visits?
During campus course teaching, the Programme will schedule visits to non-profit organisations (e.g. charities, social organisations, grantmaking institutes, community interest corporations) in Hong Kong or nearby areas to strengthen teaching and learning.
15. What is a capstone project?
Capstone Project is a core course that aims to facilitate students’ integrative learning in the context of nonprofit management. It is a professional project that involves research and exploration of significant issues or trends in nonprofits. Students are advised to design their own project topic as well as network the necessary fieldwork. The teaching staff will help students to connect with field resources and top-notch experts in their respective areas.
16. Will the Programme offer internship opportunities to students?
Yes. The Programme collaborates with different institutions to provide practical experience to students in their respective fields of study in a real-world setting. This will help improve their employability and inspire them to pursue careers in the nonprofit sector upon graduation.
17. Is the internship a compulsory course for all students to attend?
The internship programme is compulsory for students with less than two years of work experience in the nonprofit sector. The Programme will be formal, structured, and credit-bearing for eligible students. By participating in the internship, students will have the opportunity to earn credits towards their degrees while gaining invaluable work experience in their respective fields of study.
18. I work in a non-profit institute and would like to explore research partnerships with HKU on non-profit impacts. Will this Programme give potential help?
Yes. The Programme supports students (who are experienced non-profit professionals) to carry out capstone research projects and course assignments to align with the non-profit sector’s development. If your organization has planned that match with the Programme’s teaching topics, please contact us for discussion.
1. How should I submit my application?
For Full-time candidates, please apply at:
For Part-time candidates, please apply at:
2. 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.
3. How should I submit my supporting documents?
Please submit the supporting 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 Nonprofit Management
[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).
4a. What supporting documents should I submit for my application?
Candidates are required to submit the following supporting documents:
For details, please refer to the following table:
| 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.
4b. My home institution only issues e-transcript to students. Are e-transcripts accepted by the University?
Please note that the following e-transcript systems are accepted. Please confirm if your home institution is using the following: My eQuals, Parchment, Gradintelligence / Gradintel, National Student Clearinghouse, MyCreds.ca.
For other e-transcript systems, we may need to further check with the issuing universities to see if they are acceptable.
Candidates may insert mnpm@hku.hk as the recipient in the e-transcript systems. For other supporting documents, please submit the supporting documents by post to our department address.
5. 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.
6. If a person enrolls in both Associate Degree and Bachelor’s Degree Programme in Hong Kong, is it required to submit transcripts for both degrees?
The submission of bachelor’s degree supporting documents will be sufficient.
7. May I provide additional evidence of my academic qualifications?
If a candidate wants to provide evidence of their performance in other courses or Programmes, the candidate may submit them for our review.
8. Am I required to submit a reference form?
Reference letters are not required for your application. If needed, the Programme Secretariat will contact you for further information.
9. 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.
10. I am a candidate holding a qualification from an institution outside Hong Kong where the language of teaching and examination is not English. I found discrepancies between the Programme and the University’s English language requirements. Which one should I follow?
Please note that our Programme has a different admission standard regarding English Language requirements. We require candidates to obtain either one of the following:
In addition, since medium of instruction of the Programme is English, applicants with a higher English test score (IELTS 7.0+ or TOEFL iBT 95+) are preferred and will be given priority to interview and admissions.
11. I have qualified for the English requirement but have yet to receive the true copy of your certificate. What should I do?
If you have already qualified for the English requirement but have yet to receive the true copy of your certificate, please state your result in the application form first; You may receive a conditional offer whereupon you will need to submit a copy of the certificate by post before the deadline stated in the conditional offer letter.
1. What will the written test and interview be?
Shortlisted candidates would be invited for a 1 – 2 hours written test and 30 minutes group interview. The written test would be in essay type and candidates are required to answer and type in English. The written test and interview would be about the topic of the Non-profit Management discipline.
2. By what means will admission tests & interviews be provided to candidates?
Online admission tests and interviews via zoom will be provided. Candidates should download and install Zoom Client and observe the Zoom guidelines in advance if necessary. For details, please refer to the zoom official website at https://zoom.us/
3. Are intake quotas evenly distributed for 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.