Master of Arts in Educational Counselling

Starting from 2024/25 academic year, part-time study mode of Master of Arts in Educational Counselling [MA(EC)] programme will be offered on an alternative year basis. The part-time study mode of MA(EC) programme will be offered in 2025/26.

This programme is specifically designed for individuals who hold a bachelor's degree and wish to pursue specialised training in educational counselling, with a particular focus on professionals working in the education and social service sectors.

Graduates of this programme are eligible to apply for membership of the Hong Kong Professional Counselling Association (HKPCA), and they can continue to pursue the status of HKPCA Certified Counsellor after graduation*^.

* Subject to approval from the HKPCA for individual applications.
^ The MA(EC) Programme Team is applying HKPCA reaccreditation for the 2025/26 to 2027/28 academic year.

The programme comprises 30 credit points (cps).

The medium of instruction is mainly English. Chinese is adopted as the language of instruction for practicum training.

Applicants should: 

• Hold a recognised Bachelor’s degree
• Preferably have some background in the fields of education or guidance and counselling, in either the school or community setting 
• Meet the English proficiency requirements of the University.

Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview or a test.

Applicants whose entrance qualification is obtained from an institution in a non-English speaking system should normally fulfil one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

• IELTS 6.0; or
• Grade C or above in GCSE / GCE OL English; or a TOEFL score of 80 (internet-based test); or
• Band 6 in the Chinese Mainland’s College English Test (CET) (a total score of 430 or above and the test result should be valid within two years); or
• Other equivalent qualifications.

The results of IELTS/TOEFL provided should be within two years (i.e., for the 2024/25 intake, the IELTS/TOEFL test must be obtained on or after 1 Jan 2022); and

The results of IELTS/TOEFL should be “taken in test centres” (i.e., tests taken online such as IELTS indicator/IELTS Online and TOEFL Home Editions are NOT accepted). 

Tuition Fee: HK$157,200 
The tuition fee is HK$5,240  per credit. Tuition fees paid are normally not refundable or transferable.

Classes in the same or different semester(s) may be scheduled on weekday daytime/evenings, weekends and/or during long holidays at the Tai Po Campus / Tseung Kwan O Study Centre / North Point Study Centre / Kowloon Tong Satellite Study Centre and/or other locations as decided by the University.

Students of Master of Arts in Educational Counselling [MA(EC)] programme admitted in 2025/26 are eligible to the MA(EC) Postgraduate Entrance Scholarship funded by the Department of Special Education and Counselling (SEC). The scholarship scheme aims to honour the academic excellence of MA(EC) students with academic backgrounds in social science, counselling or education related disciplines.  

Successful awardee(s) must be admitted MA(EC) student(s). Nomination of qualified candidates(s) for the Scholarship will be made by Programme Team according to the verified students’ admission application documents. Awardee(s) will be informed of the results individually.