Postgraduate Diploma in Education (Early Childhood Education)

 I have taught at an international kindergarten for seven years. The PGDE(ECE) programme enriched my knowledge of Early Childhood Education. The course enabled me to improve my classes and leadership - I credit the programme with my promotion at work soon after graduating!

Ms. Nuray Cheung
Kindergarten Senior Teacher
Alumna of PGDE(ECE)

• Balance of theory and practice
• Eligibility to register as Qualified Kindergarten Teachers and Child Care Worker
• Attainment of professional qualifications as required of kindergarten principals and child care supervisors
• Clearly articulated pathway to child care professionals
• Recognition by the Education Bureau and the Social Welfare Department of HKSAR

Untrained early childhood graduate teachers or degree holders who wish to embark on career development in early childhood education and professional teacher training. Part-time participants must be serving teachers in early childhood education settings in Hong Kong.

Participants of full-time programme are normally required to attend four study days per week in semester I, and 3 days per week in semester II. Participants of part-time programme are normally required to attend two 3-hour classes per week in both semesters.

Classes are normally held on daytime/evening on weekdays (full-time programme only), evenings and / or Saturdays at the Tai Po Campus and / or Tseung Kwan O Study Centre (both programmes). This programme comprises a programme orientation and the following components:

Full-time Programme

The Medium of Instruction is Chinese and/or English for full-time programme. Applicants must have an adequate proficiency in both Chinese and English, if appropriate. English is adopted as the language of instruction for relevant courses. Combined classes with students of the part-time programme will be arranged where necessary. Courses may run in the daytime/evening on weekdays and/or Saturdays.

Part-time Programme

The part-time programme offers a Chinese stream and an English stream. Participants have to choose which medium of instruction they prefer upon application.

Chinese as the medium of instruction [CMI]

The medium of instruction is mainly Chinese. English or Putonghua may be adopted as the language of instruction for relevant courses, as appropriate.

English as the medium of instruction [EMI]

The medium of instruction is mainly English.

Applicants should:

One-year Full-time Programme

• Hold a recognised Bachelor's degree, or equivalent.

Two-year Part-time Programme

•  Hold a recognised Bachelor's degree, or equivalent; and
• Be serving teachers* in early childhood education settingsΔ.

(Please submit the completed recommendation form with your application.)

* Participants are required to teach a regular class of at least 10 children with minimum of 3 hours per day during the teaching practice period.

Δ Registered with the Education Bureau

Shortlisted applicants may be required to attend an interview.

English Language Requirements

Applicants should

hold a recognized Bachelor's/higher degree conferred by a local university/institution or an institution in English speaking system; or

fulfil one of the following minimum English proficiency requirements:

• IELTS 6.0 or above; or
• A TOEFL score of 550 (paper-based test) or 80 (internet-based test); or
• GCSE / GCE OL English Grade C or above; or
• GCE AS Level or AL Level English Grade E or above; or
• Band 6 in the Chinese Mainland's College English Test (CET 6) (not lower than 430); or
• Other equivalent qualifications.

Chinese Language Requirements

Applicants should:

hold a recognized Bachelor's/higher degree conferred by a local university/institution or an institution in Chinese speaking system; or

• obtain Level 2 / Grade E or above in the HKCEE Chinese Language (applicable to holders of a local recognised Associate Degree / Higher Diploma); or
• obtain Grade E or above in ASL Chinese Language & Culture in the HKALE; or
• obtain Level 3 or above in Chinese Language in the HKDSE.

• HK$42,100 per annum for One-year Full-time/HK$140,000 per annum (non-local students)
• HK$21,050 per annum for Two-year Part-time/HK$70,000 per annum (non-local students)

Provisional and subject to adjustment