The Bachelor of Psychology curriculum puts great emphasis on enhancing students’ understanding of psychological phenomenon and principles through first-hand practical experience, applying knowledge and skills to real-life situations, and research-intensive learning. Students will be equipped with basic skills across all areas of Psychology, including the biological and cognitive bases of behaviour, developmental changes, social influence, and contemporary issues. Through the comprehensive training, students’ skills in critical analysis, reasoning, and self-reflection can be developed.

The curriculum provides an internationally-recognised qualification in fundamental aspects of Psychology that allows students to pursue both professional training in applied aspects of Psychology (e.g. Educational Psychology or Clinical Psychology), and advanced research training in all related research areas of Psychology, including Cognitive Science and Neuroscience.

The Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology [MSocSc(Psychology)] course is designed to:

1. provide university graduates with an opportunity to acquire solid foundation in psychology with a strong understanding of psychology theories and research methods;

2. bring students to a level where they should be eligible to apply for graduate membership of the Hong Kong Psychological Society.  Also, they should become eligible to apply for the programmes leading to the degrees of MSocSc in Clinical Psychology and in Educational Psychology, as well as research postgraduate degrees in psychology, if they have successfully completed courses according to the requirements of different programmes.

3. help students develop research competence in psychology, preparing them well for advanced professional training and a career in psychology and related fields.

The MSocSc in the field of Clinical Psychology Programme of The Department of Psychology is the first postgraduate programme offering training to meet the entry level of professional qualification for the practice of clinical psychology in Hong Kong. The programme is recognized by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and the Division of Clinical Psychology of the Hong Kong Psychological Society (HKPS).

The programme aims to train competent and professional clinical psychologists and has an emphasis on science-based practices. The programme admits a cohort of students every year. Since its inception in 1971, the programme has had over 290 graduates. Our graduates are eligible to become registered clinical psychologists of the HKPS.

The Master of Social Sciences in the field of Educational Psychology is the first postgraduate programme in Hong Kong that is designed to train professional educational psychologists in serving local communities. It is also the first programme in Asia accredited by the International School Psychology Association (ISPA). The programme admits a cohort of students every other year. Since its inception in 1981, the programme has had over 200 graduates.

Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Clinical Psychology programme, established in 2004, integrates research, coursework and clinical specialty training. It aims to train psychologists who will be expert researchers and clinical specialists. Graduates are expected to lead clinical and research development in the profession, and bridge applied research findings with evidence-based clinical practice.

The Doctor of Psychology (PsyD) in the field of Educational Psychology Programme, established in 2008, is the only one-of-its kind offered in Hong Kong. Its primary aim is to provide further specialized training for experienced educational psychologists who hold a recognized MSocSc degree in Educational Psychology or equivalent to develop specialties in educational research and practices.

Our RPg curriculum is specifically designed to assist students with the publication process through acquiring various relevant skills: training in basic and advanced statistics to develop and deepen their data-analytical skills, training in writing communications to polish their skills in manuscript writing and publication, and seminars to sharpen their skills of reasoning, inquiry, and critical analysis.

In addition to the traditional one-to-one mode of supervision, the incorporation of coursework into the MPhil/4-year PhD programmes serves to provide a form of structural supervision. The coursework component includes courses required by the Graduate School and the Faculty/Department/School.