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Programmes

Psychology and Health (NEW)

Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Psychology and Health (NEW)

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Programme Code

  • HP824 Year 1 & 2, Associate Degree (AD)

 

Phone 2975 5865　　Email miley.yiu@hkuspace.hku.hk

The Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Psychology and Health integrates the scientific study of human behaviour with contemporary health and ageing issues. This two-year programme provides systematic training in core psychology, alongside specialised courses in health psychology, health systems and policy, and community-based learning for healthy ageing. Students develop a strong theoretical and empirical foundation in psychology, while acquiring practical skills in qualitative and quantitative research methods that prepare them for further study in psychology, sociology/ criminology, and health-related disciplines.

 

Programme Aims and Features

Programme Aims:

  • Provide a broad-based social sciences education and a solid foundation in the core areas of psychology and health.
  • Examine how psycho-social, economic, and cultural factors influence individual and community health, and explore ethics, motivation, mental health, and well-being within health contexts.
  • Emphasise the application of psychological theories and evidence-based interventions to support clients, service users, and interdisciplinary teams across the health domain.

 

On completion of the programme, students should be able to​:

  • Communicate ideas in a manner appropriate to the circumstance using English and Chinese languages (oral and written) in social and academic contexts;
  • Use information technology and quantitative/ numerical skills to manage information and solve daily life problems; 
  • Analyse and integrate fundamental concepts and ideas across a broad range of core curriculum subjects and describe their relevance to human experiences; 
  • Acquire a solid foundation of knowledge and skills as required for the pursuit of higher-level studies in Social Sciences;
  • Evaluate psychology theories, models, concepts and their applications in the health settings; and
  • Evaluate the major research methodologies and techniques used in applied and health psychology.

 

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Social Sciences, Community Health or other related disciplines offered by local universities (including HKU).

The list below shows the degree programmes that our graduates may apply for further studies*:

  • The University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Psychology
    Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Global Health and Development
    Bachelor of Social Sciences (Major in Sociology / Criminology)
    Bachelor of Arts and Sciences in Social Data Science
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Social Science (Major in Psychology / Sociology / Criminology)
    Bachelor of Science in Community Health Practice
    Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology
  • City University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Social Sciences
    Bachelor of Social Sciences in Psychology
    Bachelor of Social Sciences in Criminology and Sociology
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management 
  • The Education University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Psychology
    Bachelor of Health Education (Honours)
    Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Sociology and Community Studies

*The above list is not exhaustive and only shows some of the examples.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for the below degree programmes offered by other institutions:

Other Local Institutions

  • HKU SPACE
    • Part-time, 2-year, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Sciences, offered by Edinburgh Napier University (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

 

Career Prospects

Graduates will be able to apply for relevant jobs in the health, social services, and research sectors, including Social Services Assistant, Social Sciences Research Assistant, Project Assistant (health and ageing programmes), Care Coordinator Assistant, and junior positions in NGOs, elderly service centres, rehabilitation agencies, and public health-related organisations.

 

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjects*§ including English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination; OR
  • Hold a recognised Diploma in Foundation Studies programme; OR
  • Hold a Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.
​
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Associate Degree Programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.
 
 

Mature Students

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications, but are aged 21 or above and with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

 

*Applicants are allowed to use not more than 2 Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application. The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows: 

“Attained with Distinction (II)” is deemed equivalent to Level 4 or above;
“Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and 
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.

#ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

§ If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the requirement will be “Attained” for the subject.

Effective from 2027-28 Academic Year:

 

Associate Degree Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Quantitative Analysis I
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Advanced Chinese Language*
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning in Discipline-based Studies
  • Social Problems in Contemporary Societies
  • SELF-Exploration & Enrichment
  • Principles of Sociology
  • Foundation Psychology
 
 
 

Associate Degree Year 2

  • English for Academic Purpose II
  • English for Arts and Humanities
  • Health, Technology and Society
  • Representation of People in Popular Art Forms
  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  • Research Methods in Psychology
  • Abnormal Psychology
  • Health Psychology
  • Introduction to Health System, Policy, and Management
  • Community-based Learning for Healthy Ageing
 
 

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded an Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Psychology and Health, students should:

  • obtain 60 credits (i.e. 240 QF credits) of courses as prescribed in the Years 1 & 2 curricula of the programme for which they are registered;
  • achieve a Cumulative GPA of 1.7 or above;
  • obtain Grade C- or above in all core English courses; and
  • obtain a pass for the course “CCSA8004 – China’s Development, Hong Kong and the National Security Law”. 
 
 
 

Award

Successful completion of this programme leads to the "Associate of Applied Social Sciences in Psychology and Health" awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.

 

The College reserves the right to make modifications to individual courses on a need basis.

* Non-Chinese speaking students or students who have not received sufficient training in the Chinese language may apply for exemption from the Chinese course(s), and alternative courses may be assigned.

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