Program Overview

Introduction to the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education

The Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education is a four-year full-time programme designed to develop the professional knowledge and skills of secondary leavers interested in pursuing careers in early childhood education and childcare services.

Programme Features

The programme aims to train students to become self-reliant early childhood professionals equipped with in-depth knowledge, lifelong learning skills, and commitment to their profession. Graduates will be able to facilitate learning in a constantly changing world and promote high-quality and innovative education and care for young children in local early childhood education settings.

Programme Structure

The programme consists of 128 units and is structured according to the Hong Kong Baptist University's overall curriculum structure. It includes:

• Major Required Courses (58 units)
• Elective Courses (33 units)
• Specialised Courses (6 units)
• University Language Courses (9 units)
• General Education Programme (22 units)

Major Required Courses

These courses include:

• Professional Studies (18 units)
• Curriculum Studies (21 units)
• Practicum (14 units)
• Honours Project (5 units)

Professional Studies Courses

• HECE1010: Child Development: An Overview
• HECE1020: Health, Nutrition and Safety for Young Children
• HECE2030: Observation and Assessment of Young Children
• HECE3015: Administration and Management for Early Childhood Services
• HECE3025: Parent Education
• BECE4010: Research Methods

Curriculum Studies Courses

• HECE2110: Mathematics for Young Children
• HECE2120: Music and Physical Fitness for Young Children
• HECE2130: Creative Drama and Visual Arts for Young Children
• HECE2140: Language and Literacy Development in Early Childhood
• HECE2150: Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood Education: Play
• HECE2160: Science and Technology for Young Children
• HECE3110: Curriculum Development in Early Childhood Education: Design, Evaluation and Innovation

Practicum Courses

• HECE1511: Field Practice I
• HECE2511: Field Practice II
• BECE3511: Field Practice III
• BECE4511: Field Practice IV

Honours Project

• BECE4451: Honours Project

Elective Courses

Students are required to take 11 courses from the following:

• EECE2820: Developing Leadership and Management Skills
• EECE2880: Understanding Civic and National Education
• EECE2890: Appreciation of Music
• BECE3510: Appreciation and Writing of Children's Literature
• EECE3520: Child Development: Self and Society
• BECE3530: Early Childhood Education Practices: A Sociological Perspective
• BECE3540: Introduction to Art Therapy
• BECE3550: Introduction to Play Therapy
• BECE3560: Issues in Early Childhood Education
• BECE3570: Learning and Teaching in Early Childhood Education: Learning and Motivation
• EECE3590: Young Children's Literature and Literacy Development
• EECE3600: Elementary Putonghua
• EECE4510: Advanced Putonghua for Early Childhood Educators
• EECE4525: Early Intervention for Children with Diverse Needs I
• EECE4530: English Linguistics for Early Childhood Educators
• EECE4540: Expressive Arts: Music and Movement
• EECE4550: Introduction to Counselling Theory and Skills

Specialised Courses

Students are required to take two courses from one of the following streams:

• Stream A - Early English Learning
  • BECE4310: Early English Learning I
  • BECE4320: Early English Learning II
• Stream B - Early Intervention for Children with Diverse Needs
  • BECE4330: Early Intervention for Children with Diverse Needs II
  • BECE4340: Early Intervention for Children with Diverse Needs III
• Stream C - Expressive Arts
  • BECE4350: Expressive Arts: Creative Drama
  • BECE4360: Expressive Arts: Visual Arts
• Stream D - Counselling and Guidance
  • BECE4370: Management and Intervention of Young Children's Behavioural Difficulties
  • BECE4380: Counselling and Guidance in Early Childhood Education
• Stream E - Putonghua Teaching
  • BECE4390: Pedagogy of Putonghua Teaching in Early Childhood Education I
  • BECE4400: Pedagogy of Putonghua Teaching in Early Childhood Education II

University Language Courses

Students are required to take all the following courses:

• HECE1610: Chinese for University Studies
• HECE1630: English for University Studies I
• HECE2630: English for University Studies II

General Education Programme

The programme consists of 22 units and includes:

• Level 1 Foundational Courses
  • EECE1750: Chinese Culture and its Relations to Contemporary World
  • EECE1760: Ethics and Professional Development
  • EECE1770: Quantitative Analysis in Daily Life
  • EECE2710: Planning and Practising a Healthy Life
  • FCAL1100: AI Literacies - Foundation, Applications, and Implications
• Level 2 Thematic Courses
  • Students are required to take two courses from the following:
    • EECE2730: Environment, Human Health and Wellbeing
    • EECE2740: Ecological Environment and Conservation
    • EECE2750: Visual Arts in Context
• Level 3 GE Capstone
  • GCAP3710: Service-learning through Play for Underprivileged Children

Mode of Study

The programme will be conducted in face-to-face mode to cater to the needs of students and to encourage interaction between lecturers and students.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction for formal classroom teaching is English, except for those courses that are granted exemption. All practicum courses will be conducted in Cantonese to prepare students to work in local early childhood education settings.

Programme Venue

The programme is expected to be conducted at the Shek Mun (Shatin) Campus from the Academic Year 2026/27 onwards.

Campus Facilities and Learning Support for Students

The university provides various facilities and support services, including:

• Libraries
• Recreation facilities
• Online course management system (Moodle)
• Medical and dental services
• Counselling support

Fees

• Application Fee: HK$450 for local applicants and non-local applicants
• Tuition Fee: HK$33,375 per semester for local students, HK$43,375 per semester for non-local students (total eight semesters)

Scholarships

The university offers scholarships to recognize students' outstanding achievements based on academic merits or other criteria set out by the School or donors.

Financial Assistance

Students can apply for the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) from the Student Finance Office (SFO) of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency.

Admission Requirements

1. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE):
   • Level 3 in both Chinese Language and English Language
   • Level 2 in Mathematics Compulsory Part
   • "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development
   • Level 3 in two elective subjects
2. Other equivalent qualifications to be assessed by the School

Application Procedures

• Method 1: 2026 HKDSE candidates can apply for admission through E-APP
• Method 2: Online application
• Method 3: In-person application with on-site interviews (to be confirmed)

Interviews

Shortlisted candidates will be invited to attend an interview between March and August 2026.

Important Dates

• Application Deadline: early August 2026
• Student Orientation: Late August 2026
• Course Commencement: 1 September 2026 (Tuesday)

Frequently-asked Questions

1. How long will I need to complete the programme?
   • It will take 4 years to complete the Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education programme.
2. What is the study mode?
   • Full-time face-to-face mode is adopted for the programme.
3. When will classes start?
   • Classes start in early September.
4. How can I apply for the programme?
   • Students can apply through E-APP or online application.
5. Will the University acknowledge receipt of my application?
   • Yes, applicants will receive an email acknowledgement from E-APP and the School.
6. How can I send the application fee to the University if I apply through E-APP?
   • E-APP applicants will receive an email inviting them to pay the application fee by means of online payment.
7. Can the subject 'English Language' be replaced by other examinations such as GCE, GCSE, IGCSE, and TOEFL?
   • Yes, the University recognizes certain public examination results as equivalent to Level 3 of HKDSE English.
8. Am I eligible to apply for admission to HKBU if I do not have HKDSE Chinese Language qualification?
   • For Non-Chinese Speaking (NCS) students fulfilling one of the specified conditions, HKBU will accept alternative Chinese language qualifications as equivalent to Level 3 of HKDSE Chinese Language.
9. Can I apply for admission if I possess international qualifications other than HKDSE?
   • Yes, the programme accepts applicants who possess major international/regional
     ational qualifications that meet the University's entrance requirements.
10. Do I need to attend any interviews?
    • Yes, interviews will be arranged between March and August.
11. How will I be notified if I am selected for an interview?
    • Applicants will be invited to attend an interview through email/phone.
12. When will the University make the admission offer?
    • Admission offers are normally made from July to August.
13. Once I start studying in the programme, can I quit and switch to study in Bachelor of Education (Honours) in Early Childhood Education (Part-time)?
    • Switching from the full-time to the part-time programme may not be successful in normal cases.