Sept 2024 Entry
4 years
BA (Hons) in Social Work - 115 (plus 15 clinical/field credits)
BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship - 112 (plus 9 clinical/field credits)
Co-Programme Leaders
Dr Yam Kong
BSW, MSW, DSW
Dr Tam Kin Yuen, Raymond
BASW, MASW, PhD
Students are initially admitted to the BA (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences programme, with their target awards declared at the end of their first year of study, subject to further assessment for admission to one of the following awards:
BA (Hons) in Social Work
BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship
Students are subject to further assessment criteria – students’ own choice, overall GPA and interview performance – in the selection of awards at the end of their Year One study.
The option of Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is available to the students of BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship. Admission to the Secondary Majors is on a competitive basis and subject to a different credit requirement for graduation. Please see the “Secondary Major Details” section.
Programme Aims & Learning Outcomes
We prepare our students to be professionally competent, versatile, adaptive and reflective, enabling them to meet society’s fast-changing needs. The programme curriculum is designed to cultivate students’ humanistic values and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to be competent human service professionals in their chosen fields. Through wide exposure to various domains of knowledge and interdisciplinary issues, students develop the ability to think from different perspectives and solve complex problems in real-life situations. Our graduates show a strong commitment to the betterment of society and humankind and are competent in the flexible and creative use of information, resources, knowledge and practical skills in professional practice.
Programme Characteristics
Students are provided with opportunities to pursue professional study plus a substantial component of study in other areas to cater to their different learning needs, interests and abilities. In addition to providing subjects that build basic interpersonal and communication skills and enhance students’ ability to work with uncertainty, this programme has a strong social science foundation designed to develop students’ critical and analytical thinking and broaden their knowledge. The Department offers overseas study opportunities in the forms of placements, exchange programmes, study tours, etc.
Students admitted to the Scheme complete a common curriculum in Year 1 and pursue their professional study beginning in Year 2. The Scheme programme offers the following Awards/Majors:
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BA (Hons) in Social Work
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BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship
Students will be invited to rank their choices of Awards/Majors (from the most preferred to the least) during semester 2 (probably before final examination) of their Year One study for the department’s consideration and approval.
One-Programme-Two-Award Study Opportunity
Students who opt for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship as their Major are eligible to enrol in the 4-year Dual Degree Programme. The Dual Degree Programme offers different learning experience to students as they will study the 1st and 4th year of the programme at PolyU and 2nd and 3rd year at University of Warsaw in Poland. Upon successful completion of the Dual Degree Programme, students will receive two award parchments conferred by two Universities including BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship at PolyU and First Study Cycle* in Social and Public Policy at University of Warsaw.
* equivalent to Bachelor’s degree and regarded as BA
More information on the Dual Degree Programme can be obtained here.
Professional Recognition
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Social Work award are eligible to register with the Social Workers Registration Board (SWRB) as Registered Social Workers (RSWs).
Career Prospects
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Social Work award are employable as Assistant Social Work Officers or the equivalent and can be promoted to Social Work Officers, Senior Social Work Officers and Chief Social Work Officers.
Graduates of the BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship award can take up mid-level administrative and managerial posts in various public, quasi-public and non-government organisations, including think-tanks, NGOs, government departments, social enterprises and other human service organisations. They can also take up posts in human resources management, marketing and decision support.
The BA (Hons) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences programme adopts a common curriculum structure in the first year of study. Beyond this common foundation and in subsequent study years, various Awards and Majors are available to educate human service professionals focusing on different areas of professional study.
In Year 1, students are exposed to a broad knowledge base in social sciences as a foundation to inform their professional practice.
From Year 2 onwards, students are equipped with a wide range of knowledge relating to their chosen professional fields.
In Years 3 and 4, students are guided to integrate theoretical learning, practical applications and metatheoretical reflection on their respective professional fields.
More information on the Awards/Majors can be obtained here.
The option of Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is available to the students of BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship.
Features
Students admitted to the BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship Award/Major are given the option to study a Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship at 36 credits, which will strengthen their discipline-specific knowledge and enable them to become successful innovators and entrepreneurs in Hong Kong, the Greater Bay Area (GBA) and beyond. In addition to a wide range of foundation subjects to be chosen by students, the Secondary Major features a GBA Immersion Programme, Field Study for Innovation Ecosystems and at least 9 months of Company Attachment.
Remarks
A minimum of 139 credits is required for graduation with the Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship. Students are eligible to count up to 6 credits of their discipline-specific subjects towards the Secondary Major.
Satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirements.
All HKDSE subjects carry the same weighting in our admissions selection.
Please click here for the subject weightings for 2024/25.
Other Information
Only Band A applicants will be considered for admission. Selected Band A applicants may be invited to attend a group interview upon release of HKDSE results.
2023/24 Average Score: 4 Core + Best 2 Elective Subjects (with Subject Weighting) = 195.3
For further programme information, please contact
the General Office (tel.: 2766 5867 / 2766 5746; email: ssba@polyu.edu.hk)
Although many of our plans have been disrupted by the pandemic, I consider it a good opportunity for us to learn how to cope with changes and uncertainties. Overall, I have had a fruitful and meaningful university life at APSS and PolyU. Some of my greatest gains have been the exposure and opportunities to meet people from different programmes, universities and ethnicities through the exchange tours and service learning opportunities to Yunnan, Taiwan and Cambodia. These were precious opportunities to learn from others and establish my social network. I believe that my friends and social work classmates at the university will be lifelong companions and sources of support.
Not only did APSS equip us with academic knowledge and skills, but we were also nurtured to become reflective and empathetic practitioners. The training at APSS is practical and pragmatic, as we always applied our learning to practice. The fieldwork practicums were influential and valuable learning opportunities with great support and guidance from the academic staff and supervisors of the department. All of these activities have widened my horizons and prepared me well for my future career. I am grateful to be a student of APSS!
I have studied the Bachelor of Arts (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship in PolyU for four years, and I am grateful for every opportunity and experience given, from academic subjects, attachment (internship), various other activities despite Covid-19, and a study trip to Singapore. This programme has not only equipped me with the essential skills and knowledge to analyse the impacts of different social issues but also provided me with new insights into myself, local and non-local social issues, and the people around me. A wealth of fruitful theoretical and practical courses offered by the Department, including distinguished policies – housing, environmental and social welfare, and knowledge in creating and running a social business, have broadened my horizons and empowered me to pursue a career in this professional field, and have prepared me for diverse employment opportunities. All in all, studying at PolyU and completing this bachelor’s degree has been an amazing and valuable experience because I have developed professional knowledge and cultivated pleasant and long-lasting relationships with experienced professors and friendly classmates.
To assess applicants’ potential and interest in the programme and to gauge their understanding of public issues and interpersonal communication skills.
About 1 hour
Only Band A applicants will be considered for admission. Selected applicants may be invited to attend a group interview upon the release of HKDSE results.
Required
To assess applicants' potentials and interest in the programme and to gauge their understanding of public issues and interpersonal communication skills.
About 1 hour
Suitable applicants may be invited to attend an interview.
Applicants are required to submit a personal statement to explain their reasons for applying the programme in English of no more than 1,500 words together with their applications. Please Download the Form.
Required
To assess applicants’ potential for studying and interest in the programme, and to gauge their understanding of public issues and interpersonal communication skills.
About 10-20 minutes
Suitable applicants will be invited to attend an interview.
申请人于网上递交申请时，须上载一封以1,500字为限的英文自荐信。
请按此下载表格。
