Higher Diploma in Social Work

The programme is designed to nurture students to be frontline professional social workers and help them lay a good foundation for continuous learning.

Professional Qualification

The Higher Diploma in Social Work awarded by the Hong Kong College of Technology is recognised by the Social Workers Registration Board. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration as a Registered Social Worker.

Contents

Programme Features

The only Higher Diploma in Social Work in Hong Kong is taught in Chinese and is accredited by the HKCAAVQ and the Social Workers Registration Board
Combination of formal curriculum, off-campus learning and skills/target-specific workshops to nurture students with social work values and enhance their commitment to the profession
Learning activities that facilitate students to understand, analyse and respond to the changing needs and development of the social welfare sector
The 820-hour internship (100-hour pre-placement workshop and 720-hour fieldwork experience) before official placement equips students with industry knowledge and skills to enrich competitiveness for employment
Provide many opportunities to join different academic and professional activities like Scholarship plus Leadership Training Scheme, Practice Seminar and Conference, Cross-disciplinary Visiting Programme etc.
Graduates are eligible to be recognised as "Registered Social Workers" (RSW) by Social Workers Registration Board
Cooperate with the Hong Kong General Chamber of Social Enterprises (HKGCSE) to provide the "Social Work and Social Entrepreneurship" elective subject for students who are interested in understanding social enterprises and social innovation
Chinese is the medium of instruction, with an emphasis on the training of English as well
Students who have completed this 2-year programme and fulfilled designated requirements will be eligible to receive admission offer of the 2-year CTIHE “Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Social Work” of senior-year entry (i.e. direct entry to the third year of the Programme)

Featured Modules

Sociology and Society
Introduction to Social Work
Psychology and Human Development
Social Welfare in Hong Kong
Generalist Social Work Practice I & II*
Generalist Social Work Practice Skills Workshop I & II*
Ethics and Professional Development
Social Work and Social Entrepreneurship
Programme Planning and Administration for Social Work
Basic Legal Knowledge for Social Workers
Integrated Social Work Practice

*This module is subject to approval by HKCAAVQ.

Graduation Path

Articulation Path

Graduates may apply for the following bachelor's degree programmes：

Bachelor of Science in Gerontology, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Science in Community Health Practice, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Scheme in Applied Social Sciences (Social Work / Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship) , The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
Bachelor of Social Work (Hons), Hong Kong Baptist University
Bachelor of Social Science in Social Work, City University of Hong Kong

Careeer Prospects

Graduates are qualified for registration as Registered Social Worker and apply for Social Work Assistant or equivalent positions at Social Welfare Department, social welfare agencies or NGOs.

2+2 Articulation Scheme

Students who have completed the 2-year HKCT “Higher Diploma in Social Work” will be eligible to receive admission offer^ of the 2-year CTIHE “Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Social Work” of senior-year entry (i.e. direct entry to the third year of the Programme). It only takes 4 years for students to achieve both Higher Diploma and Bachelor Degree qualifications. The bachelor programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong at QF Level 5. Graduates can serve as Assistant Social Work Officer (ASWO) or equivalent. The starting salary for the government is at point 16 on the MPS (the starting salary is $36,850 and effective in April 2024).

^ Students should acquire designated academic result and pass an interview, and subject to the availability of the quota.

Internship

Every student is required to complete 820 hours fieldwork practice (100-hour pre-placement workshop and 720-hour fieldwork experience) at 2 different social welfare organizations. The scope of fieldwork placement covers a broad range of services, including children and youth service, rehabilitation service, elderly service, family and child welfare, community development. Through fieldwork placement, students can put their social work values, knowledge and skills into practice and obtain valuable work experiences.

Programme Details

Mode of Study

Full Time

Teaching Mode

Face to face

Commencement of Study

September 2025

Duration

2 Years

Location

HKCT Jockey Club Ma On Shan Campus

Entry Requirements

Attained Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects*, including Chinese^ and English [each applicant is allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning subjects at ‘Attained’ level as equivalent to Level 2 in the application] ; or
Pass in 1 A-Level or 2 AS-Level subjects in HKALE; and 5 passes in HKCEE including Chinese Language and English Language; or
Holder of Diploma Yi Jin / Diploma of Applied Education; or
Holder of Diploma for Tertiary Studies^#; or
Holder of Pre-Associate Degree / Diploma^#; or
Mature applicants of age 21 or above with 5 years’ working experience in human services; or
Equivalent qualifications;
AND
Pass the admission interview.

* ‘Attained’ in ‘Citizenship and Social Development’, or the attainment of ‘Level 2’ in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects.
^ ‘Attained’ level of Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) is accepted as Chinese Language qualification for the admission, but it is not considered as an elective subject.
^#with passes in Chinese and English languages in either HKCEE or HKDSE (Level 2) or equivalent public examination.

Teaching Facilities

Social Work Practice Centre

This Laboratory is equipped with an audiovisual recording system and multiple cameras for hybrid learning and teaching support. The live streaming and recording of practical work sessions could facilitate class discussion and enhance both learning and teaching effectiveness.

Social Work Skills Laboratory

This Laboratory is equipped with an audiovisual recording system that features one-way mirrors and multiple cameras for students to record their practical work sessions from different angles. The recordings can be replayed to encourage discussions between students and instructor which helps enhance learning effectiveness.

Student Words

Tung Man Pui

"I was a very passive person who seldom joined school activities. However, classmates and social workers in HKCT encouraged me to attend student activities and exchange programmes and I was able to become a leader in the Orientation Camp and Social Services Group. Gradually, these activities and experience helped me to discover my talent in leadership and enhanced my confidence. My family and classmates are impressed with my changes."

Lee Man Yi (Mandy)

"Social workers need an acute sense of touch and empathy to respond to people and services accurately, in addition to various professional knowledge.

My understanding of social work and practical skills are enriching by the Social Work curriculum that includes a wide range of knowledge. My confidence towards the application of social work is enhanced. I could practice social work knowledge and skills, and understand my strength and weakness through the two placements, such as engagement, theoretical intervention and group dynamics. That I as a field work social worker in social welfare setting. During the placement, I practice the case and group works. I could apply the theories to the intervention work smoothly by the supervision of the supervisor. Although the 2 placements were hard, I affirmed the direction of my future work. It also reminds me to treat every service user carefully and implement my original intents of 'people-oriented, advance social justice'."

Tuition Fees and Assistance

Year 1: $80,430 Year 2: $96,516

The tuition fee above is under 2025/26 Cohort

Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) (Including Student Travel Subsidy(STS))
The Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)
Student Travel Subsidy

Scholarships and Grants

Community Services Scholarship
CT Entrance Scholarship for Excellent Academic Achievement
Scholarship for Best Talents

QF Level

The qualification of this programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong.

QF level：4

QR Registration No.：12/000315/4

Registration Validity Period：1/9/2012 to 31/8/2025

Other Information

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirement may apply for a 1-year Diploma of Applied Education (listed below) and articulate to this higher diploma programme:

Disclaimer

Tuition fees and subsidies are to be reviewed and adjusted annually on various factors.