Undergraduate
The Department offers a broad range of courses and is committed to designing the most appropriate learning experiences that suit students’ needs, sharing with them the exciting development in psychology, and helping them achieve the required level of academic competence. The undergraduate curricula prepare students for a career in business, management or education; sales and marketing; or for graduate study in any area of psychology (including training to be a clinical or educational psychologist).
Admission details of the Bachelor of Psychology* can be found at the Admissions Office website and the programme website. For the major/minor requirements of other curricula below can be found in the Bachelor of Social Sciences [BSocSc] Syllabus under the Faculty of Social Sciences homepage.
*<New programme from 2022/23 and is subject to approval>
* Note: Students pursuing curricula with major / minor programme(s) must complete at least one major programme from their home Faculties upon graduation.
* Note: Students pursuing curricula with major / minor programme(s) must complete at least one major programme from their home Faculties upon graduation.
Note: Students pursuing curricula with major / minor programme(s) must complete at least one major programme from their home Faculties upon graduation.
* Note: Students pursuing curricula with major / minor programme(s) must complete at least one major programme from their home Faculties upon graduation.
1. What do I learn studying psychology? If I study psychology, will I know what other people think privately?
Psychology is the scientific study of mind and behavior. Psychology explores the human mind; it unravels the mystery of how we sense and make sense of the world; it gives us insights about who we are and why we act, think, and feel the way we do; it helps us understand others. But understanding others better is not the same as knowing precisely what other people think privately.
All these areas in Psychology, at their best, are fascinating in their own right. As a bonus, they can help make the world a better place when applied to real-world problems wisely.
2. Why should I choose to study psychology at HKU?
Like most world-class universities, HKU students majoring in Psychology have a broad education – a hallmark of excellent undergraduate education internationally.
Career & Further Education
Employers value such broad education. This may well be one reason why HKU graduates have the lowest unemployment rate of any university in Hong Kong, and many HKU alumni are leaders in their professions.
Graduates have obtained post-graduate scholarships and post-doctoral fellowships in Hong Kong, the U.S., Canada, the U.K., and Australia. Our graduates teach at universities in Hong Kong, Mainland China, and the region (e.g. Singapore and Australia), as well as in Europe and North America.
Many talented students are attracted to our popular specialties in clinical psychology and educational psychology. Others want to explore how the mind works, to gain insights about who we are and why we act, think, and feel as the way we do, and to learn to understand other. All these areas are fascinating in their own right. As a bonus, they can help make the world a better place when applied wisely to real world problems.
HKU graduates make up a sizable percentage of students in all top masters and doctoral psychology programs in Hong Kong. As a graduate from HKU’s Psychology Department, you may – like others before you – be very successful in getting into top programs for Masters or Doctoral degree in Psychology (e.g., clinical psychology, educational psychology, academic psychology) in Hong Kong and overseas (e.g., Columbia, Illinois, Oxford, Waterloo, York).
Many of our graduates gain the opportunity to study for a semester or a year at universities such as Singapore, UBC, UCLA, McGill, Yale, Toronto, Lund (Sweden), Beijing and Tsinghua. The Department also provides scholarships every year for one year of study at Oxford University and at Cambridge University.
3. Is psychology more suitable for Arts students than Science students?
Students from both the Arts and Science stream in secondary school have done well in Psychology. Scientific reasoning is naturally useful in psychological science. Mastery of written and oral language is useful for study any social science subjects including Psychology.
4. I would like to enter HKU through JUPAS to study psychology. How can I make my choice?
Choose Bachelor of Psychology [JS6705]. Further details can be found at the Admissions Office website.
5. I am a HKU student and would like to major in Psychology. Are there any courses that I have to take?
For undergraduates, after an introduction to psychology, you will learn about research methods and core areas of psychology including:
– Cognitive psychology
– Biological psychology
– Neuropsychology
– Perception
– Clinical psychology
– Personality
– Social psychology
– Developmental psychology
There are also many more specialized courses for you to choose as elective courses. You may also have chance to do an independent research project in your final year.
6. What are the career prospects for HKU Psychology students?
Some of our graduates become clinical, education, and industrial/organizational psychologists. Others have joined various professions including education, business, and administration.
Because our programs are both broad and flexible, many Psychology students double major or do a minor in business & economics, statistics, politics & public administration, etc. Our broad and rigorous training can help talented students like you become attractive candidates for many jobs.
At HKU, English is the language of instruction. Many informal conversations are also conducted in English because we have many international students on campus. HKU graduates have the best English skills among university graduates in Hong Kong. This can also give you an important advantage in your careers
7. I am interested in becoming a Clinical Psychologist or Educational Psychologist. Is it a must to have a bachelor degree in Psychology before studying the course?
Either a Bachelor degree in Psychology or a postgraduate certificate or diploma in Psychology or Master in Social Sciences in the field of Psychology will do.
8. I heard that all students attend psychology tutorials. What are they?
Tutorials are occasions for small-class teaching. Students take an active part in thinking through important questions, make presentations, and lead discussions. Conducted in English, tutorials provide a valuable opportunity for you to prepare yourself for a successful career.
Admission details of the Bachelor of Psychology can be found at the Admissions Office website and the programme website. For the major/minor requirements of other curricula below can be found in the Bachelor of Social Sciences [BSocSc] Syllabus under the Faculty of Social Sciences homepage.
For 2021 Virtual Information Day Programme ( October 30, Saturday 2021 ), please visit: https://psychology.hku.hk/hku-virtual-information-day/
Featured programme: Bachelor of Psychology
Featured programme: Cognitive Science
Featured programme: Neuroscience
