The Department of Psychology offers a postgraduate programme leading to the degree of Master of Social Sciences in the field of Psychology.

The curriculum shall normatively be one academic year for full-time study and two academic years for part-time study.  The minimum and maximum periods of registration are respectively one and two academic years for full-time study, and two and three academic years for part-time study.

For students admitted in 2026-27

CURRICULUM (subject to University’s approval)

1. Candidates are required to complete 60 credits.  For the “dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete seven compulsory courses, an elective course and a dissertation. For the “non-dissertation” option, candidates are required to complete seven compulsory courses, a capstone project in psychology and two elective courses from the elective course lists of this programme.

Compulsory Courses
PSYC7301.  Introduction to research methods in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7302.  Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7303.  Biological psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7304.  Cognitive psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7305.  Developmental psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7306.  Personality psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7307.  Social psychology (6 credits)

Elective Courses
PSYC7310.  Human neuropsychology (6 credits)
PSYC7311.  Internship in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7312.  Introduction to concepts and approaches of therapeutic psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7313.  Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)
PSYC7314.  Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7315.  Psychological testing and measurement (6 credits)
PSYC7316.  Special topics in psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7318.  Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)
PSYC7319.  Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits)

PSYC7320.  Emotions, mental health and AI (6 credits)

PSYC7321.  Industrial/organizational psychology (6 credits)

(Note: Not all the elective courses listed will necessarily be offered every year)

Capstone Experience Courses
PSYC7308.  Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)
PSYC7317.  Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

2. Dissertation option: Full-time candidates are required to take four courses in each of the 1st and 2nd semesters, in addition to a full-year dissertation course.  Part-time candidates are required to take five courses in the 1st year and, in addition to the dissertation course, three courses in the 2nd year of study.  Any variations from this pattern are subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

3. Non-dissertation option: Full-time candidates are required to take five courses in each of the 1st and 2nd semesters.  Part-time candidates are required to take five courses in the 1st year and five courses in the 2nd year of study.  Any variations from this pattern are subject to the approval of the Programme Director.

4. For the compulsory and elective psychology courses, candidates are required to participate in the problem-based inquiry for each course.  In preparation, they should complete the required assigned readings and are encouraged to engage in self-directed learning by reading additional self-selected relevant materials.

5. Candidates who are enrolled in a capstone experience course are required to conduct a capstone project or write a dissertation on an approved topic under the supervision of a faculty member in his/her final year of study.  Both the dissertation and the capstone project report shall be presented not later than June 15 of the final academic year of study.

6. Candidates who had taken similar courses in a programme which is designed to bring the degree holder up to the standard of a graduate majoring in psychology may not be approved to take similar courses listed under (1).  Candidates may be granted exemption of up to three courses with either one course from each of the following combinations:
   • PSYC7303 / PSYC7304,
   • PSYC7305,
   • PSYC7306 / PSYC7307, and

no exemption is allowed for the research methods courses, i.e., PSYC7301 and PSYC7302.

7. Exemption will only be considered in special circumstances and each application for exemption will be considered on its own merit. Candidates with exemption granted are required to take one elective course from the elective course list of this programme or one of the postgraduate seminar courses (PSYC7021, PSYC7022, PSYC7023, PSYC6025) in lieu of each exempted course to meet the degree requirements.

For students admitted in 2025-26

For students admitted in 2024-25

PSYC7301. Introduction to research methods in psychology (6 credits)

This course adopts a practical approach to teaching the analytical aspects of research techniques in psychology.  It is designed to provide students with the basic background in research design and data analysis.  The logic of statistical inference and scientific explanation, the merits and limitations of quantitative approaches to the study of psychological phenomena, and research ethics will be discussed.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7302. Research and quantitative methods in psychology (6 credits)

This course is designed to extend students’ quantitative and research skills so that they are prepared to conduct their own independent empirical research.  It will build on what students already learned in PSYC7301 to cover more advanced quantitative methods commonly used in Psychology.

Assessment:  100% coursework.
Prerequisites:  PSYC7301.

PSYC7303. Biological psychology (6 credits)

This course provides an introduction to biological aspects of behaviour.  The topics include: biological bases of behaviour, development, learning, memory, and psychopathology; the nervous system; processes of brain maturation; psychophysiology.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7304. Cognitive psychology (6 credits)

This course covers how humans learn to deal with information from the environment in everyday life.  Topics include various aspects of perception, attention, memory, and language.  Students will be involved in conducting experiments on cognitive functioning as part of the coursework.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7305. Developmental psychology (6 credits)

This course covers current issues in developmental psychology and their applied implications.  Students will actively solve problems and conduct mini projects related to selected topics in human development.  There will be an emphasis on understanding basic concepts and theories of human development, research methodology and issues in developmental change, as well as biological, environmental and cognitive influences on development.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7306. Personality psychology (6 credits)

This course will critically examine a number of theories.  The relationship of specific theories to practical applications, personality assessment and psychotherapeutic techniques may be included.  The major aims of the course are to provide a survey of the breath and complexity of this field and to provide a perspective from which to examine assumptions about human nature and the evaluation of behaviour.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7307. Social psychology (6 credits)

This course gives an overview of the field which studies the behaviour of individuals in social contexts.  It covers topics in social thinking (e.g., social perception, social judgement, relationship between attitude and behaviour), social influence (e.g., cultural influence, conformity and obedience, persuasion, and group dynamics), and social relations (e.g., prejudice, aggression, interpersonal attraction, and altruistic behaviour).  Current research issues in social psychology will form part of the discussion, and students will be guided to apply the knowledge in real-life situations.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7313.    Introduction to health psychology and wellbeing (6 credits)

This course will provide a critical overview of both the psychological and social aspects of human health and wellbeing.  Students will gain some foundations in understanding the role of psychology in the health context.  Topics covered in this course include health behaviors, coping with health-related stress, social support and health, psychoimmunology, management of chronic illnesses, and patient-practitioner interaction etc.

Assessment: 100% coursework

PSYC7314.    Professional ethics and issues in psychology (6 credits)

The purpose of the course is to provide a general ethical guidance to cover typical situations encountered by professional psychologists.  Models of ethical decision making will be introduced, discussed, and applied.  In addition to the Code of Professional Conduct published by local professional bodies (e.g. the Hong Kong Psychological Society), a number of ethical codes, guidelines, and standards of practice will be reviewed.

Assessment: 100% coursework

PSYC7316.    Special topics in psychology (6 credits)

This course provides an opportunity to study in some depth an area of psychology of interest to students and a staff member alike.  Individual topics may have special requirements for eligibility.  Students taking this course may select one topic from a list of topics to be announced in the semester immediately prior to that in which they are taken.

Assessment: 100% coursework

PSYC7318. Introduction to educational psychology (6 credits)

This course focuses on how psychological theories are applied to learning, teaching, and the facilitation of human growth. The topics include major developmental theories and their application to learning and instruction, learning theories from both behavioral and cognitive traditions, effective teaching methods and practices, learners’ individual and group differences, achievement motivation, and assessment. Students will be involved in learning activities that require self-reflection and integration of daily life experience.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

PSYC7319. Introduction to psychopathology (6 credits)

This course provides an introduction to the modern concepts of psychopathology. It covers topics on the core features, conceptualization, and treatment of major groups of mental disorders. Relevance in everyday life, cultural issues and ethical dilemmas will form part of the discussion.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

PSYC7308. Dissertation in psychology (12 credits)

A candidate should conduct an independent empirical investigation of a psychological problem under the supervision of a faculty member.  A successful dissertation should represent the result of the candidate’s research which displays some originality and demonstrates a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods.  The dissertation should be about 8,000 to 10,000 words in length (excluding tables, figures, bibliographies, and appendices).  The title of the dissertation shall be submitted for approval not later than March 31 of the final academic year of study, and the dissertation shall be presented not later than June 15 of the final academic year of study. Candidates shall submit a statement that the dissertation represents their own work undertaken after registration as candidates for the degree.

Assessment:  100% coursework

PSYC7317. Capstone project in psychology (6 credits)

This course comprises an independent research study in an area of psychology of the candidates’ choice, subject to availability of supervision. Students will conduct a research project or read within an area of study, to be agreed with their instructor, and write an extended essay or research project report. The 69 essay or project write-up should be about 4,000 to 5,000 words in length (excluding tables, figures, bibliographies, and appendices) and should follow the practice of communication in top psychology journals.

Assessment: 100% coursework.

PSYC7320. Emotion, mental health and AI (6 credits) (subject to University’s approval)

This course aims to provide students with a robust understanding of emotion and mental health, and of the rapidly emerging opportunities and risks associated with new technologies – particularly artificial intelligence – in these domains. The course will introduce contemporary theories of emotion, and students will examine the processes underlying emotional experience and regulation, as well as their relevance to mental health. Given the rapid development of new technology, the course will also examine how emerging technologies such as AI may shape human emotion, social behavior, and mental health. Particular attention will be given to the opportunities and risks that these technologies present for mental-health research, practice, prevention, and innovation. This course will present and discuss these aspects from a psychological and applied rather than, e.g., an engineering or technical, perspective. No previous background in AI or computer science is required. The course will combine theoretical lectures, interactive discussions, and applied, student-centered learning activities. These approaches will facilitate a deep and future-ready understanding of emotion, mental health, and AI.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

PSYC7321. Industrial/organizational psychology (6 credits) (subject to University’s approval)

This course will provide an introduction to psychological theories and practices applied in workplace contexts. A wide array of topics will be covered, such as research methods and design in Industrial/Organizational (I/O) Psychology, psychological assessments, staff recruitment and selection, and organizational change and development. Furthermore, we will discuss how intrapersonal and interpersonal processes/behaviours relate to workplace productivity and well-being, as well as strategies to manage contemporary workplace challenges.

Assessment:  100% coursework.

2026/27 Course List

General Office

Ms. YT WONG (Tel: (852) 3917 2375; Email: mpsyc@hku.hk)

For admission information, please go to this web page
MSocSc in Psychology

Programme Director, Professor Zhansheng CHEN (Email: chenz@hku.hk)

Associate Programme Director: Professor Yuanwei YAO (Email: ywyao@hku.hk)