Sept 2025 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 and study a common curriculum in Year 1. Their target awards are declared during 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
Further assessment criteria – students’ own choice, their academic performance, and their interview performance and quota – are applied in the selection of awards.
The options of a Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship and a Dual Degree are available to students of the BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship. Admission to the Secondary Majors and Dual Degrees is on a competitive basis and is subject to different credit requirements for graduation.
What's New
Programme Aims & Learning Outcomes
We prepare our students to become professionally competent, versatile, adaptive and reflective, equipping them to meet society’s fast-changing needs. The programme curriculum is designed to cultivate students’ humanistic values and to 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 to 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 as well as 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, and more.
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 a different learning experience to students, as they study the 1st and 4th year of the programme at PolyU and the 2nd and 3rd year at the University of Warsaw in Poland. Upon successful completion of the Dual Degree Programme, students will receive two award parchments conferred by the two Universities: BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship at PolyU and First Study Cycle* in Social and Public Policy at the University of Warsaw.
* equivalent to a Bachelor’s degree and regarded as a 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, 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 the 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 a Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is available to students of the 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 36-credit Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship, 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 the choice of a wide range of foundation subjects, 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.
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.
2024/25 Average Score: 4Any Best 5 Subjects (with Subject Weighting) = 166.6
For further programme information, please contact
the General Office (tel.: 2766 5867 / 2766 5746; email: ssba@polyu.edu.hk).
I am a graduate of the Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Work programme. My four years of study at PolyU have been a fruitful and meaningful journey that has inspired me to keep pursuing my future career in the social work professionThe APSS provided me with extensive learning opportunities, not only inside the classroom but also during skills laboratories, role-playing workshops, service-learning trips, professional practicums and overseas exchange. With ample learning experience, I was well-equipped with comprehensive theories relating to casework, group work and community work settings, coupled with a reflective understanding of the self and society. All of the knowledge, skills and critical thinking that I learned have greatly benefited my personal growth and professional development in my workplace. I also enjoyed having friendly and trusting relationships with the teaching staff. They offered individual care and support, guided us to excel in our academic studies and encouraged us to reach out and explore the community. I am truly grateful to be a part of the APSS family at PolyU.
I studied for 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, 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 has also provided me with new insights into myself, local and non-local social issues, and the people around me. The wealth of fruitful theoretical and practical courses offered by the Department, including distinguished policies – housing, environmental and social welfare – and knowledge about creating and running a social business, have broadened my horizons, empowered me to pursue a career in this professional field and 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 enjoyable 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 the 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.
