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)
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 be professionally competent, versatile, adaptive and reflective, helping them to meet the fast-changing needs of society. The programme curriculum is designed to cultivate students’ humanistic values and equip them with the knowledge and skills necessary to become competent human service professionals in their chosen fields. Through wide exposure to different domains of knowledge and interdisciplinary issues, students are able 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 significant 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.
One-Programme-Two-Award Study Opportunity
Students who opt for Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship as their Major are eligible to enroll 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 for registration 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, different Awards/Majors that educate different human service professionals focus 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 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 is featured by a GBA Immersion Programme, Field Study for Innovation Ecosystems and at least 9 months of Company Attachment.
Remarks
The minimum credits required for graduation with Secondary Major in Innovation and Entrepreneurship is 139 credits. Students are eligible to count up to 6 credits of their discipline-specific subjects towards the Secondary Major.
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)
Please click here to view the entrance requirements for non-JUPAS applicants.
For further programme information, please contact:
The General Office (tel.: 2766 5867 / 2766 5746; email: ssba@polyu.edu.hk)
This four-year journey has been fulfilling and enriching. The program has equipped me with knowledge and skills across multiple social science disciplines, enabling me to address complex social issues with greater insight and effectiveness. I was guided to reflect more deeply on the relationship between theory and practice in social work, which enabled me to approach my work with compassion, empathy, and a deeper awareness of the diversity of human experiences.
In closing, I am encouraged to continue to challenge myself academically and professionally, and I look forward to making more contributions to the community.
I spent the last four years at PolyU and made dozens of memories. I am delighted to have been part of this big, warm family. Not only did I learn a lot from the lectures and seminars but I also gained a lot beyond the classroom. All of the guidance and support I received from professors, departmental staff, and my buddies at PolyU made me a better person. APSS also gave me numerous opportunities for self-development, both local and outbound.
I had already achieved more than I had expected before I embarked on my university career. In my freshman year, I made a group of friends in the departmental society, with whom I spent lots of time and organised activities. I had the chance to explore more opportunities by completing a student exchange in Seoul a year later, followed by an outbound placement in Taiwan. In my last year of study, apart from completing my capstone thesis, I entered a competition on policy entrepreneurship with my classmates. We learned and experienced entirely new things. Without this experience and these opportunities, I would never have become the mature person that I am today. That is why I wish to thank everyone that I met in my four years at PolyU.
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.
