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Childcare, Elderly and Community Services
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code CE114308

Higher Diploma in Play-based Learning

Programme Advantages

Programme Advantages

Programme Advantages

Pioneer in Innovative Social Services

The market's sole pre-employment training programme in play-based learning and community services.

Programme Advantages

Unique and Comprehensive Learning Approach

The programme adopts experiential learning to enable students to take up the functional role of play navigators.

Programme Advantages

Provision of Additional Professional Certificates

Graduates can obtain related certificates upon passing the required assessments while studying in this programme.

Programme Advantages

Pioneer in Innovative Social Services

The market's sole pre-employment training programme in play-based learning and community services.

Programme Advantages

Unique and Comprehensive Learning Approach

The programme adopts experiential learning to enable students to take up the functional role of play navigators.

Programme Advantages

Provision of Additional Professional Certificates

Graduates can obtain related certificates upon passing the required assessments while studying in this programme.

Basic Information

The power of play-based learning has gained widespread recognition and is now being embraced in various play-related activities and educational support. This growing demand for play-based learning has led to the emergence of relevant professions and business opportunities. The programme aims to equip students with an in-depth understanding, transferable skills, and a proactive attitude to design, apply, and evaluate play-based teaching pedagogies and support strategies to meet the diverse needs within the community. Additionally, it aims to cultivate a sense of social innovation and develop sustainable management skills in promoting play-related programmes and projects, both locally and globally. These skills will enable students to think ethically, empathetically, and creatively in order to contribute to a better society.

The programme is also designed with an emphasis on generic and language training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment.
Mode of Study Full-time
Duration of Study 2 Years
Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)
IVE (Sha Tin)
Study Places IVE (Sha Tin) - 60
Admission Score Average Result: 13 1
Score Range: 10- 15 1

Professional Recognition

Students could obtain additional play and activities related certificates upon passing the required assessments while studying in this programme, such as:
  • Pastel Nagomi Art Associated Instructor Certificate awarded by Japan Pastel Hope Art Association;
  • Mental Health First Aid Course Certificate issued by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong ;
  • Low Event Challenges Course (Technique Training) issued by Challenge Course Association of Hong Kong, China; OR
  • Other certificates related to nature play
Remarks
  1. Admission score in 2024 refers to score of the best 5 HKDSE subjects, including Chinese Language and English Language of admitted students in 2024. For reference only. (Scoring scale: 5** = 7 points; 5* = 6 points; 5 = 5 points: 4 = 4 points; 3 = 3 points; 2 = 2 points; 1 = 1 point).
Notes
  1. The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
  2. Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.
  3. The revalidation of the programme will be conducted in 2025. The curriculum will be updated if circumstances so warrant.

Entrance Requirements

  • HKDSE
Chinese Language 2
English Language 2
Core/Elective Subject 2
Core/Elective Subject 2
Core/Elective Subject 2
  • VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; OR
  • VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / VTC Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate; OR
  • Diploma Yi Jin / Diploma of Applied Education; OR
  • Relevant and substantial work experience and/or prior qualification(s) obtained in or outside Hong Kong (e.g. assessed through recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer), with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education; OR
  • Equivalent
Remarks
  1. Applicants can use HKDSE Applied Learning (ApL) subjects (except ApL Chinese) for admission purpose. An "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)" in an ApL subject (Category B subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2", "Level 3" and "Level 4" respectively for admission purpose.
  2. For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" and "Level 3" respectively; From 2025 HKDSE onwards, Language Proficiency Level A2 or above in French / German / Spanish, N3 or above in Japanese and TOPIK II: Grade 3 or above in Korean are also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement (Subject to approval by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ)). One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
  3. An “Attained” in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at “Level 2” for admission purpose.
  4. If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the general entrance requirement would become “Attained” for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 or above in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language and English Language. Besides, Level 2 or above in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. If applicants have taken both Module 1 and Module 2, either one of the modules (with a higher level) will be counted for admission purpose.
  5. Applicable to holders of Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education (DVE) (students admitted to DVE in AY2017/18 or before are required to complete prescribed further studies modules).
  6. Upon completion of the Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (DVB) programmes, students can progress to Higher Diploma programmes in VTC, subject to their BTEC and IGCSE results.
  7. Applications with work experience and/or prior qualification(s) submitted will be assessed individually by the departments concerned.

Articulation / Employment

Articulation
Graduates may apply for admission to full-time / part-time Bachelor Degree programmes at various local and overseas universities, e.g.:
  1. Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Health and Social Care, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253136)#
  2. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253201)#
  3. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
  4. Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, the Education University of Hong Kong
  5. Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Innovation in Health and Social Well-Being, Hong Kong Baptist University
  6. Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Innovation and Enterprise, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
  7. Bachelor of Business Administration (Honours) in Entrepreneurship, Design and Innovation, the University of Hong Kong
# This 1-year full-time / 1.5-year part-time programme is offered in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) of VTC. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.
Career Prospects
Graduates may be employed as Event Assistant and Coordinator, Programme Officer and Worker, School-based Support Tutor, Welfare Worker, Play Instructor, Well-being Tutor in social enterprises, business and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They may also be employed as Extra-Curricular Activity Assistant, Learning Support Assistant, Outdoor Activities Facilitator, Outdoor Education Instructor, Project Officer, Teaching Assistant in educational settings.

Curriculum

  • Basic Human Development
  • Cultural Competence in Play
  • Arts, Aesthetics and Creativity
  • Games and Outdoor Adventure
  • Programme Planning in Play
  • Professional Studies I: Joy
  • Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
  • Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
  • Project Management in Social Services
  • Multimedia Applications
  • Playful Learning in the Early Years and Beyond
  • Playwork Intervention
  • Programme Planning in Play
  • Professional Studies II: Flow
  • Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
  • Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
  • Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
  • Play Intervention for Special Needs
  • Community Project (Industrial Attachment)
  • Professional Studies III: Grit
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
  • IT Essentials - Services
  • Enrichment Module A
  • Play-based Assessment, Evaluation and Research
  • Professional Ethics in Social Services
  • Social Enterprise and Innovation
  • Capstone Project in Play
  • Professional Studies IV: Bound
  • Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
  • Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
  • Enrichment Module B
  • Working with Professionals in Play
  • Event Management in Play
  • Capstone Project in Play
  • Professional Studies V: Peak
  • Play Practice in Selective Context (Industrial Attachment)
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Tuition Fees

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)
$33,310
2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)
$33,310
Remarks
  1. The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
  2. In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay other fees, such as caution money and students’ union annual fees. Students of Higher Diploma programmes will be required to pay the study package fees for Chinese & Putonghua modules.
  3. Some students may be required to study bridging modules or enhancement programmes to support their study; or to attend additional training, industrial attachments, public examinations for which separate fees will be charged.
  4. Tuition fees are subject to annual review. The tuition fee levels for 2nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
  5. The information listed above is only applicable to local students.

Programme Highlights

Educational and Fun Project-based Learning Carnival

Educational and Fun Project-based Learning Carnival

Student teams designed games and activities that were both entertaining and educational, showcasing them at festive carnivals as part of their project-based learning.

Job Shadowing Related to Play-based Learning and Community Services

Job Shadowing Related to Play-based Learning and Community Services

Students entered community service centers and experienced firsthand implementing play-based learning activities to children.

Other Programmes

Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma
Programme Code CE114301

Higher Diploma in Child Care and Education
Higher Diploma in Social Work
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma
Programme Code CE114303

Higher Diploma in Social Work
Higher Diploma in Special Child Care and Inclusive Education
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma
Programme Code CE114305

Higher Diploma in Special Child Care and Inclusive Education
Higher Diploma in Integrated Social and Health Services
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma
Programme Code CE114306

Higher Diploma in Integrated Social and Health Services
Higher Diploma in Community Service Planning and Navigation
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma
Programme Code CE114307

Higher Diploma in Community Service Planning and Navigation