Non-local Student Admissions

Apply Now

Childcare, Elderly and Community Services

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code CE114308

Higher Diploma in Play-based Learning

Programme Edges

Pioneer in Innovative Social Services

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

Unique and Comprehensive Learning Approach

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

Provision of Additional Professional Certificates

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

Pioneer in Innovative Social Services

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

Unique and Comprehensive Learning Approach

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

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)

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

The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
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.

Entrance Requirements

HKDSE

Chinese Language 2

English Language 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

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.
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. Recognition of Urdu Language subject in 2026 HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) will be announced later. For details, please click here. One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
An “Attained” in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at “Level 2” for admission purpose.
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.
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).
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.
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.:

BSc (Hons) in Health and Social Care, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253136)^#
BA (Hons) in Early Childhood, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253201)^#
BA (Hons) in Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship, the Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BSocSc (Hons) in Social Entrepreneurship and Development Studies, the Education University of Hong Kong
BSocSc (Hons) in Innovation in Health and Social Well-Being, Hong Kong Baptist University
BBA (Hons) in Innovation and Enterprise, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
BBA (Hons) 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 Assistants and Coordinators, Programme Officers and Workers, School-based Support Tutors, Welfare Workers, Play Instructors, Well-being Tutors in social enterprises, business and non-governmental organisations (NGOs). They may also be employed as Extra-Curricular Activity Assistants, Learning Support Assistants, Outdoor Activities Facilitators, Outdoor Education Instructors, Project Officers, Teaching Assistants 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 21^st 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

The tuition fees for the AY2025/26 is listed below for reference. The tuition fees for AY2026/27 will be announced at a later stage.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
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.
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.
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.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.

Programme Highlights

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.