Higher Diploma in Educational Administration and Management

Introduction
Higher Diploma in Educational Administration and Management
This programme is operated by HKCT Institute of Higher Education.
 

The Higher Diploma in Educational Administration and Management equips students with foundational knowledge and practical skills in school and educational administration. The programme is practice-oriented, covering key areas such as school operations, human resource management, financial and crisis handling, IT tools and event coordination. We emphasise professional ethics, teamwork, communication and accountability, developing competent administrative personnel to support Hong Kong’s education sector.

Programme Enquiry: WhatsApp
Contents

The Higher Diploma in Educational Administration and Management curriculum integrates theoretical and practical elements of educational administration, covering key areas such as education policy, student support, resource management and communication skills. In addition to studying professional and General Education modules, students are required to complete a 150-hour internship at an educational institution to gain practical administrative experience.

Programme Features

Practice-Oriented · Professional Administrative Training

  • The programme emphasises daily practical training in school administration and management. It combines theory with operations, comprehensively covering practical knowledge in school administration, human resources, finance, and crisis management.
  • Through case studies and scenario simulations, students develop core administrative competencies in event coordination, documentation and school operational support.
  • A strong emphasis on communication, coordination, professional ethics and teamwork, aiming to mould management professionals with high emotional intelligence (EQ) and strong execution capabilities.

Cultivating Digital Administrative Specialists

  • The programme provides comprehensive instruction in office and education-specific software to enhance digital administrative efficiency.
  • Incorporating cutting-edge AI teaching tools (such as Magic School AI) allows students to master future educational technology trends ahead of the curve and become irreplaceable digital administrative specialists.

Experienced Teaching Team

  • The curriculum is meticulously designed by senior social science scholars and delivered personally by serving or retired principals with over 20 years of experience, ensuring the quality of teaching and learning.

Small Class Teaching · Comprehensive Support

  • A small-class teaching model is adopted to enhance learning effectiveness, providing students with more opportunities for discussion and practical application.
  • Enhanced teacher-student interaction and individual guidance ensure that every student receives full attention and learning support.
  • Emphasis is placed on cultivating emotional intelligence and professional attitudes, fostering the holistic development of communication skills and team spirit.

Chinese as the Medium of Instruction 

  • The only Higher Diploma in Educational Management and Administration in Hong Kong that assesses student performance in Chinese. Most subjects are taught in Chinese, and assignments are primarily assessed in Chinese to encourage active discussion of academic topics.

150-Hour Internship at Educational Institutions

  • A 150-hour internship is provided, allowing students to gain authentic work experience, including tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, special education institutions, private educational bodies, and education-related NGOs.
  • Dual supervision by the institution and the internship host ensures professional guidance and on-the-job support.
  • Through practical participation and reflective learning, students accumulate real-world work experience, significantly enhancing their employability.

Diverse Field Visits · Broadening Horizons

  • Visits to diverse organisations, such as Save the Children Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Playground Association, allow students to understand daily operations, broaden their horizons, and gain insights into the industry ecosystem.

Flexible Learning Arrangements

  • Some modules use a "Blended Mode" of teaching, which combines face-to-face instruction with online learning elements.
  • Flexible learning arrangements enable students to better balance their studies with personal development.
  • Effective use of digital teaching platforms and e-learning resources enhances self-directed learning capabilities and efficiency.

Programme Structure

  • Introduction to Educational Administration
  • Introduction to Education Studies
  • Human Resources Management in Practice
  • Critical Thinking
  • Introduction to Developmental Psychology
  • Communication Skills for Educators
  • Crisis Management and Student Support
  • Diversity and Inclusion in Education
  • Data Collection and Application in Practice
  • Organisation of Educational Events
  • Creative Media and Production
  • Introduction to Accounting and Financial Management
  • Internship
  • Chinese, English, and Putonghua Communication
  • Ethics and Professional Development
Graduation Path

Articulation Path

Graduates can apply for admission to related bachelor’s degree programmes locally or overseas in fields such as Education Management, Social Policy, Public Administration, or Social Sciences. The programme provides a clear vertical pathway for higher-level study and professional advancement.

Careeer Prospects
Graduates may pursue entry-level administrative and support positions in schools and educational organisations, such as School Administrative Assistant, School Clerk, Executive Assistant, Programme Assistant, or Event Coordinator. They are also employable in NGOs, youth and community service organisations, or private training institutions, providing operational and administrative support with career growth opportunities.

Internship

150 hours of practicum are provided to students to put their knowledge into practice in the actual environment of the education industry. 

Programme Details
Mode of Study

Full Time

Teaching Mode

Face to face

Commencement of Study

September 2026

Duration

2 Years

Location
Entry Requirements
  • Attained Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects1, including Chinese Language2 and English Language, and the performance in Applied Learning subjects would be considered on a case-by-case basis; or
  • Pass in 1 A-Level or 2 AS-Level subjects in HKALE; and 5 passes in HKCEE including Chinese Language and English Language; or
  • Holder of Diploma of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; or 
  • Holder of Diploma and
    - in the relevant discipline at QF Level 3 with a total learning size of normally 150 QF Credits; and
    - learning contents covering Chinese and English Languages; or
  •  Aged 21 or above with 1 year working experience; or 
  • Equivalent qualifications;
    AND
  • Pass in admission interview. 

1 With effective from 2024/25, 'Attained' in 'Citizenship and Social Development' (equivalent to 'Level 2' for the HKDSE subject 'Liberal Studies' before 2024/25), or the attainment of 'Level 2' in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as meeting the general entry requirements.
2 'Attained' level of Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) is accepted as Chinese Language qualification for the admission, but it is not considered as an elective subject.

Mainland Students

Attained satisfactory results in National University Entrance Examination (GaoKao), including English (English Language Public Examinations accepted by HKCT); or equivalent qualifications.

Mainland students meeting the above requirements can apply for the first year admission and need to pass the admission interview.

For more information, please visit Mainland Admission.

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirement may apply for a 1-year Diploma of Applied Education (listed below) and articulate to this higher diploma programme:

What is the "One Executive Officer for Each School Policy"?
To alleviate the administrative burden on teachers and principals, the Education Bureau launched the "One Executive Officer for Each School Policy” in the 2019/20 cohort. This initiative aims to provide resources for every public sector and Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) school to employ a full-time School Executive Officer (EO) who holds a bachelor's degree. These officers specialise in handling finance, personnel, procurement, and crisis management, allowing teaching staff to focus on teaching. Schools may choose to create a permanent post or use a grant to hire staff, with induction training and administrative support services provided.

How does this programme differ from a general "Business Administration and Management" programme?
This programme is specifically designed for administrative and management roles within the education sector, focusing on the practical operational needs of schools and educational institutions. In addition to covering fundamental management theories, it delves deeply into professional areas such as school administration practice, education policy, school operational procedures and management models for educational organisations. Whilst general Business Administration and Management programmes tend to emphasise corporate operations and commercial management, this course is industry-specific. It enables students to comprehensively master the core knowledge and practical skills required for educational administration, ensuring direct relevance to the day-to-day management needs of schools.

What skills are generally required for educational administrators and management staff?
Educational administrators and management staff act as the central hub of a school. In addition to strong communication skills to liaise with staff, parents, and partner organisations, they must also have knowledge of school administration, finance, and human resources management. Furthermore, proficiency in office software and school administrative systems is essential.

What is the medium of instruction for this programme?
The programme is taught in Chinese. It is the only Higher Diploma in Educational Administration and Management in Hong Kong that assesses student performance in Chinese. Most subjects are taught in Chinese and assignments are primarily assessed in Chinese, encouraging students to actively discuss academic topics.

Does the programme provide internship opportunities?
Yes! The programme offers a 240-hour placement in educational institutions. Students can gain real-world work experience in tertiary institutions, primary and secondary schools, or special education organisations to consolidate their learning. Additionally, the programme arranges visits to diverse organisations such as Save the Children Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Playground Association, allowing students to understand daily operations, broaden their horizons, and gain insight into the industry ecosystem.

What programmes can graduates articulate to? What are the career prospects?
Graduates can apply for admission to related bachelor’s degree programmes locally or overseas in fields such as Education Management, Social Policy, Public Administration, or Social Sciences. The programme provides a clear vertical pathway for higher-level study and professional advancement. They can also pursue administrative and support roles within educational and social service organisations, such as School Administrative Assistants, Clerks, School Executive Officers, Office Assistants, Project Assistants or Event Coordinators.

The accreditation status of the programme is subject to the final approval of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.
Tuition fees and subsidies are to be reviewed and adjusted annually on various factors.