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Social Sciences Psychology & Counselling

Advanced Certificate in Counselling
輔導高等證書

CEF Reimbursable Course

CEF Reimbursable Course

Course Code
CS029A
Application Code
2280-CS029A

Credit
60
Study mode
Part-time
Start Date
To be advised
Next intake(s)
04-2025
Duration
1 year
Language
English
Course Fee
HK$19,800 per programme
Deadline on 31 Mar 2025 (Mon)
Enquiries
2975 5655
2571 0630
Apply Now

Highlights

Are you looking to enhance your career with valuable counselling skills? Do you want to gain deeper insights into yourself and others? Our Advanced Certificate in Counselling program offers you the perfect opportunity to achieve these goals.

This comprehensive course provides a solid foundation in counselling theories and techniques, preparing you for both personal growth and professional advancement. Many of our graduates have successfully pursued master's degrees in counselling and psychology, both in Hong Kong and internationally.

Key topics covered include:

  1. Introduction to Counselling
  2. Non-verbal and Verbal Communication Skills in Counselling
  3. Various Approaches to Counselling

These modules will equip you with a broad understanding of the discipline, setting the stage for advanced studies in counselling and related fields.

Our program is designed for professionals from diverse backgrounds, including:

  • Social services
  • Human resources
  • Education
  • Community services
  • Business
  • Religious organisations
  • Healthcare

Whether you're aiming to start a counselling career or enhance your current role with counselling skills, this versatile course opens doors to numerous opportunities.

Upon completion, and based on your personal merits and academic background (including your bachelor's degree), you'll be eligible to apply for the Master of Social Sciences in Counselling at universities in Hong Kong or overseas institutions.

Programme Details

This Advanced Certificate programme is a part-time programme primarily designed for those who are interested to acquire general knowledge in some of the key areas in Counselling. The programme is also suitable for practitioners in fields such as education, business, human resources, nursing, and public services etc. who are seeking to enhance personal or professional development. For degree holders (in a discipline other than counselling) who are considering further studies in the area of counselling, the Advanced Certificate programme will provide them with a good understanding of the discipline.

Assessment

In general, assessment will be by coursework and written examination. The minimum attendance requirement is 75% for each module.

Programme Duration

The Advanced Certificate programme can be completed in two semesters on a part-time basis. The maximum registration period is three years. There are two intake per year: April and October. 

Medium of Instruction

Applicants should be able to read and write in both English and Chinese. All assignments and examinations must be written in English.

Tentative venue

  • HKU SPACE Kowloon East Campus;
  • HKU SPACE Island East Campus; 
  • HKU SPACE Fortress Tower Learning Centre;
  • HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) Campus.

Days / Time

  • Tue, Thu, Fri, 7:00pm - 10:00pm
Application Code 2280-CS029A Apply Online Now
Apply Online Now

Duration
  • 1 year minimum, 3 years maximum

Modules

Participants can complete the Programme within 1 - 3 years from the date of registration at HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education.
 

There are 6 modules in the Programme (total 198 hours):

  1. Introduction to Psychology (48 hours)
  2. Introduction to Counselling (30 hours)
  3. Developmental Psychology (30 hours)
  4. Alternative Approaches to Counselling  (30 hours)
  5. Micro-skills in Counselling (30 hours)
  6. Self-understanding and Communication Skills (30 hours)

 

Modules focuses on theoretical training in Counselling and Psychology

Module 1: Introduction to Psychology (48 hours)

This module offers a comprehensive introduction to general and experimental psychology, covering key areas of the field:

  1. Foundations: Explore the history and nature of psychology
  2. Biological Basis: Understand the neurobiological underpinnings of psychological processes
  3. Human Development: Study psychological growth across the lifespan
  4. Cognitive Processes: Examine sensation, perception, learning, memory, language, and thought
  5. Emotional Aspects: Investigate motivation, emotion, conflict, and stress
  6. Social Dimension: Analyse human social behaviour and interactions

 

Module 2: Introduction to Counselling (30 hours)

This module explores key aspects of counselling:

  1. Major theoretical perspectives and their core assumptions
  2. Therapeutic processes and counselling skills
  3. Ethical considerations in practice
  4. Contemporary issues and trends in the field

 

Module 3: Developmental Psychology (30 hours)

This module examines:

  1. Human development from infancy to late adulthood
  2. Physical, cognitive, and social aspects of each life stage
  3. Major developmental theories and concepts
  4. Socio-cultural and environmental influences on growth

 

Modules focuses on Practicum Supervision

Module 4: Alternative Approaches to Counselling (30 hours)

  1. Theories and practices of art therapy, play therapy, and other alternative counselling methods
  2. Complementary techniques to traditional "talking" therapy
  3. Expansion of students' counselling skills
  4. Experiential learning opportunities with various therapeutic approaches

 

Module 5: Micro-skills in Counselling (30 hours)

  1. Analyse the impact of various microskills on client interactions
  2. Identify core communication strategies and their purposes
  3. Learn to select and apply appropriate techniques throughout the counselling process
  4. Engage in hands-on exercises, demonstrations, and role-play scenarios
  5. Practice in small groups to enhance skill acquisition

 

Module 6: Self-understanding and Communication Skills (30 hours)

  1. Developing self-awareness and value clarification
  2. Exploring human communication processes and patterns
  3. Improving interpersonal communication skills

Progression Path

Teacher Information

Mrs. Winnie Lee

Mrs. Winnie Lee

Background

Mrs. Winnie Lee is a Registered Counselling and Educational Psychologist with over 30 years of experience in Australia and Hong Kong. She lectures part-time at the University of Hong Kong's MSocSc (Counselling) Course and supervises practicum students. Mrs. Lee specialises in various mindfulness approaches including MBCT, MBSR, and Mindful Parenting. She works with diverse groups, from helping professionals to individuals with mental health concerns. Mrs. Lee is part of the OMC Teacher Partnership Programme and follows MBI-TAC good practice guides in her mindfulness teaching. Her extensive experience in psychology and mindfulness makes her an expert in the fields of counselling and personal development.

Mr Isaac Yu

Mr Isaac Yu

Background

Mr. Yu is an associate fellow and registered counselling psychologist with the Hong Kong Psychological Society, as well as the president, registered clinical supervisor, and counsellor of the Asian Professional Counselling and Psychology Association. He earned his Master of Social Sciences in Counselling Psychology with distinction from Hong Kong Shue Yan University and studied Family Therapy at the HKU Family Institute.

Since graduating, Mr. Yu has taught courses in personal growth, group counselling, abnormal psychology, social psychology, personality and individual differences, and autism spectrum disorders. He also provides research and clinical supervision for local bachelor's and master's students.

Specializing in analysing and resolving personal, career, and life issues across various life stages, Mr. Yu offers comprehensive and preventive psychotherapy and counselling services. He utilizes psychological assessments to analyse individual talents and strengths. His extensive experience includes providing individual and group counselling, psychological assessments, and career and life planning counselling in diverse settings, such as mainstream schools, institutions specializing in autism spectrum disorders, organizations focused on special learning disabilities, and various NGOs and private entities.

Miss Losana Chan

Master of Sacred Theology in Spirituality and Counseling (HK) Master of Art in Counseling (USA) Master of Divinity in Pastoral Care (USA) Bachelor of Science in Counseling Psychology (USA)

Background

Executive Director of Shalom Holistic Care Centre
Experienced counsellor / psychotherapist

Experienced in providing psychotherapy
Former senior university lecturer of psychology and counselling department
Adjunct lecturer of School of continuing and professional studies of psychology and counselling courses
Professional clinical supervisor

Fee

Application Fee

HK$150 non-refundable

Course Fee
  • Course Fee : HK$19,800 per programme (to be paid in 1 instalment)

Entry Requirements

Applicants are expected to be holders of:

  1. a recognized bachelor’s degree in any discipline; or
  2. an Associate Degree or a Higher Diploma or an Advanced Diploma in any discipline awarded by a recognized institution; or
  3. an equivalent qualification.

CEF

  • The CEF Institution Code of HKU SPACE is 100
CEF Courses
Advanced Certificate in Counselling
輔導高等證書
COURSE CODE 44K10608A FEES $22,800 ENQUIRY 2975-5655
Continuing Education Fund Continuing Education Fund
This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.

Advanced Certificate in Counselling

  • This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [4])

Apply

Online Application Apply Now

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method
Payment Method
1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay Or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

  • bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
  • or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of personal information and payment sent by mail.
3. VISA/Mastercard

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or Mastercard, including the “HKU SPACE Mastercard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE Mastercard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

Online application / enrolment is offered for most open admission courses (enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes. Application fees and course fees of these programmes/courses can be settled by using "PPS by Internet" (not available via mobile phones), VISA or Mastercard. In addition to the aforesaid online payment channels, new and continuing students of award-bearing programmes with available online service, they may also pay their course fees by Online WeChat Pay, Online Alipay or Faster Payment System (FPS). Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

Notes

  • If the programme/course is starting within five working days, application by post is not recommended to avoid any delays. Applicants are advised to enrol in person at HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres and avoid making cheque payment under this circumstance.

  • Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion. In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, Alipay, cheque, FPS or PPS by Internet will be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will be reimbursed to the credit card account used for payment. 

  • In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
  • Fees and places on courses cannot be transferrable from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on each approved transfer.
  • HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment, receipt, or personal information sent by mail.
  • For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.