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.
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.
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)# [Not applicable to Mainland students]
2. Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Early Childhood, the University of the West of England, Bristol, UK (Registration No.: 253201)# [Not applicable to Mainland students]
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.
Students could obtain additional play and activities related certificates upon passing the required assessments while studying in this programme, such as:
1. Pastel Nagomi Art Associated Instructor Certificate awarded by Japan Pastel Hope Art Association;
2. Mental Health First Aid Course Certificate issued by the Mental Health Association of Hong Kong ;
3. Low Event Challenges Course (Technique Training) issued by Challenge Course Association of Hong Kong, China; OR
4. Other certificates related to nature play
1.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.
2.The revalidation of the programme will be conducted in 2025. The curriculum will be updated if circumstances so warrant.
Semester 1:
• 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
Semester 2:
• 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
Semester 3:
• 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
Semester 4:
• 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
Semester 5:
• 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