Goals:

1. To stimulate the students to reflect in a systematic way on the fundamental questions of life and to be aware of their strengths and limitations in seeking answers to such questions.
2. To provide a bridge of understanding between the student’s everyday experience and his/her Christian faith.
3. To cultivate a critical and systematic mind-set for the subsequent study of theology.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS):

The Institute adopts the European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS) and uses ECTS credits to express the volume of learning of students. 1 ECTS credit corresponds to at least 25 hours of work, which includes 8 hours of lecture. This helps professors and students to objectively determine how much learning time each course needs.

Structure, Study Duration, Student Categories:

1. This programme is equivalent to a degree course and requires three years full-time study or four to six years part-time study.
2. For the detailed curriculum of the three-year programme, please click here.
3. Full-time students who complete the prescribed courses within two years (part-time students: four years) and earn 120 credits may then apply for admission to the Baccalaureate of Theology Programme or continue their studies to complete the entire philosophy curriculum.
4. Students may apply to enrol in the entire programme or take individual subjects. However, certain advanced subjects require the completion of relevant foundational subjects in the corresponding area of study.

Modes of Study:

1. Full-time Students (Daytime Classes)
2. Part-time Students (Daytime or Evening Classes)

   Greater flexibility in study scheduling. The daytime programme and evening programme follow the same curriculum and course content.

3. Admission to the Baccalaureate of Theology Programme

Full-time students who complete the prescribed courses within two years (part-time students: four years) and earn 120 credits may apply for admission to the Baccalaureate of Theology Programme.

4. Admission to the Third Year of the Baccalaureate of Philosophy Programme

Applicants who have already completed two years of Philosophy studies (at this Institute or another recognized institute) may apply for entry into the third year of the Baccalaureate of Philosophy Programme. The admission arrangement for each applicant will be considered and determined on a case-by-case basis.

Academic Year:

1. The academic year runs from the end of August until the end of June. The semester break is from Christmas to mid-January. Intensive classes will be held from the end of May to the end of June.
2. Class periods are of 45 minutes’ duration. 26 class periods are equivalent to 3 ECTS credits.
3. Daytime Classes are held on Mondays, Tuesdays, Thursdays and Fridays. If needed, classes may also be arranged on Wednesdays and Saturdays.
4. Evening Classes are held on Tuesdays and Thursdays. If needed, classes may also be arranged on Saturdays during noon hours.

Entrance Requirements:

1. Admission to the Baccalaureate in Philosophy Programme is open to all, lay or religious, who are marked by their moral conduct and who have the required qualifications; any exception to this norm will be made by the Admissions Committee set up by the Institute’s Director.
2. The required qualifications are as follows::
   
3. All applicants must have obtained the qualifications for entry into a university in Hong Kong or equivalent;
4. A working knowledge of Chinese and English is required as teaching and assignments are done through the medium of these two languages.
   
5. Applicants applying for Year 3 entry should also possess qualifications for admission to Hong Kong universities or equivalent.

Thesis:

1. Year 2 Research Paper (GPT02/GPT02N) : 15 pages A4 paper (not more than 5,000 English words or 9000 Chinese characters);under the guidance of a professor, following the Institute's prescribed thesis format. The paper must be submitted before the end of April of the second year.
2. Thesis (GPT03/GPT03N) : 25 pages of A4 paper (not more than 9,000 English words or 15,000 Chinese characters); under the guidance of a professor, following the Institute's prescribed thesis format. The thesis should be submitted by the end of April of the graudation year.

Graduation Requirements:

1. Students must complete all required courses and some elective courses, and successfully obtain a minimum of 180 credits ;
2. Complete the Year 2 Research Paper and the thesis ;
3. Pass the Final Exam ;
4. Achieve a minimum score of 60 out of 100 for all completed courses (including the Yr 2 Research Paper and Thesis), and obtain a minimum average score of 70 out of 100 ;
5. Pay all fees required by the Institute and the Pontifical Gregorian University (including tuition and diploma fees).

Assessment Language:

All assignments and examinations can be completed in either English or Chinese.

Tuition Fees (2026-27):

Per Year:               HK$21,500
Per ECTS Credit:  HK$460

Timetable: For the date and timetable of class, pleaser refer to the links in the right column.

Enrolment Procedure:

Applicants should first download the application and recommendation forms from the link in the right column. After filling in the forms, please send them together with copies of supporting documents to:
    Holy Spirit Institue of Philosophy,
    6 Welfare Road
    Wong Chuk Hang, Aberdeen
    Hong Kong
    Attn: College Secretariat
(Please indicate the programme you are applying for on the envelope and affix sufficient postage.)

For enquiries: (852) 2553 0265 (Ms Chui)
            email: college@hsscol.org.hk