The School of Education (SOE) of the City University of Macau (CityU) focuses on postgraduate education with an emphasis on teaching and academic research. It is dedicated to nurturing high-level educators, researchers, and education management to promote the development of quality education in Macao and the region. Students at SOE benefit from a faculty with a wide range of renowned scholars and distinguished professors providing dedicated education and cutting-edge research information.
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Immersive Education to Promote Research and Practice
SOE offers three postgraduate programs, including the Master of Teaching and Learning Studies program, Master of Education program, and Doctor of Philosophy in Education program.
Master of Teaching and Learning Studies program is designed in response to the professional development needs of in-service teachers, focusing on teaching and academic research, including practical application and implementation, integration of educational technology, and flipped classrooms. Instead of traditional thesis writing, students are encouraged to conduct applied research or submit reports on practical teaching projects, following the international educational practices. SOE has successfully trained numerous outstanding teachers, principals, and educational administrators in both Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Graduates have found employment in various government departments, such as the Government Education and Youth Development Bureau, Pui Ching Middle School, Kao Yip Middle School, Hou Kong Middle School, Kwong Tai Middle School Macau, and Lou Hau High School, as well as several high-quality educational institutions in Macao. They have also been employed by prestigious educational research institutions in the Greater Bay Area, such as Zhuhai No.1 Middle School Affiliated Experimental School and Guangzhou Kuangweiyu Memorial Middle School.
Master of Education program aims to address the shortage of education master’s programs in Macao while establishing a high-level education hub for postgraduate studies. Through immersive learning, students’ research and practical teaching skills are enhanced. With specialization and expansion in three professional areas, namely educational administration and management, educational information technology, and lifelong learning, graduates are talented individuals who are in sync with the social development in the fields of teaching and research. Through years of endeavors, SOE has successfully nurtured a large number of talents with diverse backgrounds and multidimensional development in Macao and the Greater Bay Area. Graduates have found employment in various academic institutions, educational management departments, as well as enterprises and institutions such as China Bank and Guangdong Radio and Television.
Doctor of Philosophy in Education program embodies the highest academic standards in the field of education, aiming to cultivate high-level talents in Macao and the surrounding regions. Through studying various research methodologies, engaging in cutting-edge research projects, and delving into forefront educational research issues, students graduating from this program will become high-level educational research and leadership talents. Through years of dedicated efforts, PhD graduates have become pillars in academia and research institutions in Macao, the Greater Bay Area, and even across the country, playing significant roles. Many outstanding graduates have secured positions at renowned Double First-Class universities, including Zhejiang University, Beijing Normal University, South China Normal University, Jinan University, Xi'an Jiaotong University, and Central South University.
Multifaceted Collaboration: Promoting the Integration and Development of Education between Macao and Mainland China
Under the leadership of international experts, SOE has recently established the “Macau Global Education Research Innovation Center”, as a platform for scientific research and academic exchanges. The center focuses on several key research areas that are popular both domestically and internationally. It collaborates with educational research institutions from global universities, serving as a partner base for master’s and doctoral students in their research-based training programs.
SOE has also reached a cooperation agreement with the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Youth Education Research Center at South China Normal University. By leveraging the research and team strengths of both institutions and CityU’s Research Institute of Macau Education Development, the collaboration aims to achieve complementary advantages and jointly contribute to the deep integration of education in Macao and Mainland China. It also promotes research exchanges among students from both regions and facilitates the development of research-based learning.
The academic team led the application for the project “Teaching Design and Approach: Guangdong-Macao Cross-Universities Teaching Application” and was awarded the “Exemplary Case of MOOCs in the Past Decade” at the National MOOC Education Innovation Conference 2023 by the Higher Education Department of the Ministry of Education. This MOOC is based on the compulsory course “Curriculum Design and Implementation” in the master’s program.
By relying on alliance platforms and making full use of high-quality online open courses, the project aims to promote dynamic course resources and optimization. The research team consists of members from various universities in Macao, Zhuhai, Guangzhou, and other places, combining different pedagogical characteristics to implement a blended and innovative teaching approach that integrates online and classroom learning, theory and practice. As a result, it reflects the breadth of teaching, diverse interactions between teachers and students, and deep interactions between teaching and research. The curriculum reform is oriented towards observable and evaluable outcomes, promoting the transfer of students’ learning goals from lower to higher levels which generated positive impact in the field.
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Abundant Opportunities for Out-Going Exchange, facilitating students in broadening their horizons
SOE has established cooperative relationships with educational institutions in Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan, and international organizations. It regularly provides students with opportunities for short-term overseas visits and cultural experiences. It also encourages students to actively participate in academic exchange activities at home and abroad, aiming to enhance their competence and international perspectives.
Graduate students had the opportunity to visit renowned universities in Mainland China, such as Renmin University of China, Guangxi Normal University, Guangzhou University, Hunan Normal University, and Xiangtan University, for exchange and learning. These experiences aim to cultivate students’ international and multicultural perspectives, enabling them to strengthen their theoretical knowledge and integrate it with practice.
At the same time, SOE also provides opportunities for graduate students from Mainland Chinese universities to engage in exchange and learning. It focuses on deepening cooperation with universities in Mainland China, sharing and discussing experiences in the cultivation of international talents.
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Diverse Academic Activities on Popular Research Topics
SOE offers diverse curriculum offerings and a vibrant range of academic activities. Every year, it regularly hosts high-level academic conferences in collaboration with universities and institutions from Mainland China, Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan. These conferences bring together numerous experts and scholars to exchange and discuss the latest research trends in the field with the aims to create a community of learning where students and scholars can study together, promote students’ all-round development, encourage them to take on social responsibilities, and contribute to society through original research and knowledge transfer.
SOE has organized the 15th International Conference of The World Association of Lesson Studies (WALS). Previously, it has also invited renowned domestic and international education experts and scholars to hold seminars, sharing their profound insights and engaging in interactions with faculty and students. Invited speakers to have included ministerial-level Chang Jiang Scholars, directors of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area Institute of Educational Development at South China Normal University, vice presidents of the Chinese Society for the Study of Local Education History, associate deans of the Faculty of Education at Shenzhen University, and professors from the Department of Education at East China Normal University.
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Active Participation in Various Competitions for All-Rounded Development
SOE encourages students to actively participate in various competitions to enrich their extracurricular experiences. In the 2021 Chinese College Student Wushu Championship, students and faculty won the championships in the “men’s A group Tai Chi” and “men’s A group traditional soft weapons” categories, as well as the titles of “outstanding athlete” and “outstanding coach.” In the 9th National College Student Digital Media Technology Works and Creativity Competition, they received the first prize and the excellent teacher award in the film and animation design category. In the 10th edition, five teams won first, second, and third prizes, as well as the title of excellent teacher award in the national finals. They also received the first prize in the 2022 International English Vocabulary Challenge for College Students and the International English Translation Challenge for College Students. In the 11th National College Student Digital Media Technology Works and Creativity Competition in 2023, ten teams from the School of Education received first, second, and third prizes.
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Let’s see what the newcomers have to say about their learning experiences!
First-year student Zheng Hanyue, Doctor of Philosophy in Education
“During my master’s studies, I had the privilege of studying at the CityU. I am extremely grateful for this diverse learning platform, which enabled me to become a sponsored exchange student at Xi’an Jiaotong-Liverpool University and participate in a study abroad program at Western Sydney University in Australia. I also had the opportunity to be a member of the university’s dragon boat team. These experiences have played a crucial role in shaping my future learning and professional development. I feel honored to be returning to campus to pursue a doctoral degree. The School of Education has a highly qualified faculty team, and under their guidance, I will continue to enrich my theoretical knowledge and enhance my critical thinking skills.”
First-year student Xu Ziyan, Master of Education
“The academic atmosphere at CityU has had a subtle yet profound influence on me. Whether it’s the academic exchanges among classmates or the teaching interactions, they have instilled in me a more proactive mindset towards academic research. Among the numerous student organizations on campus, I joined the Postgraduate Association, which promotes academic and cultural exchanges among postgraduate students at CityU. It strengthens our connections and interactions with local institutions in Macao, as well as domestic and international organizations, providing us with a platform to showcase our talents. ‘Life is a wilderness, not a track.’ During my graduate studies, I aspire to explore, challenge myself, and cultivate new interests. Through involvement in student activities, I aim to enhance my abilities and continue to create a fulfilling and memorable youth on campus.”
First-year student Yu Xijie, Master of Education
“The university provides us with abundant library resources, allowing us to access top academic journals from both domestic and international sources without leaving campus. We can also request books from the collection of our choice thanks to the interlibrary loan system that facilitates collaborations among different library branches. This greatly facilitates the reading needs of students. As a SOE student, I deeply admire the vast knowledge and expertise possessed by our professors. Their diverse teaching approaches and methods have brought me unique learning experiences, enabling me to grasp knowledge from different perspectives. The faculty members guide us to think independently, fostering our abilities for learning and collaborative teamwork. This approach not only helps us understand and master the subject matter but also encourages us to integrate theory with practice. Through group collaboration, we apply our knowledge to concrete case studies, allowing us to experience the charm of education.”
First-year student Pang Heqianhui, Master of Teaching and Learning Studies
"CityU has allowed me to experience a different learning style compared to mainland China. I enjoy the moderate pace of learning and the strong academic atmosphere here. I have met many teachers whom I am grateful for their patient guidance and encouragement. SOE adopts a small class teaching model, where teachers communicate with students timely and provide feedback, ensuring that no student is left behind. We work on group assignments together, sharing our learning experiences and progressing together. The school provides us with many opportunities for scientific research, and the teachers are responsible and guide us in a step-by-step manner. They advise us on how to approach research, train and cultivate our academic abilities, and give us guidance on where to start."
First-year student Rong Gaoyu, Master of Teaching and Learning Studies
“Macao is a vibrant international metropolis, and CityU is a unique university located here. In the past few months since coming to CityU, I have fully experienced the attentive cultivation of every student. The rich academic atmosphere, diverse cultural background, vibrant club activities, and innovative exhibitions and lectures have benefited me greatly. The professors and administrative staff provide care for every student. Here, I have not only achieved academic progress but also made friends who share the same goals. I feel fortunate to have encountered CityU, and in the future, let’s work together and strive for progress!”
First-year student Feng Yao, Master of Teaching and Learning Studies
“As I first arrived at CityU, I stepped onto the beautiful campus with excitement. Climbing up the long slope and pausing at the rooftop garden of the administrative building, I could overlook the picturesque sunset scenery of the Pearl River Estuary. While studying, I also enjoyed the beauty of the surroundings, feeling a sense of openness and appreciation, as if ‘admiring the lofty mountains and embracing the vast sea.’ The first convocation and freshmen orientation enlightened me and helped me find a sense of belonging and identity. Every lecture or event navigate my exploration of the unknown world. With renowned professors and a beautiful campus, CityU provides a platform for which I am grateful. The journey of seeking knowledge may sometimes be challenging, but CityU serves as a motivation for me. As Tennyson's poetry goes, “Gleams that untraveled world whose margin fades. Forever and forever when I move.”
Cultivating high-level teaching, research, and educational management talents for Macao and its surrounding areas. Open for program applications! Welcome to School of Education at City University of Macau!
Open for program applications! Join School of Education!
- Master’s degree programs: Teaching and Learning Studies, Education
- PhD programs: Education
