Introduction to the Preparation for Principalship Course for Aspiring Principals (PFP)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong has been running the "Preparation for Principalship Course for Aspiring Principals (PFP)" since 2002. The primary objective of this course is to assist aspiring principals in attaining the "Certification for Principalship (CFP)". To achieve the CFP, aspiring principals must fulfill specific criteria within a two-year CFP process, which includes:

• Successful completion of Needs Analysis for Aspiring Principals
• Successful completion of the Preparation for Principalship Course for Aspiring Principals (PFP Course)
• Successful completion of the professional development portfolio

The Education Bureau has accredited The Chinese University of Hong Kong to deliver the PFP Course, aiming to help participants fulfill the second component of the CFP requirement.

Course Contents

The PFP Course comprises 81 course hours, including:

• 72 lecture hours covering six core areas of leadership
• A 3-hour seminar on “Basic Law”
• 6 hours on the methodologies of conducting action research Action research follow-up meetings will be arranged to help participants develop an Action Research Project, which will be included in the professional development portfolio. Participants will have six months to engage in their action research projects in a school setting, applying what they have learned from the PFP Course.

The six core areas of leadership for the Course are:

1. Strategic Direction and Policy Environment
2. Learning, Teaching and Curriculum
3. Teacher Professional Growth and Development
4. Staff and Resources Management
5. Quality Assurance and Accountability
6. External Communication and Connection to the Outside World

Target Participants

Eligible applicants include serving teachers and educational practitioners with five or more years of teaching experience in primary/secondary/special schools and a recognized teacher training qualification. In case of over-subscription, priority for admission will be accorded in descending order as follows:

1. Serving vice-principals/deputy heads in government and aided schools or equivalent
2. Participants who have successfully completed/enrolled in the Needs Analysis for Aspiring Principals
3. Serving middle leaders including Senior Graduate Master/Mistress, Education Officer, Primary School Master/Mistress, and Assistant Master/Mistress
4. Other applicants

Graduation Requirements

Upon completing the PFP Course, participants must fulfill the following graduation requirements for the award of Certificate of Completion:

• Attend at least 90% of the six core areas of leadership lecture hours and Seminar on Basic Law
• Submit one assignment for each of the six core areas of leadership
• Complete an action research project in a school setting

The Certificates will be issued along with transcripts stating the grades gained in the assignments and the action research project.

Medium of Instruction

The medium of instruction is Cantonese, with English as a supplement.

Application for PFP Course

The course schedule, application period, and fees are as follows:

• Cycle 47: 4 November 2025 - 10 February 2026, with applications accepted from 18 August 2025 to 5 September 2025 (1st Round) and 6 September 2025 to 3 October 2025 (2nd Round)
• Cycle 48: March 2026 - June 2026, with applications accepted from 10 November 2025 to 5 December 2025 (1st Round) and 6 December 2025 to 2 January 2026 (2nd Round)
• Application Fee: HK$200 (non-refundable)
• Tuition fee for the whole Course: HK$29,900
• Tuition fee for retaking one-third of the course: HK$12,700

Fees

The fees for the PFP Course are as follows:

• Application Fee: HK$200 (non-refundable)
• Tuition fee for the whole Course: HK$29,900
• Tuition fee for retaking one-third of the course: HK$12,700