Higher Diploma

Hong Kong Visual Merchandising Art Association (HKVMAA)

Students of the Programme are eligible to apply for the student membership of HKVMAA.

The Higher Diploma in Commercial Design is a two-year full-time programme. Students are required to take a total of 63 units (21 courses).

Students are required to take the following courses:

Discipline Required Courses (33 units, 11 courses)
HDCD1108	Visual Culture	1
HDCD1210	Styling Design	2
HDCD1301	Drawing Practice	3
HDCD1302	Creative Illustration	3
HDCD1303	History of Western Art and Design	3
HDCD1304	Design Concepts and Colour Management	3
HDCD1305	Digital Graphics and Imaging	3
HDCD1306	Creative Thinking in Graphic Design	3
HDCD1307	Commercial Photography	3
HDCD1309	Popular Culture in Contemporary China	3
HDCD1611	Integrated Portfolio	6

Specialisation Courses (15 units, 5 courses)
Jewellery Design and Visual Merchandising
HDCD2301	Visual Merchandising Design	3
HDCD2302	Visual Merchandising Drawing and Planning	3
HDCD2303	Jewellery Design	3
HDCD2304	Jewellery Design with JewelCAD	3
HDCD2305	Accessories Design and Application	3

Students are encouraged to participate in co-curricular and extra-curricular activities for enrichment of learning experience and personal development.

The medium of instruction for formal classroom teaching is English. Exemption from using English as the medium of instruction will be applied for individual courses.

Students who successfully obtain 63 units as required by the programme, attaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all courses attempted and having passed all courses stipulated by the programme are eligible for graduation. The qualification of Higher Diploma in Commercial Design shall be awarded by Hong Kong Baptist University.

• Libraries
• Learning Commons
• Recreation facilities
• IT facilities and web-based learning system
• Medical and dental services
• Counselling support

Graduates may choose to apply for admission to the undergraduate programmes including local UGC-funded, self-funded and other overseas undergraduate programmes.

Graduates will be suitable to take up entry to middle-level positions in the private sector such as Graphic Designers, Jewellery Designers, Accessories Designers, Store Designers, Visual Merchandisers, Project Designers, Brand Designers and Artwork Coordinators.

Recognition of Higher Diploma for Civil Service Appointment

Higher Diploma (HD) is a valuable standalone qualification. Holders of such qualification are fully prepared to take up jobs at elementary management and assistant professional levels. At present, 14 grades in the government set locally accredited HD as the qualification requirement for their entry ranks. These grades are Ambulance Officer, Assistant Information Officer (Design) / (Photo), Assistant Leisure Services Manager II, Assistant Programme Officer, Health Inspector II, Immigration Officer, Inspector of Customs and Excise, Inspector of Police, Occupational Safety Officer II, Officer (Correctional Services), Operations Officer (Airworthiness), Police Translator II, Station Officer (Operational) / (Control) and Statistical Officer II.

(Source: ipass.gov.hk, 19/03/2018)

* Tuition fees and application fees are non-refundable, non-transferable and subject to annual review.

Scholarships to recognise students’ outstanding achievements are bestowed on the selected recipients on the basis of academic merits or other criteria as set out by the School or donors.

Click here for more information on the scholarship.

Government Student Financial Assistance Scheme

Students can apply for Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) from the Government. Please refer to the website of Student Finance Office (SFO) for details.

Continuing Education Fund

The Continuing Education Fund (CEF) subsidises adults with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training courses. Please refer to the website of CEF for details.

Click here for information on the financial assistance.

The minimum admission requirements of the programme are as follows:

1. Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Level 2 in five subjects^* (including Chinese Language^# and English Language)

Or

2. Relevant and substantial work experience and/or prior qualification(s) obtained in or outside Hong Kong with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education

Or

3. Successful completion of the Diploma of Applied Education

Or

4. Other equivalent qualifications to be assessed by the School

Or

5. Applicants aged 21 or above with acceptable qualifications to justify admission

* If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the minimum entrance requirement would be “Attained” for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese and English. Level 2 in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognized as one of the five HKDSE subjects. Applicants are allowed to use Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.

# “Attained” or above in Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

Application Procedure

2025 HKDSE Applicants

The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) applicants can submit their application through the E-APP of the Education Bureau. 

^{*Subject to changes}

Other Applicants

Other applicants should apply through the SCE Online Application system.

New Student Orientation     : August 2025

Commencement of Study   : September 2025

2025 HKDSE Applicants

Other Applicants

^#Applicants who apply for the Programme on or after 21 July 2025, please refer to the due date of the tuition fee deposit stated on the debit note.

*Subject to annual review

Higher Diploma Programmes

The School reserves the right to make changes as required.

(I) Qualification & Recognition

01. What is Sub-degree?

Sub-degree is a collective term of post-secondary qualifications. It includes Higher Diploma and Associate Degree, both of which are at Level 4 under the 7-level Qualifications Framework.

02. What are the differences between Higher Diploma and Associate Degree programmes?

Both Higher Diploma and Associate Degree programmes equip students with generic skills, practical vocational skills as well as knowledge in specialised disciplines. In general, Higher Diploma programmes are more vocation-oriented while Associate Degree programmes put more emphasis on general education. Upon completion of Higher Diploma programmes, graduates will have acquired knowledge and skills necessary to further study in universities or pursue career in professions.

03. Are the Academic Awards of this Programme conferred by the HKBU?

The awards are conferred by the Hong Kong Baptist University.

04. Has the Programme gone through any accreditation?

The Programme has gone through a vigorous accreditation process and was approved by the Senate of HKBU. Consistent review exercise is regularly performed to ensure the teaching, learning and assessment of the Programme are in good quality and are up to standard. Referring to the Qualifications Framework (QF) established by the Education Bureau (please see below), the qualification of the Programme is equivalent to Level 4.

Level 1: Certificate

Level 2: Certificate

Level 3: Diploma

Level 4: High Diploma, Associate Degree

Level 5: Bachelor Degree

Level 6: Master Degree, Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma

Level 7: Doctorate Degree

More information can be also obtained from the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS).

(II) Application & Admission

05. Can I apply for the Programme?

The minimum entry requirements of the Programme are as follows:

• Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE): Level 2 in five subjects^# (including Chinese Language* and English Language); OR
• Successful completion of the Diploma Yi Jin; OR
• Other equivalent qualifications to be assessed by the School; OR
• Applicants aged 21 or above with acceptable qualifications to justify admission.

# A DSE applicant is allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning subjects in the application.
* “Attained” or above in Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

06. How can I apply for admission?

HKDSE candidates: candidates can submit their applications through the “Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes” (E-APP) of the Education Bureau.

Other applicants: applicants can submit their applications through the SCE Online Application System.

07. Do I have to attend any admission interview?

Applicants will be invited to attend an admission interview, if necessary. Individual notification of the interview details will be sent to the applicants by e-mail or phone.

08. Are there any information talks about the Programme?

Information Talks will regularly be held. For details, please visit the programme webpage.

(III) Fees & Aids

9. Can I apply for financial assistance from the government?

The following government financial assistance schemes are available for students:

• Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary students (FASP)
• Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary students (NLSPS)
• Student Travel Subsidy for Tertiary Students

For further information, please visit the website of the Student Finance Office (SFO).

10. Has the programme been included in the list of reimbursable courses for Continuing Education Fund (CEF) purposes?

Some courses of the programme have been included in the list of reimbursable courses for CEF purposes. Please refer to the website of CEF for details.

11. Are there any scholarships or grants?

Scholarships to recognise students’ outstanding achievements are bestowed on the selected recipients on the basis of academic merits or other criteria as set out by the School or donors.

(III) Programme

12. Where are the teaching venues?

Programmes offered by the School of Continuing Education (leading to HKBU awards or SCE awards, or collaborative programmes) are conducted at various teaching venues, including Kowloon Tong and Shek Mun (Shatin) Campuses and Learning Centres in Tsimshatsui, Kowloon East, and Wan Chai. These venues are well-equipped to support students’ studies. While most of the classes are held at either the Kowloon Tong Campus or the Shek Mun Campus, depending on the School’s development, students may be assigned to take classes at other venues during their study period.

13. What is the medium of instruction?

The medium of instruction for formal classroom teaching is English. Exemption from using English as the medium of instruction will be applied for individual courses.

14. What facilities and services are available for students?

．Libraries
．Learning Commons
．Recreation facilities
．IT facilities and web-based learning system
．Medical and dental services
．Counselling support

15. Are there any graduation requirements for the Programme?

Students who successfully obtain 63 units as required by the programme, attaining a minimum cumulative GPA of 2.00 for all courses attempted and having passed all courses stipulated by the programme are eligible for graduation.

16. If I failed a course, what should I do?

In case a student failed in a course, he/she may be allowed to sit for supplementary examination or needs to re-take the course.

17. Will I have the opportunity to further my studies after completing this Programme?

Graduates may choose to apply for admission to the undergraduate programmes including local UGC-funded, self-funded and other overseas undergraduate programmes.

18. What is the career prospect after graduating from this Programme?

Graduates will be suitable to take up entry to middle-level positions in the private sector such as Graphic Designers, Jewellery Designers, Accessories Designers, Store Designers, Visual Merchandisers, Project Designers, Brand Designers and Artwork Coordinators.

Recognition of Higher Diploma for Civil Service Appointment

Higher Diploma (HD) is a valuable standalone qualification. Holders of such qualification are fully prepared to take up jobs at elementary management and assistant professional levels. At present, 14 grades in the government set locally accredited HD as the qualification requirement for their entry ranks. These grades are Ambulance Officer, Assistant Information Officer (Design) / (Photo), Assistant Leisure Services Manager II, Assistant Programme Officer, Health Inspector II, Immigration Officer, Inspector of Customs and Excise, Inspector of Police, Occupational Safety Officer II, Officer (Correctional Services), Operations Officer (Airworthiness), Police Translator II, Station Officer (Operational) / (Control) and Statistical Officer II.
(Source: ipass.gov.hk, 19/03/2018）