Hong Kong Associate Degree | Inside the data #Associate Degree & Higher Diploma Hong Kong 2+2 Education Planning #Second and Third Degree students look over~
In Hong Kong, an associate degree program offers a two-year university curriculum. After graduation, students can choose to advance to higher years of undergraduate study in Hong Kong, commonly known as the "Hong Kong 2+2" pathway. After two years of study, students can earn a bachelor's degree. This pathway is an integral part of the Hong Kong education system and provides an effective alternative route for Mainland Chinese students seeking to study in Hong Kong.
So, if you go for a Hong Kong sub-degree, can you ensure a smooth transition to undergraduate studies?
In this article, we will discuss the academic planning and university progression opportunities for Hong Kong associate degrees (Higher Diploma & Associate Degree).
Let’s start by knowing what exactly is an associate degree? Is it similar to a junior college?
An associate degree is a golden springboard for students whose college entrance examination scores are above or below the second-tier or third-tier colleges to enter their ideal undergraduate colleges.
An associate degree is a degree level originating from the United States and Canada. It is awarded by colleges and universities with the authority to award bachelor's degrees to students who have completed an associate degree program. The associate degree program lasts two years and is a higher education course equivalent to the first two years of a four-year university program. It is also equivalent to a foundation degree in the UK.
After completing the two-year associate degree program, students who pass the program can apply for admission to bachelor's degree programs at overseas or local universities. Generally, they can obtain a bachelor's degree after another two years of study.
In 2000, it was introduced to Hong Kong by former Chief Executive Tung Chee-hwa, and in 2006, Hong Kong's associate degree began to recruit students from mainland college entrance examination candidates. The associate degree consists of two courses: associate degree and higher diploma.
Some students asked before, What is the difference between the two courses? I will answer it here↓
Associate Degree (AD):
The aim is to provide comprehensive knowledge training for secondary school graduates. The curriculum includes three categories: general skills, general education and specialized subjects. General education covers different academic fields, accounting for at least 60% of the total curriculum, including: literature and humanities, culture and media, philosophy, social sciences, science and technology, etc.; specialized subjects cover the contents of different associate degree course themes, laying a solid academic foundation for students.
Higher Diploma (HD):
It aims to lay a solid foundation for secondary school graduates in both specialized subjects and general skills. The course focuses on imparting professional knowledge and skills training, and cultivating professional talents to meet the needs of future studies and employment. Specialized courses account for at least 60% of the total courses.
*Senior sister tells you:
The latest policy address in October 2023, with lots of good news:
①Students, please note that if you are a sub-degree graduate from the Vocational Training Council (VTC) of Hong Kong and are not in a hurry to enter the third year of undergraduate studies, you can choose to stay in Hong Kong and work for a year. The two-year trial will start in the fall of 2024 and the fall of 2025. {Vocational Training Graduates Stay in Hong Kong Scheme}
② Starting from the year 2024, the quota for non-local students in Hong Kong's tertiary institutions will be raised from the original maximum of 20% to 40%. It means that the chances of mainland high school students to enroll in colleges and universities will be doubled, and there will be more places!
Associate Degree
Key Point01
What is the associate degree?
Hong Kong sub-degrees, including Associate Degrees and Higher Diplomas, which are taken over a period of two years, are at Level 4 of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework.
Key Point02
Are sub-degrees the same as mainland specialties?
The associate degree to bachelor's degree is different from the associate degree to bachelor's degree in the mainland. The courses and textbooks for the associate degree and bachelor's degree are the same; like 60% of the higher diploma courses, most of them involve technical courses. With the GPA and English scores of the associate degree for 2 years, you can apply to local universities in Hong Kong or overseas prestigious universities and obtain a bachelor's degree through the 2+2 method.
In Hong Kong, all associate degree courses at universities are awarded directly by the universities themselves. After graduating with an associate degree, one can go on to study for an undergraduate degree. The degree obtained is completely indistinguishable from the degree certificate obtained by directly entering the undergraduate program. In mainland China, the first degree certificate for upgrading from an associate degree to an undergraduate degree will specifically indicate that it is a junior college.
Key Point03
Which schools in Hong Kong offer sub-degree programmes?
- HKU Affiliated College
- Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College, School of Professional and Continuing Education, University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Institute of Technology
- Community College of City University of Hong Kong/UOW College Hong Kong
- PolyU
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University School of Continuing Studies
- Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
- Caritas Bianchi College of Career
- University of San Francesco (formerly - Caritas Institute of Technology)
- HKCT Institute of Technology
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education
- VTC
- Hong Kong Alliance Bible Seminary
- Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education
- Tung Wah College
Key Point04
What are the admission requirements for sub-degree programs in Hong Kong?
The general application requirements are:
1. College entrance examination scores of mainland graduates: reaching or above the third-tier score line
2. English score requirement: English score should be no less than 90 points (out of 150 points) - 80 points is enough for some colleges
3. Interview: Individual interview or group interview mainly in English (depending on the school and applied major)
4. Application period: January to June (please refer to the school’s official website for the time announced)
5. Interview and admission time: mid-June to the end of July
6. Admission time: late August or early September
Enrollment targets include: Mainland ordinary high school graduates and mainland international high school graduates
The detailed application requirements for associate degrees in various universities in 2024 are as follows:
Key Point05
Can I wait until the college entrance examination results come out before applying?
Since the admission principle of Hong Kong schools is "early registration, early interview, and early admission", if you are a student interested in applying for an associate degree in Hong Kong, it is recommended that you apply as early as possible to avoid missing out on your favorite school.
The application for an associate degree does not conflict with the application for mainland universities. Current college entrance examination candidates can estimate their scores in advance and apply based on their usual performance. Having both prepared gives you more options!
Key Point06
Is it difficult to continue my studies after graduating with an associate degree?
HKU Affiliated College
Since its establishment in 2000, the HKU Affiliated College has helped many graduates realize their university dreams. More than 15,200 students/graduates have successfully entered full-time undergraduate programmes funded by the UGC at local universities, among which nearly 5,000 students were admitted to the University of Hong Kong. Since the establishment of the college, the total number of students successfully admitted to degree programmes has exceeded 29,300, which is an impressive achievement.
Sub-degree graduates have no worries about career prospects and have many options for further study. The first choice is of course the UGC degree programmes of the eight universities (some of the eight universities offer self-funded programmes), among which the University of Hong Kong, the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the Chinese University of Hong Kong are ranked in the top 50 universities in the world#.
Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College, School of Professional and Continuing Education, University of Hong Kong
- Most North American and Scottish university degree courses are four-year courses.
- Most degree courses in the UK and Australia are three years long.
- Students who have completed the first year of an associate degree or higher diploma can also enroll in first-year courses at universities in the UK/Australia or second-year courses at universities in North America and Scotland.
- All courses offered by the College are listed in the Qualifications Register through the School of Professional and Continuing Education of the University of Hong Kong or the Po Leung Stanley Ho Community College of the University of Hong Kong.
- This picture is for reference only.
NCR: These courses are exempted courses under the Non-local Higher and Professional Education (Regulation) Ordinance. It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualifications to which these courses may lead.
The Chinese University of Hong Kong, School of Professional and Continuing Education
Degree Articulation Programs
1. Admission to local government-funded degree programmes through non-JUPAS pathway
2. Self-financing degree programmes and top-up degree programmes offered by local institutions
Further study and career paths
The Higher Diploma courses are practical, with an equal emphasis on theory and practice, so that students can lay a good foundation for employment; at the same time, graduates can also connect to bachelor's degrees from local and overseas universities and continue their studies. Last year, more than half of the college's graduates chose to continue their studies, while the rest chose to work or are exploring more possibilities.
UOW College Hong Kong
Advanced study path: Mainland students can choose to study abroad or stay in Hong Kong after graduation. In addition to enrolling in bachelor's degree programs at various universities in Hong Kong, our school has also established networks with many overseas universities to facilitate candidates to apply for admission to universities in the UK, the US, Canada, Australia and Japan to enter the second or third year of degree programs.
Hong Kong Polytechnic University College
The 2023 HKCC graduate admission rate reached 90.2%, and the admission rate for government-funded courses reached a new high of 71.2%. According to the 2023 HKCC Graduate Admission Survey, a total of 2,544 graduates were admitted to undergraduate programs, with an admission rate of 90.2%.
- Among them, 71.2% (1,812 students) were admitted to government-funded bachelor's degree programmes, a record high.
- Of these, 57% (1,449) progressed to UGC-funded higher-year programmes.
- 81.3% (2,069 students) were admitted to degree programmes awarded by the eight local institutions(including self-financed courses).
As for the further study opportunities provided by PolyU, among the 2,544 graduates who progressed to undergraduate programmes, 32.1% of them progressed to PolyU and about 9.7% progressed to PolyU SPEED’s self-financed honours top-up degree programmes.
Statistics on further studies
The International College of Hong Kong Baptist University
Statistics of HKBU Associate Degree Graduates for Further Studies and Employment - 2022
The International College provides students with different academic qualifications with multiple options for further study. After completing the two-year HKBU Associate Degree Programme, students can choose to complete their Bachelor’s degree through multiple pathways. The College helps students make wise decisions on further study and career planning by organizing further study seminars and interview skills workshops.
Lingnan University School of Continuing Studies
Both Associate Degree and Higher Diploma are at Level 4 of the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. After completing an Associate Degree or Higher Diploma programme, graduates can continue their studies by pursuing a bachelor’s degree at a local or overseas university.
Study abroad
The College has articulation agreements with a number of overseas partner universities. After completing our associate degree and higher diploma programmes, students can apply to study at the following prestigious universities to complete their bachelor’s degrees.
• Ritsumeikan Asia Pacific University (Japan)
• University of Essex (UK)
• University of the West of England (UK)
• Kajaani University of Applied Sciences (Finland)
• University of Huddersfield (Finland)
Li Ka Shing Institute of Professional and Continuing Education, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
HKCT Institute of Technology
Hong Kong education ladder:
Applicants can apply for HKCT’s two-year Higher Diploma programme (the academic level is equivalent to that of mainland colleges) or four-year Bachelor’s degree programme. These programmes have completed the accreditation process of the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications and are recognised by local and overseas universities.
VTC
Hong Kong education ladder:
Graduates of the two-year Higher Diploma programmes can apply for admission to the bachelor's degree programmes offered by the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong, a subsidiary of VTC). The Technological and Higher Education Institute (Technological and Higher Education Institute) is a direct articulation scheme for VTC Higher Diploma students, which allows students to graduate from Higher Diploma more quickly and easily. (Admission to Year 3 (and then articulation to the bachelor's degree programmes).
Good news, students admitted in the 2024-2025 and 2025-2026 academic years will be offered a two-year stay in Hong Kong scheme for vocational graduates. After graduating from a sub-degree program under the VTC in two years, they will have the opportunity to stay in Hong Kong for one year to work.
Notes:
- The Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI) and the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT) are member institutions of VTC.
- Current college entrance examination candidates from 19 provinces and municipalities in Mainland China (Beijing, Tianjin, Hebei, Liaoning, Heilongjiang, Shanghai, Jiangsu, Zhejiang, Anhui, Fujian, Shandong, Henan, Hubei, Hunan, Guangdong, Guangxi, Chongqing, Sichuan and Shaanxi) can apply for the four-year bachelor's degree (undergraduate) programmes offered by THEi or the two-year higher diploma programmes offered by IVE, HKDI and ICI.
- Senior high school graduates and college entrance examination candidates from other provinces and cities in Mainland China can apply for the two-year Higher Diploma programmes offered by IVE, HKDI, ICI and HKIIT.
- Upon obtaining the qualification, VTC Higher Diploma graduates can articulate to undergraduate degree programmes offered by THEi or undergraduate degree programmes offered by local / overseas universities (IVE, HKDI, ICI and HKIIT Higher Diploma programmes enjoy varying degrees of recognition and credit exemption from Hong Kong and overseas universities).
- THEi’s undergraduate programmes are widely recognised by universities in Hong Kong, Mainland China and overseas. THEi graduates can apply for master’s degree programmes offered by local/Mainland China/overseas universities in Hong Kong.
- The above progression ladder is for reference only. Course application qualifications and study periods vary according to individual course requirements, credit exemptions, entry visa regulations and other factors. For more information on individual courses, please contact the institutions.
- Hong Kong's sub-degrees (including associate degrees and higher diplomas) are not currently included in the "Memorandum of Understanding between the Mainland and Hong Kong on Mutual Recognition of Higher Education Degree Certificates". Applicants should check with the relevant government departments for the recognition of their academic qualifications in countries or regions outside Hong Kong.