Hong Kong Advanced Diploma Program

The Wollonggang College of Hong Kong (formerly the School of Higher Education at City University of Hong Kong) has announced that six new advanced diploma courses will be offered in the 2021/22 academic year.

The newly added 6 courses are: Digital Communication Design, Application System Development, Creative Media Production, Computer Network and System Management, Robotics Engineering, Leisure and Recreation Management. All courses are two-year advanced diploma courses, and can be upgraded to a bachelor's degree at a local or overseas university for three years, followed by another two years.

Upon seeing this, you may ask, what is the difference between the Advanced Diploma program and the associate's program that is often mentioned before, which is also a 2+2 undergraduate admission form? Which one is more suitable for mainland students? Given the recent inquiries from many students and parents regarding studying abroad in Hong Kong, today the editor will provide a detailed explanation of the associate's degree in Hong Kong and its promotion to undergraduate studies.

An advanced diploma program is different from an associate's degree.

The main difference between an associate's degree and an advanced diploma in Hong Kong is that an associate's degree places more emphasis on general education and is more suitable for future bachelor's programs. An advanced diploma focuses relatively on professional training and is more suitable for direct job hunting in the future.

Therefore, the associate's degree program will focus more on academic training, teaching subject knowledge, and laying a theoretical foundation for future learning. The success of general education courses (such as Chinese, information technology, general education, etc.) is beneficial for subsequent learning.

The Advanced Diploma program focuses more on the training of professional knowledge and skills, aiming to cultivate professional talents in the field of employment. The content of professional courses (such as professional subjects, professional training, vocational skills, etc.) will account for at least 60% of the course, which is conducive to direct employment after obtaining a graduation certificate.

Therefore, there are certain differences in the training objectives between these two courses, so the focus of course arrangement may also be slightly different. However, the commonality of these two courses is that they both accept applications from mainland students. Both are two-year courses and can be directly enrolled in third year courses at local or overseas universities in Hong Kong. Obtaining a degree only takes 4 years. The certificate is identical to the four-year undergraduate graduation certificate admitted through the college entrance examination, and is also recognized by the Ministry of Education in mainland China.

However, mainland students will choose to continue their undergraduate studies two years after graduation. Considering the goal of further education, an associate's degree is relatively more suitable for everyone to apply for.

Is it difficult to advance to a bachelor's degree through an associate's degree in Hong Kong?

The college entrance examination results are about to be announced. For students who have just completed their undergraduate studies or below, unless they repeat their studies, they will basically miss out on key universities in mainland China. However, if this score is used to apply for a Hong Kong associate's degree, there is still a chance to advance to a Hong Kong undergraduate degree two years later, and some even successfully counterattack the Hong Kong Eighth University.

According to the latest statistics from various schools this year, the number of people who can smoothly enter the eight undergraduate majors in Hong Kong through an associate's degree can account for more than two-thirds of the total number.

For example, more than two-thirds of the associate's degree recipients from the Affiliated College of the University of Hong Kong have successfully been admitted to the bottom eight universities in Hong Kong, and one-third of the students have successfully been admitted to the top three universities of the University of Hong Kong, the Chinese University of Hong Kong, and the University of Hong Kong Science and Technology.

The admission rate of associate degree graduates from the College of Higher Education at the Hong Kong Polytechnic University in 2020 reached a record high of 90.5%. Among them, 81.1% of students successfully enrolled in the degree programs of the eight Hong Kong universities, and over 30% of students were able to directly enter the undergraduate programs of the Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

Last year, the admission rate of the International College of Hong Kong Baptist University also reached 88.8%, with 78.7% of students being able to smoothly enter the Eighth University of Hong Kong and 43% directly entering the courses of Hong Kong Baptist University.

More importantly, when an associate's degree is promoted to a bachelor's degree, it does not require one and a half exams, but rather focuses more on students' comprehensive qualities and overall performance two years ago. Therefore, if you maintain a good GPA during the two years of your associate's degree and actively participate in improving your personal background, the likelihood of entering a prestigious university in the future is still high.

In addition, it is possible to apply for undergraduate courses from multiple universities simultaneously, providing more opportunities for further education. The graduation certificate obtained after graduation is identical to the four-year undergraduate certificate, and it is also recognized by the Ministry of Education in mainland China, so there is no need to worry about certification issues.

3. How mainland candidates apply for an associate's degree.

The application process for an associate's degree is basically the same as for an undergraduate degree. Firstly, prepare the application materials and submit the online application. After passing the school's review, you will participate in the interview. If you pass the interview, you will be accepted. However, compared to the eight undergraduate majors in Hong Kong, the admission requirements for an associate's degree are lower, making it more suitable for students who have not achieved ideal results in the college entrance examination but hope to obtain an undergraduate degree from a prestigious university in the future.

Hong Kong Associate Degree Application Conditions:

Key universities: The total score of the college entrance examination reaches the minimum admission score for undergraduate students, with an English score of over 100, and an interview.

Ordinary universities: The total score of the college entrance examination is slightly lower than the undergraduate score line, with an English score of over 80 and an interview.

Materials required for application:

College entrance examination transcripts, identification documents, graduation certificates, documents, etc.

Admission interview content:

Due to the impact of the epidemic, interviews in Hong Kong schools have mostly been changed to online. Common interview questions include: (Note that most interviews are in English).

1. Prepare a one minute self introduction and a 30 second self introduction.

2. Why are you studying in Hong Kong?

3.Why did you choose xxx major.

4.What are your plans for the future?

5.Have you read any books related to xx major?

6. On what basis did I admit you.