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Higher diploma numbers soaring

Mary Luk

Every year, nearly two-thirds of the 35,000 Form Seven graduates fail to get into university, but many of them don't give up, opting to do a diploma first in the hope of converting to a university course. And the number of these students is growing each year.

At the Chinese University of Hong Kong's School of Continuing and Professional Studies (SCS), for example, the number of students enrolling in full-time higher diploma programmes soared by nearly 50 per cent last year.

The school's head of academic affairs, Margaret Cheung Wai-fong, said the increase was due to the practicality of the subjects, which enabled graduates to find jobs immediately.

There are more than 2,000 students doing these programmes, which were first launched in 2002 to support the government's initiatives to enhance access to higher education.

The School of Continuing and Professional Studies aims to provide school leavers with greater career and education opportunities.

It has also established 'articulation' agreements with more than 40 overseas universities. This means that students completing associate degree programmes here can transfer to overseas universities.

Higher diploma graduates can either do their undergraduate programmes locally, in the mainland or overseas.

'The credits students earn are transferable to many universities in Britain which only require students to study in the final year to complete a degree course,' Ms Cheung said.

However, due to the economic downturn, many students are getting their overseas degrees locally instead of overseas.

'Only about 2 to 3 per cent did their courses overseas. With our economy recovering recently, this has risen to around 7 or 8 per cent. But not more than about 10 per cent go abroad since students have many options here,' she said.

For 2007-08, SCS offers 21 higher diploma programmes covering business and management, languages and translation, information technology, art and design, social sciences and traditional Chinese medicine. The programmes are in two-year and three-year modes to suit the needs of Secondary Seven and Five graduates respectively. All courses are taught by professionals in related fields.

Ms Cheung said the tourism and hospitality management programme was always fully booked because the industry offered ample job opportunities for young people.

'They don't just learn the subject, but are also taught the art of communicating with others.'

The school also offers numerous internship programmes in collaboration with major corporations and public organisations such as the Hong Kong Housing Society, Hong Kong Disneyland, the Hospital Authority and PCCW.

'Such placements allow students to apply what they have learnt in the industry and foster their career prospects. They have the chance to experience working in large corporations while being mentored by professionals.

'The interpersonal skills they acquire through work cannot be learned in the classroom. The internship helps to strengthen their CV when they look for jobs.'

Each higher diploma programme has its own specific admission requirements, but generally speaking, for three-year programmes, students should have five passes in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) or equivalent.

For two-year programmes, students should complete the Form Seven curriculum, with five passes in the HKCEE including Chinese, English and mathematics, or equivalent; or have a relevant recognised diploma/higher certificate. Students over 21 can apply for both programmes, but interviews may be required.

The three-year programmes cost HK$37,500 to HK$44,500 a year, and two-year programmes range from HK$40,500 to HK$47,500.

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