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Health and Life Sciences

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code AS114104

Higher Diploma in Biotechnology

Programme Edges

High Articulation Rate to Degree Programmes

Over 80% of graduates articulate to Degree programs, with an average of 30% of them transitioning to local universities.

Vibrant Learning Experiences

Can participate in exchange programs to Singapore, Japan, and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for over one month internship experiences.

Promising Career Prospects

Working in laboratories of universities and hospitals, as well as animal laboratories and animal clinics, etc.

High Articulation Rate to Degree Programmes

Over 80% of graduates articulate to Degree programs, with an average of 30% of them transitioning to local universities.

Vibrant Learning Experiences

Can participate in exchange programs to Singapore, Japan, and the Greater Bay Area (GBA) for over one month internship experiences.

Promising Career Prospects

Working in laboratories of universities and hospitals, as well as animal laboratories and animal clinics, etc.

Basic Information

The programme aims to meet the increasing manpower demand in biotechnology development and related biological product market by equipping students with vocational education and training in biotechnology.

The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic and language training, whole-person development and workplace experience to better prepare students for further studies and employment after graduation.

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

IVE (Chai Wan)

Professional Recognition

Many professional bodies in Hong Kong and overseas acknowledge the quality of our programmes, including:

Hong Kong Association for Testing, Inspection and Certification

Remarks

The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
Students may be required to attend classes on other VTC campuses. VTC reserves the right to cancel any programme, revise programme title, content or change the offering institute(s) / campus(es) / class venue(s) if circumstances so warrant.

Entrance Requirements

HKDSE

Chinese Language 2

English Language 2

Core/Elective Subject 2

VTC Diploma of Foundation Studies; OR
VTC Diploma of Vocational Education / VTC Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate; OR
Diploma Yi Jin / Diploma of Applied Education; OR
Relevant and substantial work experience and/or prior qualification(s) obtained in or outside Hong Kong (e.g. assessed through recognition of prior learning and credit accumulation and transfer), with demonstrated ability to undertake sub-degree education; OR
Equivalent

Remarks

Applicants can use HKDSE Applied Learning (ApL) subjects (except ApL Chinese) for admission purpose. An "Attained", "Attained with Distinction (I)" and "Attained with Distinction (II)" in an ApL subject (Category B subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2", "Level 3" and "Level 4" respectively for admission purpose.
For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) are regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" and "Level 3" respectively; From 2025 HKDSE onwards, Language Proficiency Level A2 or above in French / German / Spanish, N3 or above in Japanese and TOPIK II: Grade 3 or above in Korean are also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. Recognition of Urdu Language subject in 2026 HKDSE Other Language subject (Category C subjects) will be announced later. For details, please click here. One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
An "Attained" in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" for admission purpose.
If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the general entrance requirement would become "Attained" for Citizenship and Social Development and Level 2 or above in four other HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language and English Language. Besides, Level 2 or above in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. If applicants have taken both Module 1 and Module 2, either one of the modules (with a higher level) will be counted for admission purpose.
Applicable to holders of Diploma in Vocational Education / Diploma of Vocational Education (DVE) (students admitted to DVE in AY2017/18 or before are required to complete prescribed further studies modules).
Upon completion of the Diploma of Vocational Baccalaureate (DVB) programmes, students can progress to Higher Diploma programmes in VTC, subject to their BTEC and IGCSE results.
Applications with work experience and/or prior qualification(s) submitted will be assessed individually by the departments concerned.

Articulation / Employment

Articulation

Graduates may apply for further study in local or overseas universities and other Bachelor Degrees listed below:

BSc (Hons) in Biology offered by the University of Ulster, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Biological Science offered by the Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Biomedical Science offered by the Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Applied Microbiology offered by the Edinburgh Napier University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Human Biosciences (Reg no. 252701)^# offered by the Coventry University, United Kingdom (in collaboration with SHAPE).

^#It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognise any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be able to obtain employment in government departments, research laboratories in universities and hospitals, biotechnology companies, animal laboratories, animal hospitals or clinics, testing laboratories and Ocean Park, etc.

Curriculum

Fundamental Chemistry for Biotechnology Study
Human Physiology
Safety and Laboratory Practice
Microbiological Techniques I
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
IT Essentials – health-and-life-sciences
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness

Analytical Methods and Techniques
Biochemical Techniques
Microbiological Techniques II
Molecular Biology
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Laboratory Animal Science
Cell and Tissue Culture
Industrial Attachment
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Enrichment Module B

Molecular Biotechnology
Immunology
Cell and Cancer Biology
Biochemistry
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enrichment Module A

Toxicology
NGS and Bioinformatics in Medical Biotechnology
Microbes and Infection
Fundamental Laboratory Diagnostics for Animals
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for the AY2025/26 is listed below for reference. The tuition fees for AY2026/27 will be announced at a later stage.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$33,310

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
In addition to tuition fees, students will be required to pay other fees, such as caution money and students’ union annual fees. Students of Higher Diploma programmes will be required to pay the study package fees for Chinese & Putonghua modules.
Some students may be required to study bridging modules or enhancement programmes to support their study; or to attend additional training, industrial attachments, public examinations for which separate fees will be charged.
Tuition fees are subject to annual review. The tuition fee levels for 2nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.

Programme Highlights

Student overseas internship at the National Cancer Center Singapore

Students of the Higher Diploma in Biotechnology gained valuable internship experience at the National Cancer Center Singapore for two months, where they assisted in the research projects focused on liver cancer.