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Health and Life Sciences

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code AS114113

Higher Diploma in Pet Care and Wellness

Programme Edges

Promising Career Prospects

Suitable for students who are planning to pursue a career in the pet industry.

Vibrant Learning Experiences

Can participate in various workshops or exchange programmes.

Relevant Industrial Experience

Cultivate practical skills and professional ethics.

Promising Career Prospects

Suitable for students who are planning to pursue a career in the pet industry.

Vibrant Learning Experiences

Can participate in various workshops or exchange programmes.

Relevant Industrial Experience

Cultivate practical skills and professional ethics.

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with professional knowledge of pet care wellness in the key areas of health care and grooming services. This programme is suitable for students who are planning to pursue a career in the pet care and wellness industry.

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)

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 continue to study in local or overseas universities to obtain a degree.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed in veterinary institutions, pet care and wellness enterprises, pet training institutes, pet grooming service enterprises, etc.

Curriculum

Introduction to the Pet Industry
Essentials of Animal Nutrition
Fundamental Animal Physiology and Anatomy in Pet Care
Animal Ethics, Welfare and Law
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - health-and-life-sciences

Sales and Marketing in Pet Industry
Microbiology for Animal Health
Pet Store Operation and Management
Principles and Practices of Pet Care and Husbandry
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
Enrichment Module A

Pet Grooming Techniques
Caring for Exotic Pets
Pet Common Diseases and Health Problems
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Enrichment Module B

Applied Techniques for Pet Styling
Pet Food Preparation and Safety
Pet Breeding Management
Introduction to Alternative Therapy for Pets
Pet Care Sciences
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Project

Pet Behavioural Psychology and Training
Pet Care Service Industry
Integrated Pet Styling Techniques
Industrial Attachment
Project

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

Industrial Visit

Students have the opportunity to conduct on-site visits to various organisations in the industry, such as the Society for the Prevention of Cruelty to Animals (Hong Kong) (SPCA (HK)), where they can gain in-depth understanding of animal rescue operations and thus develop a more profound and personal appreciation for animal welfare.

VTC Skill Fiesta Pet-Fun Zone

Enjoy quality time with the furry friends! Here you can indulge your pets with dog massage and DOGA, as well as to try dog-walking training and AI Photo Kiosk.

Pet Care Studio

The Pet Care Studio provides hands-on training in a simulated clinic environment, completes with grooming salon and retail displays. Equipped with professional facilities including mobile animal lift tables, pet waiting rooms, underwater treadmill, bathing station, and grooming tables, students gain practical experience to prepare for careers in pet care and wellness.