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Business

Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Management

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code BA114107

Higher Diploma in Airport Operations Management

Programme Edges

Industry-Ready Education: Blending Theory, Practice and Technologies

The curriculum is closely aligned with industry developments and talent needs, combining theoretical knowledge with practical training. It incorporates the application of smart technologies and industrial attachment, laying a solid foundation for students to pursue a career in the field.

Industry-Ready Education: Blending Theory, Practice and Technologies

Basic Information

The programme aims to equip students with knowledge and skills of the aviation industry, covering airport and airline operations management, airport support services, airline and airport planning etc. Students will acquire skills through practices in simulated working environments and industrial attachment in airport or airline related companies.

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 (Tsing Yi)

Medium of Instruction

English

Medium of Instruction

The programme is also offered in other medium of instruction, including:
PutonghuaHigher Diploma in Airport Operations Management (Medium of Instruction: Chinese (Putonghua))

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.
Except for specific modules of specific content, the medium of instruction for Higher Diploma programmes is English and may be supplemented with Chinese.

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.
One Other Language subject (Category C subjects) can be counted for admission purpose. For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Languages 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 recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. Starting from 2026 HKDSE, a Grade E or above in Urdu language will also be recognised for the same purpose. For details, please click here.
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 articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

BA (Hons) in Hotel Operations Management

Graduates may apply for the degree programmes offered by the following institution(s):

Northumbria University, UK: BSc (Hons) in International Tourism, Hospitality and Events^#
Northumbria University, UK: BSc (Hons) in Global Business Management^#
RMIT University, Australia: Bachelor of Applied Science (Aviation)^#
Hong Kong Metropolitan University
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

^#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 for the registered course no.

Full-time top-up degree programmes in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) of VTC is not applicable to Mainland Students. For admission arrangements of part-time programmes, please visit website of SHAPE.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed in airline, airport, and aviation ground support services. After accumulating further operational experiences, they can be promoted to supervisory or middle managerial positions, such as Airport Operation Officer, Air Cargo Service Supervisor, Aircraft Services Coordinator, Passenger Services Officer, Turnaround Coordinator, etc.

Curriculum

Air Reservation and Ticketing
Foundation in Business Studies for Hospitality
Introduction to Ramp Operations
Introduction to the Aviation Industry
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Hospitality

Hospitality Marketing Management
Airline Catering
Fundamental Tourism Concepts for Aviation
Introduction to Air Cargo Operations
Introduction to Air Navigation
Passenger Terminal Operations (Year Long module across Semesters 2 & 3)
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Aviation Security and Safety
ICAO and International Aviation Legislation
Passenger Terminal Operations (Year Long module across Semesters 2 & 3)
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search

Airline and Airport Management Project (Year Long module across Semesters 4 & 5)
Airline Planning
Airport Commercial Operations
Fare Calculation Principles
Hospitality Human Resource Operation and Management
Hospitality Accounting and Finance
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Year Long module across Semesters 4 & 5)
Enrichment Module B

Airline and Airport Management Project (Year Long module across Semesters 4 & 5)
Airport Planning and Environmental Issues
Contemporary Issues in the Aviation Business
Hospitality Management
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Year Long module across Semesters 4 & 5)
Enrichment Module A

Remarks

Industrial Attachment: All programmes in the Business Discipline include compulsory industrial attachment. Relevant work may involve shift duties and may take place during evenings, weekends or public holidays.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fees for AY2027/28 will be announced at a later stage. The tuition fees for the AY2026/27 is listed below for reference.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$35,140

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two instalments each year. Each instalment is HK$17,570.
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 2^nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
Applicants shall refer to the Government's revised eligibility criteria for subvented study places and subsidies for AY2027/28 and beyond. Applicants not meeting the revised eligibility criteria are subject to self-finance fees. If you need any further enquiry on visa requirements, please contact the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.

Programme Highlights

Step Out From Books And Into The Heart Of The Industry

Elevate your industry knowledge: Programme's exchange tour offers an immersive, behind-the-scenes look at the dynamic world of airport and airline operations.

Professional Training For Academic And Career Success

Programme’s professional training is designed around students’ goals, offering flexible pathways that bridge skill development for further academic advancement and "future-ready" candidates in industry.