Non-local Student Admissions

Design

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code DE114112K

Higher Diploma in Illustration (Medium of Instruction: Chinese (Putonghua))

Programme Edges

Transform Passion into Profession

Illustrate your dreams, paint your future.

Transform Passion into Profession

Illustrate your dreams, paint your future.

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with the creative and practical illustration abilities they need, including concept visualisation, graphic manipulation, critical and analytical thinking, visual expression, commerialisation, art toy design and illustration appreciation, as well as digital art are all areas of study. Areas of contextual studies will be conducted in the fields of entrepreneurship, professional practice, and cultural studies.

The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication 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)

HKDI

Medium of Instruction Chinese (Putonghua)¹

Professional Recognition

Students are eligible to apply for student membership of the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA).

Students can become associate member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators (HKSI) through its selection process.

Students can become member of the Hong Kong Mural Association (HKMA) through its selection process.

Remarks

Except some modules in English.

Notes

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.

Curriculum

Creative and Design Thinking⁺
Illustration Fundamentals
Graphic Language⁺
Lettering and Typography⁺
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction⁺
Whole Person Development – MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness⁺
IT Essentials - Smart Living⁺

Cultural Studies⁺
Storytelling in Illustration
Still Life and Figure Drawing
Graphic Art⁺
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence⁺
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)⁺

Aesthetics and Sustainability⁺
Concept Illustration
Digital Visualisation⁺
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search⁺
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)⁺
Enrichment Module A⁺

Content Illustration
3D Visualisation⁺
Cultural and Creative Design: Illustration
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing⁺
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing⁺

Project Production and Extension
Graduation Project: Illustration
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation⁺
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace⁺
Enrichment Module B⁺

Industrial Attachment

Remarks

Modules to be delivered in English.

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.