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Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code DE114202

Higher Diploma in Music Production

Programme Edges

Promising Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as pop singer, backing vocalist, music composer, arranger, sound designer, film & TV music scoring, and sound designer, studio and live sound recording and mixing engineer, front of house engineer, etc.

Promising Career Prospects

Basic Information

Integrating theory and practical training in pop music production, this programme covers knowledge and skills in composing, arranging, recording, mixing, and vocal techniques. It aims to equip students with the essential knowledge and skills to pursue careers in the music-related industries, as well as the film and television sectors.

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

Programme Stream

Students may choose one of the following streams so as to enhance professional knowledge and skills in specific areas:

Higher Diploma in Music Production
Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance

The 1^st semester is a common semester. Students will progress to the streams in the 2^nd semester, subject to their stream choice, academic performance and study place availability in specific streams.

Professional Recognition

Students may become "associate writer member" of the Composers and Authors Society of Hong Kong (CASH) after assessment. Students are eligible to apply for student or affiliate membership of the Hong Kong Association of Motion Picture Post Production Professionals (AMP4), the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), the Hong Kong Digital Entertainment Association (HKDEA).

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 programme offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

BA (Hons) in Music Technology

Graduates may also pursue relevant Degrees locally or overseas. Admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:

Hong Kong Baptist University: BMus (Hons) in Creative Industries
The Education University of Hong Kong: BA (Hons) in Creative Arts and Culture and BEd (Hons) (Music) Co-terminal Double Degree Programme

Upon admission to relevant Degree programmes, graduates may apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on individual basis.

Career Prospects

For graduates who opt for employment, they may be employed in music production as pops singer, backing vocalist, music composer, arranger, sound designer, film & TV music scoring and sound designer, studio and live sound recording and mixing engineer, front of house engineer, etc.

Curriculum

Aesthetics and Sustainability
Critical Listening for Music Production
Fundamental Music Theory
Introduction to Recording and Mixing
Live Sound Production
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Media

Higher Diploma in Music Production:

Cultural Studies
Ear Training for Music Professionals
Harmony 1 - Tonal Harmony
Instrumentation and Orchestration
MIDI Sequencing and Keyboard Skills
Recording and Mixing
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance:

Cultural Studies
Harmony 1 - Tonal Harmony
Instrumentation and Orchestration
Fundamentals of Sightsinging and Ear Training for Vocalist
Fundamentals of Vocal Performance (Unlocking Your Voice)
MIDI Sequencing and Keyboard Lab for Vocalist
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Music Production:

Creative and Design Thinking
Harmony 2 - Reharmonization
Critical Listening for Audio Production
Song Writing and Arrangement - Cantopop
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance:

Creative and Design Thinking
Song Writing and Arrangement - Cantopop
Ear Training and Sightsinging for Vocal Intonation and Pitch Accuracy
Vocal Performance Technique Introduction
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Music Production:

Film Scoring and Media Composition
Advanced Mixing for Music Production
Advance Live Sound
Song Writing and Arrangement - Western Pop
Vocal Production
Graduation Project for Music Production (Part 1)
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance:

Recording and Mixing
Song Writing and Arrangement - Western Pop
Ear Training for Vocal Harmonic Recognition
Live Performance Workshop (Group)
Vocal Performance Technique for Studio Recording
Graduation Project for Vocal Performance (Part 1)
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Music Production:

Performance Production Workshop
Graduation Project for Music Production (Part 2)
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Higher Diploma in Vocal Performance:

Live Performance Workshop (Solo)
Graduation Project for Vocal Performance (Part 2)
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Industrial Attachment

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

V Music Library

To nurture young musicians by furthering their education and promoting their original music to the industry and streaming platforms. This initiative fosters collaboration between students, alumni, and industry professionals, enhancing career development and growth.