Non-local Student Admissions

Engineering

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code EG114128

Higher Diploma in Architectural Studies

Programme Edges

Promising Career Prospects

Monthly average salary of graduates from the programme is HK$17,900.

Professional Recognition

Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Fulfil Academic Requirement of Registered Professionals

Fulfil academic requirement of Buildings Department TCP (Grades T1 to T3 of specific streams) .

Promising Career Prospects

Monthly average salary of graduates from the programme is HK$17,900.

Professional Recognition

Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers, The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists

Fulfil Academic Requirement of Registered Professionals

Fulfil academic requirement of Buildings Department TCP (Grades T1 to T3 of specific streams) .

Basic Information

The programme provides students with sound training in architectural design, building technology, interior design, statutory submission and construction drawings. Architectural design builds on the integration of human beings, buildings and the environment. The architect's work contributes to provide a comfortable and pleasant living environment for the human beings.

The programme aims to provide a sound education and training for students to play a complementary role in preparation of architectural design, drawings production, interior design, statutory submissions, and the administration of contracts of building projects. The programme enables students to acquire the academic attainments required for individual professional development and further study leading to a career of architect, interior designer or related professionals; it also provides special training for the rapidly developing area of Building Information Modelling (BIM) in which some past graduates had become specialists and BIM Managers.

The progamme 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 (Tuen Mun / Tsing Yi)

Professional Recognition

The programme is accredited by the professional body listed below as satisfying the academic requirements for Associate Member, and recognised by the Buildings Department as eligible to become Grade T1 to T3 of stipulated areas of the Technically Competent Person (TCP) with suitable experience in the Site Supervision Plan issued under the Buildings Ordinance:

Academic requirements for TCP T1 to T3 of stipulated areas
The Hong Kong Institute of Construction Managers
The Chartered Institute of Architectural Technologists (http://ciat.org.uk)

Graduates completed the required module will be issued with Green Cards which fulfils the Mandatory Basic Safety Training requirement for working in construction sites.

Graduates with stipulated experience are eligible to be considered by Buildings Department to fit into Grade T1 to T3 of the Technically Competent Person (TCP) in the Site Supervision Plan issued under the Buildings Ordinance.

The programme is a CIC-accredited BIM Coordinator (CCBC) Course. Including a pass in the elective module “Building Information Modelling and Management".

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.
For details please contact Department of Construction:
IVE (Tsing Yi): 2436 8503
IVE (Tuen Mun): 2460 5214

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 articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

BA (Hons) in Landscape Architecture

Graduates may apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes offered by the local or overseas universities, including:

The University of Plymouth, UK
The University of South Australia, Australia
The City University of Hong Kong, BSc (Hons) in Architecture
The Chu Hai College of Higher Education, BSc (Hons) in Architecture

Graduates may also apply for the following part-time top-up Degree programme operated by the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) locally at VTC:

BSc (Hons) in Architectural Studies^#, the University of Lancashire, UK
BSc (Hons) in Architectural Technology & Design^#, the University of the West of England

^# 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.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed in Architectural / Interior Design firms, Property Developers, Main Contractors, as Architectural Technicians, BIM Technicians, Technical Officer and Project Co-ordinators. They can pursue further study for career advancement leading to a career of Architects, BIM Managers or related professionals.

Curriculum

Architectural Drawing and Drafting
Architectural History A
Architectural Design A
Construction Technology and Structures
Safety and Industrial Training
Building Services for Architecture
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Design

Architectural History B
Computer Aided Drawing and Modelling
Architectural Materials and Detailing A
Architectural Design B
Architectural Practice A
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Environment and Sustainable Design
Building Information Modelling for Construction
Architectural Design C
Enrichment Module B
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search

Enrichment Module A
Project Implementation of BIM Technology
Final Year Architectural Project
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Elective Module (select 2 out of the 3 modules: Architectural Practice B, Interior Architectural Studies and Advanced BIM Skills)

Architectural Materials and Detailing B
Industrial Attachment
Final Year Architectural Project
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.