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Information Technology

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code IT114122

Higher Diploma in Cybersecurity

Programme Edges

Great Demand for Cybersecurity Talents

Many industries' operation rely on network. There is a huge demand in Cybersecurity professionals.

Great Demand for Cybersecurity Talents

Many industries' operation rely on network. There is a huge demand in Cybersecurity professionals.

Basic Information

This programme provides students with systematic training in cybersecurity and information technology. Covering penetration testing and digital forensics, with a strong technical focus on Active Directory management and security as well as dual-OS (Linux/Windows) Administration, the curriculum seamlessly integrates theoretical foundations with hands-on operations. Graduates will be fully equipped to counter increasingly sophisticated cyber threats, meeting the significant demand for information system security across public and private sectors.

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.

The programme is linked to the “Earn and Learn” scheme. Upon completion of the full-time first year of this programme², the student may choose to study in the “Earn and Learn” scheme. Under the “Earn and Learn” scheme, students will be employed by the participating companies as registered apprentice for two years in the “Earn and Learn”. During the two-year training period, there will be salary, government allowance and additional subsidy. Furthermore, the employer will sponsor the apprentice to study the Higher Diploma (HD) programme in Part-Time (Day) mode³.

For details, please refer to the “Earn and Learn” scheme website.

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

HKIIT¹
HKIIT at IVE (Chai Wan)

Medium of Instruction

English

Medium of Instruction

The programme is also offered in other medium of instruction, including:
CantoneseHigher Diploma in Cybersecurity (Medium of Instruction: Chinese (Cantonese))

Professional Recognition

The programme is recognised by the Hong Kong Computer Society as satisfying the academic requirements for its Associate Membership.

Remarks

Class venue: HKIIT and IVE (Tsing Yi). HKIIT is located at VTC Tsing Yi Complex, 20A Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi Island, New Territories.
The tuition fee for the full-time Higher Diploma is paid by the student.
Employers will sponsor the tuition fees for these two years, and with monthly average salary $11,000 or above.

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.
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):

BSc (Hons) in Cyber Security
BSc (Hons) in Information and Communications Technology

Graduates may apply for admission to the following programmes:

Degree programmes in local universities:
- The City University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Baptist University
- Lingnan University
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The University of Hong Kong
- Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Articulation Degree programmes in overseas universities (conducted at IVE campus):
- Coventry University, UK
- Northumbria University, UK
- University of the West of England, UK
Other Universities in the UK
- The University of Plymouth, UK

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 cybersecurity operator, web security and vulnerability assessment technician and IT Security Assistant. With solid industry experience, graduates have an opportunity to advance to leadership positions such as IT Security Manager and Chief Information Security Officer (CISO).

Curriculum

IT Essentials – Web
Network Fundamentals
Programming Fundamentals
Database Applications
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace

Foundation in Cybersecurity for the Public Sector
Discrete Mathematics and Statistics
Penetration Testing
Linux Administration
Advanced Scripting Technology
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Enrichment Module B

Internet Programming
Web Application Security
Windows Administration

Final Year Project
Internetworking Technologies
Digital Forensics
Active Directory Management and Security
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Enrichment Module A

IT Professionalism
Final Year Project
Contemporary Topics in Cybersecurity
Advanced Network and Security
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Remarks

Industrial Attachment will be arranged at an appropriate time during the period of study between Semester 3 - 5.

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.