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Health and Life Sciences
Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code AS114202

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science

Programme Advantages

Programme Advantages

Programme Advantages

Specific Programme Content

Programme content includes both manufacturing and analysis in Chinese and western medicines.

Programme Advantages

Stream Selection Provided

Students can develop their talents based on their interests in specific stream.

Programme Advantages

Relevant Industrial Experience

Cultivate practical skills and professional ethics.

Programme Advantages

Specific Programme Content

Programme content includes both manufacturing and analysis in Chinese and western medicines.

Programme Advantages

Stream Selection Provided

Students can develop their talents based on their interests in specific stream.

Programme Advantages

Relevant Industrial Experience

Cultivate practical skills and professional ethics.

Basic Information

Click here to view the programme highlights video (narration in Cantonese)

The programme aims to equip students with wide range of knowledge, skills and techniques in pharmaceutical science (both Western and Chinese medicines) including pharmaceutical manufacturing, quality control and operation management.

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 (Chai Wan)
Study Places IVE (Chai Wan) - 60
Admission Score Average Result: 13 1
Score Range: 10 - 20 1

Programme Stream

Students may choose one of the following streams so as to enhance professional knowledge and skills in specific areas:
  • Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Technology and Management)
  • Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Chinese Medicines)
The 1st semester is a common semester. Students will progress to the stream in the 2nd semester. Students will be required to attend a test in Semester 1 to determine the studied stream, subject to their choice, test performance and availability of places in specific streams.

Professional Recognition

Graduates from Chinese Medicines Stream possess at least 1 year of practical experience in manufacturing of proprietary Chinese medicines or dispensing of Chinese herbal medicines in Hong Kong are recognised by Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong as qualified to be nominated to be the responsible person of the supervision of Manufacturer in proprietary Chinese medicines or Retailer in Chinese herbal medicines.

Graduates from Technology and Management Stream possess at least 3 years of relevant working experience in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturing or quality control is recognised by Pharmacy and Poisons Board, Hong Kong as a recognised qualification for the heads of production or quality control in GMP pharmaceutical manufacturers.
Remarks
  1. Admission score in 2024 refers to score of the best 5 HKDSE subjects, including Chinese Language and English Language of admitted students in 2024. For reference only. (Scoring scale: 5** = 7 points; 5* = 6 points; 5 = 5 points: 4 = 4 points; 3 = 3 points; 2 = 2 points; 1 = 1 point).
Notes
  1. The programme information is applicable to local applicants. For non-local applicants, please visit here.
  2. 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.
  3. For some modules of the programme, the medium of instruction is Chinese (Cantonese).
  4. The revalidation of the programme will be conducted in 2025. The curriculum will be updated if circumstances so warrant.

Entrance Requirements

  • HKDSE
Chinese Language 2
English Language 2
Core/Elective Subject 2
Core/Elective Subject 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
  1. 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.
  2. 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 (Subject to approval by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ)). One Other Language subject can be counted for admission purpose.
  3. An "Attained" in HKDSE Citizenship and Social Development is regarded as equivalent to an HKDSE subject at "Level 2" for admission purpose.
  4. 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.
  5. 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).
  6. 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.
  7. 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):
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Chinese Medicinal Pharmacy
Graduates can apply for admission to the following programmes :
  • Bachelor of Science in Chinese Medicinal Pharmaceutics (Reg No. 231191)# offered by the China Pharmaceutical University, China (in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE)) (part-time)
# 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.
Career Prospects
Graduates of the Technology and Management Stream may be employed as technical / supervisory staff of pharmaceutical manufacturers, or as medical representatives / product registration executives of pharmaceutical traders.  
Graduates of the Chinese Medicines Stream may be employed as Chinese medicine dispensers in Chinese medicine dispensaries, or as technical / supervisory staff in testing laboratories or as research assistants in research institutes for Chinese medicine industries.

Curriculum

  • Chemistry for Pharmaceutical Science
  • Human Physiology for Pharmaceutical Science
  • Basic Microbiology
  • Safety & Laboratory Practice
  • Pharmaceutical Regulation and Practice
  • Vocational Chinese Communication:  Putonghua Conversation and Reports+
  • Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
  • Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
  • IT Essentials - health-and-life-sciences

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Technology and Management):

  • Pharmaceutics
  • Common Disease
  • Fundamental Organic Chemistry
  • Principles of Pharmaceutical Manufacturing and GMP
  • Fundamental Analytical Chemistry
  • Vocational Chinese Communication:  Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing+
  • Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
  • Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Chinese Medicines):

  • Principles of Chinese Medicine+
  • Medicinal Botany+
  • Fundamental Organic Chemistry
  • Fundamental Analytical Chemistry
  • Authentication in Chinese Materia Medica+
  • Vocational Chinese Communication:  Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing+
  • Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
  • Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Technology and Management):

  • Pharmaceutical Manufacturing & Operational Management
  • Pharmacology for Common Disease
  • Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
  • Industrial Attachment

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Chinese Medicines):

  • Chinese Materia Medica+
  • Dispensing in Chinese Medicines+
  • Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21st Century Workplace
  • Industrial Attachment

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Technology and Management):

  • Pharmaceutical Analysis
  • Chinese Materia Medica for Industry Practice+
  • Chinese Medicines Manufacturing+
  • Project
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
  • Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Chinese Medicines):

  • Applied Chemistry of Chinese Medicines+
  • Pharmaceutical Analysis
  • Chinese Medicines Manufacturing+
  • Formulas of Chinese Medicines+
  • Project
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
  • Enrichment Module A

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Technology and Management):

  • Pharmaceutical Marketing & Sales
  • Testing for Proprietary Chinese Medicines+
  • Pharmaceutical Microbiology
  • Project
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
  • Enrichment Module B

Higher Diploma in Pharmaceutical Science (Chinese Medicines):

  • Pretreatment of Chinese Materia Medica+
  • Grading of Chinese Materia Medica+
  • Testing for Proprietary Chinese Medicines+
  • Project
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
  • Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
  • Enrichment Module B
Remarks
  • Modules to be delivered in Chinese (Cantonese)

Tuition Fees

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)
$33,310
2nd Year Tuition Fees (HK$)
$33,310
Remarks
  1. The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two installments each year.
  2. 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.
  3. 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.
  4. 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.
  5. The information listed above is only applicable to local students.

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