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Health and Life Sciences

Higher Diploma in Applied Nutritional Studies

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code AS114208

Higher Diploma in Applied Nutritional Studies

Programme Edges

Professional Development

Provide pathway to become Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian.

Diverse Practical Experiences

Industrial attachment companies covers nutrition, food and health industries allowing students to have valuable industrial experiences.

High Articulation Rate

On average, over 70% graduates articulate to local or overseas Bachelor Degree programmes.

Professional Development

Provide pathway to become Nutritionist or Registered Dietitian.

Diverse Practical Experiences

Industrial attachment companies covers nutrition, food and health industries allowing students to have valuable industrial experiences.

High Articulation Rate

On average, over 70% graduates articulate to local or overseas Bachelor Degree programmes.

Basic Information

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

The programme aims to provide professional knowledge, practical training and management skills in the area of nutrition and health food industry. It nurtures students to pursue a career in the nutrition and health related field and further study to become a registered dietitian. It covers a spectrum of modules including nutritional assessment and therapy, nutrigenomics, sports science and nutrition, menu planning and healthy food service management, health food products development, public health education and promotion, and Chinese food therapy. The programme is suitable for students who have enthusiasm in promoting healthy eating concept with the applications of innovative technology to improve human health.

The programme is also 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 (Kwai Chung)

Professional Recognition

Hong Kong Food Science and Technology Association Limited: Graduates are eligible to apply for Full Membership.

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.

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):

BSc (Hons) in Nutrition and Healthcare Management

Graduates may apply for admission to the following programmes :

BND (Hons) offered by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia;
BNutrSc offered by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia;
BSc (Hons) in Human Nutrition offered by the University of Ulster, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Food and Nutrition offered by the University of Ulster, United Kingdom; and
BSc (Hons) in Food Science and Nutrition (Reg No.: 251919)^# offered by the Northumbria University, United Kingdom (in collaboration with SHAPE).

^#It is a matter of discretion for individual employers to recognize any qualification to which this course may lead. Please refer to the corresponding programme page in the website of SHAPE.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as nutritionists / dietitian assistants, health advisors, health promotion instructors and patient care assistants in nutrition, health promotion, health food products and food service settings, such as medical groups, community health and nutrition centers, wellness centers, health food companies and catering groups.

Curriculum

Essential Food Chemistry
Nutrition and Health
Human Physiology
Introduction to Food Microbiology
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Health-and-Life-Sciences

Menu Planning and Healthy Food Service Management
Food Safety, Quality and Certification
Biomolecules and Nutrition Biochemistry
Public Health Education and Promotion
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement
Enrichment Module B

Chinese Food Therapy
Nutrition Counselling and Customer Services
Nutritional Assessment
Industrial Attachment
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Introduction to Biostatistics
Nutrition Business Operation and Event Management
Novelty in Nutrition and Nutrigenomics
Social and Health Behavioral Science
Project
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enrichment Module A

Nutrition Therapy
Sports Science and Nutrition
Health Food Products and Their Development
Project

Remarks

The medium of instruction of some modules is Chinese.

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.

Programme Highlights

Sustainable Charity Healthy Cooking Competition

Students from Higher Diploma in Applied Nutritional Studies won the Champion in the Sustainable Charity Healthy Cooking Competition held by Meiriki Japan and Faculty of Food and Nutritional Science of The Chinese University of Hong Kong in August of 2024.

Care Food Soft Diet Recipe Design Competition

Students won the "Most Popular Recipe Award" and "Most Nutritious Award" in the Care Food Soft Diet Recipe Design Competition held by Care Food Hong Kong.