Higher Diploma in Food Technology and Safety

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with professional and comprehensive training with a broad knowledge and practical skills relating to food, nutrition, food product development, safety management. It covers a spectrum of modules including food technology, food legislation, food testing, food packaging, food quality audit and systems implementation, and food product innovation.

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 (Chai Wan)

Professional Recognition

Graduates are eligible to apply for the Full Membership of Hong Kong Food Professionals Association and Hong Kong Food Hygiene Administrators Association.

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 Food Science and Safety

Graduates may apply for admission to the following programme:

BSc (Hons) in Food and Nutrition offered by the University of Ulster, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Food Science offered by the London South Bank University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Food Science (Food Safety) offered by the London South Bank University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Food Science (New Product Development) offered by the London South Bank University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Food and Nutrition offered by the London South Bank University, United Kingdom;
BSc (Hons) in Baking Science and Technology offered by the London South Bank University, United Kingdom;
BND (Hons) offered by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia;
BNutrSc offered by the Queensland University of Technology, Australia; 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 recognise 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 in various food and nutritional related industries and public health services, including food production, food product development, catering organisations, global food logistics and business trade, food product testing, health inspectors for Food and Environmental Hygiene Department and food safety auditors. Graduates are competent to fill positions at technical, supervisory and managerial levels as food technical assistants, food quality controllers, food logistic and hygiene managers, and other relevant technical practitioners in the food trade discipline.

Curriculum

Essential Chemistry and Applications
Statistics
Basic Microbiology
Safety and Laboratory Practice
Introduction to Food Industry and Practices
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Health & Life Sciences

Food Microbiology
Food and Nutritional Chemistry
Sensory Evaluation of Food
Human Nutrition
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part A)

Food Analysis
Food Legislation
Industrial attachment
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part B)
Enrichment Module A

Food Technology
Food Processing
Food Business and Marketing
Epidemiology of Food Related Illnesses
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enrichment Module B

Food Packaging and Food Communication
Food Quality and Certification
Food Toxicology
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

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.