Programme Advantages

Specific Programme Content

This programme is the first training programme for accredited dispensers in a Hospital Authority hospital and the Department of Health.

Specific Programme Content

This programme is the first training programme for accredited dispensers in a Hospital Authority hospital and the Department of Health.

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with comprehensive professional training of a wide range of knowledge, skills and techniques in pharmaceutical dispensing services. It helps students to develop a responsible and respectful attitude as well as professional ethics. It is suitable for students who are planning to pursue a career in dispensing services.

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 may enroll in the seventh semester of the “Earn and Learn” Part-Time (Day) mode. Students may employ 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. For the two years of “Earn and Learn” scheme, the employer will sponsor the apprentice to study the Higher Diploma (HD) programme at IVE for one day per week³.

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)

IVE (Chai Wan)

Study Places IVE (Chai Wan) - 150

Admission Score Average Result: 14 ¹
Score Range: 10 - 21 ¹

Professional Recognition

Graduates may be employed as dispensers in Hospital Authority hospitals, private hospitals, other healthcare institutions and residential care home etc.

Remarks

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).
The tuition fee for the full-time Higher Diploma is paid by the student.
Employers will sponsor the tuition fees for these two years.

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.
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

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 (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.
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 apply for admission to the following programme:

Bachelor of Pharmacy offered by Queensland University of Technology, Australia

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as dispensers in Hospital Authority hospitals, private hospitals, other healthcare institutions and residential care home etc.

Curriculum

Introduction to Professional Practices in Pharmaceutical Services
Essential Chemistry and Applications
Pharmaceutical Chemistry
Human Physiology
Basic Pharmacology
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

Pharmaceutics
Human Disease
System Pharmacology I
Introduction to Dispensing
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentation, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part A)
Enrichment Module B

Dispensing Practice I
Industrial Attachment
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part B)

Pharmaceutical Microbiology and Infection Control
System Pharmacology II
Dispensing Practice II
Hospital Pharmacy Practice
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enrichment Module A

Patient counseling and Education
Dispensing Practice III
Drug Therapeutics
Pharmaceutical Services in Residential Care Home
Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Tuition Fees

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.