Non-local Student Admissions

Design

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code DE114101

Higher Diploma in Advertising Design

Programme Edges

Transform Passion into Profession

Think Big, Create Bold Advertising Future.

Transform Passion into Profession

Think Big, Create Bold Advertising Future.

Basic Information

The programme aims to be a top-of-mind programme that focuses on the balance between creative strategy, communication art and production skills. Students experience learning through activities that nurture the creative mind, with competitive transferable skills that develop commercial awareness and consumer insights applicable to traditional and digital advertising and marketing. Students apply creative strategies to persuasive communication designs that are practically produced for pitching and presentation. Students are trained to become enterprising advertising creatives who are open-minded, playful, confident, compelling and competitive. We encourage students to be observant, courageous and responsive in the ever-changing and highly challenging world of advertising.

The programme is designed with an emphasis on generic, language and communication 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)

HKDI

Professional Recognition

Students are eligible to apply for student memberships of major design organisations, e.g. D&AD, HK4As, Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA), etc.

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 programme offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

BA (Hons) in Product Design

Graduates may pursue relevant Degrees locally or overseas. They are eligible to apply for admission to the top-up Degree programme offered by the following university in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE):

University of the West of England, Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) in Graphic Design ^# (Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253266)

^# 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.

Graduates may also apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:

City University of Hong Kong: BA in Creative Media
Hong Kong Baptist University: BCOMM (Hons) in Public Relations and Advertising Major
The Chinese University of Hong Kong: BSSc in Journalism and Communication
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) in Design (Advertising Design) / BA (Hons) in Design (Information Design)

Upon admission to relevant Degree programmes, graduates may apply for credit exemption. The level of exemption will be considered on an individual basis.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed from entry level to become creative director, art director, copywriter, digital marketer, promotion and event manager, studio and production manager, brand manager, web designer, visualiser, digital designer, online advertising designer, social media executive, etc.

Curriculum

Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
Information Technology Essentials – Smart Living
Creative and Design Thinking
Advertising and Communications
Photography and Key Visuals
Graphics and Motion Design

Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)
Cultural Studies
Dynamic Storytelling
Advertising Video Production
Mascot Marketing
Enrichment Module A

Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
Aesthetics and Sustainability
Creative and Media Strategy
Content Marketing
Enrichment Module B

Vocational Chinese Communication : Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Graduation Project Development: Brand Activation
Presentation and Pitching
Gamification for Brand Experience

Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Graduation Project: Advertising Design
Cultural and Creative Design: Advertising Design

Industrial Attachment

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.