Non-local Student Admissions

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Programme Advantages

Transform Passion into Profession

Illustrate your dreams, paint your future.

Transform Passion into Profession

Illustrate your dreams, paint your future.

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with the creative and practical illustration abilities they need, including concept visualisation, graphic manipulation, critical and analytical thinking, and visual expression. Visual expression, storytelling, concept visualisation, media art, illustration appreciation, lettering and typography, as well as computer graphics are all areas of study. Areas of contextual studies will be conducted in the fields of entrepreneurship, professional practice, and cultural studies. Additionally, the curriculum offers expert-level instruction in observation, investigation of communication techniques, and visual interpretation.

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

Study Places HKDI - 205

Admission Score Average Result: 14 ¹
Score Range: 10- 22 ¹

Professional Recognition

Students are eligible to apply for student membership of the Hong Kong Designers Association (HKDA).

Students can become associate member of the Hong Kong Society of Illustrators (HKSI) through its selection process.

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).

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 articulate to the Degree programmes offered by Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi):

Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Digital Advertising

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) Fine Arts^# (Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253254)
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) Illustration^# (Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253265)

^# 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 apply for admission to relevant Degree programmes of local universities:

City University of Hong Kong: BA Creative Media
Hong Kong Baptist University: BA (Hons) in Visual Arts
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) in Advertising Design / BA (Hons) in Communication Design / BA (Hons) in Digital Media / BA (Hons) in Social 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 as illustrator, concept artist, character designer, mural artist, storyboard artist, comic artist, graphic designer, event and project coordinator, pre-production artist and visual artist in areas as diverse as illustration, mural, spatial illustration, design studio, design consultant, branding, advertising, magazine, storybook design, event and exhibition promotion, film art direction, pre-visualisation for game and animation design, and packaging design. Graduates frequently work as individual illustrator, artist or design entrepreneur and set up their own studios.

Curriculum

Creative and Design Thinking
Communication Design in Context: Illustration
Communication Design Studio: Illustration
Digital Illustration
Studio: Editorial Illustration
Workshop: Visual Language
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Smart Living

Cultural Studies
Illustration Appreciation
Lettering and Typography
Studio: Narrative Illustration
Workshop: Print
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)

Aesthetics and Semiotics
Studio: Concept Illustration
Workshop: Life Drawing
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
Enrichment Module A

Communication Design Futures: Illustration
Independent Study: Proposal
Independent Study: Research
Studio: Contemporary Illustration
Workshop: Media Art
Professional Practice: Illustration
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Portfolio Development
Graduation Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace
Enrichment Module B

Industrial Attachment

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.