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Design

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code DE114112

Higher Diploma in Illustration

Programme Edges

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, visual expression, commerialisation, art toy design and illustration appreciation, as well as digital art as the areas of study. Areas of contextual studies will be conducted in the fields of entrepreneurship, professional practice, and cultural studies.

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 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

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.
Except for specific modules of specific content, the medium of instruction for Higher Diploma programmes is English and may be supplemented with Chinese.

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.
One Other Language subject (Category C subjects) can be counted for admission purpose. For 2024 HKDSE and before, a "Grade D or E" and a "Grade C or above" in an HKDSE Other Languages 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 recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects in fulfilling the general entrance requirement. Starting from 2026 HKDSE, a Grade E or above in Urdu language will also be recognised for the same purpose. For details, please click here.
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 pursue relevant Degrees locally or overseas. They are eligible to apply for admission to the top-up Degree programmes 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 Fine Arts^#
(Registration Number of Non-local Higher and Professional Education: 253254)
University of the West of England, Bristol, UK: BA (Hons) in 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.

Full-time top-up degree programmes in collaboration with the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE) of VTC is not applicable to Mainland Students. For admission arrangements of part-time programmes, please visit 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: BA (Hons) in Visual Arts
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University: BA (Hons) in Design (Advertising Design) / BA (Hons) in Design (Information Design) / BA (Hons) in Design (Media Design) / BA (Hons) in Design (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 generally be employed or work on a self-employed and consultancy basis in illustration, mural, graphic design, branding, advertising, magazines, storybook and children's book publishing, book illustration, book design, packaging illustration, marketing, events, exhibitions and spatial illustration, animation, film concept art and pre-production art direction. Graduates frequently work as illustrator, concept artist, character designer, mural artist, art toy designer, comic artist, storyboard illustrator, comic illustrator, graphic designer, IP character designer, promotional event and publicity director, graphic production designer and visual artist.

Curriculum

Creative and Design Thinking
Illustration Fundamentals
Graphic Language
Lettering and Typography
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - MindShift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Smart Living

Cultural Studies
Storytelling in Illustration
Still Life and Figure Drawing
Graphic Art
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 1)

Aesthetics and Sustainability
Concept Illustration
Digital Visualisation
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part 2)
Enrichment Module A

Content Illustration
3D Visualisation
Cultural and Creative Design: Illustration
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations and Promotional Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Graduation Project: Illustration
Project Production and Extension
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

The tuition fees for AY2027/28 will be announced at a later stage. The tuition fees for the AY2026/27 is listed below for reference.

1st Year Tuition Fees (HK$)

$35,140

Remarks

The study duration of Higher Diploma programmes is normally 2 years. The tuition fee is payable in two instalments each year. Each instalment is HK$17,570.
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 2^nd Year will be reviewed subject to inflationary adjustments and other relevant factors.
Applicants shall refer to the Government's revised eligibility criteria for subvented study places and subsidies for AY2027/28 and beyond. Applicants not meeting the revised eligibility criteria are subject to self-finance fees. If you need any further enquiry on visa requirements, please contact the Immigration Department of the HKSAR.
The information listed above is only applicable to local students.