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Information Technology

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code IT114124

Higher Diploma in AI and Smart Technology

Programme Edges

Promising Career Prospects

The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced to boost investment in strategic innovation and technology industries, anticipating high demand for professionals skilled in smart technologies.

Promising Career Prospects

The Chief Executive’s 2024 Policy Address announced to boost investment in strategic innovation and technology industries, anticipating high demand for professionals skilled in smart technologies.

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with professional knowledge in smart city enabling technologies and cybersecurity. It integrates a broad range of skills including artificial intelligence (AI), Internet of Things (IoT), big data analytics, cloud services and cybersecurity operations to meet the diversified development of industries.

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.

Mode of Study Full-time

Duration of Study 2 Years

Offering Campus(es) / Venue(s)

HKIIT¹
HKIIT at IVE (Chai Wan)

Professional Recognition

The programme is recognised by the Hong Kong Computer Society as satisfying the academic requirements for its Associate Membership.

Remarks

Class venue: HKIIT and IVE (Tsing Yi). HKIIT is located at VTC Tsing Yi Complex, 20A Tsing Yi Road, Tsing Yi Island, New Territories.

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

BSc (Hons) in Information and Communications Technology
BSc (Hons) in Artificial Intelligence and Enterprise Management
BEng (Hons) in Digital Manufacturing (Medium of Instruction: Chinese (Putonghua))

Graduates may apply for admission to the following programmes:

Degree programmes in local universities:
- The University of Hong Kong
- The Chinese University of Hong Kong
- The City University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Baptist University
- The Education University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The Hong Kong Metropolitan University
Articulation Degree programmes in overseas universities (conducted at IVE campus):
- Northumbria University, UK
- University of the West of England, UK
Other Universities in the UK and Australia

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.

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as IoT Application Engineer, Artificial Intelligence Engineer, System and Network Administrator (Cybersecurity) and Cybersecurity Analyst.

Curriculum

Programming Fundamentals
Network Fundamentals
Database Applications
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness
IT Essentials - Web

IoT Fundamentals
Wireless Technologies
Advanced Scripting Technology
Discrete Mathematics and Statistics
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement

AI Cloud Services
Web Technologies
System Administration and IoT Project
Enrichment Module B

Artificial Intelligence Applications
Big Data Analytics
Cybersecurity for Smart Technologies
Final Year Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing

Enrichment Module A
Introduction to Physical AI
IT Professionalism
Final Year Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Remarks

Industrial Attachment will be arranged at an appropriate time during the period of study between Semester 3 - 5.

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.

Programme Highlights

Innovation Award & Seed Fund Powered By Dorsett Hospitality International 2022/23

A team from Higher Diploma in AI and Smart Technology won the Silver Award in the Innovation Award & Seed Fund powered by Dorsett Hospitality International 2022/23.

Smart City AI Contest 2025 Organized By Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council (HKITJC)

A team from Higher Diploma in AI and Smart Technology won the Merit awards in Smart City AI Contest organized by Hong Kong Information Technology Joint Council (HKITJC).