Non-local Student Admissions

Information Technology

Full-time S6 or above Higher Diploma

Programme Code IT114126

Higher Diploma in Data Science and AI

Basic Information

The programme aims to provide students with professional training in data science and artificial intelligence with both concepts and skills. Graduates of the programme will be able to use data analytics, statistics, AI development techniques and programming skills to serve corporates of different domains, such as finance, technology, medical, retail and the government, etc., helping them to discover the business values of data, analyse business intelligence and develop information systems for decision support.

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

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.

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

BSc (Hons) in Information and Communications Technology
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 Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
- The City University of Hong Kong
- The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
- The Hong Kong Baptist University
- The Hong Kong Metropolitan University
- The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
Articulation Degree programmes in overseas universities (conducted at IVE campus):
- The Coventry University, UK
- The University of the West of England, UK
Other Universities in the UK
- The University of Plymouth, UK

Career Prospects

Graduates may be employed as Data Engineer, Data Analyst, AI Developer, Data Software Developer, Data Warehouse Administrator, Programmer and Business Analyst. With sufficient experience graduates could be promoted to as Data Architect and Data Scientist.

Curriculum

Applied Statistics
Data Science and AI Fundamentals
Database Principles
Introduction to Programming
Operating Systems Fundamentals
Essential Workplace Communication: Effective Oral Interaction
Whole Person Development - Mindshift: Achieving Personal Growth & Effectiveness

Big Data Ecosystem and Cloud Computing
Business Statistical Modeling
Network Fundamentals
Object Oriented Programming
Essential Workplace Communication: Digital Written Correspondence
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Presentations, Administrative and Technical Text Writing
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part A)
IT Essentials - Web

Programming for AI
IT Professionalism
Big Data and AI Project Management
Vocational Chinese Communication: Putonghua Conversation and Reports
Professional Workplace Communication: Storytelling and Job Search
Whole Person Development - Collaboration, Teamwork & Social Engagement (Part B)
Enrichment Module B

Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning Applications
Generative AI Concepts and Applications
Data Visualization
Modern Database Systems
Final Year Project
Enrichment Module A
Professional Workplace Communication: Proposal and Report Writing
Whole Person Development - Enhancing Competencies in the 21^st Century Workplace

Data Warehousing and Data Mining
Web Analytics
Final Year Project
Professional Workplace Communication: Pitching and Persuasive Presentation

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 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.