VTC Central Admission Scheme Begins Next Wednesday Industry-aligned Programmes Integrating Professional Expertise and AI+ Skills
Opening Pathways to Further Studies and Future Careers

The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE) results will be released next Wednesday (15 July). On the same day, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) will launch its Central Admission Scheme (15 to 20 July). Around 140 full-time programmes, including Bachelor’s Degree, Higher Diploma, Diploma of Foundation Studies, Diploma of Vocational Education and Diploma will be offered, providing diverse and flexible progression pathways for Secondary 6 students.

VTC member institutions, including the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), International Culinary Institute (ICI) and Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), will offer about 100 Higher Diploma programmes. Meanwhile, IVE, HKDI, HKIIT, and Youth College will also provide various Diploma programmes to help students with different learning interests build a solid foundation for professional development. All Higher Diploma, Diploma of Foundation Studies, Diploma of Vocational Education, and Diploma are government-subvented programmes.

Integrating AI Across Disciplines to Nurture Applied Technology Talent

In the face of rapid technological and industrial transformation, enterprises are placing increasing emphasis on professional skills, practical experience, and the agile application of Artificial Intelligence (AI). In line with Hong Kong's and regional economic development, VTC took a forward looking step two years ago to fully integrate AI across its curriculum and teaching, adopting an interdisciplinary approach to nurture students’ capabilities in “Applied AI” and enable them to deploy technology to address real-world industry challenges. 

Students not only learn to use AI tools, but also apply them in authentic scenarios across different professional disciplines. Through practical training in application areas that closely mirror real workplace settings, they accumulate experience that reflects genuine industry operations. By combining theory with practice, the programmes help students transform knowledge into capabilities, develop solutions with practical value, and become professionals who can use AI and professional skills to solve industry challenges and create value for industries.

Forging Diverse Professional Pathways in Tandem with Industry Developments

Key industries in Hong Kong, including aviation and logistics, mega events and sports, as well as healthcare and social services, continue to expand and drive strong demand for skilled professionals. In response to the needs of different sectors, VTC provides corresponding programmes to nurture professionals for different roles.

In aviation and logistics, the commissioning of the Three Runway System at Hong Kong International Airport and related infrastructure developments have created wide ranging manpower needs across the aviation value chain. VTC programmes including the Higher Diploma in Aviation Inflight and Passenger Services and the Higher Diploma in Aircraft Maintenance Engineering, train professionals with aircraft maintenance capabilities and the skills required to support airport operations and passenger services respectively.

Regarding the sports and mega event economy, as Hong Kong continues to develop as an “events capital”, large-scale events are generating strong demand for event and sports management talent. Programmes such as the Higher Diploma in Tourism and Mega Event Management and the Higher Diploma in Sports Management help nurture talent equipped with capabilities in event planning, project management, and sports administration.

In healthcare and social services, the Government's vigorous promotion of primary healthcare and various health-related policies has led to sustained demand for community services, health management, and rehabilitation services. Through programmes such as the Higher Diploma in Social Work and the Higher Diploma in Rehabilitation Services, VTC trains specialists who can support the recovery and care needs of different communities.

Dual Progression Pathways with Clear Career Prospects 

VTC places a strong emphasis on developing students' professional skills and applied capabilities. All Higher Diploma programmes feature industry attachments or workplace training to enhance students' work readiness and sharpen their competitive edge. Through industry-aligned learning, students gradually build their professional competence, ensuring clear progression pathways and strong career prospects whether they choose to pursue further studies or enter the workforce.  

Over the past three years, around 96% of Higher Diploma graduates pursuing further studies successfully articulated to local or overseas university degree programmes. Higher Diploma graduates choosing employment also enjoyed a high employment rate of about 90%, with many graduates receiving direct job offers from their internship organisations. This demonstrates that VTC programmes align well with industry demands and empower students with strong competitiveness. 

Diploma of Foundation Studies: Articulation to Higher Diploma and an Alternative Starting Point for Professional Development 

Alongside the two-year Higher Diploma, the one-year Diploma of Foundation Studies (DFS) offers a clear pathway that supports progression to Higher Diploma and professional development. Offering 13 professional streams across various fields, DFS enables students to consolidate their language foundations while gaining exposure to real industry operations. Students understand different roles in the industry and build core competencies, including workflow awareness, basic technical applications, and workplace communication and collaboration.

DFS graduates can directly articulate to VTC’s Higher Diploma programmes* in which they may be eligible for module exemptions when enrolling in relevant programmes. DFS has been accepted by the Civil Service Bureau as meeting the academic entry requirements of grades in the civil service, which requires Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in DSE. 

* Students are required to apply corresponding programmes and meet related requirements

Join the VTC Central Admission Scheme to Seize Diverse Pathways for Further Studies

The VTC Central Admission Scheme will be held from 15 to 20 July. Applicants who have received “conditional offers” will have their offers converted to “Firm Offers” on the DSE results release day if their examination results meet the stipulated requirements. These applicants are required to confirm acceptance of their offers through the VTC S6 Admission Portal (the Portal^) before 4:00pm on the DSE results release day. Failure to confirm acceptance of offer before the stipulated deadline will render the study place offered null and void.

New applicants or applicants without offers can apply through the Portal or in person at VTC campuses during the Central Admission Scheme. Eligible applicants who have correctly completed the required information will normally receive the result within approximately 15 minutes. Students who apply in person can receive an application fee waiver by entering a designated promotion code. 

All applicants who have been offered places are required to complete their registration before 12:00 noon on 20 July. Failure to complete registration before the stipulated deadline will render the study place offered null and void.

During the Central Admission Scheme, several VTC campuses* will be opened for on-site applications. On the DSE results release day, information booths will also be set up in secondary schools across various districts to answer enquiries and provide programme information.

*VTC campuses open to the public include the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), various campuses of the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT), the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI), the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), and Youth College.

^Fresh applicants should create an account through the Portal and pay the application fee to join the online Central Admission service.

Established in 1982, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) is the largest vocational and professional education and training provider in Hong Kong. The mission of VTC is to provide a valued choice to school leavers and working people to acquire the values, knowledge and skills for lifelong learning and enhanced employability, and also to provide support to industries for their manpower development. VTC has 14 member institutions, namely the Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi), the Institute of Professional Education And Knowledge (PEAK), the School for Higher and Professional Education (SHAPE), the Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education (IVE), the Hong Kong Design Institute (HKDI), the Hong Kong Institute of Information Technology (HKIIT),  the Hotel and Tourism Institute (HTI),  the Chinese Culinary Institute (CCI), the International Culinary Institute (ICI), the Maritime Services Training Institute (MSTI), Youth College, Pro-Act by VTC, the Integrated Vocational Development Centre (IVDC) and the Shine Skills Centre.

Website: www.vtc.edu.hk

Media enquiries: 2836 1971 / 2836 1094