One of the major tasks of a manager is to make decisions and “Decision Making” often involves human behaviour.  In the business world, if individuals also possess both the knowledge of management and psychology, they are more likely to have an added advantage and competitiveness among their colleagues.  Being able to apply core business tools and organisational psychology is a unique skill essential to the survival of businesses in the future.  The Higher Diploma in Business (Management and Psychology) is an innovative programme that it cuts across two disciplines (Social Sciences and Business) and is the first of its kind in the market.

The Higher Diploma in Business (Management and Psychology) is a unique programme designed to provide students with the knowledge and skills to equip them for a career in business management, and also to develop their awareness of the role of psychology in the business decision process.  The programme aims at helping to meet the demand of today's managers by providing students with the knowledge of general business modules and more specific behavioural science subject like psychology.  The HDBMP will tap into the need for an in-depth Higher Diploma programme that exposes students not only to all major business functions such as accounting, economics, finance, marketing, etc. but also psychology, sociology and social psychology, at an early stage. 

Programme Aims and Features

This double major programme aims to expose students to the major functions of a business organisation and to introduce them to the basic concepts of the behavioural aspects of decision making. The programme allows students to gain a comprehensive understanding of core business management theory and practice with particular reference to the complexity of human psychology.

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

• Communicate ideas in a manner appropriate to the circumstance using English and Chinese language (oral and written) in social and academic contexts;
• Use information technology skills to search, analyse and manage information;
• Analyse fundamental concepts of a broad range of subject areas and their relevancy to human beings;
• Analyse management problems and utilize problem-solving skills appropriate to a business environment;
• Explain the foundations of social sciences knowledge;
• Analyse, reflect and make management decisions with due consideration for the behavioural aspects of human behaviour;
• Manage business through a combination of knowledge, skills and techniques essential for successful performance in business;
• Identify and discuss issues regarding ethical behaviour in business management.

Opportunities for Further Studies

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to the full-time top-up degree programmes offered locally by the following overseas universities in collaboration with HKU SPACE Centre for International Degree Programme (CIDP):

• Bachelor of Arts (Hons) Marketing & Management offered by the University of Hull, UK
• BSc Business offered by the University of London, UK

Students are also eligible for admission to the part-time degree programme in BSc Management offered by the University of London with HKU SPACE.

Career Prospects

This programme will enable students to explore career opportunities at junior supervisory level in business management and administration or related fields. 

2-year Higher Diploma Programme (Direct Entry to Year 1)

HKDSE

• Level 2 or above in 5 subjects^# (including Chinese Language and English Language);

Applicants whose HKDSE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Certificate in General Studies Programme.

OR

HKALE

• Pass in one AL subject or two AS subjects in the HKALE; and three passes in HKCEE* PLUS Level 2 / Grade E or above in Chinese Language and English Language, or equivalent;

Applicants whose HKALE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Foundation Programme.

OR

• Hold a recognised Pre-Associate Degree / Foundation Programme qualification; OR
• Hold a recognised post-secondary certificate or diploma.

^#Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.
The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
“Attained with distinction” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2.

Certificate in General Studies Programme^ / Foundation Programme

Certificate in General Studies Programme^:
HKDSE

• Level 2 or above in English Language and any three other subjects^# (which may include Chinese Language); in any event Chinese Language must be at Level 1 or above;

OR

• Level 2 or above in English Language and any two other subjects^# (which may include Chinese Language); in any event Chinese Language must be at Level 1 or above; and at least 8 points^@ in the best three subjects.

Foundation Programme:
HKCEE

• Three passes in the HKCEE* PLUS Level 2 / Grade E or above in Chinese Language and English Language in the HKCEE, or equivalent;

OR

• Completed Project Yi Jin with satisfactory results.

^ Subject to EDB approval.

^# Applicants are allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application.
The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows:
"Attained with distinction" is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and
"Attained" is deemed equivalent to Level 2.

^@ Level 5** = 7 points; Level 5* = 6 points; Level 5 = 5 points; Level 4 = 4 points; Level 3 = 3 points; Level 2 = 2 points; Level 1 = 1 point.

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications but are aged 21 or above and have relevant working experience will be considered by the College.

Foundation Programme*

• General English I & II
• Foundations of Chinese Language
• Mathematics and Statistics for Daily Life Applications 
• Computer Studies
• The Process of Design
• Popular Culture: Identities and Institutions
• Ethics and Society
• The Science of Everyday Life
• Multiple Intelligences and Competencies
• Law and Business 

Higher Diploma Year 1

• General English III
• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part I
• Putonghua
• Introduction to Multimedia / Introduction to Information Technology
• Introductory Financial Accounting
• Economics
• Statistics for Business
• Foundation Psychology
• Principles of Sociology
• Hong Kong Business Law
• Principles and Practice of Management 

Higher Diploma Year 2

• English for Academic and Professional Purposes Part II
• Business Communication in English
• Practical Chinese
• Intra- and Interpersonal Competencies
• Fundamentals of Finance
• Principles of Marketing
• Introduction to Social Psychology
• Personality and Individual Differences
• Organizational Behaviour and Development
• Human Resources Management and Development
• Introduction to Project Management