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Programmes

Food Health and Business Management

HIGHER DIPLOMA IN Food Health and Business Management

Programme Code

  • HP001 Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS)
  • HP503 Year 1 & 2, Higher Diploma (HD)

 

qf

QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 13/000649/L4
Registration Validity Period: 16/10/2013 to ongoing
Successful completion of this programme leads to an award within The University of Hong Kong system through HKU SPACE
 

Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP)

In 2024-25 academic year, local students enrolling and being offered the subsidised places of this programme under the SSSDP will receive a subsidy up to HK$39,890. After deduction of the subsidy, the annual tuition fee is HK$22,410.

 

 

DFS Application Code: HPDFS-FHBM

HD Application Code: HDFHBM

Facebook

More programme information and activities details could be found on the programme Facebook page:

facebook Programme Facebook Page

 

Public awareness of the importance of health is increasing. People are now concerned more about the quality of their diets in relation to good health. Modern diets have moved forward from nutrient adequacy to preventive nutrition. There is a global trend towards healthy eating and consuming dietary supplement and functional foods for health and disease. This trend has resulted in a higher demand for the food industry and nutraceutical business to market more reliable, effective and trustworthy products, which in turn has created a need for graduates who are specialised in both food studies and business management. There are many opportunities for well-trained food professionals with relevant background in business management to be employed by the food and health industries.

 

Programme Aims and Features

  • Equips students with the knowledge underpinning food science, nutrition and business management, as well as the skills needed to work in the fast moving and competitive food industry and health food business;
  • This programme is unique in its interdisciplinary approach by integrating new topics such as new food product development, functional foods and nutritional supplements;
  • This programme emphasises on practicality and provides an integrated curriculum that blends different applied aspects of food science into the curriculum. Practical classes are held in a well-equipped food and nutrition laboratory;
  • In addition to formal classes, learning experiences outside the classroom such as practicum and site visits to local or overseas catering companies and food factories will be arranged. Students can therefore be better prepared for their careers upon graduation;
  • Guests seminars will be arranged for academic progression and career advancement. Local and overseas scholars or food and nutrition practitioners will be invited as speakers to provide useful information about studies pathways, work experiences and careers preparations;
  • Each student will carry out an integrated food research and development project in the final year. Through practice, students will be able to master the key elements of food development planning and perform innovative food research to a professional standard.

 

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Health Education, Public Health, Community Health, Business Management or relevant disciplines offered by local universities (including HKU).

The list below shows the degree offers that our graduates/ students received in the past*:

  • The University of Hong Kong
    BSc Information Management
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    BSc Community Health Practice
    BSc Public Health
  • City University of Hong Kong
    BBA Business Operations Management
    BSocSc Public Policy and Politics
    Department of Information Systems (option: BBA Global Business System Management, BBA Information Management)
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    BA (Hons) Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management
    BBA (Hons) Management
  • Hong Kong Baptist University
    BSc (Hons) Analytical and Testing Sciences
  • The Education University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Health Education (Honours)

*The above list is not exhaustive and only shows some of the examples.

Graduates are also eligible to apply for the below degree programmes offered by other institutions:

Overseas Universities

  • Sheffield Hallam University (UK)
    Full-time, final-year, BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition
  • Ulster University (UK)
    Full-time, final-year, BSc (Hons) Food and Nutrition

 

Career Prospects

Graduates may develop careers in any food industries such as food manufacturing, food product development, health food products retail management, food marketing and sales; and to explore career opportunities at junior supervisory level in business management and administration in related fields.

 

Press Interview

Topick, 4 July 2019

健康管理人才需求殷切 獲政府SSSDP資助

Topick News 2019 (FHBM)

 

Apple Daily, 13 July 2014

 

 

 

2-year Higher Diploma Programme

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjects including English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination; OR
  • Hold a recognised Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme; OR
  • Hold a Diploma Yi Jin; OR
  • Hold a Diploma of Applied Education; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.

Applicants whose HKDSE results do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in College Foundation Studies (DCFS) programme.

 

Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme

  • Obtain Level 1 or above in English Language and Chinese Language# in the HKDSE Examination, AND at least 6 points+ in the best 5 subjects*^§; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.

 

Mature Students

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications, but are aged 21 or above and with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

 

*Applicants are allowed to use not more than 2 Applied Learning (ApL) subjects in the application. The recognition of the ApL subjects is as follows: 

“Attained with Distinction (II)” is deemed equivalent to Level 4 or above;
“Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3; and 
“Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.

#ApL Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) would be accepted as an alternative Chinese Language qualification.

§ If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the requirement will be “Attained” for the subject.

^ If the candidate has attempted less than 5 subjects but obtained 6 points or above, the application will still be considered.

+ 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.

Effective from 2024-25 Academic Year:

 

Diploma in Foundation Studies

  • General English I & II 
  • College Speaking / Youth and Culture
  • College Writing / Foundation English
  • Foundations of Chinese Language* / How Things in Everyday Life Work
  • Chinese Language Enhancement* / Western Images of China
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Elements of Business 
  • Multiple Intelligences and Competencies
  • Understanding Hong Kong Popular Culture

 

Higher Diploma Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Elementary Statistics
  • Information Technology Fundamentals 
  • Introduction to Food and Nutrition
  • The Science and Technology of Food
  • Introduction to Food and Beverage Management
  • Introductory Financial Accounting
  • Principles of Marketing
  • Applied Chemistry for Food Sciences

 

Higher Diploma Year 2

  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • English for Nutritional Sciences
  • Practical Chinese*
  • Food Chemistry
  • Food Safety and Management
  • Food Marketing
  • Diet, Health and Disease
  • New Food Product Development
  • Functional Foods and Nutritional Products
  • Principles and Practice of Management

 

* Non-Chinese speaking students or students who have not received sufficient training in the Chinese language may apply for exemption from the Chinese course(s), and alternative courses may be assigned.