FAQs
Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP)
Would a non-local student be eligible for the SSSDP subsidy?
| SSSDP covers LOCAL students only. Non-local students can enroll on any of the subsidised programmes, but they are not eligible for the subsidy. |
Would I be eligible to receive the subsidy if I am using combined results of HKDSE?
| Yes, you would be eligible for the subsidy because the College considers HKDSE results from more than one sitting. |
I am a local non-Chinese speaker and did not take the HKDSE Chinese Language. Would I be covered under the SSSDP?
| The SSSDP covers local non-Chinese speaking students. You can use ApL Chinese Language or GCSE/GCE/IGCSE Chinese Language as an alternative to fulfill the requirement of Chinese Language. |
Can I use qualifications other than HKDSE to apply for subsidised programmes under SSSDP?
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Yes. Applications with other qualifications will be considered. |
Can I apply for student finance if I am admitted to a SSSDP programme?
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Students receiving subsidy from the SSSDP with financial needs may still apply for the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and/or Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) from the Government’s Student Finance Office in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable (i.e. actual amount of tuition fee payable after deducting the subsidy). However, they are not eligible to apply for the reimbursement of course fees from the Continuing Education Fund (CEF). |
Do eligible students need to apply for the subsidy?
| Eligible students will pay the amount of tuition fee net of the subsidy from the Government (in two equal instalments). No application is required. |
General Questions
What is the background in setting up the HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC)?
| Po Leung Kuk and HKU SPACE are committed and well-respected education providers that share a common vision in providing more education opportunities to school leavers. HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) is established in response to the growing demand for sub-degree higher education in Hong Kong. HPSHCC admitted its first intake of students in 2006-07. Classes were held at HKU SPACE's Admiralty Learning Centre prior to the completion of the College campus located in Causeway Bay in summer 2008. |
What is the relationship between HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) and HKU SPACE Community College?
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The two Community Colleges complement each other in the provision of sub-degree education, offering an array of programmes to meet the diverse interests of the applicants and the changing needs of the society. The awards of the two Colleges are of equal status as both are recognised under the Hong Kong Qualifications Framework. HPSHCC is unique in the way that it is a joint venture of HKU SPACE and Po Leung Kuk. The former is a well-established higher education institute, and the latter is one of the largest charitable organisations in Hong Kong providing multifaceted services. Leveraging on the strengths of both parties, starting from 2022/23 academic year, the College starts offering programmes accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) and awarded by HPSHCC in parallel to those awarded by The University of Hong Kong (HKU). |
What are sub-degree programmes?
| Sub-degree programmes are post-secondary education, encompassing Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes, which aim to meet the demand of the society in preparing secondary school leavers for further study and employment. These programmes can be considered partial degree programmes as they are generally considered and accepted as half of a 4-year bachelor's degree programme, or one third of a 3-year bachelor's degree programme. |
What are the differences between Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes?
| Both Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes equip students with generic skills, knowledge in specialised disciplines and practical vocational skills. In general, Associate Degree programmes put more emphasis on general education, while Higher Diploma programmes put more focus on the knowledge in specialised disciplines. Both awards are considered equivalent and eligible to apply for bachelor’s degree programmes offered by local or overseas universities, or civil services positions. |
What are HPSHCC awards?
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HPSHCC is developed as an awarding body of academic qualifications at the sub-degree level, which is derived from the accreditation status granted by the statutory body, Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ). With the accreditation status, the College starts offering sub-degree programmes leading to HPSHCC awards from the 2022/23 academic year. The programmes are HKCAAVQ-accredited, pitched at Hong Kong Qualifications Framework Level 4, and listed on the Qualifications Register launched by the Government (www.hkqr.gov.hk). They provide articulation pathways for further studies at local or overseas universities. |
What is the medium of instruction?
| Except for Chinese language or Chinese culture courses, courses in HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC) are conducted and assessed in English. |
How is the teaching and learning in the College?
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The Colleges adopts a variety of instructional activities to deliver our courses. Depending on the nature of the courses, the activities we use including, for example, face-to-face classroom meetings, laboratories, practical sessions, company visits, seminars, workshops and training camps. Online learning is also used as a means of our course delivery. It is supported by different platforms, like SOUL, Virtual Classroom, Zoom, to conduct learning activities as appropriate. |
How many semesters are there per academic year?
| An academic year consists of two semesters. Each semester consistsof about 15 weeks. Semester 1 starts in September and finishes by December; Semester 2 commences in January and finishes in April / May. An examination period of 2 to 3 weeks follows the end of teaching. |
How many hours / days do I have to attend classes in a week?
| Usually, students have 15 hours of classes per week. Classes are running between 9:00a.m. and 6:00p.m. Monday through Friday, and between 9:00a.m. and 1:00p.m. on Saturday. Where necessary, selected classes may be held on Sunday. Students do not have to remain on the campus when there is no class. |
What is the maximum / minimum length of study for each programme?
| The normal length of study for the Diploma in Foundation Studies programme and Associate Degree / Higher Diploma programmes will be one and two years respectively. If students have exceptional reasons for deferment of studies, their cases will be considered on an individual basis. |
Is there any exemption from courses?
| If a student is academically unable to take a certain course, the College may permit him / her to take another course in lieu. For example, 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. |
Do I need to repeat the whole curriculum or just repeat failed courses?
| Students are required to repeat the failed courses. Students who fail to accumulate a minimum of 21 credits in any year of the academic programme may be required to discontinue from studies. Should a student be required to complete the failed courses beyond the normative period of study, a Course Repeat Fee will be charged. |
What is the assessment system?
| Student performance in a course is assessed by a combination of continuous assessments and examinations. Continuous assessments include course works, tests and projects. |
What are the general graduation requirements for Diploma in Foundation Studies programme / Associate Degree / Higher Diploma Programmes?
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To be awarded a Diploma in Foundation Studies, students should:
To be awarded an Associate Degree / Higher Diploma, students should:
*Students of specific programmes will be required to fulfil specific programme graduation requirements in addition to the general graduation requirements. Please refer to the student handbook for further details. |
Can students enjoy the libraries of The University of Hong Kong (HKU)?
| All students of HPSHCC can have access rights and borrowing rights at the HKU libraries. |
Can I progress to further studies when I have completed my sub-degree programme?
| Graduates of the Associate Degree or Higher Diploma programmes can go on to pursue a bachelor’s degree at local or overseas universities. They can also further their undergraduate studies locally by taking full-time degree programmes offered by HKU SPACE International College, or part-time programmes offered by HKU SPACE. |
Are there any extra costs apart from the tuition fees?
| Students are required to pay a deposit of HK$500 known as “caution money” upon admission. The amount is intended for settling damages or losses incurred by the College in consequence of students’ acts. If no such damages are incurred, the money will be used as graduation fees at the time of their graduation, or be refunded if they leave the College before completing their study. In addition, participation in overseas study tours as may be arranged is strictly voluntary. Participating students are required to pay part of the expenses apart from financial subsidies provided by the College. |
Are there any scholarships and awards?
| The College has established scholarships for applicants with outstanding results in the HKDSE. The applicant could be awarded the scholarship upon successful admission to the College. Awardees may receive a maximum of a full first-year scholarship. With the generosity of the Directors of Po Leung Kuk et al, numerous scholarships, bursaries and sponsorship are established as an encouragement to students who have excelled in their studies or made significant contributions in serving fellow students or the community. |
Can I apply for any subsidy from the Student Financial Assistance Agency?
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Students of the Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes are eligible to apply for the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) and / or the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) (Not applicable to the students of the Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme). Students of the Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme can apply for financial assistance via the Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme. To enquire about the details of the government grant / loans, students can contact the Government Student Financial Assistance Agency directly at: Address: 11/F, Cheung Sha Wan Government Offices, 303 Cheung Sha Wan Road, Kowloon Tel. No.: 2150 6222 Website: http://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk |