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Programmes

Community and Primary Healthcare (NEW)

Higher Diploma inCommunity and Primary Healthcare (NEW)

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Programme Code

  • HP820 Year 1 & 2, Higher Diploma (HD)

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QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 25/001183/L4
Registration Validity Period: 01/09/2026 – 31/08/2029
Successful completion of this programme leads to an award by HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC)

 

Application Code: HDCPH

Phone 3163 0904　　Email queenie.stq.wong@hkuspace.hku.hk

The Higher Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare is a two-year full-time programme designed to equip students with essential knowledge and practical skills for careers in primary healthcare and community health services. It addresses Hong Kong’s growing demand for professionals in District Health Centres (DHCs), NGOs, and other community-based healthcare settings, while providing a strong foundation for further studies in healthcare-related disciplines.

 

Programme Aims and Features 

  • Equip students with knowledge and skills in primary healthcare, health promotion, and chronic disease management at the para-professional level;
  • Develop competencies in preventive care, health education, and community health services;
  • Prepare graduates for careers in DHCs, NGOs, private clinics, and community health organisations;
  • Provide an academic foundation for articulation to degree programmes in nursing, public health, health sciences, and related fields;
  • Graduates may pursue nursing, public health, gerontology, and other healthcare-related degrees locally or overseas.

 

Experiential Study 

Students will participate in a three-week experiential study at a range of community healthcare settings, such as community pharmacies, NGOs, and primary healthcare institutions. This placement allows students to apply their theoretical knowledge and practical skills in real-world environments.

  • One week job shadowing with healthcare professionals including nurses, dietitians, physiotherapists, occupational therapists, and social workers to observe their roles in community healthcare, participate in interprofessional team practices, and interact with clients.
  • Two weeks experiential learning through active involvement in community health promotion projects targeting specific population groups, with hands-on practice conducted under professional supervision.​

 

Opportunities for Further Studies

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes offered by local universities in the related fields e.g. Nursing, Public Health, Social Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences, Gerontology, and Applied Ageing Studies or related disciplines.

The list below shows the degree programmes that our graduates may apply for further studies*:

UGC-funded Universities

  • The University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Nursing
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    Bachelor of Nursing
    BSc Community Health Practice
    BSc Public Health
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    BA (Hons) Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management
    BSc (Hons) Nursing
     

Other Local Institutions

  • Saint Francis University
    Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)
  • Hong Kong Metropolitan University
    Bachelor of Nursing (Hons) (General Health Care)
  • Hong Kong Baptist University – School of Continuing Education
    Bachelor of Nursing (Hons)
  • Tung Wah College
    Bachelor of Health Science (Hons) in Nursing
  • Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong (THEi)
    BSc (Hons) Nutrition and Healthcare Management

 

Overseas Universities

Graduates may apply for bachelor’s degree programmes offered by overseas universities in Nursing, Public Health, Social Sciences, Rehabilitation Sciences, Health Sciences, Gerontology, and Applied Ageing Studies or related disciplines.

 

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

 

Career Prospects

Graduates will have a wide range of potential career opportunities in community and primary healthcare settings, such as District Health Centres, community centres, nurse and allied health clinics, primary care clinics and healthcare institutions. Potential job roles include health project/programme executives/assistants, clinic executives, community outreach coordinators, clinic assistants and health promotion officers.

  • 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 of Applied Education / Diploma Yi Jin; OR
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College.
 
Applicants who do not meet the entry requirements of the 2-year Higher Diploma Programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.

 

Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL)

Relevant and substantial work experience and / or prior qualifications 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, 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.

Effective from 2026-27 Academic Year:

 

Higher Diploma Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • Elementary Statistics
  • Introduction to Community and Primary Healthcare
  • Human Physiology and Anatomy
  • Health Assessment
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Communication Skills in Health Services
  • Nutrition and Dietary Management
  • Pharmaceutical Services for Primary Healthcare
  • Preventing Diseases and Managing Chronic Conditions in Primary Healthcare Setting

 

Higher Diploma Year 2

  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Healthy Lifestyle Promotion and Intervention
  • Primary Healthcare for Older Adults
  • Primary Healthcare for Women, Infants and Children
  • Mental Health and Well-being
  • English for Healthcare Professionals
  • Practical Chinese
  • Rehabilitation in the Community
  • Applied Health Technology
  • Experiential Study for Community and Primary Healthcare

 

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a Higher Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare, students should:

  • obtain 60 credits (i.e. 240 QF credits) of courses as prescribed in the Years 1 & 2 curricula of the programme for which they are registered;
  • achieve a Cumulative GPA of 1.7 or above;
  • obtain Grade C- or above in all core English courses; and
  • obtain a pass for the course “CCSA8004 – China’s Development, Hong Kong and the National Security Law”.

 

Award

Successful completion of this programme leads to the "Higher Diploma in Community and Primary Healthcare" awarded by HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC)

 

The College reserves the right to make modifications to individual courses on a need basis.

* 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.

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