Main content start

Programmes

IT and Data Analytics (NEW)

Higher Diploma inIT and Data Analytics (NEW)

Apply Now

Programme Code

  • HP821 Year 1 & 2, Higher Diploma (HD)

 

qf

QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 25/001181/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: HDITDA

Phone 2587 3219　　Email noel.li@hkuspace.hku.hk

Data science is rapidly redefining global business and society development. Both business operations and personal lives are becoming more digital and more connected. This Higher Diploma in IT and Data Analytics programme aims to provide students with comprehensive knowledge and skills in the development and application of data technologies that graduates of the programme are expected to possess sufficient competence to fulfil the coming data science workforce demand from society.

 

Programme Aims and Features 

Programme Aims:

The Higher Diploma in IT and Data Analytics programme is uniquely positioned to meet the specific needs of the Hong Kong job market and manpower demand. The programme offers a comprehensive curriculum that combines IT and data analytics, providing students with a well-rounded education that covers both technical and analytical skills. The programme's distinct features include hands-on training, industry-relevant projects, and opportunities for internships in the IT and data analytics sectors. This practical approach ensures that graduates are not only knowledgeable but also job-ready, making them highly competitive in the job market. The programme will also prepare graduates to acquire industry-related professional qualifications to enhance their employment opportunities. The specialism course, Cloud Computing and Architecture will equip students with cloud computing knowledge and skills, and prepare them for the examination of professional qualifications, such as the “Complimentary Amazon Web Services (AWS) Certified Solutions Architect - Associate”.

 

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

  • equip students with a solid foundation in IT, data analytics, and emerging technologies such as cloud computing, artificial intelligence, and big data;
  • develop students' technical competencies in programming, database management, data visualisation, and data mining to address real-world challenges;
  • equip students with hands-on experience through industry-relevant projects, placement and practical applications of IT and data analytics tools that will enhance their analytical, critical thinking, and problem-solving skills to enable data-driven decision-making in diverse contexts;
  • prepare students for further academic studies or professional careers in IT, data analytics, and related fields, with a strong emphasis on ethical considerations such as data privacy and information security; and
  • provide a strong academic foundation for students to articulate to degree programmes in IT, data science and other IT-related disciplines.

 

Job Placement  

The course Placement (IT / Data Analytics) provides a unique learning opportunity that enables students to integrate academic knowledge with first-hand practical experience. It broadens students’ horizons in an actual work setting where they could interact with professionals from the IT industry and learn to develop better communication and interpersonal skills and work ethics. It will also develop and refine students’ employability skills, engage them in career development activities and support them to adopt a reflective approach to learning.

​

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Computer Science, Information Technology or other IT-related disciplines offered by local universities (including HKU).

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

  • The University of Hong Kong
    BEng Computer Science
    BEng Artificial Intelligence and Data Science
    BEng Data Science and Engineering
    BSc Marketing Analytics and Technology 
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    BSc Computer Science
    BSc Computational Data Science 
  • The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
    BSc Computer Science
    BSc Data Analytics and Artificial Intelligence in Science
    BSc Data Science and Technology 
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    BEng (Hons) / BSc (Hons) Scheme in Information and Artificial Intelligence Engineering
    BSc (Hons) Computer Science
    BSc (Hons) Data Science and Analytics 
  • City University of Hong Kong
    BSc Computer Science
    BSc Data Science
    BSc Data and Systems Engineering 
  • Hong Kong Baptist University
    BSc (Hons) Business Computing and Data Analytics
    BSc Computer Science 

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

Other Institutions

The College would seek articulation arrangements for non-local top-up and overseas Bachelor’s degree programmes with credit exemption for graduates of the Higher Diploma in IT and Data Analytics programme. 

 

Professional Recognition

AWS Academy

Amazon Web Services (AWS) Academy provides ready-to-teach curricula to its member institutions, helping students acquire cloud computing skills and widely recognised certifications, and preparing them to pursue career in IT industry. The College has joined AWS Academy as a member institution, and offers a course provided by the Academy as part of the curriculum of the Higher Diploma programme.

 

Career Prospects

Graduates of the programme are prepared to take up positions, such as junior data analyst, IT support specialist, or systems administrator, in the Information Technology fields at the paraprofessional level in Hong Kong and the Mainland.

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjects*§ including English Language, Chinese Language# and Mathematics in HKDSE, or equivalent; 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
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Introduction to Computer Programming
  • Applied Statistics
  • Introduction to Computer Networks
  • Introduction to Database Management Systems
  • Cloud Computing and Architecture
  • Big Data Analytics
  • Discrete Mathematics for Computing
  • Programming for Data Science

 

Higher Diploma Year 2

  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • English for Science and Technology
  • Practical Chinese*
  • Statistics for Data Science
  • Data Mining and Warehousing
  • Data Visualisation
  • Artificial Intelligence and Machine Learning
  • Data Privacy and Information Security
  • Big Data and Business Intelligence
  • Project (IT / Data Analytics) or Placement (IT / Data Analytics)

 

Graduation Requirements

To be awarded a Higher Diploma in IT and Data Analytics, 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 IT and Data Analytics" 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.

Back