Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management - HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College

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Programme Code

HP001 Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS)
HP813 Year 1 & 2, Higher Diploma (HD)

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Programme Leaflet

QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 23/000666/L4
Registration Validity Period: 01/09/2024 – 31/08/2027
Commencement Date: 09/2024
Successful completion of this programme leads to an award by HKU SPACE Po Leung Kuk Stanley Ho Community College (HPSHCC)

Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions / Sectors (SSSDP)

In 2025-26 academic year, local students enrolling and being offered the subsidised places of this programme under the SSSDP will receive a subsidy up to HK$40,730. After deduction of the subsidy, the annual tuition fee is HK$19,500.

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DFS Application Code: HPDFS-NFM

HD Application Code: HDNFMT

This programme was formerly known as Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management (Theme: Food and Nutritional Sciences), and has been replaced by Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management with effect from the 2024-25 academic year. The former is awarded within The University of Hong Kong system through HKU SPACE.

Food and nutrition are important factors in the maintenance of good health throughout the entire life course. A healthy diet throughout life promotes healthy outcomes, while imbalanced or poor diet may lead to specific nutrient deficiency, and these in turn may increase the risk of a variety of health problems. There is growing public interest in the relationship between diet and health, and as a result there are increasing demands from the public for reliable, evidence-based and trustworthy information. Given this background, nutrition is expected to be a central focus of health care in the future. The Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management programme equips students to continue their education at the degree level or to pursue professions in the food and nutrition sectors.

Programme Aims and Features

Provides students an in-depth knowledge of basic sciences such as biology, chemistry, biochemistry and physiology, so as to enable them to pursue degree studies in a relevant field at both local and overseas universities;
This programme aids students in acquiring transferable skills, such as laboratory techniques, data analysis, information technology, interpersonal, and teamwork abilities, preparing them for future study or employment in the field of food science and nutrition;
Lecturers are dedicated and experienced, and some specialism courses are taught by practicing dietitians, nutritionists and professionals in the food and nutrition industry;
The curriculum emphasises both the fundamental scientific knowledge of the theory and practice, as well as offers hands-on practicals in a well-equipped food and nutrition laboratory;
Each student will carry out a food and nutrition related research project in the final year;
Learning experiences outside the classroom includes practicum and site visits to local or overseas institutions, nutrition facilities and food companies;
Graduates may continue their studies at degree level or enter the food or nutrition industries, pursue careers such as nutrition assistants, patient care assistants, food quality officers, or work in the areas of health promotion and food safety management.

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Food and Nutritional Science, Dietetics, Food Safety and Technology, Nursing or related disciplines offered by local universities.

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

The University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Science
BSc (Major in Food and Nutritional Science)
BSc Information Management
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
Bachelor of Nursing
Bachelor of Science
BSc Biochemistry
BSc Community Health Practice
BSc Exercise Science and Health Education
BSc Natural Science
BSc Public Health
Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
BSc Biotechnology
City University of Hong Kong
BEng Bioengineering
BSc Biological Sciences
BSc Physics
BSc Biomedical Sciences
BSc Chemistry
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BA (Hons) Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management
BSc (Hons) Applied Biology with Biotechnology
BSc (Hons) Analytical Sciences for Testing and Certification
BSc (Hons) Food Safety and Technology
Hong Kong Baptist University
BSc (Hons) Applied Biology – Biotechnology Concentration
BSc (Hons) Chemistry

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

Career Prospects

Graduates will have a range of career opportunities in the food, nutrition and catering industries such as health and nutrition-related commercial companies, food manufacturing, food trading, restaurants, airline caterers or institutional food service companies, school meal caterers, elderly homes, sport and health institutions, government agencies and hospitals.

Press Interview

HK01, 8 July 2024

HPSHCC「食品及營養」三大高級文憑開拓專業出路

2-year Higher Diploma Programme

Obtain Level 2 or above in 5 subjects^*§ including English Language and Chinese Language^# in the HKDSE Examination, AND have obtained Level 2 or above in one of the following HKDSE subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science, Integrated Science or Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology), or equivalent; OR
Hold a recognised Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme, AND have taken one of the following HKDSE subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science or Integrated Science or Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology), or equivalent; 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 Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.

Diploma in Foundation Studies Programme

Level 1 or above in English Language and Chinese Language^#, and have taken one of the following HKDSE subjects: Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Combined Science, Integrated Science, Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology), or equivalent; 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 / Introduction to Information Technology and AI
College Writing / Grammar for College Studies
Foundations of Chinese Language*
Chinese Language Enhancement*
Basic Mathematics
Elements of Business
Foundations of Biology
Foundations of Chemistry

Higher Diploma Year 1

Introduction to Academic English
English for Academic Purposes I
Practical Chinese*
Information Technology Fundamentals
Human Physiology and Anatomy
Basic Chemistry for Biological Sciences
Cellular and Molecular Biology
Introduction to Food Science
Introduction to Nutrition
Food Service Management
Field Attachment (Optional, Non-credit-bearing)

Higher Diploma Year 2

English for Academic Purposes II
English for Nutritional Sciences
Elementary Statistics
Biochemistry
Metabolism and Human Nutrition
Food Chemistry
Applied Nutrition
Community Nutrition and Health Promotion
Food Safety and Quality Assurance
Food and Nutrition Project

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.