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Programmes

Communication, Public Relations and Journalism

ASSOCIATE OF APPLIED SOCIAL SCIENCES IN Communication, Public Relations and Journalism

Programme Code

  • HP001 Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS)
  • HP202 Year 1 & 2, Associate Degree (AD)

 

qf

QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 07/001827/4
Registration Validity Period: 05/05/2008 to ongoing 
Successful completion of this programme leads to an award within The University of Hong Kong system through HKU SPACE
 

DFS Application Code: HPDFS-CPRJ

AD Application Code: ASSCPRJ

This programme is perfect for students with multiple interests and diverse talents, and those who are still aiming at exciting and rewarding career paths. It equips students with the tools and techniques to manage and improve communication, both professionally and personally. It teaches students to think and plan strategically, to build relations with various publics and to manage the reputations of the organisations. Students also learn the skills in print and broadcast journalism. The multidisciplinary approach of this programme increases the competitiveness of the graduates in both study and work.

 

Programme Aims and Features

  • Provides students with the essential knowledge and skills for a career in the public relations and communication industries;
  • Focuses on the practical skills in news and PR writing;
  • Learn the characteristics and operation of traditional and new media (including Social Media);
  • Establishes a solid foundation in Social Sciences;
  • Students will gain a fundamental knowledge in Social Sciences in the first year and focus on the special topics in public relations, journalism and communication in the second year.

 

Opportunities for Further Studies

UGC-funded Universities

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to Bachelor’s degree programmes in Social Sciences or other related 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
    Bachelor of Journalism
    Bachelor of Arts
    BASc Social Data Science
    Bachelor of Social Sciences
    ​BSc Information Management
  • The Chinese University of Hong Kong
    BSSc Journalism and Communication
    BA Cultural Management
    BSSc Gender Studies
    BSSc Global Studies
    BSSc Social Work
    ​BSSc Sociology
  • The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
    ​BA (Hons) Social Policy and Social Entrepreneurship
  • City University of Hong Kong​
    BA Media and Communication
    BA Digital Television and Broadcasting
    BAS New Media
    BA Linguistics and Language Applications
    BA Translation and Interpretation
    BSocSc Asian and International Studies
    BSocSc Criminology and Sociology
    BSocSc Environmental Policy
    BSocSc Public Policy and Politics
  • Hong Kong Baptist University
    Bachelor of Communication (Hons) (Journalism and Digital Media / Public Relations and Advertising)
    BSocSc (Hons) Sociology 
    Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons)
    BSocSc (Hons) Global & China Studies
    BSocSc (Hons) European Studies - German Stream
  • The Education University of Hong Kong
    BSocSc (Hons) Global and Hong Kong Studies
    ​BSocSc (Hons) Psychology​
    BSc (Hons) Sports Science and Coaching

*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:

Other Local Institutions

  • HKU SPACE

    • Full-time, 10-month, Bachelor of Arts Mass Communication, Advertising & Public Relations, offered by Edinburgh Napier University (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

    • Full-time, 2 years, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Social Sciences, offered by Edinburgh Napier University (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

    • Full-time, 18-month, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Media and Cultural Production, offered by University of the West of England, Bristol (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

    • Full-time, 2 years, Bachelor of Arts (Honours) Contemporary Media Cultures, offered by University of the Arts London (UK) in collaboration with HKU SPACE

 

Career Prospects

Graduates can take up positions in newspaper and mass media organisations, or in the public relations and communication fields, in both private and public sectors. They can also help manage social media of different corporations.

2-year Associate Degree 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 Associate Degree programme should apply for admission to the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) programme.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate competency in Cantonese conversation and Chinese writing.

 

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.

Applicants are also required to demonstrate competency in Cantonese conversation and Chinese writing.

 

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 also required to demonstrate competency in Cantonese conversation and Chinese writing.

 

*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
  • Foundation of Chinese Language
  • Chinese Language Enhancement
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Elements of Business
  • Multiple Intelligences and Competencies
  • Understanding Hong Kong Popular Culture

 

Associate Degree Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Advanced Chinese Language
  • Critical Analysis and Reasoning in Discipline-based Studies
  • Exploring Hong Kong through Film and Popular Music
  • Social Development and Engagement
  • Principles of Sociology
  • Foundation Psychology
  • Chinese News Writing, Reporting and Editing#

 

Associate Degree Year 2

  • English for Academic Purposes II
  • English for Arts and Humanities
  • Health, Technology and Society
  • Histories, Societies and Identities: Connecting the Past to the Present
  • Quantitative Analysis I
  • Public Relations Planning and Event Management
  • Communication and the New Media
  • Chinese Television and Radio News Production#
  • Communication Theories
  • Public Relations Writing and Presentation

 

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

# This core subject is taught in Chinese; students are required to write and present in Chinese.