Missed out on university? Worry not! Several schools offer great higher diploma courses for another shot at academic success
Here is a list of higher diploma courses with promising prospects. They should give you a good shot at getting into a university. Keep trying!
The Institute of Vocational Education (IVE)
IVE offers two-year higher diploma courses in seven disciplines: applied sciences, business administration, child education, design and textiles, engineering, information technology, and hotel and services studies.
Engineering graduates have one of the best prospects.
More than 90 per cent of those who choose to study further get into local universities.
Just as many find jobs with a starting salary of more than HK$10,000.
Graduates from the child education programme have the highest starting salary rate with HK$12,000 on average.
IVE is accepting 2,000 students in the 2011/12 academic year. Minimum academic requirements are one E grade at A-Level, or two E grades at AS-Level, and five subjects at level 2 in HKCEE, including English and Chinese language.
IVE is receiving applications at its Morrison Hill campus in Wan Chai and Haking Wong campus in Cheung Sha Wan until tomorrow.
HKU School of Professional and Continuing Education
The school offers a wide range of programmes for students to choose from. Popular choices include advanced diplomas in arts, business and science.
Last year, it accepted 1,600 students. Up to 700 students received grants or scholarships.
Since 2000, 20 per cent of the school's graduates have got into the University of Hong Kong. A further 30 per cent of the school's students entered other local government-subsidised universities.
Students can submit their applications to the school's East Kowloon, Admiralty and Causeway Bay branches in person until Sunday and from July 28 to July 31.
Community College of City University
The college offers two-year associate degrees in language and communications, business, science and technology, and social sciences.
The most popular course in 2010/11 was Associate of Social Work. It was followed by Associate of Business Administration (Accounting).
The college says 20 per cent of the graduating class of 2011 got jobs in trading, wholesale and retail, and 16 per cent found civil service jobs.
Minimum requirements are one E grade in one A-Level subject, or E grades in two AS-Level subjects. Walk-in application days are from July 28 to August 3 at the Kowloon Tong campus.
School of Continuing Education, Baptist University
Some interesting course offerings at the school include associate degrees in Leisure, Recreation and Sports Administration, Creative Communication, as well as Film, TV and Digital Media Studies.
The school also offers a degree course in psychology.
Basic academic requirements for candidates are one pass in an A-Level subject or two passes in AS-Level subjects.
You can apply in person at the school. You can also fill in an application form that can be downloaded from the school's website and mail it to the school's Kowloon Tong campus. The deadline for applications is August 13.