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Programmes

Nutrition and Food Management

HIGHER DIPLOMA IN Nutrition and Food Management

Programme Code

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

 

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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 2024-25 academic year, local students enrolling and being offered the subsidised places of this programme under the SSSDP will receive a subsidy up to HK$39,890. After deduction of the subsidy, the annual tuition fee is HK$19,110.

 

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was formerly known as Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management (Theme: Food and Nutritional Sciences), and has been replaced by Higher Diploma in Nutrition and Food Management with effect from the 2024-25 academic year.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
    BA English Studies
    BEng Bioengineering
    BSc Biological Sciences
    BSc Applied Physics
    BSc Biomedical Sciences
    BSc Chemistry
    BSc Environmental Science and Management
  • 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.

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 College Foundation Studies (DCFS) 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 / Youth and Culture
  • College Writing / Foundation English
  • Foundations of Chinese Language* / Understanding Hong Kong Popular Culture / Multiple Intelligences and Competencies
  • Chinese Language Enhancement* / Western Images of China
  • Basic Mathematics
  • Foundations of Biology 
  • Foundations of Chemistry 
  • Elements of Business

 

Higher Diploma Year 1

  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I
  • Elementary Statistics
  • 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 Food and Nutritional Sciences
  • Practical Chinese Communication*
  • Biochemistry
  • Metabolism and Human Nutrition
  • Food Chemistry
  • Applied Nutrition
  • Community Nutrition and Health Promotion
  • Food Safety and Quality Assurance
  • Food and Nutrition Project

* 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.