Programmes - HKU SPACE Community College
Foundation Studies Foundation Studies

Diploma in Foundation Studies (E-learning Mode)

Programme Code: CC 002 3416 6338 edfs@hkuspace.hku.hk

Programme Aims & Features

The Programme aims to:

  1. Enhance students’ whole-person development, essentially the cultivation of their language proficiency, independent and evaluative thinking, and also analytical and presentation skills;
  2. Adopt a broad-based learning mode by incorporating a wide variety of disciplines such as science and technology, social sciences, culture and media, art and humanities, and philosophy in order to strengthen students’ academic potentials and broaden their horizons;
  3. Prepare students for tertiary education and professional training, such as the Associate Degree programmes or Higher Diploma programmes or equivalent.

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

  1. Communicate ideas clearly using English (oral and written) in a social context;
  2. Analyse fundamental concepts of a range of subject areas and their relevancy to humanities;
  3. Apply basic theories in a range of subject areas to different scenarios in society and nature.

Programme Information

  • Programme Duration: 12 months
  • Mode of Study: E-Learning Mode
  • Medium of Instruction: English
 

Opportunities for Further Studies

Students will be awarded the Diploma in Foundation Studies (DFS) which will satisfy the minimum entry requirements of the Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programme offered by the Community College.  Some Associate Degree and Higher Diploma programmes of the College have specific entrance requirements (such as minimum Cumulative GPA or required grades on particular courses of the DFS), the details are given in the Student Handbook.  Students will take generic subjects such as English, Mathematics to solidify their learning ability.  In addition, the College offers different electives in different field of studies such as Social Sciences, Cultural Studies, Humanities, Sciences etc. to broaden students’ horizons. 
 

Special Entrance Requirements

Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

  1. Have gained in the HKDSE Examination*% Level 1 or above in English Language and Chinese Language; and
  2. Have gained in the HKDSE Examination * at least 6 points^ in the best five subjects.
% If one of the five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development, the minimum entry requirement would be “Attained” for the subject.
* Applicants are allowed to use not more than two 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 in the HKDSE Examination;
   ■ “Attained with Distinction (I)” is deemed equivalent to Level 3 in the HKDSE Examination; 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.
^ 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.
 
OR

Nationwide Unified Examination for Admission to General Universities and Colleges (Gaokao)​

  1. Have completed senior secondary school in the mainland education system;
  2. Have gained at least 60% of admission score for the undergraduate programme entrance level of their provinces in the Gaokao*; and
  3. Have gained at least 40% of the full score for English language subject in the Gaokao of their provinces.
*Applicant who does not possess the above academic qualifications but (i) is a year 2 student in a senior secondary or vocational school in the mainland education system; and (ii) has gained an overall score of 4.5 in IELTS, or passed the English Entrance Test of the College would be considered on individual merit.
 
OR
 
International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) or General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE)
 

  1. Have completed at least Secondary 5; and

  2. Have gained in IGCSE or GCSE Grade C (or Grade 4) or above in a minimum of 5 subjects including English Language and another subject.

OR
 
Other Qualifications
 
  • Equivalent qualifications will be considered by the College

Applicants who do not possess the above academic qualifications but who are aged 21 or above with relevant work experience will be considered on individual merit.

 

Special Needs/Persons with Disabilities

Applicants with special needs/disabilities are required to provide detailed information on their condition on the registration form.  The information will help the College understand the applicant’s needs and provide assistance as much as possible.  

Tuition Fee (HKD)

 
Tuition fee for the academic year 2024-25: HK$55,000* (Admitted students are required to settle the full year's fee upfront)
*Subject to adjustment

Applicants who wish to apply for the Diploma in Foundation Studies programme (E-Learning Mode)​ should note that:

  1. The qualification obtained after completing the programme is not recognised for civil service appointment. To meet the academic entry requirements, applicants should obtain Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination; and
  2. The qualification awarded by our College may not be recognised by other institutions for articulation to their sub-degree or other programmes

Programme Structure

Languages and Mathematics Courses (Choose 5 – 6 courses)

Core Courses
  • General English I
  • General English II
  • College Speaking
  • Grammar for College Studies
  • College Writing
  • Basic Mathematics

Electives Courses (Choose 4 – 5 courses, depending on the number of courses selected for Language and Mathematics Courses) *

Elective Courses
  • Introduction to Information Technology and AI
  • Elements of Business
  • Youth and Culture
  • Multiple Intelligence and Competencies
  • How things in Everyday Life Work
  • Understanding Hong Kong Popular culture
  • Foundations of Chemistry
  • Foundations of Biology
  • The Process of Design

Total: 10 courses (30 CC credits)
  • College Speaking is not offered to students with Level 4 or above in HKDSE English Language (Speaking paper) (or equivalent qualification).
  • The programme structure is subject to change and the College reserves the right to make amendment(s) whenever necessary.
 

To be awarded a Diploma in Foundation Studies, students should:

(i) obtain 120 QF credits (30 CC credits) of courses as prescribed in the Diploma in Foundation Studies curriculum;

(ii) achieve a Cumulative GPA of 1.7 or above;

(iii) obtain grade C- or above in all core English courses (i.e. CCEN3002 General English I and CCEN3003 General English II); and

(iv) be required to attend some non-credit bearing Seminar Series organised by the College and complete the assessment satisfactorily. 

Those students admitted via the mainland education system who do not possess Gaokao qualification must complete the senior secondary or vocational school in the mainland education system upon graduation from the DFS in order to be awarded the Diploma in Foundation Studies.
 

Award

Upon successful completion of the programme, students will be awarded the "Diploma in Foundation Studies" within the HKU system through HKU SPACE.