Programmes - HKU SPACE Community College
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Mathematics & Science Mathematics & Science

Higher Diploma in Healthcare and Health Plan Administration

Programme Code: HD 133 3416 6338 2305 5315 hdhhpa@hkuspace.hku.hk
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QF Level: 4
QR Registration No.: 15/003662/L4
Registration Validity Period:  17/12/2015 to ongoing

Application Code 報名編號 : HD133

3 HD in Healthcare & Health Plan Administration 醫護與健保行政高級文憑

Programme Aims & Features

Given the aging population in Hong Kong, there has been a rising demand for professionals and supporting staff in the healthcare and health-related industries. Statistics have pointed to the rising demand yet blatant lack of training for supporting staff in related fields. This programme targets this need and provides a broad-based education in health science, social sciences, financial planning, and business law. The knowledge and transferable skills that students acquire would equip them well for administrative and supportive positions in various health-related industries.

Opportunities for Further Studies

2022 Overall Progression Rate: 68%
UGC-funded Bachelor’s Degree Programmes: 53%

Some of our graduates/students are admitted to UGC-funded degree programmes every year. The list below shows the programmes that our graduates/students of recent years have articulated to*:

The University of Hong Kong
BNurs
 
The Chinese University of Hong Kong
BNurs
BSc Community Health Practice
BSc Public Health
 
City University of Hong Kong
BSc Biological Sciences
 
The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
BA (Hons) Applied Ageing Studies & Service Management
BA (Hons) Language & Speech Sciences
BA (Hons) Nursing
 
Hong Kong Baptist University
BBA (Hons)
BBA (Hons) Information Systems & e-Business Management
 
The Education University of Hong Kong
BEd (Hons) (Primary) - General Studies / Mathematics
 

HKU SPACE International College

Graduates are eligible to apply for admission to various degree programmes offered by HKU SPACE International College.

Job Placement

All students can apply to complete a 192-hour internship during the last semester of their second year of study. Students will be assigned to various administrative or supportive roles (i.e. non-sales tasks like underwriting) at either a healthcare or insurance company. Students will apply the knowledge they have learnt. Those who perform well could also build ties with the industry and these facilitate their career development.

Professional Recognition

One of the programme’s courses – namely “Medical Insurance” – corresponds closely to Part III of the Insurance Intermediaries Qualifying Examination (“IIQE”). Students will be encouraged to take these professional examinations while they are still in our programme. In the meantime, the Programme Team will continue the search for recognition from more professional bodies.

Career Prospects

This programme targets HKDSE students who are interested in pursuing a career in healthcare and health plan administration upon graduation. Graduates will acquire a foundational knowledge about health science and be able to recognize basic medical terms regarding common diseases and treatments. On the other hand, this programme offers a broad-based education in social sciences and medical insurance that are rarely found in any traditional health science programmes. Supporting jobs in healthcare or health plan administration do not simply require basic administrative skills. Workers need to have an elementary understanding of health science as the knowledge is integral to the work process. Our graduates will be equipped with such combined knowledge, enhancing their competitiveness in the market.

Graduates may proceed to full-time employment as administrative and supporting staff in various healthcare organizations, including both private and public healthcare providers, as well as affiliated institutions like pharmaceutical companies, medical laboratories, elderly homes, and wellness service businesses.

More importantly, graduates who are interested in health plan administration could proceed to full-time employment in the back office of the insurance industry. There is a general misconception that jobs at an insurance company are confined to only sales positions. There is in fact an overlooked yet promising field at the back office, involving supporting tasks like underwriting and claims processing. Given the high and rising demand for these health plan administrators yet limited supply of the right talents, the career and income prospects for these positions are bright. Graduates from this programme will provide an ideal fit.

Special Entrance Requirements

In addition to the minimum entrance requirements, preference will be given to applicants who have taken Biology or Combined Science (Biology) in HKDSE Examination, or Level 2 or above in HKDSE Mathematics (Core).

 

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

GENERIC SKILLS
  • Quantitative Analysis I
  • Introduction to Academic English
  • English for Academic Purposes I & II
  • English for Healthcare Professionals
  • Practical Chinese
  • Information Technology Fundamentals
  • Healthy Living
SPECIALISM

Year 1

  • Medical Insurance
  • Public Health
  • Applied Psychology
  • Introduction to Healthcare Systems
  • Fundamentals of Pharmacology
  • Human Anatomy

 

Year 2

  • Clinical Microbiology and Communicable Diseases
  • Introduction to Chinese Medicine
  • Introduction to Positive Psychology
  • Human Physiology
  • Sociology of Health

Experiential Learning (Select ONE from below)

  • Internship
  • Intra- and Interpersonal Competencies

*Courses offered in each semester are subject to student enrolment and resources available.

Emily Yip Yuen Ying
Emily Yip Yuen Ying (Class of 2020)
  • Offer received: PolyU - BNursing (Year 3)
  • Offer received: HKU - BNursing (Year 1)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BNursing (Year 1)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BSc Public Health (Junior intake)

Studying HHPA at HKU SPACE CC has enriched my knowledge of the health care sector and nursing. This programme was useful and interesting. It provided a positive learning environment and encouraged us to cooperate with each other. I have learnt more about the health delivery and health financing systems in Hong Kong from the healthcare and public health courses, which broadened my horizon and helped me perform better at the University interviews. I appreciate the College for providing an opportunity to achieve my goal, paving the way for a fruitful future!

Jaden Chung
Jaden Chung (Class of 2020)
  • Offer received: THEi - BSSc Sports and Recreation Management in Sports Therapy (Year 3)

I was so confused when I got my DSE results two years ago. Fortunately, I noticed that there was a Programme called Healthcare & Health Plan Administration at HKU SPACE CC. These two years of studies helped me understand the spectrum of issues in the medical system in HK. It showed me the different social institutions and broadened my understanding of healthcare systems around the world. It enriched my understanding of pathophysiology and the related studies, and provided me with the experiences of back-office work in the healthcare delivery system. These really helped me to fully realise my interest and to decide what I want to do in the future. Moreover, my classmates were positive and competitive. We worked together and fought together. I also really appreciated the teachers and HKU SPACE CC for giving me this opportunity to further study in the degree programme.

Eunice Po Ka Ki
Eunice Po Ka Ki (Class of 2020)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BSc Community Health Practice
  • Offer received: PolyU - BA Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management

Studying HHPA at HKU SPACE CC was a fruitful experience for me. It provided a diverse range of healthcare knowledge, and a solid understanding of the healthcare system fundamentals, enabling me to pursue further education at university.
The internship was a valuable opportunity, in which I applied the knowledge learned in the lessons. I became more aware of the issues in the primary care sector, and I found my interest in ameliorating the problems in the healthcare sector. I would like to extend my gratitude to the lecturers as they always advised and encouraged me.

Ada Wong Yee Yuet
Ada Wong Yee Yuet (Class of 2020)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BNursing (Junior intake)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BSc Public Health (Junior intake)
  • Offer received: PolyU - BA Applied Ageing Studies and Service Management (Year 3)
  • Offer received: LingU - BSSc Health and Social Services Management (Year 3)

Studying HHPA at HKU SPACE CC helped me acquire a deeper understanding of the Hong Kong healthcare system and its upcoming challenges. I also learned more about theories and various problem-solving skills. Internship provided the learning environment for me to practise what I learned at the College. This precious experience helped me develop both academically and personally. Students could also join different clubs at HKU SPACE CC to develop humanistic values and interpersonal skills. These prepared me for the future. I am grateful for the learning experiences and thank the College for helping me progress successfully to the University.

Ivan Fok
Ivan Fok (Class of 2019)
  • 現就職於醫療服務

兩年前考文憑試成績不理想,於是決定報讀港大附屬學院。由於本身對醫療行業有興趣,碰巧「醫護及健保行政」高級文憑課程又剛推出,所以便報讀,又因這決定,才有幸踏入醫療行業。兩年間講師們耐心教導,他們優秀的教學方式,使我更用心學習。同學之間會互相鼓勵及交流,學習過程並不孤單,更營造良好的學習氣氛。課程提供講座及實習機會,令我不只在知識上進步,實踐上亦有增益。 現在我已正式受聘在診所全職工作,踏入醫療行業第一步。全因入讀這科,我才可以找到前路。

Tyler Chan
Tyler Chan (Class of 2019)
  • Offer received: EduU - Bachelor of Education (Primary) in General Studies (Year 1)

文憑試放榜後,雖然與大學夢擦身而過,但我立下決心繼續裝備自己,希望能夠完成大學夢。最後我修讀了HKU SPACE的「醫護及健保行政」高級文憑課程,課程中包含了跨學科的內容,鞏固了我對不同範疇的知識,為進入大學打下基礎。另外,課程中需要完成實習,令我熟習到實際的工作環境,認清自己的就業方向。老師除了在課堂上能夠維持良好的教學氣氛,課餘時也十分熱心地抽出時間教授同學們入讀大學的面試技巧,令我十分感激。學院還會舉辦很多入讀大學的講座及提供資訊予同學,令我們在升學中裝備得更好,提升入讀大學的機會!

Jack Lee
Jack Lee (Class of 2019)
  • Offer received: HKU Bachelor of Nursing

Studying Healthcare and Health Plan Administration at HKU SPACE CC has exposed me to a broader spectrum of healthcare issues, ranging from health planning to the structure of the medical system in Hong Kong and other countries. As the number of the aging population has rocketed, the healthcare demand for elderly service and organizations is increasing. This Programme enriches my health sciences knowledge, while helping me understand the factors behind the demand and supply for elderly services. All these help students think more thoroughly about their interests and future decisions. During our internship, students were assigned to different community centres or clinics, where they experienced, or observed first-hand, the routine tasks and duties of a community nurse or counsellor. This was a brand-new experience for most students. I really appreciate the college for giving me a second chance to achieve my goal to study in the university.

Mandy Chan
Mandy Chan (Class of 2019)
  • Offer received: CUHK - BSc Public Health (Year 2)
  • Offer received: PolyU - BSc Food Safety and Technology (Year 3)
  • Offer received: LingU - BSSc Health and Social Services Management (Year 3)

Studying Healthcare & Health Plan Administration at HKU SPACE CC has fostered my knowledge of the healthcare sector. The teachers here are welcoming, which allows me to ask questions and learn in a comfortable atmosphere. The Programme courses are diverse, interesting, and useful. They broaden my horizons on society and the causes and impacts of diseases in broader historical and comparative contexts. There are also sociology and positive psychology courses, and I have learnt a lot about the different healthcare delivery and financing systems from my coursework assignments. In addition, my internship provided a precious opportunity for me to understand my potential and strength. I participated in a community centre and earned health promotion experiences, which are advantageous for my future career. I will enter the university soon and I thank HKU SPACE CC for offering me the opportunity!