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2026香港副學士(Asso)全攻略

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One-stop information on Associate Degree programmes, admission requirements, tuition fees and progression pathways

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What is an Associate Degree (Asso)?

Associate Degree (AD) is a post-secondary education qualification, usually of two years' duration. In the 2024/25 academic year, there are 101 locally accredited associate degree programmes offered by seven institutions.

Associate Degree programmes are offered by the relevant faculties at the university level, so the learning environment is closer to that of a university, and some students enrolled in Associate Degree programmes are able to attend lectures in the university campus and use the university facilities. Upon graduation from the Associate Degree programme, students have the opportunity to progress to an undergraduate degree programme or a self-financing top-up degree programme.

The Associate Degree programme focuses on general education and develops students' critical thinking and communication skills, laying the foundation for future academic development.

Hong Kong Associate Degree Students Studying on Campus
Position of Associate Degree in the Hong Kong Education System

Comparison of Associate Degree vs Higher Diploma

Associate Degree Higher Diploma (HD)
Course Highlights Liberal Studies Expertise-based
tuition fee HK$50,000-80,000 per annum HK$30,000-50,000 per annum
study period 2 years 2 years
The main way out Access to university degree programmes Employment or further studies

2026年副學士入學要求

For Associate Degree, 222A2 (Level 2 in Chinese, English, Mathematics and one of the elective subjects and A pass in Civic and Social Development) is required in the Diploma Programme, with some subjects having individual requirements.

Institutions also accept other equivalent qualifications, including non-local qualifications obtained in or outside Hong Kong. Other equivalent qualifications or experience;

Students who have completed the Yi Jin Diploma will be accepted by member institutions of the Federation for Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE) for admission to their sub-degree programmes.

Basic Entrance Requirements

  • Level 2 or above in 5 HKDSE subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language)
  • or equivalent (e.g. international qualifications such as IB, GCE A-Levels, etc.)
  • Or complete the Yi Jin Diploma programme
  • or aged 21 or above with relevant experience (Mature Entry)

Comparison of Admission Requirements by Institutions

educational institution Basic Requirements Special Requests
PolyU HKCC DSE 5 at Level 2 or above Some programmes have individual requirements
HKU SPACE DSE 5 at Level 2 or above Some programmes have individual requirements
HKBU CIE DSE 5 at Level 2 or above Some programmes have individual requirements
CUHK SPCEP DSE 5 at Level 2 or above Some programmes have individual requirements

Associate Degree Tuition Fees and Available Financial Assistance

The tuition fee of most sub-degree programmes is HKD$ 20,000 to 40,000 per semester, and the government provides a number of subsidies to eligible students, such as the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP), travel subsidy, non-means-tested loans, etc. If you are in need, please visit the SFAA website for more details. Students who are in need of financial assistance can visit the website of the Student Financial Assistance Agency (SFAA) for more details. In addition, some self-financing sub-degree programmes are eligible to apply for the Continuing Education Fund.

Government Funded Programmes

  • Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP)
  • Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS)
  • Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS)
  • Continuing Education Fund (CEF)
  • Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Programme (SSSDP)

Comparison of Tuition Fees among Institutions (2024/25 academic year)

educational institution Tuition fees for full-time programmes Remark
PolyU HKCC Approx. HK$63,000/year Payment by two instalments
HKU SPACE Approx. HK$59,000-HK$69,000/year Depends on the programme
HKBU CIE Approx. HK$60,000/year Payment by two instalments
CUHK SPCEP Approx. HK$65,000/year Payment by two instalments

Pathways for further studies after graduation from associate degree programmes

Upon graduation from an Associate Degree programme, there are a number of pathways for students to pursue further studies. The most common is to apply for admission to a bachelor's degree programme of a local university through Non-JUPAS, which usually allows credit exemption and direct admission to the second or third year of the university.

According to IPASS, the approved intake of senior year students for full-time UGC-funded senior year undergraduate programmes in the 2024/25 academic year is 5,000, which means that a total of 5,000 Year 3 Senior Entry places will be offered by the eight institutions each year for students to enrol on a non-jupas basis.

Graduation Ceremony of The University of Hong Kong
Schematic diagram of the progression pathway for Associate Degree programmes

Progression Rate of Institutions

90.5%
PolyU HKCC
Overall Progression Rate
68%
HKU SPACE
Progression rate of publicly-funded degree programmes
79.7%
HKBU CIE
The Eight Universities' Progression Rates
5,000
Senior Year Places per year
Admission quota

Associate Degree to University Year 3 Pathway

way Application Method Require
Non-JUPAS Apply directly to the university A GPA of 3.0 or higher is usually required
Top-up Degree Programmes Apply directly to the institution offering the programme Flexible GPA requirements
Overseas Universities Apply directly to overseas universities Depends on the university

2026年熱門副學士院校比較

PolyU HKCC

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University Hong Kong Community College

Enrolment 4,090
Further Education Rate 90.5%
  • PolyU Campus Facilities
  • High promotion rate
  • Diversified courses
understand more

HKU SPACE

HKU SPACE Community College

Enrolment 1,430
HKU's Progression Rate 23%
  • HKU brand
  • Quality Teaching
  • Multiple campuses
understand more

HKBU CIE

College of International Education, Hong Kong Baptist University

The Eight Universities' Progression Rates 79.7%
Government-funded places 39.4%
  • International Programmes
  • Enriching Campus Life
  • High quality teachers
understand more

Comprehensive Analysis of the Associate Degree Programme in Psychology

Psychology is one of the most popular Associate Degree programmes in recent years, providing training in basic psychological knowledge and research methods. Graduates can choose to pursue a Bachelor of Psychology degree or switch to other related disciplines such as social work and counselling.

Associate degree programmes in Psychology typically cover the core areas of developmental psychology, social psychology, cognitive psychology, and abnormal psychology, and provide basic training in research methods and statistics.

Psychology Classroom
Associate in Psychology Classroom Practices

Comparison of Associate Degrees in Psychology among Institutions

educational institution course features Further Education Rate Recommended Index
HKU SPACE Theory and practice are both important, with laboratory programmes. Approx. 70% ★★★★★
HKBU CIE Emphasis on training in research methods About 75% ★★★★☆
PolyU HKCC Integrating elements of applied psychology Approx. 80% ★★★★☆
CUHK SPCEP Comprehensive programme design covering a wide range of psychological areas Approx. 65% ★★★★☆

Psychology Associate's Degree Graduate on the Way Out

articulation

To pursue a Bachelor's degree in Psychology or related disciplines.

Employment

Assistant Research Fellow, Administrative Assistant, etc.

Overseas Study

Applying for Psychology Programmes in Overseas Universities

2026年副學士報名方法及重要日期

There are two main ways to apply for Associate Degree (AD) programmes: through the Electronic Advance Placement Platform for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) or directly to the institutions. Fresh DSE candidates should give priority to using the E-APP, while non-fresh candidates or applicants with other academic qualifications can apply directly to the institutions.

E-APP Newspaper

Suitable for fresh DSE candidates

Go to E-APP Website

Direct Application

Suitable for non-candidates or holders of other academic qualifications.

Learn how to apply

2026年重要日期

Letter dated 5 December 2024 from the Permanent Representative of

First round of E-APP application begins

Fresh DSE candidates can start submitting their applications.

2026年5月20日

E-APP First Round Application Deadline

First round of applications closed

2026年5月23日

E-APP Second Round of Applications Open

Application stage after the release of DSE results

2026年7月7日

E-APP Second Round Application Deadline

Last chance to apply

2026年7月中旬

Announcement of Official Admission Result

Formal Offer of Admission by Institution

2026年9月初

School Starts

Start of the new school year

Associate Degree Learning Resources

To help students better prepare for the Associate Degree programme, we have compiled a series of useful study resources, including official information, study tips and preparation resources.

Official Resources

Study Tips

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Associate Degree Statistics

101
Number of Accredited Associate Degree Programmes
7
Number of institutions offering associate degree programmes
5,000
Annual Senior Year Places Intake Quota
70
Average progression rate

Comparison of Admission Scores of Institutions

Comparison of Admission Scores of Associate Degree Programmes (AD Programmes)
Comparison of Admission Marks for Associate Degree Programmes among Institutions in 2024

Associate Degree Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between an Associate Degree and a Higher Diploma?

Associate Degree programmes focus on general education, developing students' critical thinking and communication skills, and laying the foundation for future academic development, while Higher Diploma programmes focus on vocational training and professional skills, with greater emphasis on practice and industry application. Associate Degree graduates usually aim to pursue university studies, while Higher Diploma graduates may choose to take up direct employment or continue their studies.

What are the minimum requirements for an Associate Degree?

The basic entry requirement for Associate Degree is Level 2 or above in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language) in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), or equivalent. Some programmes may have subject-specific requirements, e.g. Mathematics or specific elective subjects at specified levels are required. In addition, students who have completed the Yi Jin Diploma may also apply for Associate Degree programmes.

Can associate degree holders be admitted to universities?

Yes, Associate Degree graduates can apply for admission to Bachelor Degree programmes in local universities through the Non-JUPAS route. Students with outstanding performance are usually granted credit exemptions and admitted directly to the second or third year of university. Each year, the eight institutions offer about 5,000 senior year undergraduate places for competition by Associate Degree and Higher Diploma graduates.

What is the best place for an Associate's Degree in Psychology?

When choosing an Associate Degree programme in Psychology, you may consider the following institutions: HKU SPACE offers both theoretical and practical programmes with laboratory courses; HKBU CIE emphasises on research methodology training; PolyU HKCC incorporates elements of Applied Psychology; and CUHK SPCEP is a comprehensive programme designed to cover a wide range of psychological areas. When choosing a programme, you should take into account factors such as your personal interests, your intention to pursue further studies, the content of the programme and the resources of the institution.

How much is the tuition fee for Associate Degree? What kind of financial assistance is available?

The tuition fee for an associate degree programme is normally around HK$$50,000-80,000 per annum, depending on the institution and the programme. Students can apply for a wide range of government financial assistance, including the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP), the Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS), the Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS), etc. Students can also apply for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF). Some self-financing programmes may also apply for the Continuing Education Fund (CEF).

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From choosing the right Associate Degree programme to preparing an application for university admission, we offer a full range of study support services.

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