Higher Diploma in Application Systems Development

Application Systems Development Programme

The Higher Diploma in Application Systems Development (HDASD) programme aims to provide students with sound knowledge of computing fundamentals, a thorough understanding of ethical issues, and management and planning skills associated with the computing profession, develop their competence to manage and develop information systems in a contemporary business context, prepare them for employment in a related discipline at the para-professional level, and cultivate a spirit of lifelong learning.

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Programme information

Faculty Science and Technology
Programme Higher Diploma in Application Systems Development
Programme code HDASD
Campus Tai Wai
QF level 4
Duration 2 years
Credit units 63CUs
Award type Higher Diploma
QR Ref/
Validity period
20/000678/L4
01/09/2020-31/08/2024

This programme is accredited by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications.

Leaflet

Programme Leaflet of the HDASD programme in 2023-24

Enquiry

For enquiries, please contact Faculty of Science and Technology (Telephone No: 2707 3232 or Email: uowchk-fst@uow.edu.au).

Applications can be submitted by the following methods:

  1. E-APP (for HKDSE 2024/25 only)
  2. Online Application (for applicants with other qualifications)
  3. By Post / In Person (Application Form)

 
Click here for more information on admissions procedures.

For admission to Associate Degree (AD)/Higher Diploma (HD) programmes, applicants must satisfy ONE of the following:

1) Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE)

  • Obtain Level 2 or above in five HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language (Note 1) and English Language (Note 2);
  • If a subject under “other languages” is used for meeting the requirement in (a), a minimum of grade E is required;
  • A maximum of two Applied Learning subjects graded “Attained” or above can be included for meeting the requirement in the first point of this section;
  • Satisfy programme-specific entrance requirements (Only applicable to Associate of Business in Administration in Accountancy)

2) Other Qualifications

Most school-leaving qualifications deemed equivalent to those stipulated below are recognised. These may include any ONE of the following:

  • Completion of the UOWCHK Diploma in General Studies / Diploma of Applied Education programme (Note 3) or a one-year full-time Pre-Associate Degree programme;
  • Completion of Diploma Yi Jin (Note 4);
  • Grade E or above in one General Certificate of Education A-level (or A2)/International A-Level subject (Note 1) . Two Advanced Subsidiary (AS) level subjects will be considered equivalent to one GCE A-Level. The same subject may not be counted at both the A Level and AS Level;
  • A National University Education Entrance Examination (普通高等學校招生全國統一考試) score above the cut-off lines set for entry into non-government universities (本科二批分數綫)(Note 4) and a minimum English score of 100. Please refer to Chinese version for details;
  • Other equivalent qualifications, including International Baccalaureate Diploma, are also accepted as satisfying the entrance requirements.

3) Mature Applicants

Mature applicants must be over the age of 23 by 1 September of the year of admission and be able to demonstrate aptitude and suitability for the programme applied for.

 

Notes

  1. For applicants who have either learned Chinese Language for less than 6 years while receiving primary and secondary education or learned Chinese Language for 6 years or more in schools, but have been taught an adapted and simpler Chinese Language curriculum not normally applicable to the majority of students in local schools, alternative Chinese Language qualifications (GCEAL/AS Chinese grade E or GCSE/IGCSE Chinese grade C) or grade E in HKDSE “other languages” can replace Chinese Language level 2;

  2. GCE/GCSE/IGCSE subjects, TOEFL or IELTS cannot be used to replace English Language Level 2;
  3. Successful completion of the Diploma in General Studies will fulfil the entrance requirement to UOWCHK associate degree programmes (except Associate of Social Science in Social Work);
  4. For students who have successfully completed the Maths Plus elective course, the qualification acquired under the Programme is comparable to the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination.
  5. The College may admit those applicants whose scores are below the cut-off lines but who can demonstrate good aptitude for the programme at admission interview.

Fees

Application Fee

$150

Tuition Fee

All Full-time Higher Diploma students are required to take 63 credit units in two years at HK$1,800 per credit. Total tuition fee for two years is HK$113,400.

Other Fee

A Graduation Fee of HK$400 will be charged upon enrolment in a programme.

Financial Assistance

Students enrolled in self-financing Bachelor/ Associate Degree / Higher Diploma programmes are eligible to apply for financial assistance from the following sources:

Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-Secondary Students (FASP)

Provides means-tested financial assistance to needy full-time students pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree. The scheme aims to provide financial assistance to needy students so that no eligible students will be denied access to post-secondary education because of lack of means.

Enquiries:       2152 9000
Website:         Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-Secondary Students

Non-means Tested Loan Scheme for Post-Secondary Students (NLSPS)

The NLSPS is used to complement the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to provide loan(s) to eligible students to settle tuition fees of locally-accredited, self-financing full-time post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree

Enquiries:        2150 6222
Website:          Non-means Tested Loan Scheme for Post-Secondary Students

Programme structure and outcomes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes (PILOs) are statements of learning achievement that are expressed in terms of what the learner is expected to know, understand and be able to do upon completion of a course. Students graduating from this programme will be able to:

PILODescription
1. Apply information technology and integrate concepts, principles and practices of system development to develop information systems.
2. Use a range of tools, programming languages, methodologies, technical knowledge and quantitative skills to undertake information systems development work individually or as a team.
3. Perform skilled tasks requiring some discretion and judgement in the areas of information systems development activities.
4. Identify and apply best practice in application development with emphasis on ethical and professional dimensions.
5. Communicate effectively in English with relevant stakeholders, both orally and in writing, in a culturally diversified workplace.
6. Evaluate computer systems development solutions along socio-economic, and environmental dimensions.

Main subject areas

  • Application development
  • System development
  • Information systems
  • Computer programming
  • Database systems
  • System design methodology
  • Language and general education

Programme study flow

Programme structure

To qualify for this award, a candidate shall accrue an aggregate of at least 63 credit units by satisfactory completion of the following core courses.

Course Code Course Name  
Programme Core (45CUs)
Sem A, Year 1  
AST10106 Programming Fundamentals
AST10201 Computer Organization
AST10303 Understanding the Network-Centric World
Sem B, Year 1  
AST11110 Introduction to Web Development
AST20201 Web Programming
AST21105 Object-Oriented Programming and Design
Summer Sem, Year 1  
AST20715  Internship
Sem A, Year 2  
AST10111 Basic Calculus and  Linear Algebra
AST20105 Data Structures & Algorithms
AST20208 Mobile Apps Development
AST20401 Database Systems and Design
AST21402 Software Design
Sem B, Year 2  
AST20404 Information Systems in Business
AST21111 Discrete Mathematics
Programme Electives (3CUs)
Sem B, Year 2  
Select any one:
AST20203 or
AST21403

Internet Security
Software Development Project
Language Skills (9CUs)
CGE1000* / 1500 English for Academic Studies A / B
CGE2003 English Professional Communication Skills for Technology
CGE1200** Practical Chinese
General Education (6CUs)
CGE13213 Information Technology : Applications and Impacts
CGE24411 Ethics and Society

*   Students whose DSE score of English Language is below 3 are required to complete this course

** Students who are non-Chinese literate can take a course among the core General Education courses in lieu of CGE1200 Practical Chinese at the recommendation of Programme Leaders and approval by the Chairman of Academic Board

 

 

Further Studies Pathways

This programme has been offered since 2021-2022. Possible articulation may include computing and information systems related degree programmes in City University of Hong Kong, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and the University of Hong Kong.

 

Career prospects

There is a clear career path in the job market related to application systems development, graduates may be employed as programmers, Software engineer, technical support personnel, systems analyst, etc., with potential promotion to information systems manager.