Associate of Science in Environmental Studies*

Admission suspended for 2023-24

 

Environmental Studies

Associate of Science in Environmental Studies (AScES) programme aims to help students to develop transferable skills which build confidence in a range of areas including monitoring, analysis, evaluation, assessment, communication and problem-solving in relation to the environment; provide them with an entry level programme in environmental studies which prepares graduates for further studies and a career in a broad range of environment related occupations.

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Programme information

Faculty Science and Technology
Programme Associate of Science in Environmental Studies
Programme code AScES
Campus Kowloon City
QF level 4
Duration 2 years
Credit Units 63 CUs
Award type Associate Degree  
QR Ref/
Validity period
17/000297/L4
01/09/2020-31/08/2024

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

Programme Leaflet

Programme Leaflet of the ES programme in 2022-23

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 2023 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 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. 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, waived for 2022

Tuition Fee

All Full-time Associate Degree/Higher Diploma students are required to take 63 credits in two years at HK$1,800 per credit. Total tuition fees for two years are about HK$113,400.

Other Fee

A Graduation Fee of $400 will be charged upon enrolment in a programme.
Field Trips and Laboratory Practices.

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       

Continuing Education Fund (CEF)

Some of the AD programmes or course(s) in the AD programmes are included in the list of reimbursable courses for CEF purposes.

The CEF subsidizes students over 18 years of age with learning aspirations to pursue continuing education and training courses. Eligible applicants enrolling on courses after 1 April 2019 will be reimbursed 80% of their fees on the first $10,000 and 60% on the second $10,000, subject to a maximum sum of HK$20,000 (whichever is the less), on successful completion of a reimbursable programme/course(s).

Enquiries:        3142 2277
Website:          Continuing Education Fund

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. Explain concepts and methods fundamental to environmental studies;
2. Analyse and interpret data using quantitative methods, and information technology systems, particularly with regard to environmental data, and especially for the purpose of planning and management;
3. Relate environmental issues, activities, planning and management practices, as appropriate, to the socio-political, cultural and economic contexts of the region and beyond, as a participating and responsible member of civic society;
4. Perform skilled tasks responsibly, in accordance with ethical norms, and produce outputs that meet quality standards;
5. Communicate effectively, both orally and in writing, on environmental issues using English; and
6. Relate the major ideas in arts and humanities, science and technology to their own area of study.

Main subject areas

  • Ecology and Environmental Conservation
  • Environmental Sustainability
  • Environmental Monitoring and Assessment
  • Corporate Responsibility
  • 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 CodeCourse Name
Programme Core (36CUs)
Sem A, Year 1  
AST10113 Foundation Statistics 
AST10210 Chemistry
AST11202 Foundations of Earth Systems
Sem B, Year 1  
AST10211 Biology
AST20210 Ecology
AST21212 Principles of Environmental Chemistry
Summer Sem, Year 1  
AST21211 Environmental Studies Laboratory
Sem A, Year 2  
AST20211 Environment and Health
AST21203 Environment and Energy
AST21213 Environmental Issues and Sustainability
Sem B, Year 2  
AST22112 Statistical Data Processing and Geographical Information Systems
AST20215 Molecular and Microbiology
AST21214 Environmental Impact and Monitoring
Programme Electives (6CUs)
Sem A, Year 2  

Select any one:

AST10111 or
BUS10306

 

Basic Calculus and Linear Algebra 
Management
Sem B, Year 2  

Select any one:

AST21204 or
AST21205

 

Corporate Environmental Responsibility & PolicyUrban 
Environmental Initiatives & Industries
Language Skills (9CUs)
CGE1000* / 1500 English for Academic Studies A / B
CGE2003 English Professional Communication Skills for Technology
CGE1200** Practical Chinese
General Education (12cps)
CGE14411 Critical Thinking
CGE23218 Climate Change: Threats, Mitigation and Adaptation

An additional 2 General Education courses to be chosen as electives. At least one elective must by chosen from the Society and Organizations domain.

General elective courses must be selected from all the following domains:

Please visit the General Education page for more details.

*   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

The table below is not exhaustive and only aims to show some examples of the bachelor's degree programmes offered by UGC-funded institutions and University of Wollongong, Australia which have admitted our past graduates. Our graduates also articulate to various overseas degree programmes offered in Hong Kong.

UOW College Hong Kong

University of Wollongong, Australia

City University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Engineering in Bioengineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Energy Science & Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Environmental Science and Engineering
  • Bachelor of Engineering in Materials Science and Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Applied Biology
  • Bachelor of Science in Chemistry

Hong Kong Baptist University

  • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Environmental Engineering and Sustainable Development
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Applied Biology – Environmental Science Concentration
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Green Energy Science
  • Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in China Studies – Geography Concentration

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Natural Sciences
  • Bachelor of Social Science in Geography and Resource Management

The Education University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Social Sciences (Honours) in Global and Environmental Studies

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental and Occupational Safety and Health
  • Bachelor of Engineering (Honours) in Environment Engineering and Sustainable Development

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

  • Bachelor of Engineering in Sustainable Energy Engineering
  • Bachelor of Science in Biological Science
  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Management and Technology
  • Bachelor of Science in Environmental Science

The University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Environmental Science

 

Career prospects

  • Environmental technician
  • Assistant environmental consultant
  • Environmental officer
  • Environmental protection inspector
  • Health inspector
  • Field officer
  • Occupational health and safety officer
  • Environmental planner
  • Research assistant

Environmental studies related knowledge

Contact us

Faculty of Science and Technology

Phone / Whatsapp: (852) 2707 3232
Fax: (852) 2707 3231
Emailuowchk-fst@uow.edu.au

Address: 1/F, Le Billionnaire, 46 Sa Po Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

[Sung Wong Toi MTR Station Exit B3]

College Office

Telephone: (852) 2707 3111
Fax
: (852) 2707 3222
E-mail
uowchk-main@uow.edu.au

Address: 1/F, Billionnaire Royale, 83 Sa Po Road, Kowloon City, Hong Kong

[Sung Wong Toi MTR Station Exit B3]