Associate of Arts in Visual Design

Visual Design

This is one of the most progressive academic programmes of design in Hong Kong, which is devoted to add knowledge and understanding of all the ways in which visual design contributes to the culture and society at large. We believe visual design should serve the greater good, and our students will learn and practise in a socially responsible, sustainable manner. We have both a rich tradition in the visual design and a commitment to innovation and expanding the boundaries of design education.

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Programme information

Faculty Science and Technology
Programme Associate of Arts in Visual Design
Programme code AAVD
Campus Tai Wai
QF level 4
Duration 2 years
Credit Units 63 CUs
Award type Associate Degree  
QR Ref/
Validity period
24/000256/L4
01/09/2024-31/08/2027

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

Programme Leaflet

Programme Leaflet of the AAVD programme in 2024-25

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:

Online Application - UOWCHK Admission Application Portal

(for all applicants with DSE/ NON-DSE / other qualifications, or mature applicants)

Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP)
(for HKDSE 2024/25 only)

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)

  2 Core Subjects + 3 Elective Subject(s)
HKDSE Subjects Chinese Language(Note1) English Language(Note2) Any 1 Elective Any 1 Elective Any 1 Elective
Level Requirement 2 2 2 2 2
  • Obtain Level 2 or above in five HKDSE subjects including Chinese Language(Note1) and English Language(Note2);
  • 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)
  • * Applicants with previous HKDSE subject result of A040 ‘Liberal Studies’ will be used as the alternative of the core subject requirement of A045 ‘Citizenship and Social Development’.
  • If a five HKDSE subjects is Citizenship and Social Development subject, the minimum entrance requirement would become "Attained" for Citizenship and Social Development subject. “Attained” is deemed equivalent to Level 2 in the HKDSE Examination.

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 completion of the other institutions a one-year full-time Pre-Associate Degree programme / Diploma of Foundation Studies;
  • 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 or Diploma of Applied Education will fulfil the entrance requirement to UOWCHK associate degree or high diploma 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

HK$150

Application fee is payable when applicants are invited for interviews.  Application fee can be paid by the following methods:
  1. By direct deposit at any branch of the Hang Seng Bank or ATM transfer (Bank Code: 024) (A/C number: 359-300001-004)
  2. OR
  3. By Octopus Card at the College Office

Tuition Fee

HK$1,900 per credit x 63 Credits unit required for Programme Completion
= HK$119,700 (Total tuition fee for two years)

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    

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 in courses on/after 1 April 2019 will be reimbursed 80% of the course fee 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 course.

Eligible applicants enrolling in courses on/after 1 August 2022 will be reimbursed 80% of the course fee for the first HK$10,000 subsidy and 60% of the course fee for the remaining HK$15,000 subsidy, subject to a maximum sum of HK$25,000 (an increase of the CEF subsidy ceiling from $20,000 to $25,000), on successful completion of a reimbursable course.

Students should pay attention to the eligibility criteria from the Continuing Education Fund before submitting the application.

Enquiries:        3142 2277
Website:          Continuing Education Fund

Programme structure and outcomes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes

Programme Intended Learning Outcomes 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. Demonstrate artistic skills and abilities in developing and proposing design ideas and creative solutions to problems;
2. Produce and present aesthetically informed visual communication pieces by using appropriate skills and information technology tools and relevant media;
3. Conduct visual communication research with a critical mind;
4. Examine and be aware of major socio-economic, political and cultural issues, development in science and technology, and ethical controversies affecting design trend and design industries in the local, regional and global contexts.

 Main subject areas

  • Expressive drawing
  • Photograhic design
  • Social media and advertising design
  • Typgraphic design
  • Animation design
  • 3D modelling and animation
  • Advanced motion graphics

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 (36CUs)
Sem A, Year 1  
LAC11901 History of Art and Design 
LAC11903 Expressive Drawing
LAC11904 Design Fundamentals
Sem B, Year 1  
LAC11907 Photographic Design and Imaging
LAC14900 Creative Thinking
LAC24905 Social Media Design
Sem A, Year 2  
LAC24900 Typographic Design
LAC24902 Amination Design
LAC24904 Research Methodology
Sem B, Year 2  
LAC21901 Design, Culture and Technology
LAC21905 Integrated Design Protfolio
LAC24901 Global Image Building and Awareness
Programme Electives - Year 2 (6CUs)

Select any two:

LAC21903 or
LAC21906 or
LAC21908 or
LAC21910

 

3D Modeling and Visualization or
Advertising Design or
3D Amination or
Advanced Motion Graphic
Language Skills (9CUs)
CGE1000* / 1500 English for Academic Studies A / B
CGE2000 English Professional Communication Skills
CGE1200** Practical Chinese
General Education (12CUs)
CGE13213 Information Technology: Applications and Impacts
CGE22412 Understanding Culture and Hertiage in Contemporary Hong Kong
CGE23218 Climate Change: Threats Mitigation and Adaptation
CGE26514 Contemporary China: Challenges and Strategies

Please visit the  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 Arts in Chinese and History
  • Bachelor of Arts in Creative Media
  • Bachelor of Arts in Digital Television and Broadcasting
  • Bachelor of Arts in Media and Communication
  • Bachelor of Arts and Science in New Media
  • Bachelor of Science in Creative Media

Hong Kong Baptist University

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Arts
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Film and Television
  • Bachelor of Fine Arts (Honours) in Acting for Global Screen
  • Bachelor of Social Science (Honours) in Communication

Lingnan University

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Visual Studies

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Arts in English
  • Bachelor of Arts in Fine Arts

The Education University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Arts and Culture
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Arts and Culture and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Music)
    (co-terminal double degree)
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Creative Arts and Culture and Bachelor of Education (Honours) (Visual Arts)
    (co-terminal double degree)

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

  • BA (Hons) Scheme in Design (Advertising Design / Environmental Design / Information Design / Interaction Design / Interior Design / Media Design / Product Design / Service Design / Social Design)

The University of Hong Kong

  • Bachelor of Arts

 

Career prospects

Graduates of this programme have a wide range of career prospects in the field of visual design and beyond. They can pursue careers as graphic designers, web designers, multimedia artists, animators, game developers, creative directors, art directors, and visual communication specialists. Additionally, they may find opportunities in advertising agencies, design studios, media production companies, digital marketing firms, and other creative industries.

Apply to UOWCHK

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How to apply Admission requirements
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