Undergraduate Programmes | Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP)

Undergraduate Programmes (First-year-first-degree and Top-up degree)

Q1.	What undergraduate programmes and disciplines are covered under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP)?
A1.	In consultation with relevant Bureaux, we have determined the designated undergraduate programmes (including first-year-first-degree and top-up degree) and the numbers of subsidised places under the SSSDP for the cohort to be admitted in the 2025/26 academic year. These designated undergraduate programmes supported by the SSSDP fall under 10 disciplines that have been identified to have keen manpower demand, namely Architecture and Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Industries, Financial Technology, Health Care, Insurance, Logistics, Sports and Recreation, Testing and Certification and Tourism and Hospitality. The programmes also include the eight applied degrees introduced under the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes with a view to further strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progress pathway at the post-secondary level. For details, please refer to the programmes overview.

Q1.

What undergraduate programmes and disciplines are covered under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP)?

A1.

In consultation with relevant Bureaux, we have determined the designated undergraduate programmes (including first-year-first-degree and top-up degree) and the numbers of subsidised places under the SSSDP for the cohort to be admitted in the 2025/26 academic year. These designated undergraduate programmes supported by the SSSDP fall under 10 disciplines that have been identified to have keen manpower demand, namely Architecture and Engineering, Computer Science, Creative Industries, Financial Technology, Health Care, Insurance, Logistics, Sports and Recreation, Testing and Certification and Tourism and Hospitality. The programmes also include the eight applied degrees introduced under the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes with a view to further strengthening the vocational and professional education and training progress pathway at the post-secondary level. For details, please refer to the programmes overview.

Q2.	Which institutions will participate in the SSSDP for undergraduate programmes?
A2.	In the 2025/26 academic year, participating institutions under the SSSDP include Hong Kong Chu Hai College, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, Hong Kong Shue Yan University, Saint Francis University, The Hang Seng University of Hong Kong, Tung Wah College, UOW College Hong Kong and Vocational Training Council - Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong.

Q3.	What are the eligibility criteria for the SSSDP undergraduate programmes?
A3.	Eligible programmes must meet the following requirements – the programmes must be full-time locally accredited self-financing undergraduate local programmes; and the programmes are included in a list of designated programmes nominated by relevant bureaux for the purpose of nurturing necessary talent in support of specific industries with keen demand for human resources.

Q4.	Are non-Chinese speaking students covered under the SSSDP for undergraduate programmes?
A4.	SSSDP covers non-Chinese speaking students. Participating institutions of the SSSDP accept General Certificate of Education (GCE) - Chinese, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - Chinese and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) – Chinese as well as Applied Learning Chinese subject in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) as an alternative Chinese language qualifications.

Q4.

Are non-Chinese speaking students covered under the SSSDP for undergraduate programmes?

A4.

SSSDP covers non-Chinese speaking students. Participating institutions of the SSSDP accept General Certificate of Education (GCE) - Chinese, General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) - Chinese and International General Certificate of Secondary Education (IGCSE) – Chinese as well as Applied Learning Chinese subject in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) as an alternative Chinese language qualifications.

Q5.	How is the subsidy under the SSSDP for undergraduate programmes administered?
A5.	The unit subsidy is administered by a two-tier arrangement. In the 2024/25 academic year, a subsidy of up to $79,770 is provided to undergraduate programmes which are laboratory-based while a subsidy of up to $45,810 is provided to non-laboratory-based undergraduate programmes. Moreover, in the 2024/25 academic year, additional annual subsidies of $8,000 (for laboratory-based programmes) or $5,000 (for non-laboratory-based programmes) will be provided to full-time local students enrolling in designated applied degree programmes under the SSSDP that have undergone the relevant quality assurance process. In other words, the annual subsidy amounts for applied degree programmes under the SSSDP in the 2024/25 academic year will be up to $87,770 (laboratory-based) and $50,810 (non-laboratory-based). In the 2025/26 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for laboratory-based undergraduate programmes and non-laboratory-based undergraduate programmes will be adjusted upward to $81,450 and $46,780 respectively in accordance with the movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index. For applied degree programmes, with the additional subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will be increased to $89,620 (laboratory-based) and $51,880 (non-laboratory-based). The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programme concerned and will be disbursed to the participating institutions based on the actual enrolment of eligible students for the downward adjustment in tuition fees.

Q5.

How is the subsidy under the SSSDP for undergraduate programmes administered?

A5.

The unit subsidy is administered by a two-tier arrangement. In the 2024/25 academic year, a subsidy of up to $79,770 is provided to undergraduate programmes which are laboratory-based while a subsidy of up to $45,810 is provided to non-laboratory-based undergraduate programmes.

Moreover, in the 2024/25 academic year, additional annual subsidies of $8,000 (for laboratory-based programmes) or $5,000 (for non-laboratory-based programmes) will be provided to full-time local students enrolling in designated applied degree programmes under the SSSDP that have undergone the relevant quality assurance process. In other words, the annual subsidy amounts for applied degree programmes under the SSSDP in the 2024/25 academic year will be up to $87,770 (laboratory-based) and $50,810 (non-laboratory-based).

In the 2025/26 academic year, the annual subsidy amounts for laboratory-based undergraduate programmes and non-laboratory-based undergraduate programmes will be adjusted upward to $81,450 and $46,780 respectively in accordance with the movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index. For applied degree programmes, with the additional subsidies, the total annual subsidy amounts will be increased to $89,620 (laboratory-based) and $51,880 (non-laboratory-based). The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programme concerned and will be disbursed to the participating institutions based on the actual enrolment of eligible students for the downward adjustment in tuition fees.

Q6.	Are the tuition fees of the SSSDP programmes regulated?
A6.	Tuition fees of the programmes should generally be set with reference to the existing fee level with adjustments allowed for price movement in accordance with the Composite Consumer Price Index announced by the Government and enhancement in teaching and learning if needed with full justifications. The actual tuition fees payable by students should reflect the subsidy under the SSSDP.

Q7.	Can applicants modify their programme choices after the announcement of JUPAS offers?
A7.	No. Students applying for designated first-year-first-degree programmes under the SSSDP via JUPAS have to follow the application procedures and ways to change the programme choices under JUPAS.

Q8.	Are non-HKDSE students eligible to apply for subsidised undergraduate programmes under the SSSDP?
A8.	The subsidised places of the designated first-year-first-degree (FYFD) programmes under the SSSDP are allocated mainly through JUPAS. Target applicants are HKDSE students. To nurture talent in support of sectors with keen demand for human resources, and to benefit students from different backgrounds, including those possessing Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) qualifications, from the 2023/24 academic year, participating institutions are allowed to admit non-JUPAS local students via direct admission of no more than 20% of the subsidised places of each designated programme, and the non-JUPAS admission may take place in parallel with JUPAS admission. For the programmes selected under the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes, the Education Bureau and the participating institutions are, on a pilot basis, exploring to provide more flexibility regarding the admission of non-JUPAS local students via direct admission. For details, students may contact the relevant institutions. As regards the designated top-up degree (TUD) programmes, the subsidised places are allocated according to existing admission arrangement of the self-financing top-up degree programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions rather than JUPAS. Students, regardless of whether they are HKDSE students or not, can apply for admission to the designated top-up degree programmes directly through the institutions concerned.

Q8.

Are non-HKDSE students eligible to apply for subsidised undergraduate programmes under the SSSDP?

A8.

The subsidised places of the designated first-year-first-degree (FYFD) programmes under the SSSDP are allocated mainly through JUPAS. Target applicants are HKDSE students. To nurture talent in support of sectors with keen demand for human resources, and to benefit students from different backgrounds, including those possessing Vocational and Professional Education and Training (VPET) qualifications, from the 2023/24 academic year, participating institutions are allowed to admit non-JUPAS local students via direct admission of no more than 20% of the subsidised places of each designated programme, and the non-JUPAS admission may take place in parallel with JUPAS admission. For the programmes selected under the Pilot Project on the Development of Applied Degree Programmes, the Education Bureau and the participating institutions are, on a pilot basis, exploring to provide more flexibility regarding the admission of non-JUPAS local students via direct admission. For details, students may contact the relevant institutions.

As regards the designated top-up degree (TUD) programmes, the subsidised places are allocated according to existing admission arrangement of the self-financing top-up degree programmes, i.e. through direct admission by institutions rather than JUPAS. Students, regardless of whether they are HKDSE students or not, can apply for admission to the designated top-up degree programmes directly through the institutions concerned.

Q9.	Can students admitted to the subsidised places under the SSSDP apply for student finance?
A9.	Students in need who are admitted to the subsidised places under the SSSDP can apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fees payable (i.e. tuition fees payable after deduction of the subsidy).

Q10.	Are SSSDP students required to work in designated sectors after graduation?
A10.	SSSDP aims to increase the supply of subsidised undergraduate places, nurture talent in support of specific industries in broadening and diversifying study opportunities, and offer more opportunities and wider choices for senior secondary graduates to pursue higher education. We encourage those students from the subsidised programmes under the SSSDP to pursue careers in those related sectors after graduation. However, we would not impose any restriction in this regard.

Q10.

Are SSSDP students required to work in designated sectors after graduation?

A10.

SSSDP aims to increase the supply of subsidised undergraduate places, nurture talent in support of specific industries in broadening and diversifying study opportunities, and offer more opportunities and wider choices for senior secondary graduates to pursue higher education. We encourage those students from the subsidised programmes under the SSSDP to pursue careers in those related sectors after graduation. However, we would not impose any restriction in this regard.

Q11.	Is the list of subsidised programmes the same every year?
A11.	The programmes and number of subsidised places under the SSSDP will be subject to annual review in consultation with relevant bureaux taking into account the social and economic development in Hong Kong and the needs of the industries.

Q12.	SSSDP has been expanded to include top-up degree programmes in the 2023/24 academic year and current students of the designated programmes have received the subsidy from the 2023/24 academic year onwards. Who would be considered as current students?
A12.	Current students refer to all students who commenced in a designated programme before its inclusion under the SSSDP.

Q13.	Are non-local students covered under the SSSDP?
A13.	Non-local students are not covered under the SSSDP.

Q14.	Which students are eligible for the additional subsidy for applied degree programmes?
A14.	Full-time local students enrolling in designated applied degree programmes under SSSDP that have undergone the relevant accreditation are eligible for the additional subsidy.

Last Review Date: 10/09/2024

SSSDPStudy Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors

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Undergraduate Programmes (First-year-first-degree and Top-up degree)