A case study of a sub-degree programme's development potential

Abstract

The sub-degree sector is expanding rapidly after the announcement of the Policy Address in 2000 by the former Chief Executive Mr. Tung Chee-hwa. Sub-degree is introduced in Hong Kong in order to build a diversified and flexible higher education system. Since then more and higher education institutions offer self-financing sub-degree programmes. It seems that sub-degree programmes are oversupplied in the market; and there is uncertainty in articulation and employment of the sub-degree graduates. This issue has stirred up much controversy among the community and causes for our greatest concern. In recent years, the number of full-time accredited self-financing local 4-year degree programmes offered by private institutions grows tremendously. With the recent growth of this new qualification, the average intakes of sub-degree programmes would somewhat be affected.

HKU SPACE Community College has been selected as a case study of this research. Students and staff in the Community College have been surveyed and interviewed. The study examines their views on the sub-degree programmes offered by the community colleges and the self-financing local 4-year degree programmes offered by the private institutions. From the findings of the research, it is evident that sub-degree is a valuable educational attainment in term of articulation and employment; and sub-degrees still have the development potential and will not be replaced by the self-financing local 4-year degrees offered by the private institutions.