Frequently Asked Questions

What is the difference between enrolling on the Diploma Yi Jin (DYJ) Programme and repeating Secondary 6?

Although the core courses of the DYJ Programme include Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies, the programme curriculum places stronger emphasis on practical application of the knowledge in everyday life and work. The DYJ Programme is therefore well suited to learners who have greater interest in gaining practical knowledge and skills.

Can Secondary 5 school leavers under the old academic structure enrol on the DYJ Programme?

The curriculum of the DYJ Programme is specifically designed for Secondary 6 school leavers as well as adult learners. The programme therefore is not suitable for students aged 21 below who have not yet completed Secondary 6 education.

For Secondary 5 school leavers under the old academic structure they may contact the various continuing education institutions to check for courses, e,g. certificate and diploma programmes, that they can enroll on. If students enroll on programmes below the sub-degree level, such as certificate/diploma/advance diploma programmes, they should note that –

1. the qualifications obtained after completing those programmes (other than DYJ Programme and Foundation Diploma (Level 3) awarded by the Vocational Training Council) are not recognised for civil service appointment as meeting the academic entry requirement which require Level 2 in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the HKDSE Examination;
2. the qualifications awarded by individual institution may not be recognised by other institutions for articulation to their sub-degree or other programmes; and
3. the students will not be eligible for Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students administered by the Student Finance Office.

Besides, we encourage students to check whether the programmes are registered on the Qualifications Register (QR) (www.hkqr.gov.hk) before applying. QR is a web-based database on quality assured qualifications.

As for employment opportunities, Secondary 5 school leavers under the old academic structure who have attained five passes (including Chinese Language and English Language) in the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), can apply for civil service posts which require five passes (including Chinese Language and English Language) in the HKCEE as the academic entry requirement.

Are the examination results attained under the DYJ Programme equivalent to those attained under the HKDSE Examination? Are they acceptable qualification for admission to universities?

The objective of the DYJ Programme is to equip students with an array of generic skills and general knowledge to ensure that their attainment under the programme is comparable to Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the HKDSE Examination for the purposes of further studies and employment. For students who have successfully completed^{Note 1} the Maths Plus elective course, the exit standard of their DYJ is comparable to the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination. The DYJ is accepted by member institutions of the Federation for Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE)^{Note 2} as meeting the admission criteria of their Associate Degree and Higher Diploma or equivalent programmes. For those students who have successfully completed^{Note 1} the Maths Plus elective course, the DYJ qualification obtained is accepted by the FSTE member institutions as meeting the admission criteria of programmes requiring the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination. DYJ graduates can apply for admission to continuing education programmes offered by member institutions of the FSTE to obtain higher qualifications.

However, students should note that they cannot rely on the DYJ qualification to directly apply for admission to universities. It is important to note that the curriculum and assessment designs of the DYJ Programme are different from those of the HKDSE Examination. Moreover, in the course of the benchmarking study on the exit standard of DYJ, the programme was assessed by the Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications on a totality basis for comparability with the HKDSE Examination (i.e. the eight subjects, including the five core subjects and the three elective subjects, are assessed in totality instead of individually). Hence, the examination results attained under individual DYJ courses are not regarded as being equivalent to an attainment in the corresponding HKDSE Examination subjects. For example, a pass attained under the English course of the DYJ Programme cannot be independently regarded as an attainment of Level 2 standard in the English subject of the HKDSE Examination.

Are there any employment opportunities in the Government open to DYJ graduates?

The DYJ qualification is accepted by the Government as meeting the academic entry requirement of over 30 civil service posts which require Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language and English Language in the HKDSE Examination. These posts include Ambulanceman, Amenities Assistant III, Assistant Census and Survey Officer, Assistant Officer II (Correctional), Customs Officer, Fireman, Police Constable, Postal Officer, Social Security Assistant, Tax Inspector II etc. For those students who have successfully completed^{Note 1} the Maths Plus elective course, the Diploma Yi Jin qualification obtained is also accepted by the Government as meeting the academic entry requirement of civil service posts requiring Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination. These posts are Assistant Clerical Officer, Assistant Taxation Officer, Assistant Trade Controls Officer, Land Inspector II and Supplies Supervisor II.

What are the articulation pathways for DYJ graduates?

The DYJ is accepted by member institutions of FSTE^{Note 2} as meeting the admission criteria of their Associate Degree and Higher Diploma or equivalent programmes. For those students who have successfully completed^{Note 1} the Maths Plus elective course, the DYJ qualification obtained is accepted by the FSTE member institutions as meeting the admission criteria of programmes requiring the attainment of Level 2 standard in five subjects including Chinese Language, English Language and Mathematics in the HKDSE Examination.

May students who have completed Applied Learning subjects be exempted from studying the elective modules of the DYJ in a relevant study area?

Students who have completed their study of an Applied Learning subject under the new academic structure with the result of 'Attained' or 'Attained with Distinction' may be exempted from taking up to a maximum of two elective courses in a relevant study area in the DYJ Programme. Whether students are eligible for the exemption and the number of elective course(s) to be exempted is determined by individual institutions having regard to the degree of relevance of the content of the Applied Learning subject that the students have completed to the elective course(s) in question.