Higher Diploma in Fitness, Coaching and Sports Management

Introduction
Higher Diploma in Fitness, Coaching and Sports Management - The programme covers Fitness Training, Sports Coaching and Sports Management. It aims at equipping students with professional knowledge and skills in the sports industry. Students will acquire practical and specific industry knowledge and skills.
 
This programme is operated by HKCT Institute of Higher Education.
 
This programme covers Fitness Training, Sports Coaching and Sports Management. In addition to the teaching of theory, knowledge and skills, and 240-hour practicum, students are also encouraged to go out of the campus to practice and deepen their learning by visiting the training of Hong Kong representative athletes for training, volunteering in large-scale or international sports competitions, and directly participating in sports events so as to be prepared to join the sports industry upon graduation.
 

As SF&OC (Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China)'s partner, HKCT  students are provided with support in life planning, further studies and employment in sports education and development. As early as December 2021, the two sides co-organised the "Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games Mainland Olympic Athlete Delegation to Hong Kong" Student Exchange Meeting to receive the delegation group of 6 national gold medalists and a coach. It was the only opportunity for local primary, secondary and tertiary students to interact with the national team elites at the time.

 

Contents

Programme Contents

The programme covers three major areas: Fitness Training, Sports Coaching and Sports Management. It aims at equipping students with professional knowledge and skills in the sports industry.  Emphasis is put on both theory and practice, so that students can acquire practical and specific industry knowledge and skills, and build a career in the sports industry.

 

Programme Features

  • Students are also expected to learn from practice. They are arranged to take part in different roles in large-scale sports events and competitions as staff members / volunteers.
  • The programme is recognized by Physical Fitness Association of Hong Kong, China.
  • A wide variety of professional sport-related licenses were offered to students to choose and achieve
  • The programme is taught (supplemented by English terminology) and assessed in Chinese so students can master subject knowledge more easily with their first language, and it meets the operation and needs of the industry.
  • A specific "Physical Development Excellence Scholarship" is established for students who have represented Hong Kong and/or achieved outstanding results in international games; and with good performance in the admission interview, are welcome to apply. Successful applicants are granted a maximum full-tuition fee waiver for the entire study duration after deduction of NMTSS of the programme.
  • Students who have completed this 2-year programme and fulfilled designated requirements will be eligible to receive admission offer of the 2-year CTIHE “Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Sports Management with Coaching” of senior-year entry (i.e. direct entry to the third year of the Programme).

 

Featured Modules

  • Health and Fitness
  • Fitness Training
  • Sports Study Foundations
  • Sports Coaching
  • Principle of Sports Management
  • Team Sports
  • Introduction to Sports Psychology
  • Activities & Adventures-based Programmes
  • Sports Media
  • Sports Injuries
  • Information Management Technology
  • Professional Practice (Sports)

 

Partnership Organization

HKCT signed MOUs with numerous renowned local and mainland Sports organizations and enterprises, with a consensus to work together on programme development, talent exchange and training.

  • Sports Federation & Olympic Committee of Hong Kong, China
  • General Association of Asia Pacific Sports Federations
  • Hong Kong Modern Pentathlon Association
  • The Judo Association of Hong Kong, China
  • Macau Judo Association
  • TangWo Sports Club
  • Guangzhou City Construction College
Highlights
Sports Leadership Camp
Swimming team won multiple awards in the Hong Kong Summer Fin Swimming Championships
Sun Tin Wai Health Information Day
Adventure activities
Sports Leadership Camp
Olympism Carnival
Experience esports
Adventure activities
High and Low Structure Technology Training Course
Adventure activities

Articulation Path

2+2 Articulation Scheme 

Students who have completed the 2-year HKCT “Higher Diploma in Fitness, Coaching and Sports Management” will be eligible to receive admission offer^ of the 2-year CTIHE “Bachelor of Social Sciences (Hons) in Sports Management with Coaching” of senior-year entry (i.e. direct entry to the third year of the Programme). It only takes 4 years for students to achieve both Higher Diploma and Bachelor Degree qualifications. The bachelor programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong at QF Level 5.

^ Students should acquire designated academic result and pass an interview, and subject to the availability of the quota.

Graduates may also apply for the following bachelor's degree programmes:

  • BSc Exercise Science and Health Education, The Chinese University of Hong Kong
  • Bachelor of Arts (Honours) in Physical Education and Recreation Management, Hong Kong Baptist University
  • Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Sports Science and Coaching, The Education University of Hong Kong
  • Bachelor of Sports and Recreation Management with Honours, Hong Kong Metropolitan University
  • Bachelor of Business Administration with Honours in Sports and eSports Management, Hong Kong Metropolitan University

Career Prospects

Graduates can take up sport, fitness and sports management positions (involving training programmes, events and competitions) in the public or private sector, which encompasses schools, sports associations, the Leisure and Cultural Services Department, non-profit organisations, residential clubhouses, private sports and recreation clubs, sport promotion companies and the media. They can also take up physiotherapist assistant positions.

Graduates can also join the disciplined services positions*, including police/ inspector of police, immigration assistant/ immigration officer, customs officer/ inspector of customs, fireman/ fire station officer, correctional assistant II/correctional officer, etc.

*Applicants must fulfill the minimum entry requirements of the above disciplined services. Please refer to the relative disciplined services website for details.

Advantages of Studying Sports Programmes for Joining Disciplined Services:

Students can participate in value-added activities related to disciplined services to understand recruitment requirements and enhance their chances of joining these forces. For details, please refer to here.

The Programme consists of a compulsory module of 240 hours Internship (including 10-hour pre-placement workshop and 230-hour fieldwork experience) in sports industry.

Mode of Study

Full Time

Teaching Mode

Face to face

Commencement of Study

September 2025

Duration

24 Months

Location
Entry Requirements
    1. Attained Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects*, including Chinese^ and English [each applicant is allowed to use not more than two Applied Learning subjects at ‘Attained’ level as equivalent to Level 2 in the application] ; or
    2. Pass in 1 A-Level or 2 AS-Level subjects in HKALE; and 5 passes in HKCEE including Chinese Language and English Language; or
    3. Holder of Diploma Yi Jin/ Diploma of Applied Education; or 
    4. Holder of Diploma/ Diploma of Foundation Studies pitched at QF Level 3; or
    5.  Aged 21 or above with 1 year working experience; or 
    6. Equivalent qualifications;
      AND
    7. Pass in admission interview. 

* ‘Attained’ in ‘Citizenship and Social Development’, or the attainment of ‘Level 2’ in Mathematics Extended Part (Module 1 or Module 2) is also recognised as one of the five HKDSE subjects.
^ ‘Attained’ level of Applied Learning Chinese (for non-Chinese speaking students) is accepted as Chinese Language qualification for the admission, but it is not considered as an elective subject.

Mainland Students

Attained satisfactory results in National University Entrance Examination (GaoKao), including English (English Language Public Examinations accepted by HKCT); or equivalent qualifications.

Mainland students meeting the above requirements can apply for the first year admission and need to pass the admission interview.

For more information, please visit Mainland Students Support

Fitness Room
 

HKCT has dedicated resources to build different indoor and outdoor sports facilities, including a fitness room with professional fitness training equipment, a full-mirror Dancing & Fitness Studio and a standard basketball court. Students studying sports-related programmes can improve their personal athleticism and become professional fitness coaches. These recreation and sports facilities are also open to HKCT students in general to encourage them to maintain physical and mental health, strengthen students' sense of belonging.

Click to view the 360º VR tour of Fitness Room

Dancing & Fitness Studio
 
This is a multi-functional and full-mirror spacious studio that is for sports related activities. Beside this Dance & Fitness Studio, HKCT has dedicated resources to build different indoor and outdoor sports facilities, such as a fitness room that houses professional fitness training equipment and a standard basketball court, in order to allow students taking sports-related programmes. Student can improve their personal athleticism and become professional fitness coaches. These recreation and sports facilities are also open to HKCT students in general to encourage them to maintain physical and mental health and strengthen students' sense of belonging to the institute.
Hong Kong Centre for Olympic Studies
 

Hong Kong Centre for Olympic Studies (the Centre) at HKCT Academic Pavilion (Library) and becomes the only higher education institution in Hong Kong listed in the Academic Olympic Studies and Research Centres in the world. The Centre provides an extensive collection of books, journals, and magazines on the Olympics and sports. Also, the Centre holds exhibitions and activities periodically, which is aimed at raising teachers’ and students' awareness of Olympism and enriching students' knowledge of the sports industry.

 
Fung Ho lam

"The Higher Diploma in Fitness, Coaching and Sports Management at HKCT offers highly practical curriculum content. Besides sports injury prevention and psychology courses that enhance my daily training routines, the programme also assists students in obtaining various professional sports certifications, fostering diverse development in sports capabilities.

Furthermore, HKCT provides abundant internship opportunities, allowing students to experience real work environments beyond textbook knowledge. During my two-year studies, I completed an internship at Sportsoho. These experiences not only allowed me to apply what I learned but also proved incredibly valuable. Additionally, through the “Police Mentorship Programme” at school, I secured an internship with the Police Sports and Recreation Club, which paved my way towards joining the Police Force!"

 

CHAN Ka Yan, Katey
"I completed my diploma and higher diploma in HKCT, during these 3 years, my teachers and I developed very good friendship. Programmes in HKCT are very comprehensive, teachers are also very experienced and proficient, teachers not only teach us the knowledge on books, but also care about our career, this is the most memorable part of studying in HKCT."

 

CHEUNG Lok Hong
"My internship programme was very rewarding, I have learned new knowledge in different areas about fitness training, including body resistance exercise, ways to strengthen heart and lung, weight-losing and weight-gaining. All these knowledge gave me confidence to teach others the right ways to maintain their well-being. Apart from academic aspect, teachers and social workers were friendly and full of humor which made my life in HKCT rewarding and wonderful."

 

LO Cheuk Lam

"The curriculum of the two-year Higher Diploma programme is intensive. Besides the two main modules, sport coaching and management, the programme also includes sports trauma, individual and team sports training and sports psychology.They improve my communication and leadership skills of being a coach. It makes me realise that a coach is not someone who teaches sports skills to trainees only, but also provides them with support and suitable training advices after understanding their needs.

Apart from the curricumlum, Department of Student Development is also set up to provide us with different activities and services in order to explore our potential, broaden our social network, and even let us apply what we learnt from classroom to show our strengths. The teaching staff of HKCT is just like our friends. They help us solve problems and difficulties patiently by sharing their valuable experiences with us."

Year 1: $58,000 Year 2: $63,765

The tuition fee above is under 2025/26 Cohort.
This programme is subsidised under Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP). In the 2025/26 academic year, a subsidy of up to $23,390 per academic year will be provided to each eligible local student admitted to this non-laboratory-based programme. The first-year tuition fee after subsidy is $34,610. HKCT offers the lowest tuition fee after deduction of SSSDP maximum subsidy when comparing with other institutions’ higher diploma programmes in the same discipline. 

QF Level
The qualification of this programme is recognised under the Qualifications Framework in Hong Kong.
QF level:4
QR Registration No.:20/000702/L4
Registration Validity Period:1/9/2021 to 31/8/2028
Tuition fees and subsidies are to be reviewed and adjusted annually on various factors.
This programme is subsidised under Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP). In the 2025/2026 academic year, a subsidy of up to $23,390 per academic year will be provided to each eligible local student admitted to this non-laboratory-based programme. The first-year tuition fee after subsidy is $34,610. Only local students are eligible for the subsidy under SSSDP.