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Course

Course

Professional Diploma in Nursing

Link to The Hospital Authority webpage

The Hospital Authority (HA) Nursing School of the Hospital Authority Academy (HAA) offers a 3.5-year full time pre-registration nursing programme leading to an award of Professional Diploma in Nursing (PDN).

Programme Aims, Structure and Mode of Study

  • The PDN aims to prepare students to become competent, caring and professional nurses who are able to understand the holistic nature of health, apply principles of nursing and demonstrate proficiency in caring for clients in primary, secondary and tertiary level of the health care settings.
  • This is a credit-based nursing programme which has been accredited by the Nursing Council of Hong Kong (NCHK) and Hong Kong Council for Accreditation of Academic and Vocational Qualifications (HKCAAVQ) at Qualification Framework (QF) Level 5 with 680 QF credits (QR registration No.: 21/000118/L5 and registration validity period: 1.9.2021 – 31.8.2026)*.

    *Programme re-accreditation by the HKCAAVQ is in progress

  • Teaching will mainly be conducted in the following three campuses:
    • Caritas Medical Centre
    • Queen Elizabeth Hospital
    • Tuen Mun Hospital
  • The curriculum includes both theoretical component and clinical practicum in various HA hospitals and community settings.
  • The medium of instruction is English for all teaching and learning activities and assessments (except the subjects Chinese Language and Chinese Medicinal Nursing and Complementary and Alternative Medicine) and supplemented with Chinese.

Professional Recognition

Upon completion of the programme, graduates are eligible to apply for registration as Registered Nurse (General) under the NCHK.

Academic Recognition

Upon completion of the programme, graduates will receive a Professional Diploma in Nursing awarded by the Hospital Authority.

Minimum Entry Requirements

1.(I) Applicable to applicants with Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) and Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) results

  1. HKALE with Grade E or above in one subject, or HKALE Advanced Supplementary Level (AS-Level) with Grade E or above in two subjects; and
  2. Passed 5 subjects in HKCEE, or equivalent, details are as below:
    1. English Language (Syllabus B) at Grade D or above, or English Language (Syllabus A) at Grade B or above, or English Language at Level 3 or above (for HKCEE issued after 2007); and
    2. Chinese Language at Grade E or above, or Chinese Language at Level 2 or above (for HKCEE issued after 2007); and
    3. Any one science subject from the following at Grade E or above: Biology, Chemistry, Human Biology, Mathematics, Physics; and
    4. Any one other subject at Grade E or above: Accommodation and Catering Services, Additional Mathematics, Biology, Buddhist Studies, Chemistry, Chinese History, Chinese Literature, Commerce, Computer and Information Technology, Design and Technology, Design and Technology (Alternative Syllabus), Economics, Economics & Public Affairs, Electronics and Electricity, English Literature, French, Geography, Government and Public Affairs, Graphical Communication, History, Home Economics (Food, Home and Family), Human Biology, Integrated Humanities, Mathematics, Music, Physical Education, Physics, Principles of Accounts, Putonghua, Religious Studies, Science and Technology, Social Studies, Visual Arts, Word Processing and Business Communication (English); and
    5. Any one other subject at Grade E or above; and
    6. Any one of the above subjects (i) - (v) must be at Grade C (or Level 3 for English Language or Chinese Language) or above.


(II) Applicable to applicants with Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination results

The candidates must have a minimum of 5 subjects in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination, or equivalent, or any recognised qualification above. The 5 compulsory subjects required are:

  1. 4 Core Subjects, with English Language and Chinese Language at Level 3 or above, Mathematics at Level 2 or above, and an attainment at “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development#; and
  2. 1 Elective Subject from Category A - New Senior Secondary Subjects at Level 2 or above

  3. # For candidates who took Liberal Studies in 2023/24 or before, Level 2 or above in Liberal Studies will be regarded as “Attained” in Citizenship and Social Development.

2. Fluency in both written English and Chinese, and spoken English and Cantonese.

Commencement Date of the Programme

31 August 2026 (Monday)

Online Application Period

2 March 2026 (Monday) – 7 August 2026 (Friday) [to apply, please click here]

Application Fee

Application fee is HK$150. Applicants are required to deposit the application fee directly to the designated HA bank account, the application fee paid will not be refunded.

Selection Interview

Shortlisted applicants will be invited to attend an interview from 21 April 2026 – 17 August 2026.

Tuition Fees

The tuition fee of the 3.5-year programme in academic year 2025/2026 was HK$133,600. For 2026/2027 intake, the amount of tuition fee is yet to be confirmed. Details of the payment method would be provided to successful applicants. Tuition fee paid will not be refunded.

Telephone enquiry hotlines (FAQ)

2300 6300 / 2300 6400 / 2300 6500
(Monday to Friday: 9:00 am - 5:00 pm, except on public holidays)

Information Webinars

Three sessions of information webinar will be arranged:

Session Session One Session Two Session Three
Date 15 May 2026 (Friday) 26 June 2026 (Friday) 10 July 2026 (Friday)
Time 15:00-16:00 (PDN) 15:00-16:00 (PDN) 15:00-16:00 (PDN)
Link Information Webinar Session 1

Zoom link:
https://ha-org-hk.zoom.us/j/98519558573
Zoom ID: 985 1955 8573
Passcode: 160601
Information Webinar Session 2

Zoom link:
https://ha-org-hk.zoom.us/j/91660278506
Zoom ID: 916 6027 8506
Passcode: 140581
Information Webinar Session 3

Zoom link:
https://ha-org-hk.zoom.us/j/99052951949
Zoom ID: 990 5295 1949
Passcode: 912840

Note: Those who are unable to join the information webinar may contact us through the enquiry hotlines for further information about the programme or enquiries concerning the application.

Financial Assistance

Students enrolled in this programme may apply the following financial assistance from the Student Finance Office, Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency of the Government of the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region:

  • Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students; or,
  • Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students

For details, please visit the website: http://www.wfsfaa.gov.hk/ or telephone enquiry hotline: 2802 2345.

Remarks

  • Each applicant should only submit ONE application form for this programme, “Professional Diploma in Nursing”.
  • Successful candidates will be required to complete a health check at their own cost before commencement of this programme.
  • This is a full-time programme and students will not receive any monetary reward from the Hospital Authority.
  • Students should be expected to attend classes at different school campuses, where necessary.
  • Students are required to wear uniform during clinical training (students need to buy the uniforms at their own cost).
  • Students are required to purchase their own personal accident insurance coverage at their own cost before commencement of the programme.