Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development)

 

Mobile Applications and Game Development Computer Labs
The labs are equipped with professional software, providing students with a comprehensive game development and programming learning experience. Students can use the game development engine Unity to design 2D and 3D games and utilise Autodesk 3ds Max for modelling. In addition, software for developing Android and iOS mobile applications. such as Android Studio and Xcode, is also available.

Scholarship
Outstanding Extra-curricular Performance Award, Outstanding Achievement in Open Competitions, Outstanding Performance Scholarship of Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme from Education Bureau

Articulation
Bachelor of Science in Information Management (HKU) 

‘HKCT instructors provided support even after class, sharing practical industry knowledge to prepare us for real-world game development. They encouraged us to enter competitions to hone our skills and improve our game design techniques. Teaming up with classmates, we won awards in several competitions, which was a great affirmation of our efforts.'

Scholarship
Scholarship for Excellent Academic Achievement, Outstanding Academic Performance Award, Outstanding Performance Scholarship of Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme from Education Bureau, Sir Robert Black Trust Fund Committee Scholarship 

Internship
HKSTP NxTEC (Next Technologist Entrepreneurial Champion) Career Launcher programme  

Conditional acceptance from the following UGC-funded programmes
- BEng in Computer Engineering (HKUST) 
- BEng Electronic and Electrical Engineering (CityU) 
- BSc (Hon) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology (EdUHK) 

'This programme covers a wide range of content and keeps pace with the latest technological developments, allowing us to grasp current industry techniques. HKCT has excellent instructors who provide professional guidance even outside of class hours. They are eager to communicate with us and encourage constant innovation. This has inspired me to create mobile games and applications and share my creative achievements with everyone.'

Scholarship
Outstanding Performance Scholarship of Self-financing Post-secondary Scholarship Scheme from Education Bureau 

Internship
HKSTP NxTEC (Next Technologist Entrepreneurial Champion) Career Launcher programme  

Conditional acceptance from the following UGC-funded programmes
- Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Information Security (PolyU)  
- BSc (Hon) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology (EdUHK) 

'In addition to acquiring a wealth of knowledge, these two years of learning have yielded valuable experiences and strengthened my analytical and problem-solving skills, laying a solid foundation for my further studies'

Articulation
BSc (Hon) in Artificial Intelligence and Educational Technology (EdUHK) 

'This programme gave me a good understanding of both the technical and creative aspects of computing. I was able to design and build various projects, from app development to game development, which enabled me to become more proficient in this field. The hands-on experience of bringing my ideas to life was invaluable, as it allowed me to apply theoretical concepts to develop practical skills. As a result, I have decided to continue my studies to take my abilities to the next level.'

Scholarship
Scholarship for Excellent Academic Achievement, Outstanding Academic Performance Award, Sir Robert Black Trust Fund Committee Scholarship 

Internship
China Unicom (Hong Kong) Operations Ltd, Assistant R&D Engineer (Intern), Department of Digitalization (Smart Network & Innovation Center) 

Articulation
Bachelor of Science in Creative Media (CityU) 

'The tutors teach with dedication. They are enthusiastic about helping students and are willing to answer all our questions. They have greatly reduced the obstacles on my learning journey and have increased my enthusiasm for learning. I am also grateful to HKCT for recommending me for the internship and to China Unicom for providing this valuable and practical experience.' 

Choi Chun Kit
Graduate of Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development) 

'Learning at HKCT was a pleasant experience for me. I have learnt different development approaches for different kinds of apps and games in this programme. I developed a website with my classmates to promote smart spending for The Chin Family Personal Finance Ambassador Programme and won the Excellent Financial Education Project Bronze Award. I enjoyed the internship opportunity working as a mobile app developer at the Science Park. I had the honour of receiving the EBD SPSS Outstanding Performance Scholarship. After graduation, I chose to pursue further studies, majoring in computing and interactive entertainment at university to realise my dream of being a game developer.'

Lo Ho Dan
Graduate of Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development) 

'HKCT offered a supportive teaching environment and facilities which improved my academic knowledge and professional abilities. HKCT also provided us with different career-related information through company visits and seminars, which enhanced my understanding of the industry and market needs. Social workers at HKCT were also willing to give valuable advice and guidance regarding my career development.'

Applicants who do not meet the entry requirement may apply for a 1-year Diploma of Applied Education (listed below) and articulate to this higher diploma programme.

• Diploma of Applied Education (Smart Technology Applications and Mobile Apps Design)
• Diploma of Applied Education (Cross-Platform Games and Animation Production)

What are the career prospects for graduates studying Mobile Applications and Game Development today?

With technology entering a new dimension, the career prospects for graduates of the HKCT Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development) are entering an unprecedented golden era, driven by three major trends:

• Deep Integration of Intelligence and Perception（The Future of Mobile & Wearables）
  With the rapid development of Agentic AI, Spatial Intelligence, and Extended Reality (XR) technologies, mobile applications have expanded beyond smartphones to smartbands, AR/VR glasses, and headsets. Future apps will be more diverse and user-centric, proactively sensing environments and predicting user needs, opening up immense creative and employment opportunities for app developers.
  
  
• Cross-disciplinary Applications of Game Design and Development（Gaming Beyond Entertainment）
  The gaming industry is no longer just about entertainment; it has evolved into a core component of modern social media. More importantly, the concept of "Gamification" is penetrating various industries. Creative developers can apply game mechanics to:
  - Marketing: Enhancing brand interaction and customer loyalty.
  - Education and Art:Creating immersive learning experiences and digital art.
  - Elderly Care and Rehabilitation: Assisting the elderly with training and patients with rehabilitation through fun, interactive technology.
  
  
• Dual Development of Technology and Creativity（Creative-Technical Synergy）
  In this era of digital transformation, students can combine their technical skills with personal creativity. Whether developing diverse mobile apps to solve everyday problems or creating visually stunning entertainment solutions, the market demand for IT professionals with both coding skills and forward-thinking tech insights is continuously rising.

Graduate Success Story: HKCT Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development) graduate Andy, currently working at a Unity software development company: [Dreams like games, building my own universe with code]

Will the programme help students build a personal portfolio?

Yes, this is a major feature of our Higher Diploma in Computer Studies programme. Students will complete multiple practical projects during their studies. These projects can directly serve as a professional portfolio when job hunting, concretely demonstrating to employers your ability to combine creativity and technology to solve real-world problems and boosting your employability.

View Our Student Showcase

What is the difference between a Higher Diploma (HD) and an Associate Degree (AD) in Computer Studies? Which is better for further studies and career development?

Although both are Level 4 under the Qualifications Framework (QF), there are significant differences in their learning focus and development pathways:

• Professional Practice vs. Theoretical Concepts
  The Higher Diploma (HD) focuses on professional skills, emphasising practical technology and industry alignment. In contrast, an Associate Degree (AD) leans more towards academic concepts and theories. HD graduates enjoy broader pathways, with distinct advantages whether entering the workforce or pursuing further studies.
  
  
• The Only SSSDP-subsidised Programme for Eight Consecutive Years
  The HKCT Higher Diploma in Computer Studies (Mobile Applications and Game Development) is the only computer studies HD programme in Hong Kong to be included in the Education Bureau's "Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors" (SSSDP) for eight consecutive years. This not only represents the government's professional recognition of the programme's quality but also reflects that mobile app and game development are critical skills urgently needed by society.
  
  
• Flexible and Fast Articulation Pathways for HD Graduates
  Graduates can choose to:
  - Articulate to UGC-funded Universities: Progress to local bachelor's degree programmes, with some completable within two years.
  - Seamless Internal Progression: Directly articulate to HKCT Institute of Higher Education's degree programmes, including the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and AI Engineering or the Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Computer Science and Cybersecurity. You can obtain a degree in as fast as two years, matching the timeline of a standard four-year university degree.
  
  
• Immediate Employment Competitiveness
  During the Higher Diploma, students will have already mastered practical skills in mobile app development, game development, and AI technology, enabling them to meet the demands of the tech job market immediately upon graduation.

I have no coding experience. Is this Higher Diploma suitable for me?

Yes, absolutely. This programme is designed to progress from the basics to advanced levels, with a strong emphasis on practical training. Tutors will guide students in using the latest AI-assisted development tools (such as GitHub Copilot) to lower the learning curve. This allows students with an arts background or zero coding experience to master core development technologies. In fact, many of our past students were graduates from other sub-degree or degree programmes.

This is a full-time Higher Diploma programme. Students should make full use of their spare time for revision and practice. In addition to an average of 15 hours of face-to-face classes per week, we recommend allocating ample time for practice to consolidate the knowledge and programming skills learned.

What Artificial Intelligence (AI) elements are included in the programme?

The programme closely follows IT industry trends by deeply integrating Artificial Intelligence (AI) technology into the development workflow, ensuring students master next-generation development models, including:

• AI-Assisted Coding：Teaching students to use AI tools to optimise code structure, detect errors, and use auto-completion, significantly boosting the efficiency of developing mobile apps and games.
  
  
• AI-Generated Content (AIGC)：Applying generative AI technology to create game art assets, sound effects, and scripts, allowing students to produce high-quality creative content with streamlined resources.
  
  
• API-based AI Service Integration: Learning to integrate powerful AI features (such as speech recognition, image analysis, and natural language processing) into mobile applications via APIs, creating highly competitive smart products.

Can I apply for this Higher Diploma in Computer Studies if I have completed the Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) / Diploma Yi Jin?

Yes. The DAE and Diploma Yi Jin qualifications are equivalent to Level 2 in 5 HKDSE subjects (including English and Chinese), which fully meets the entry requirements.
This Level 4 QF programme serves as an ideal stepping stone for DAE graduates to articulate to university or enter the IT and digital entertainment industries.
If you do not currently meet the academic requirements (e.g., your current DSE results do not meet the minimum entry requirements), do not worry. You can start by enrolling in HKCT's Diploma of Applied Education (DAE). Upon successful completion, you can seamlessly articulate from DAE to this Higher Diploma.

Relevant DAE Programmes:
Diploma of Applied Education [Cross-Platform Games and Animation Production]
Diploma of Applied Education [Smart Technology Applications and Mobile Apps Design]