EDB announces Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors for 2024/25 cohort – sub-degree programmes
The Education Bureau (EDB) announced today (November 28) that the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) will subsidise a total of 2 330 places in 32 sub-degree programmes of eight post-secondary institutions for the cohort to be admitted in the 2024/25 academic year.
These 32 designated sub-degree programmes fall under six disciplines that have been identified as having keen manpower demand, namely architecture and engineering, computer science, creative industries, health care, sports and recreation, and tourism and hospitality. The programmes and number of subsidised places (see Annex) are determined by the EDB in consultation with relevant policy bureaux and departments.
In the 2024/25 academic year, the annual subsidy amount for laboratory-based programmes will be increased from $39,140 in the 2023/24 academic year to $39,890, while that for non-laboratory-based programmes will be increased from $22,480 to $22,910 according to the movement of the Composite Consumer Price Index.
The adjusted subsidy amounts are applicable to both new and continuing eligible students. The subsidy is tenable for the normal duration of the programmes concerned. Subsidised students will pay a tuition fee with the subsidy applied. Students in need may still apply for student financial assistance from the Student Finance Office of the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency in respect of the actual amount of tuition fee payable.
The SSSDP aims to subsidise students to pursue designated full-time locally accredited self-financing undergraduate and sub-degree programmes in selected disciplines with a view to nurturing talent for industries with keen human resource demand. The designated undergraduate programmes in the 2024/25 academic year, including the number of subsidised places and the subsidy amounts concerned, were announced on September 19.
Students may apply directly to the relevant institutions for admission to the designated sub-degree programmes under the SSSDP. Details of the SSSDP are available on the EDB website (www.cspe.edu.hk/sssdp).