In April 2023, HKU SPACE officially launched Microcredentials, setting a new milestone for continuing education and creating lifelong learning advantages for those who have learning aspirations for further studies.

Customise your own learning pace and get certified

Microcredentials are individualised learning programmes – the contents are skill-based and professionally-oriented, and the study plans can be made based on the student’s personal pace, time and interests. These courses are short and credit-based. Although they do not confer any qualifications themselves, students may accumulate credits from them to earn a certificate or diploma. Microcredentials are an emerging worldwide trend that meet the needs of students in the 21^st century.

Microcredentials have three main features - stackable credits, high flexibility and personalisation. Through these streamlined short-term courses, students can have more flexible learning models and gradually achieve recognised academic qualifications according to their own plans.

Stackable credits: Students may accumulate credits from Microcredentials to earn a certificate or diploma and, depending on the subjects, be awarded the title of Certificate/Diploma in Professional Practice or Certificate/Diploma in General Studies.

High flexibility: Most Microcredentials are short courses of about 30 contact hours (though a few are longer), usually 6, 9 or 12 credits. These credits are normally valid over a 5-year period. Students can design the learning schedule that suits them best.

Personalisation: Students can choose courses that best meet their personal goals, professional needs, and preferences, and create their personal educational mind maps.

Professional short courses for leisure and culture, covering a wide range of topics

The School has always paid great attention to the development of education, exploring lifelong learning opportunities for citizens. In the first phase in April this year, the School launched nearly 150 Microcredential courses, covering more than 30 themes, including: Architectural Studies, Artificial Intelligence, Aviation and Business Aviation, Business Management, Chinese Medicine, Finance and Investment, Supply Chain and Logistics, Digital Transformation, Chinese Tea Culture, Medical and Healthcare, and Sustainability, etc. In order to keep pace with changing times and to meet social needs, Microcredential topics will be added gradually, providing learners with more choices.

Many of the Microcredentials are CEF eligible so that students can apply for financial support for their tuition fees under the Continuing Education Fund (CEF) of the HK Government. With low learning costs, Microcredentials are suitable for anyone who wants to have career advancement, increase earning potential, upgrade skills, change professions, or even just to have fun and pursue interests.

Below are some of the key Microcredentials (certificate for module) that the School will launch soon. More courses can be found at www.hkuspace.hku.hk/Microdentials.