This programme aims to equip students with the professional communication skills and English proficiency to excel in both general business contexts and specifically in the industry of financial services. It is designed to enhance students’ overall English proficiency through contextualised teaching and scenario-based materials. This programme also lays a solid foundation for graduates to proceed to an advanced diploma in professional communication, business management or similar subjects, thereby providing the means to articulate and achieve higher qualifications at university, and improving graduates’ prospect of career advancement.

Module 1:   Business English for Professionals
Module 2:   Professional Communication in Business Administration
Module 3:   Professional Communication in Financial Services
Module 4:   Financial Communication and Relationship Management

On completion of the programme, students should be able to:

1.     apply effective writing and speaking skills to different contexts and roles in international business;
2.     use relevant business concepts, industry knowledge, analytical and problem-solving skills to develop and communicate professional solutions in business administration and financial services; 
3.     utilise conventional methods and digital tools of communication in business administration and financial services; and
4.     apply professional knowledge and practical techniques to cultivate and manage successful relationship with clients and key stakeholders in the financial services industry. ​

Module 1: Business English for Professionals

The module aims to equip students with a higher level of English linguistic knowledge and skills through extensive language practice and student-centred learning activities such as writing and reading a wide variety of authentic and semi-authentic English texts, participating in small group discussion, undertaking speaking and listening exercises pertaining to a wide variety of business scenarios. This module also helps students to develop effective written communication, including the use of style, tone and impact, and the ability to produce well-written texts that characterise professionalism in modern business communication. Furthermore, this module enables students to demonstrate competent oral communication skills in various business contexts.

Syllabus 

For this module, the teaching, learning and practice of writing and speaking practice of the following blend each other to bring the best results.
Business Writing
-   Business writing principles
-   Internal communication 
-   External communication
-   Correspondence types
-   Meeting documentation
-   Reports
Business Speaking
-   Personal and corporate profile
-   Networking
-   Telephoning
-   Customer care
-   Meetings
-   Conference and teleconference
-   Presentation

Application Code	Course Start Date	Day and Time	Venue
BENG3009 To-be-advised	Tentatively March 2024	Saturdays, 10:00 - 4:00 pm (1-hours lunch break)	Hong Kong Island Learning Centre

Module 2: Professional Communication in Business Administration

This module aims to equip students with a proficient level of English to conduct professional communication across a wide range of contexts in business administration and develop extensive and updated knowledge of the business environments in Asia and around the world. This module also introduces students to the practical communication styles and strategies used in modern business management, and enhances the competence to discuss and analyse authentic business case studies. By strengthening the mastery of business grammar, vocabulary and all-round language skills, students will become capable of communicating with native and non-native speakers of English in an international business environment where English is the predominant medium of communication.

Syllabus 

There will be 10 major topics with a case study under each topic.  Riding on these case studies, participants will be engaged in discussion, listening, reading and writing  activities.  
-   Communication
-   International marketing
-   Building relationships
-   Success
-   Job satisfaction
-   Risk
-   Management styles
-   Team building
-   Raising finance
-   Customer service

Application Code	Course Start Date	Day and Time	Venue
BENG3010 To-be-advised	Tentatively April 2024	Saturdays, 10:00 - 4:00 pm (1-hour lunch break)	Hong Kong Island Learning Centre

Module 3: Professional Communication in Financial Services
 

This module aims to equip students with a proficient level of English to conduct professional communication across a wide range of contexts in financial services and develop extensive and updated knowledge of the financial industry in Asia and around the world. This module also bolsters students’ competence to discuss and analyse authentic business case studies in the financial sector. By strengthening the mastery of business grammar, vocabulary and all-round language skills that are integral to undertaking professional and managerial roles in financial services, students will become capable of communicating and working with native and non-native speakers of English in financial institutions where English is the predominant medium of communication.

Syllabus 

This module focuses on the English langauge demand to cater for financial services.   There will be 10 major topics embedded with chances for teacher-learner and learner-learner interactions covering discussion, professional skills, listening, reading, speaking, writing activities.  Vocabulary, functions and grammar will also be practised. 
-   Embarking on a career in financial services
-   Personal finance
-   Company financial services
-   Economic indicators
-   Economic cycles
-   Banking
-   Stock markets
-   Company reporting
-   Accountancy and auditing
-   Insurance and risk

Application Code	Course Start Date	Day and Time	Venue
BENG4004 To-be-advised	Tentatively May 2024	Saturdays, 10:00 - 4:00 pm (1-hour lunch break)	Hong Kong Island Learning Centre

Module 4: Financial Communication and Relationship Management
 

This module aims to equip students with the professional knowledge and practical techniques to cultivate and manage successful relationship with clients and key stakeholders in the financial services industry. The module covers the best practices of financial professionals who strive to help their clients succeed financially, thereby strengthening client relationships and building new ones. Students will acquire a wide range of language, social and technical know-how of financial communication and relationship management, build the financial acumen that is instrumental in addressing clients’ needs, and consolidate the acquired knowledge and techniques through authentic case studies and roleplay exercises.

Syllabus 

This 4th module provides a chance to practise English language skills through various case studies and other language activities like roleplaying.  Learners also gain insights into subject matters relating financial communication and relationship management.  The ten topics are:

-   Introduction and defining the value proposition
-   Topics and vocabulary in financial communication
-   Listening as a critical communication skill
-   Building trust
-   Avoiding mistrust
-   Encouraging your clients to talk
-   Questioning techniques
-   Presentation and public speaking
-   Counterproductive features of client meetings
-   Constructive features of client meetings - SAFE Principle

Application Code	Course Start Date	Day and Time	Venue
BENG4005 To-be-advised	Tentatively June 2024	Saturdays, 10:00 - 4:00 pm (1-hour lunch break)	Hong Kong Island Learning Centre

E-learning Activities

In addition to face-to-face class lessons, students should take part in e-learning activities as self-study engagement. These e-learning activities are available on HKU SPACE Online Universal Learning (SOUL2.0) platform which include professional and business vocabulary exercises, business grammar exercises, professional and business listening and business writing tasks.

Assessment

Students should attain a pass (50% or above) in each of the following assessment components: 

• Class participation
• Oral presentation
• Oral roleplay
• Oral mock interview
• In-class written assessment
• Individual writing portfolio
• Written final test

Award

Students who successfully pass* the Programme are eligible to attain the Diploma in Professional Communication (Financial Services) awarded within the HKU System through HKU SPACE.

*By passing the Programme, students have to meet the following in all four modules:

• Attendance requirement: fulfil 70% of the total face-to-face lecture hours; and
• Performance requirement: completed and attained 50% in all assessment components.

Teaching Staff

Instructor(s) of the Programme are drawn from our panel of qualified and experienced English language teachers. Some of them are native speakers; others are local teachers with native speaker competence.

Duration

45 hours (15 meetings) per module x 4 modules = 180 hours 

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Application Codes

Course Fee

• Course Fee : HK$20,300 per programme
• Course Fee : HK$5,075 per module

Applicants shall:

1.     hold a Certificate in Advanced Business English, or Certificate in General English (Upper Intermediate) awarded within the HKU system through HKU SPACE;
         or
2.     have gained in the HKDSE Examination Level 4 in English Language;
         or
3.     have obtained in the  HKCEE Grade C (Syllabus B) or Grade A (Syllabus A) in English Language prior to 2007 or Level 4 in English Language from 2007;
         or
4.     have obtained in the HKALE Grade D in AS Use of English; 
         or
5.     have obtained an overall IELTS band score of 5.5, or Pearson English Language Test (PTE) score of 59, or Cambridge Linguaskill (General or Business) test score of 160.

Equivalent qualifications will be considered on individual merits. Applicants who do not meet the above requirements or are unable to produce documentary proof(s) need to take the SPACE Business English Entry Test. There is a non-refundable charge of $200 for this 90-minute written test. Based on the test results, applicants will be placed in a Profession and Business English programme most suited to their levels.

The test results will be released in good time to enable successful applicants to enrol for the module(s) of their choice. 

• The CEF Institution Code of HKU SPACE is 100

CEF Courses
Diploma in Professional Communication (Financial Services)
COURSE CODE 38L142321	FEES $20,300	ENQUIRY 2975-5880

	Continuing Education Fund This course has been included in the list of reimbursable courses under the Continuing Education Fund.
	Diploma in Professional Communication (Financial Services) This course is recognised under the Qualifications Framework (QF Level [3])

Application Form Download Application Form

Enrolment Method

By Post / In Person

Applicants are required to complete the Application for Enrolment Form SF26. Either take or post the completed form, along with the appropriate course fee and supporting documents, to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres.

Payment Method

1. Cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay

Course fees can be paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay or Alipay at any HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres.

2. Cheque Or Bank Draft

Course fees can also be paid by crossed cheque or bank draft made payable to “HKU SPACE”. Please specify the programme title(s) for application and applicant’s name. You may either:

• bring the completed form(s), together with the appropriate course or application fees in the form of a cheque, and any required supporting documents to any of the HKU SPACE enrolment centres;
• or mail the above documents to any of the HKU SPACE Enrolment Centres, specifying “Course Application” on the envelope. HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of payment sent by mail.

3. VISA/Master Card

Applicants may also pay the course fee by VISA or MasterCard, including the “HKU SPACE MasterCard”, at any HKU SPACE enrolment centres. Holders of the HKU SPACE MasterCard can enjoy a 10-month interest-free instalment period for courses with a tuition fee worth a minimum of HK$2,000; however, the course applicant must also be the cardholder himself/herself. For enquiries, please contact our staff at any enrolment centres.

4. Online Payment

The course fees of all open admission courses (course enrolled on first come, first served basis) and selected award-bearing programmes can be settled by using PPS via the Internet. Applicants may also pay the relevant course fees by VISA or MasterCard online. Please refer to Enrolment Methods - Online Enrolment  for details.

NOTES TO APPLICANTS

• For general and short courses, applicants may be required to pay the course fee in cash or by EPS, WeChat Pay, Visa or MasterCard if the course is to start shortly.
• Fees paid are not refundable except under very exceptional circumstances (e.g. course cancellation due to insufficient enrolment), subject to the School’s discretion.  In exceptional cases where a refund is approved, fees paid by cash, EPS, WeChat Pay, cheque or PPS (for online payment only) will normally be reimbursed by a cheque, and fees paid by credit card will normally be reimbursed to the payment cardholder’s credit card account.
• In addition to the published fees, there may be additional costs associated with individual programmes. Please refer to the relevant course brochures or direct any enquiries to the relevant programme team for details.
• Fees and places on courses cannot be transferred from one applicant to another. Once accepted onto a course, the student may not change to another course without approval from HKU SPACE. A processing fee of HK$120 will be levied on approved transfers.
• Receipts will be issued for fees paid but HKU SPACE will not be responsible for any loss of receipt sent by mail.
• For payment certification, please submit a completed form, a sufficiently stamped and self-addressed envelope, and a crossed cheque for HK$30 per copy made payable to “HKU SPACE” to any of our enrolment centres.

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