Professional Certificate Programme in Innovation Leadership

The Hong Kong Qualifications Framework (QF) is a seven-level official qualifications system established by the Education Bureau of the HKSAR Government. Its core values lie in transparency, comparability, and portability. Qualifications accredited under this framework represent an official endorsement of standards and are widely recognised across institutions and organisations that recognise the framework.

CUHK Business School‘s professional certificate courses are all accredited at QF Level 6 (equivalent to postgraduate level). This means:

• The credits you earn are not limited to CUHK; you may apply for credit exemptions for master’s degree programmes at multiple universities across Hong Kong in accordance with relevant regulations
• Your learning outcomes are recorded in the territory-wide Qualifications Register, ensuring credibility and transferability
• Compared with credits that are only valid within a single institution, this represents a genuine “academic asset” that offers you greater autonomy and flexibility in further studies

A total of nine institutions in Hong Kong possess self-accrediting status and recognise the framework: City University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Baptist University, Lingnan University, The Chinese University of Hong Kong, The Education University of Hong Kong, Hong Kong Metropolitan University, The Hong Kong Polytechnic University, The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology and The University of Hong Kong.

Professional certificate programmes are short-term, intensive courses designed for specific fields. The fundamental difference is that our professional certificate programmes are not merely proof of study but portable qualifications backed by official endorsement. All professional certificate programmes offered by CUHK Business School have been approved. Please refer to the table below for specific registration numbers in the Qualifications Register.

Professional certificate programmes are suitable for:

• Managers seeking career breakthroughs who need a robust credential highly regarded in both Hong Kong’s job market and the academic field
• Working professionals planning to apply for master‘s degree programmes at Hong Kong universities in the future and wishing to accumulate transferable credits in advance
• Learners who value the official credibility and long-term value of qualifications, not merely a certificate of completion

Applicants must hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualifications.

For the Professional Certificate in Financial Services Technology Applications, applicants have to hold a bachelor’s degree or equivalent professional qualifications in engineering, science, mathematics, or finance/business-related disciplines. Other professional certificate programmes have no specific undergraduate major requirements. Professionals aspiring to cross-disciplinary development are welcome to apply.

1. Submit your online application: go to the course page, click “Apply Now” and complete the form
2. Await admission notification: the admissions team will review applications, and successful applicants will be notified by email with the admission package
3. Pay the tuition fee: complete the tuition fee payment in accordance with the notification to confirm your place

Yes. Upon successful enrolment in this programme, students are eligible to apply for the corresponding part-time study student visa. You are advised to familiarise yourself with the relevant policies and prepare the required documents in advance. Specific application requirements and procedures are subject to the latest regulations of the Hong Kong Immigration Department.

For example, upon approval, the Immigration Department will grant a short period of stay for each entry — for example, one week (7 days) per visit.  Over the course of one year, the total number of days you are allowed to stay in Hong Kong under this visa is capped at, for instance, 60 days in total. This means you may make multiple entries throughout the year, but each individual stay must not exceed the weekly limit, and you must ensure that your cumulative days do not surpass the annual allowance.

Yes. We encourage you to combine multiple accredited qualifications based on your personal career plans, building a unique competency matrix.For example, upon approval, the Immigration Department will grant a short period of stay for each entry — for example, one week (7 days) per visit.  Over the course of one year, the total number of days you are allowed to stay in Hong Kong under this visa is capped at, for instance, 60 days in total. This means you may make multiple entries throughout the year, but each individual stay must not exceed the weekly limit, and you must ensure that your cumulative days do not surpass the annual allowance.

The tuition fee covers all teaching costs. Instalment payments are not available; the full fee must be paid upfront.

Once registered, students are generally not eligible for a refund. If you are genuinely unable to commence your studies on time due to special reasons, you may submit a deferral application to the University. Upon approval, your admission status will be reserved for the next intake of the programme.

This programme adopts a modular design with monthly intensive face-to-face sessions. The entire programme comprises six core modules. Students are required to dedicate two full  per month to in-person learning to complete one module. A total of six intensive teaching sessions (12 days in total) will complete the full programme.

Students must meet the following conditions:

• Achieve an overall attendance rate of no less than 70%
• Complete and pass all assignments and examinations

Graduates who successfully complete the programme will be awarded a paper certificate issued by The Chinese University of Hong Kong.

For any programme enquiries, please contact:

Tel: (852) 3943 4413 / 3943 7438
Email: apib@cuhk.edu.hk