(#A6671/6672 2000/2001 Info Sheet)

Course Objectives: The programmes (Distance Learning with Tutorial Support) prepares you for the Bachelor degree of The Heriot-Watt University Edinburgh. Students have the flexibility to choose their graduation path or transfer to study in UK (incl. alternative BA Management award).

Subjects Tutorial Plan (1-2 subjs per term, 4 subjects per stage): Fast track part-time students may, subject to approval, complete a subject on entirely distance learning basis if a tutorial is not available in a semester.

Remarks:

i) #: Financial Management and Accounting unique subjects

ii) *: Business and Finance unique subjects

iii) Subjects can be taken across stages subject to some pre-requisite requirement

iv) Subject offer may be adjusted subject to demand

v) tutorial seminars will normally be scheduled on either weekday evenings or Sat/Sun, once per week for each subject via face to face or Internet meeting and is subject to minimum enrolment number of 8 per subject.

Admission, Registration Process & Study Cycle:

Normal loading is usually 1-2 module per quarter (4 quarters p.a.) and 2 - 3 subjects for each examination entry (examinations can be deferred). Tutorial hours per module is approx. 15-18 hrs (each module contains 3 sub-modules)

Application for Intake:

Next Application Deadline:

15 days prior to the months of term commencement (. Full tuition payment should be made usually 3 weeks prior to tuition/tutorial commencement. Additional administration and courier shipment cost is payable for late payment.)

Annual Program Tutorial Plan

- Stage 2 Entry (8 subject completion, 1-2 years):

BA Business & Finance (with alternative BA Management award*):

BA Financial Management & Accounting:

BA Management* - Candidates may also opt for BA in Management Degree graduation by completing all * subjects and one "Business and Employment Law" on distance learning basis, plus any other TWO accounting / finance subjects.

Programme Remarks:

The same program is available internationally in a variety of locations in UK (incl. London), Europe, Middle East, and Asia (incl. Hong Kong and Malaysia). British Council assists it in examination administration.

BA Business and Finance follows the same structure and award as both home country DL and on-campus program. BA Financial Management and Accounting follows the identical structure and award as the same DL programme in UK, but is different from the BA Accounting and Finance on campus (which is accredited by BAAEC). Both BA Business and Finance and BA Financial Management and Accounting allow you to advance to MA (Hons) on campus after completion, or transfer to on-campus program after partial completion..

Registration No. 250680, 250681. It is the discretion of individual employers to recognize any qualifications to which the courses may lead to.

General Information:

Resources and Facilities: Coursers are normally conducted in ABRS venues in two teaching centres in Wanchai with 4 lecture rooms, 2 computer rooms and one computer library. Examinations are held in either ABRS or British Council venues and are administered by British Council.

Library Access: A mini resources centre is available from ABRS. Over 100 books and magazines in Business Management and IT at Bachelor, Master and research level are available with copier and broadband computer library. Each student is also advised apply for access to a public library such as: Central Urban Council Library, British Council, Local Universities or others.

Reference textbooks: The study manual is self-contained with sufficient details. However students may buy additional reference books (indicated in the study manual or others recommended by tutor at similar level at their own choice)

Course Tutors: All tutors have prior teaching as well as professional experience at similar or higher level and usually hold a higher degree in related field. They are all evaluated and approved by the University. Overseas tutor will be invited whenever possible to teach some of the modules.

Examination: Each subject is assessed by a 3 hour examination. Students may resit a subject up to a total of four times.

Admission Requirement:

Stage 1 Entry:

a) Matriculated students (3 A levels) with English Proficiency (e.g. TOEFL 550 or IELTS 6)

b) Mature candidates (age 21, normally with prior post-F.5 study plus work experience)

c) Other Diploma equivalent to a Matriculation standard

Stage 2 / Advance Standing Entry:

a) Holders of related tertiary / professional qualifications may apply for entry with some subject exemption:

b) A Polytechnic/TI Diploma or Higher Diploma in related fields

c) A post-secondary tertiary institute Diploma in related fields

d) A Professional institute examination graduate / member in business related fields (eg. ACCA, ICSA, CIM, IAM……)

e) Other education considered equivalent to the above.

f) MBA or Master degrees with prior subjects in similar field

Further Information: Please contact Mr. Ritchie Poon, Program Director 28339608 or Eva Lau 2833 9610 for further information / consultation.

Fee Schedule (2000-2001)

1. Application Fee: HK$ 200 (together with HK$600 first semester admin fee deposit, refundable only if not accepted) payable on application

2. Course Tuition Fee*: HK$ 7,600 per subject payable within 30 days of semester commencement (normally 1- 2 subjects per semester, total 12 subjects ).

*Fee including the first examination attempt (please also refer to fixed term enrolment scheme)

3. Semester Admin Fee: HK$ 600 per 3 month semester (4 semesters p.a. only)

Others if applicable:

HK$800 per exempted subject administration f ee – payable on exemption application

(Credit towards tuition fee if exemption is not accepted)

A special delivery / processing fee HK$200-$500 per subject (depending on cost variation) is payable for payment AFTER our specified deadline

Refund Condition:

The fees paid are NOT refundable except that the full tuition fee will be refunded if the applicant informs ABRS within 7 days of payment (however this must be no later than 7 days prior to semester commencement) and shows that unforeseen circumstances outside his / her control shall render him / her unable to effectively participate in the program in the coming semester. Application fees are NOT refundable under all circumstances.

A FULL refund for the current semester subject payment will be made if the subject in a semester enrolled does not start due to low enrolment or other unforeseen circumstances.

Fees are subject to adjustment if necessary.

Fixed Term Enrolment & Payment Scheme

(subject to exemption approval)

Remarks:

• Semester administration fee and first examination fee are included

• Also TWO additional exam retakes is allowed at no cost after a full stage (4 subjects) are paid and taken in specified sequence without suspension/break.

• Payment to be made for each 3 month term

• Inclusive of 2 years mini-library membership and admin fee for Professional Qualification or HD Entry, 3 years mini-library membership and admin fee for General Stage One / Diploma Entry if payment scheme is followed
  

• *Advance Standing is subject to the University’s exemption approval, qualifications
  referred to must be from highly related disciplines (Business, Finance, Accounting…)

Programmes Highlights & Summary

• Quality and Prestigious Programmes from a Reputable "Red Brick" University in UK

• Top Ranking in PIP National Employment Survey (1st place in Finance / Accountancy / Banking, 11th for Business / Management)

• Programme especially geared towards mature / PT students, with transfer to UK option

• Specially designed distance learning package - well developed materials and self contained with minimum supervision required

• Accelerated Completion Possible: 12 - 15 months for Advance Standing students and 24 months for regular entry (shorter time frame may be possible subject to approval)

• Highly achievable programme - maximum two examination attempts per subject but with option of additional repeated course retake

<Information provided is subject to the University's regulation change and final approval>

Higher Diploma or Prof Exam Grads in similar fields (incl. ACCA, HKSA, CIMA ICSA etc..):

Q. What is the # of exemptions for holders of Higher Diploma or equivalent / above qualifications?
A. Normally 4 subjects will be exempted

Q. What is the # of exemptions for holders of ACCA /CIMA/ICSA or equivalent qualifications?
A. Normally 6 subjects will be exempted

Q. What is the completion time?
A. For accelerated completion, 12 months for Professional Qualifications entry and 12-24 months for HD holders is possible.

Regular entry students (Stage One):

Q. What is the completion time?
A. 36 months by PT study, however those with other suitable post-secondary education in unrelated fields and have solid business experience may speed up to 24 months.

Q. What happens if I stop at the end of stage one or six subjects?
A. You may resume the programme later, or you may move to ABRS Advanced Diploma in Business and Administrative Management (eligible to apply for two / four subject exemption) and in turn achieve other external professional membership or awards. The stage one courses also prepare you to study for foundation stage of a number of professional bodies or advance to other degree programmes with exemption.

Q. What are the entry Requirement in lieu of formal A level requirement?
A. For mature candidates (age 21+) with appropriate work experience and who have demonstrated their English Proficiency (eg. Completion of a course of post-secondary study conducted in English )

UK and Overseas Transfer Option

Options are available for you to transfer to study in UK on-campus. Also transfer to a number of other UK and Australian universities is possible.

Further Information

Enquiries please contact

Mr. Ritchie Poon, Program Director (tel 2833 9608), rpoon@abrs.com.hk or

Ms. Eva Lau, Program Officer (tel 2833 9610), or

Ms. Chloe Ng (tel 2833 9601)

Address: 4/F ChinaChem Johnston Plaza, 178 Johnston Road, Hong Kong or

Email: abrs@hkstar.com, or

Tel: 2598-4811 or

Fax: 2598-4092

Last modified at Jun 8, 2001