The role of the local operator

The local operator is the Hong Kong partner of the UK institution and may be a local university, a private education company or even a business association.  The extent of their role will affect the level of service you receive locally and may include:

• Registration and enrolment of students
• Marketing and promotion of programmes
• Administration including, logistics of teaching venue, local and UK lecturers, materials, and examinations
• Connection to the business world and alumni
• Manage non-local course registration with the Hong Kong Education Bureau

They will be able to give you consultation about the programmes to help you make an informed decision.  Therefore, always contact the local representative to address any questions you may have regarding:

• Strengths and features of the programme and UK institution
• Application procedures, including English proficiency
• Fees
• Scheduling
• Programme structure
• Support

What to expect in terms of support

Local operators support and enable students to access resources necessary to complete their courses. Therefore, you should ask the local partner or representative what kind of support is provided.  For example:

Content

• hard copy study materials
• online materials
• videos/DVD
• DVD-ROMs
• library access to recommended reading publications.

Communication

• student e-mail address
• access to online materials, maybe also communication facilities such as online conferencing, chat rooms, forums and intranet
• regular access to relevant lecturers or tutors even out of ‘class’ time.

Access to staff

• course director
• UK teachers/lecturers
• local teachers/lecturers
• local student representative body
• student counselling.

Others

• computer facilities
• employment services
• access to UK campus facilities (such as library, computer and sports facilities)
• premises for meetings or group work
• equipment/facilities (important for technical, vocational, medical and scientific studies).

Some questions to ask the local operator

Therefore, do not be shy to ask questions related to the support you may expect (from the list above):

• What facilities do you provide?  Laboratory, library, computer rooms?
• How are classes / lectures scheduled?
• What is and isn’t including in the fees? Examinations fees, graduation costs, laboratory fees, equipment fees, application fees?
• Do they provide both local and UK lecturers?
• What materials do you provide?
• Online materials
• CD-ROMS
• Hard copy reading materials
• DVDs / videos
• Do you have premises for meetings or group work?
• Are there facilities for communicating with students and lecturers such as online forums, student emails e.t.c.
• What are your links with the alumni association, relevant industry, government and professional bodies?

If you would like to enquire about the local operators or about UK qualifications and courses available Hong Kong, please email juhanie.cheung@britishcouncil.org.uk