Applied Learning (ApL) courses are elective subjects within the senior secondary curriculum that emphasises practical learning in professional and vocational fields, combining theory and practice. The HKAPA has been promoting arts education in Hong Kong by offering two performing arts programmes, The Essentials of Theatre Arts and Taking a Chance on Dance, as elective subjects for ApL since 2010. These introductory programmes provide an overview of dance and theatre arts for S.5 and S.6 students who are interested in pursuing performing arts in their future studies and career. Since 2016, both programmes have been registered as Qualifications Framework level 3 Certificate Programmes, and EXCEL has been delegated to operate them since September 2022.