1

My options for secondary education My options for secondary education in HKin HK

Local Subsidized Schools Local Subsidized Schools 官校官校 //津津校校

Direct Subsidized Schools Direct Subsidized Schools 直資學校直資學校 International schools International schools 國際學校國際學校

2

Local Subsidized SchoolsLocal Subsidized Schools官校官校 //津校津校

Traditional-styledTraditional-styled Local curriculum HKDSE only Local curriculum HKDSE only It can be CMI or EMI It can be CMI or EMI ((中文學校或英文學校中文學校或英文學校 )) Children with limited Cantonese may find Children with limited Cantonese may find

difficult to fit-indifficult to fit-in Most have no experience in catering for TCKsMost have no experience in catering for TCKs Little or no tuition feeLittle or no tuition fee

3

Direct Subsidized SchoolsDirect Subsidized Schools(DSS)(DSS)

DSS means government subsidized but with more freedom DSS means government subsidized but with more freedom in curriculum and student-intake in curriculum and student-intake

Local curriculum HKDSE but a few have western Local curriculum HKDSE but a few have western curriculum as an option (e.g. GCSE, IB…)curriculum as an option (e.g. GCSE, IB…)

Can be CMI or EMI Can be CMI or EMI A few are experienced in admitting non-locals and TCKsA few are experienced in admitting non-locals and TCKs Tuition fee - Most are under HK$20,000 (yearly), but a few Tuition fee - Most are under HK$20,000 (yearly), but a few

can be more than $30,000can be more than $30,000

4

International Schools in HKInternational Schools in HK

Most cost about HK$90,000-130,000 yearlyMost cost about HK$90,000-130,000 yearly American system: AIS, ICSAmerican system: AIS, ICS Canadian: CAIS, DeliaCanadian: CAIS, Delia British system: Kellet, Harrow British system: Kellet, Harrow Most of the rest, including those under English Most of the rest, including those under English

Schools Foundation (ESF), adopt IBSchools Foundation (ESF), adopt IB For a list of all int’l schools in HK, click For a list of all int’l schools in HK, click herehere

5

International Schools with more MKsInternational Schools with more MKs(missionary’s kids)(missionary’s kids)

International Christian School (ICS) International Christian School (ICS) – – American system, in Shek Mun, ShatinAmerican system, in Shek Mun, Shatin

Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) – – Canadian (Ontario) system, in Kowloon CityCanadian (Ontario) system, in Kowloon City

6

A database for all HK secondary schools:http://www.chsc.hk/secondary/tc/index.htm

7

The local secondary school The local secondary school

curriculum in Hong Kongcurriculum in Hong Kong New Senior Secondary (NSS)New Senior Secondary (NSS)

~~aan introduction for TCKsn introduction for TCKs

8

Hong Kong Education SystemHong Kong Education System

Primary SchoolP.1 – P.6

Junior Secondary SchoolF.1 – F.3

Senior Secondary SchoolF.4 – F.6

University New Senior Curriculum (NSS) 新高中a.k.a. HKDSE

香港中學文憑

9

This new structure of This new structure of 新高中 新高中 is also called 334, is also called 334, NSS, NAS or HKDSE NSS, NAS or HKDSE

HKDSE program lasts for 3 years, and students HKDSE program lasts for 3 years, and students cannot start at F.5 or F.6cannot start at F.5 or F.6

Will completely replace the old system of Will completely replace the old system of HKCEE (HKCEE ( 會考會考 ) and HKALE (A-level) in 2012) and HKALE (A-level) in 2012

The level of difficulty of HKDSE is reconsidered The level of difficulty of HKDSE is reconsidered to be between HKCEE and HKALEto be between HKCEE and HKALE

Senior Secondary SchoolF.4 – F.6

10

What will I study in F.4-6?What will I study in F.4-6?

45-55% 20-30% 15-35% (organized by school)

% of Time Allocation :

* Different schools offer different electives. Check when applying to schools * For the electives you’ve chosen, you’ll study them throughout your 3 yrs in

HKDSE program

Other Learning Experiences

(OLE)

activities organized by

school

4 compulsory Subjects

Chinese LanguageEnglish Language

MathematicsLiberal Studies

2-3 Elective Subjects*

2-3 subjects chosen from NSS electives

11

In other words,…In other words,…

4 compulsory Subjects

Chinese LanguageEnglish Language

MathematicsLiberal Studies

2-3 Elective Subjects*

Chinese History, Economics, Geography, History, Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Science (Integrated, Combined), Business, Accounting & Financial Studies (BAFS), Information & Communication Technology (ICT), Technology and Living, Design and Applied Technology, Health Management and Social Care,Tourism and Hospitality Studies, Ethics and Religious Studies,Music, Visual Arts, Physical Education

** Generally universities require 2 elective subjects only, some only require Generally universities require 2 elective subjects only, some only require one. More capable students may choose 3. one. More capable students may choose 3.

May not May not be offered be offered by many by many EMI EMI schoolsschools

12

How do I find out which schools How do I find out which schools offer which electives?offer which electives?

This interactive map links to individual school’s This interactive map links to individual school’s NSS curriculum: NSS curriculum:

https://cd.edb.gov.hk/334map/https://cd.edb.gov.hk/334map/

Note: The way NSS is offered varies from school to school, Note: The way NSS is offered varies from school to school, and schools’ curriculum may change from year to year.and schools’ curriculum may change from year to year.

13

University Entrance RequirementsUniversity Entrance RequirementsHKDSE → HK universitiesHKDSE → HK universities

University undergraduate programs University undergraduate programs require require 4 core subjects + 2 elective4 core subjects + 2 elective (some specified, some are not)(some specified, some are not)

Some undergraduate programs only Some undergraduate programs only require require 4 core subjects + 1 elective4 core subjects + 1 elective (specified/ unspecified)(specified/ unspecified)

14

Universities’ minimum entrance requirementsUniversities’ minimum entrance requirementsInstitution General Entrance

Requirements*Faculty/Programme Entrancerequirements

City University 4 cores + 1 X** 1 X defined from a list of subjects

H.K. Baptist University 4 cores + 1 X 1 X (unspecified or specified)

Lingnan University 4 cores

Chinese University 4 cores + 1 X Most programs require 1 unspecified X or 1 X specified

Hong KongInstitute of Education

4 cores + 2 Xs 2 unspecified Xs

H.K. Polytechnic University

4 cores + 1 X Preferred subjects only

H.K. University of Science and Technology

4 cores + 2 Xs 1 unspecified X + 1 X specified from a group of subjects

University of H.K. 4 cores + 2 Xs Most programs do not have specifiedrequirement.

*Individual programs may have additional requirements. **X = Elective

15

Links to detailed university entrance Links to detailed university entrance requirements under NSS:requirements under NSS:

City University of Hong KongHong Kong Baptist University

Lingnan University

The Chinese University of Hong KongThe Hong Kong Institute of EducationThe Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

The University of Hong KongThe Open University of Hong Kong

16

I want to study in a local school but the I want to study in a local school but the compulsory Chinese language subject in HKDSE compulsory Chinese language subject in HKDSE

is too difficult… is too difficult…

Starting from 2008, JUPAS (HK’s centralized university admission system) allows students under ‘specified circumstances’ to enter HK universities’ undergraduate programs with GCSE/IGCSE Chinese INSTEAD OF the local Chinese language qualifications.

‘specified circumstances’ means… (a) have learned Chinese for less than 6 years during

primary AND secondary education; OR(b) have learned Chinese for 6 years or more, BUT

under a simpler Chinese as a second language curriculum not applicable to local HK students

17

How do I certify I’m under ‘specified How do I certify I’m under ‘specified circumstances’? circumstances’?

Apply to your last school attended for certification and provide relevant information by completing Annex A. For certification under circumstance (b), also obtain reference letter(s) (Annex B) from previous school(s). Schools may also request applicants to provide relevant documents (e.g. report cards showing history of schooling). School heads would certify the circumstances using Annex C and return it to you for submission to JUPAS Office (together with your certified true copies of the alternative language qualification).

18

Is it OK if I don’t study Is it OK if I don’t study Chinese at all?Chinese at all?

Some HK universities would consider accepting Some HK universities would consider accepting other languages as alternatives to Chineseother languages as alternatives to Chinese. . So So theoretically the answer is YES (again, only for those theoretically the answer is YES (again, only for those under ‘specified circumstances’). under ‘specified circumstances’).

There are 6 acceptable language subjects under NSS: There are 6 acceptable language subjects under NSS:

FrenchFrench GermanGerman HindiHindi JapaneseJapanese SpanishSpanish UrduUrdu

19

These programs must follow the syllabus at GCE AS-level These programs must follow the syllabus at GCE AS-level offered by Cambridge International Examinations (offered by Cambridge International Examinations (CIECIE) and ) and administered by the administered by the HKEAAHKEAA ((香港考試局香港考試局 ).).

Students’ results in these international exams on other Students’ results in these international exams on other languages will be shown in their HKDSE certificates inlanguages will be shown in their HKDSE certificates in the the same way as adopted by CIE.same way as adopted by CIE.

*NOTE: In either case (whether you’re using GCSE Chinese *NOTE: In either case (whether you’re using GCSE Chinese or GCE AS-Level in another language to replace HKDSE or GCE AS-Level in another language to replace HKDSE Chinese in your university admission), be aware that many Chinese in your university admission), be aware that many local schools do not have this flexibility or resources to do local schools do not have this flexibility or resources to do so. You are expected to register, study independently, and sit so. You are expected to register, study independently, and sit for these international exams at HKEAA all by yourself. for these international exams at HKEAA all by yourself. Inform and consult with your local school about this when Inform and consult with your local school about this when applying. applying.

20

For further information… For further information…

EDB website for non-Chinese speaking students: EDB website for non-Chinese speaking students: http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=6499&langno=1http://www.edb.gov.hk/index.aspx?nodeid=6499&langno=1

Table of alternative language requirements by Table of alternative language requirements by HK universities: HK universities: http://www.edb.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_6536/appendix%20%20inst%20requirement%20(eng)(r).pdfhttp://www.edb.gov.hk/FileManager/EN/Content_6536/appendix%20%20inst%20requirement%20(eng)(r).pdf

21

As of 2011, HKDSE is still very new to HK, As of 2011, HKDSE is still very new to HK, so so DON’T be too surprised if overseas universities DON’T be too surprised if overseas universities

haven’t set requirement for HKDSE (or heard of it). haven’t set requirement for HKDSE (or heard of it).

There are only tentative requirement guidelines There are only tentative requirement guidelines set by a few overseas universities. set by a few overseas universities.

local HK diploma (HKDSE) → local HK diploma (HKDSE) → Overseas universities?Overseas universities?

22

Some tentative entrance requirement Some tentative entrance requirement for HKDSE for HKDSE

By system:By system: United KingdomUnited Kingdom and UCAS and UCAS   Australia and New ZealandAustralia and New Zealand   United States and CanadaUnited States and Canada  

By country/institution:By country/institution:http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/ir/ircountry_hkdse.htmlhttp://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/ir/ircountry_hkdse.html

**DO CHECK FOR UPDATES FROM TIME TO DO CHECK FOR UPDATES FROM TIME TO TIME, ESP. THE UNIVERSITIES YOU ARE TIME, ESP. THE UNIVERSITIES YOU ARE

INTERESTED ININTERESTED IN

23

For reference:For reference: How is HKDSE graded? How is HKDSE graded?

Standards-referenced ReportingStandards-referenced Reporting

For each subject, you’ll be graded For each subject, you’ll be graded Levels 1-5Levels 1-5 5* and 5** are to differentiate the best 5* and 5** are to differentiate the best

performersperformers A set of descriptors indicates the typical A set of descriptors indicates the typical

requirement at each of the 5 levels in each requirement at each of the 5 levels in each subject (shown in HKEAA website)subject (shown in HKEAA website)

24

overseas high school diploma → overseas high school diploma → HK universities?HK universities?

This is getting more and more common!This is getting more and more common!

Here are some useful links:Here are some useful links:- City University - Hong Kong Baptist University - Lingnan University - City University - Hong Kong Baptist University - Lingnan University

- Chinese University of Hong Kong - HK Institute of Education - Chinese University of Hong Kong - HK Institute of Education

- Polytechnic University - HKUST - University of Hong Kong- Polytechnic University - HKUST - University of Hong Kong

http://334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/overseas/inbound.phphttp://334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/overseas/inbound.php