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My options for secondary My options for secondary education in HKeducation in HK

Local Subsidized Schools Local Subsidized Schools 官官校校 //津校津校

Direct Subsidized Schools Direct Subsidized Schools 直資學校直資學校

International schools International schools 國際學國際學校校

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Local Subsidized Local Subsidized SchoolsSchools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 (Chinese-medium of (Chinese-medium of

instruction/ English medium of instructions instruction/ English medium of instructions 中文學中文學校或英文學校校或英文學校 ))

Children with limited Cantonese may find Children with limited Cantonese may find difficult to fit-indifficult to fit-in

Most have little experience in catering for Most have little experience in catering for TCKsTCKs

Little or no tuition feeLittle or no tuition fee

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Direct Subsidized SchoolsDirect Subsidized Schools(DSS)(DSS)

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

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

Can be CMI or EMI Can be CMI or EMI A few are experienced in admitting non-locals A few are experienced in admitting non-locals

and TCKsand TCKs Tuition fee - Most are under HK$20,000 Tuition fee - Most are under HK$20,000

(yearly), but a few can be more than $30,000(yearly), but a few can be more than $30,000

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International Schools in International Schools in HKHK

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 A Level system: Kellet, Harrow British A Level system: Kellet, Harrow Most of the rest, including those under Most of the rest, including those under

English Schools Foundation (ESF), use the IB English Schools Foundation (ESF), use the IB Diploma Diploma

For a list of all intFor a list of all int’’l schools in HK, refer to:l schools in HK, refer to:http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_international_schools_in_Hong_Kong

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International Schools with International Schools with more MKsmore MKs

(missionary(missionary’’s kids)s kids) International Christian School (ICS)

–– American system, in Shek Mun, American system, in Shek Mun, ShatinShatin

Christian Alliance International School (CAIS) –– Canadian (Alberta) system, in Canadian (Alberta) system, in Kowloon CityKowloon City

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A database for all HK secondary schools:http://www.chsc.hk/ssp2013/eng/index.php

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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

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Hong Kong Education Hong Kong Education SystemSystem

Primary SchoolP.1 – P.6

Junior Secondary SchoolForm 1 – Form 3 (7th-9th grade)

Senior Secondary SchoolForm 4 – Form 6 (10-12th grade)

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

香港中學文憑

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

HKDSE program lasts for 3 years, and HKDSE program lasts for 3 years, and students normally cannot start at F.5 or F.6students normally cannot 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 The level of difficulty of HKDSE is reconsidered to be between HKCEE and reconsidered to be between HKCEE and HKALEHKALE

Senior Secondary SchoolF.4 – F.6

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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

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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 be offered offered by many by many EMI EMI schoolsschools

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

electives?electives?

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

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

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

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University Entrance University Entrance RequirementsRequirements

HKDSE → HK universitiesHKDSE → HK universities

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

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

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UniversitiesUniversities’’ minimum entrance minimum entrance requirementsrequirements

Institution General Entrance

Requirements*Faculty/Programme Entrance

requirements

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 Kong

Institute of Education4 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 specified

requirement.

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

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Links to detailed university Links to detailed university entrance requirements under entrance requirements under

the new system:the new system:

City University of Hong Kong

Hong Kong Baptist University

Lingnan University

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

The Hong Kong Institute of Education

The Hong Kong Polytechnic University

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology

          The University of Hong Kong

The Open University of Hong Kong

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

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How do I certify IHow do I certify I’’m under m under ‘‘specified circumstancesspecified 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).

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Is it OK if I donIs it OK if I don’’t study 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 theoretically the answer is YES (again, only for those under ‘specified circumstances’). those under ‘specified circumstances’).

There are 6 acceptable language subjects under There are 6 acceptable language subjects under NSS: NSS: French German Hindi Japanese Spanish Urdu

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

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

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

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For further informationFor further information……

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

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

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As of 2013, HKDSE is still very new As of 2013, HKDSE is still very new to some countries, to some countries, so DON’T be too so DON’T be too

surprised if overseas universities haven’t surprised if overseas universities haven’t set requirement for HKDSE. set requirement for HKDSE.

There are only tentative There are only tentative requirement guidelines set by a few requirement guidelines set by a few

overseas universities. overseas universities.

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

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

By system:By system: United Kingdom and 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.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

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

Standards-referenced ReportingStandards-referenced ReportingFor each subject, youFor each subject, you’’ll be graded ll be graded Levels 1-5Levels 1-5

5* and 5** are to differentiate the 5* and 5** are to differentiate the best performersbest performers

A set of descriptors indicates the A set of descriptors indicates the typical requirement at each of the typical requirement at each of the 5 levels in each subject (shown in 5 levels in each subject (shown in HKEAA website)HKEAA website)

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overseas high school overseas high school diploma → HK universities?diploma → HK universities? This is getting more and more common!This is getting more and more common!

Students with non-HKDSE qualifications who aim to study in Students with non-HKDSE qualifications who aim to study in Hong Kong universities will need to enter through the NON-Hong Kong universities will need to enter through the NON-

JUPAS (JUPAS ( 非聯招非聯招 ) stream. ) stream.

Normally, students must have externally assessed Normally, students must have externally assessed qualifications (i.e. qualifications obtained through public qualifications (i.e. qualifications obtained through public

exams) e.g. AP, IB, A-Levels. Please note this is very exams) e.g. AP, IB, A-Levels. Please note this is very competitive as thousands apply every year for a small competitive as thousands apply every year for a small

number of places.number of places.

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

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

Here are some useful links:Here are some useful links:- City University - Hong Kong Baptist University - Lingnan - City University - Hong Kong Baptist University - Lingnan University 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/http://334.edb.hkedcity.net/EN/overseas/inbound.php inbound.php