Admissions guide
From secondary placement to DSE and university pathways — mechanisms, subject choice, routes and opportunities, aligned with official sources.
Routes at a glance
- 1P6: Secondary placement — Academic scores plus self-allocation and central allocation stages
- 2S3: Elective choices — Choose 2–3 electives beyond the four core subjects (M1/M2 counts in some programmes)
- 3S6: DSE and JUPAS — Basic requirement 332A; apply to UGC-funded universities via JUPAS
- 4After DSE: multiple routes — Non-JUPAS, sub-degree, vocational, overseas and mainland options
Secondary placement
Academic reports
Schools report internal exam results to the EDB during P5–P6 (usually three rounds), which determine allocation banding and ranking.
Discretionary places
Each aided school reserves ~30% of places; apply to at most two schools regardless of school net. Successful applicants skip central allocation. DSS schools admit on their own terms.
Central allocation
Part A (school-net-free, ~10%) plus Part B (own school net, ~90%); computers allocate by random number and banding. Forms due in April; results and registration in early July.
Strategy tips
Use self-allocation to aim high; order central-allocation choices from ambitious to safe and use every slot.
School by school
The school database, school by school: S1 admission windows and criteria, fees, subject MOI and ethos, all sourced — DSS and international schools first (their season runs now), government and aided to follow.
Official: EDB Secondary School Places Allocation
Choosing electives
Four core subjects: Chinese, English, Mathematics and Citizenship and Social Development (reported as attained/not attained). Choose 2–3 electives on top — your choice pre-filters university programmes, so check entry requirements first.
Physics
Core thinking for engineering and science faculties.
Chemistry
Often specified for medicine, pharmacy and biotech.
Biology
Foundation for life sciences and nursing.
Extended Maths (M1/M2)
Counted as an elective by some university programmes.
Economics
Gateway thinking for business and social sciences.
BAFS
Grounding for accounting and management studies.
ICT
For IT and computer science pathways.
Geography
Cities, environment and spatial thinking.
Chinese History
Humanities training and source analysis.
Applied Learning (ApL)
Category B elective: 180 hands-on hours, top grades comparable to DSE Level 4, applied via schools — full guide.
Every subject has the full S4–S6 course: start from S4 Physics, S4 Economics, or browse the senior hub.
DSE + JUPAS
Basic entry: 332A
From 2024/25 admission — Chinese 3, English 3, Maths 2, Citizenship attained (replacing the old 3322); a Level 2 in pre-2024 Liberal Studies is generally accepted by institutions as equivalent.
UGC universities: 332A33
The eight UGC-funded universities generally require two electives at Level 3; EdUHK accepts 332A2; individual programmes may specify electives (e.g. chemistry for some health programmes).
JUPAS timeline
Applications open in S6 (around October); choices can be changed before results release in July, with a supplementary round afterwards. Each university scores differently (usually best-5 or best-6) — check official pages.
Mainland China
The Admission Scheme exempts DSE candidates from entrance exams (core subjects about 221A); it runs independently of JUPAS and both can be pursued.
Going overseas? DSE is accepted directly by many UK and Australian universities — see the Routes section below.
Routes after DSE
Non-JUPAS
Applicants with IB/A-Level, sub-degree graduates or mature students apply directly to universities.
Sub-degree
Associate Degree or Higher Diploma (search on iPASS), leading to top-up degrees or employment.
Diploma of Applied Education
Replacing the Yi Jin Diploma from 2023/24, offered by eight self-financed institutions as a formal alternative qualification.
Vocational
The VTC offers higher diplomas and foundation diplomas balancing hands-on skills and further study.
Overseas
UK and Australian universities vary in entry (foundation years, IELTS); Taiwan also recruits Hong Kong students — always check the institutions' official pages.
Scholarships
Excellence Scholarship
Funds outstanding local students to study at renowned universities abroad.
Government support
Grants and loans for tertiary students are means-tested under the WFSFAA.
Entrance scholarships
Many universities award them to high-scoring or STEM/arts admits — some automatically upon JUPAS admission.
Charitable funds
Schools, churches and charities offer their own grants — watch school announcements each September.
Official resources
EDB: Secondary School Places Allocation
Official placement rules
JUPAS
Applications and programme search
HKEAA
DSE examination info
iPASS
Self-financed course search
VTC
Vocational programmes
WFSFAA (Student Finance Office)
Student finance and grants
This page is an overview; placement and admission arrangements follow the latest official announcements. Want to prepare while you learn? Start from the senior courses or read the study guide。