- Do the Hong Kong tertiary education institutions recognise the HKDSE?
Students taking the HKDSE have to attain a minimum of level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language and level 2 for Mathematics and Liberal Studies (i.e. “3322”), in order to meet the minimum requirements necessary to apply for the 4-year undergraduate programmes offered by the University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded institutions. In addition to the four core subjects, most universities will include one to two elective in their entrance requirements. For further details, please refer to here.
The Federation of Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE) has suggested that the minimum requirement for sub-degree programmes be set at attaining level 2 in five HKDSE subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language) or equivalent. The Vocational Training Council also adopts the same minimum entrance requirements for their higher diploma programmes. Please click here for more details.
- What are the employers’ comments on the HKDSE?
It is common in Hong Kong that employers will set job requirements with reference to results in the HKDSE. The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) of the Hong Kong SAR Government announced in June 2011 that results in the HKDSE are accepted for civil service appointment purpose. For details, please visit: Civil Service Bureau.
- Is HKDSE recognised internationally?
Since 2010, the HKAA has conducted a survey to collect admission requirements for the HKDSE. By the end of 2021, nearly 300 overseas institutions have accepted HKDSE for admission. Details are available here.
Besides, the HKEAA has worked closely to secure recognition of the HKDSE with international bodies. The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in the UK has included the HKDSE in the UCAS Tariff system with tariff points awarded to 24 HKDSE subjects. Please click here for further details.
The Australian Government has also recognised HKDSE as comparable to an Australian Senior Secondary School Certificate.
- Do overseas education and assessment institutions recognise HKDSE Liberal Studies?
The curriculum framework for Liberal Studies is designed to ensure that senior secondary students experience a broad and holistic education. The three Areas of Study (6 modules) and Independent Enquiry Study (IES) help students broaden their knowledge base, enhance their social awareness and develop a deeper multi-faceted understanding of self, society and the nation, and the natural and human world.
Liberal Studies has been highly recognised by overseas education and assessment institutions as the other Senior Secondary subjects.
The Australian Government has also recognised HKDSE as comparable to an Australian Senior Secondary School Certificate and Liberal Studies has been included in the recognition.
The Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS) in the UK has recognised the standard of the HKDSE as comparable to that of GCE A Level and included the HKDSE in the UCAS Tariff system with tariff points awarded to the 24 HKDSE subjects, including Liberal Studies.
When setting their admission requirements, different overseas education institutions or faculties will consider an array of factors including the curriculum standard, assessment requirements, and the criteria for setting standards for grading, etc.
- Do overseas education institutions recognise HKDSE English Language?
The HKEAA has conducted a benchmarking study in 2012 to compare the standards between the International English Language Testing System (IELTS) and the HKDSE English Language Examination, in order to provide useful information to help overseas universities understand the English proficiency of HKDSE candidates and set their admission requirements accordingly. Details of the benchmarking study are available here.
Many overseas institutions have now accepted the results in HKDSE English Language as one of their admission requirements. However, institutions in different countries may set specific English Language requirements, for example, TOEFL and IELTS, for international students.
- Are Applied Learning subjects (ApL subjects) widely recognised by employers and education sector?
The Civil Service Bureau (CSB) and the Federation of Self-financing Tertiary Education (FSTE) have expressed that they accept the ApL subjects under the new academic structure for admission and recruitment purposes.
For work:
The CSB accepts “Attained” in ApL subjects as level 2 in Category A subjects in the HKDSE while “Attained with Distinction” is accepted as level 3 for relevant civil service appointment. For details, please visit: Civil Service Bureau.
For further studies:
Sub-degree programmes – FSTE recommends that the minimum admission requirements for sub-degree programmes (including associate degree programmes and higher diploma programmes) be set at HKDSE level 2 in five subjects (including Chinese Language and English Language) or equivalent, including ApL subjects.
Bachelor degree programmes – In general, the tertiary institutions value the learning experiences that students acquire in ApL and ApL subjects will be taken into account as an elective subject for admission to some programmes offered by local universities.
We will continue to have further discussion with universities, sub-degree providers and employers’ associations on the use of ApL subjects, together with other Senior Secondary subjects, to ensure the recognition of ApL subjects.