Rising Interest in Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education

The Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) in Hong Kong has seen a notable rise in interest in recent years as the government aims to boost the city’s profile as a global education hub. This initiative is not only limited to higher education but extends to basic education as well. Recently, the Education Bureau has called upon all Direct Subsidy Scheme schools to apply for an increase in their intake of non-local students.

The Educational Landscape in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s education system is designed to foster biliteracy and trilingualism, offering students a diverse range of academic pathways. Currently, 165 institutions across mainland China have set their sights on DSE students, eliminating the need for additional entrance tests. On an international scale, more than 600 universities, including prestigious universities in the UK, Australia, Europe, and the US, recognize the DSE as a valid qualification.

Growing Demand from Mainland Students

In recent years, there has been a significant surge in interest from students in mainland China, who face stiff competition in the gaokao, the country’s university entrance exam, which sees about 13 million candidates each year. Research shows that numerous mainland schools, over 100 to be exact, along with several tutorial centers, are now offering the DSE curriculum. Some of these institutions, more than 40, charge annual fees that exceed 100,000 yuan (approximately US$14,200).

Regulatory Challenges

Despite the increasing demand, only four schools in mainland China, all located within the Greater Bay Area, are officially recognized as DSE “participating schools” by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). This recognition allows them to enroll students as “school candidates.” Most other institutions rely on private candidate arrangements, which often lead to uncertainty. For students under the age of 19, a special application must be submitted, subject to case-by-case assessment by the HKEAA.

Issues Arising from the Demand Regulation Gap

This mismatch between rising interest and regulatory framework has led to complications. For instance, a recent incident in Shenzhen saw multiple private candidate applications initially denied until further documentation was provided. Additionally, there are growing concerns surrounding “shell schools,” where institutions registered in Hong Kong operate merely as covers for mainland tutorial centers.

The Future of DSE and Non-local Students

Given Hong Kong’s declining birth rate and the government’s ambition to position the city as a premier international education hub, there is a pressing need to establish a streamlined, reliable DSE pathway. This will not only accommodate the increasing number of non-local students but will also address local workforce challenges.