Although 2015 saw a marginal increase of 1.7%* in the total number of students from Hong Kong in UK independent schools, this comes after a significant drop in numbers in previous years. In fact, 2014 saw total pupil numbers from Hong Kong dip to their lowest since 2007, when the Independent Schools Council began to record the total number of overseas pupils in UK schools. Worryingly, the number of new students from Hong Kong is also currently at its lowest since 2009.

Anna Lee, Education Marketing Services Manager for the British Council in Hong Kong comments: “The shrinking boarding school market in Hong Kong is believed to be due to a combination of factors, including less civil service employees utilising study abroad allowances (only available to civil servants who joined the service before August 1997), and increased promotion of foundation programmes in the Hong Kong market pulling students away from studying A-Levels. Some further decline may be inevitable, however UK education remains popular among Hong Kong families. Also, economic prospects remain stable, with growth forecast at 3.5 per cent per annum between 2015 and 2018, which may halt a decline from the previous two years.”

Although significant growth of the Hong Kong market for UK schools looks unlikely, schools are encouraged to maintain a regular market presence in Hong Kong, coupled with digital/online/social media marketing and leveraging of existing student or alumni case studies, in order to maintain student numbers.

The British Council’s Parent perspectives: sending Hong Kong students abroad for school report gives an insight into the decision making factors behind why parents consider sending their children to the UK and can help UK schools to ensure their messaging and approach to the Hong Kong market is most effective.

*All figures – Independent Schools Council Annual Census