With around 110,000 candidates completing the two qualifications, and another estimated 5,000 Hong Kong students completing other qualifications in Hong Kong and overseas, there is expected to be a shortfall of 21,900 places for all undergraduate, sub-degree and training courses.

UK universities are already seeing a sharp increase in applications from Hong Kong in the double cohort year. By March, UCAS applications were up 36.5 per cent, to 5297.

Author: Katherine Forestier, Senior Education Consultant, British Council