The Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) have released the results of the 2016 HKDSE examination. For students who have sat the HKDSE, their results determine whether they are eligible for admission to local publicly funded universities, or whether they will need to enter self-funded degree programmes locally or overseas education in order to attend university.

Eight per cent fewer students sat the HKDSE exam this year compared to 2015, a reflection of shrinking student population as a result of low birth rates in the last two decades. 68,100 candidates, including 57,127 school candidates and 11,001 private candidates (usually students from a previous year repeating one or more papers) sat the exams this year.

A total of 39,000 candidates (71.2 per cent) achieved level 2 or above, which makes them eligible for entry to sub-degree programmes or to apply for civil service posts. 23,611 day school candidates (42.2 per cent) met the general entry requirements for local publicly funded degree programmes, compared with 12,000 first year entry places being available to HKDSE graduates.  

The percentages of levels attained for all category A subjects among day school candidates are as follows:

Sources:

http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/DocLibrary/Media/PR/20160712_HKDSE_FULL_Results_ENG.pdf

http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1989189/schools-perfect-scores-revealed-hong-kong

Commentary by Steve Corry, Head of Education Marketing Services, Hong Kong (steven.corry@britishcouncil.org.hk):

In Hong Kong access to university is viewed as the single most important determinant of future career prospects and social status, however there remains a shortfall of publicly funded degree places. Therefore HKDSE results are of paramount importance and a source of significant stress for parents and students. The very top students usually select a place at one of Hong Kong’s most well regarded local universities, for scores of others who have missed out on the pathway of choice they will now scramble to find the best alternative option. For around five thousand students this will mean commencement of undergraduate degrees in the UK.

With eight per cent fewer HKDSE graduates this year it was expected that the number of students going to the UK would also decrease, however it is interesting to note that UCAS applications to March 2016 were only 2 per cent lower than to the same time last year. Ongoing political controversies in Hong Kong and the lower value of the British Pound following the result of the EU referendum may be maintaining student levels in the short term.