Since the new secondary curriculum Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) was introduced in 2009, the extended maths in calculus and statistics (M1) and extended maths in algebra and calculus (M2) became the only two further maths components in addition to the mandatory maths subject, which educators say provides only basic maths knowledge.
Since the curriculum considers the two electives as “half-subjects”, this limits universities’ ability to recognise them as full electives. Four of the Hong Kong Universities, including The University of Hong Kong, Baptist University, Lingnan University and the Institute of Education refuse to consider M1 or M2 as full electives when students apply for maths and science-related programmes. Perhaps related to this, figures from the DSE exam show a dramatic drop in the numbers of sitting exams for the two electives.
Source: South China Morning Post
http://www.scmp.com/news/hong-kong/education-community/article/1937417/four-hong-kong-universities-refuse-recognise-two
Commentary by Ivy Leung, British Council Hong Kong
For the general admission requirements to Hong Kong universities, most HKDSE students are sitting for two elective subjects in addition to the core subjects of English, Chinese, Mathematics and Liberal Studies. The fact that the further maths electives are not considered full electives discourages students to take them. UK institutions should be aware of this trend, and consider whether the basic maths knowledge from core maths is sufficient enough to meet subject prerequisites for maths or science-related programmes. UK institutions can also review the curriculum of the further maths electives to set entrance criteria for HKDSE graduates, i.e. whether to consider these a full-elective or half-elective.