With the final cohort of A-level students and the first cohort of the HKDSE graduating this year, UK exhibitors were well prepared for receiving enquiries and accepting applications from the 'double cohort'.
The opening of the Education UK exhibition was scheduled on 17 August, the day of the JUPAS results for HKDSE graduands, allowing the event to immediately provide for those still seeking higher education opportunities through clearing.
This was the first time this event was held on a Friday and Saturday, at a newly sourced venue in KITEC, due to venue availability for the clearing weekend. Despite Friday being a working day, many exhibitors received a steady flow of enquiries, the most popular institutions being very busy.
As may be expected, the university exhibitors reported at least as many enquiries from other secondary qualifications such as A-levels and IB as the HKDSE. Exhibitors were also anticipating a notable increase in enquiries for foundation programmes, continuing a trend over the past couple of years. Instead, exhibitors noted a decline in the interest of foundation programmes replaced by many parents investigating pathways to higher education one or two years in advance on behalf of their children.
The exhibition of seventy-three exhibitors is one of the most ever hosted in Hong Kong, and while the number of visitors at 6,200 did not exceed the number of the same event last year, the quality of the students remained high.
As one exhibitor reported: "Well organised events. Helpful staff. Good number of enquiries from students overall; worth trying and attending next year."
The exhibition was reported prominently and positively in six newspapers and one on-line video channel. The main story angle focused on the 37 per cent increase in UK university applications and shortage of local places for qualified students from the first HKDSE sitting. For those who did not secure places, studying in the UK was a leading alternative. Media also quoted some students who had received local university offers but were choosing to opt for the UK.
The team received satisfaction rates exceeding 96 per cent for quality of event and support to business needs from the exhibitors. This bodes well for the team as this is the first exhibition under the new education structure for British Council Hong Kong.