The public education that are located in Hong Kong are well-known for putting a lot of pressure on students and not everyone’s parents who live abroad approve of the strict approach. Private international schools however, have adapted to a more Western culture of education with more relaxed curriculum. However, regardless of the option parents of expats choose, they can expect high-quality education as well as the possibility to choose from a variety of top schools and higher education establishments.
In this section, we look at the daycare system and kindergarten, costs for education, and schools that allow you to improve your Cantonese skills.
What is the education System at present in Hong Kong?
The system of education in Hong Kong is publicly funded. All 12 years of education, from primary to senior secondary school (ages 6-18) is provided for free to students who attend public schools.
Public schools comprise all schools of Hong Kong. They are either run by the state or a religious or charitable organization. Thus, finding the right Catholic as well as a Protestant one within Hong Kong should not be a problem.
Types of Schools that are available in Hong Kong Description Government Public schools; run and funded by the government; free. Aided Public schools; run by charitable or religious organizations which are funded by the government (most typical type); free. Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) Private schools are subsidized by government; not free. Caput Schools Public schools partly subsidized by the government, but not free. Private Schools Privately owned schools aimed at Chinese students; admission is based on academic excellence and is not free. International Schools Private International Schools Privately run schools targeted at international students. admission fees are high. English Schools Foundation Private schools that are partly funded by the federal government; designed for English-speaking students; not free.
The most significant difference between public and private schools lies in the fees and curricula. Schools that are public located in Hong Kong are free, but admission to private schools will require a fee. As the government cannot regulate the curriculum in private schools, it frequently differs from the standard education method. However, certain schools (e.g. : DSS) still have to prepare their students for the same final exam.
What is the education System like in Hong Kong?
If we are talking about how the Hong Kong school system, it is imperative to mention that it underwent some significant changes over the past few years. Notorious for its competitiveness It was overhauled to reduce the stress on students. The obligatory primary and junior secondary school tests aren’t included in the syllabus anymore. However, the high-stakes culture persists, bringing many students to the verge of mental breakdown.
Information about Hong Kong Education System
The education system in Hong Kong is free, and school is compulsory from between the ages of 6 and 15 (primary primary and junior secondary). Students in the public school system in Hong Kong attend primary schools for six years. They are then they attend the junior secondary school for three years, school, as well as three years of secondary education.
Education Length Ages Type Year of School Three years of Kindergarten, Voluntary September – June Six years of primary school Mandatory Sept 3-July Junior Secondary Mandatory Sept – July Intermediate Secondary 3 years, 16-18 years Selective September to July (year 2 & 3) August to February (year 3)
After completing the 12-year program and passing the final examination Students are awarded an Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).
Grading system for HKDSE HKDSE Grading System Western Equivalent meaning 5** A* Top of Class Excellent 5 A Good 4 B/C adequate 3 D/E Pass 2-1 Fail
The system of grading in Hong Kong universities is based on a system of four points:
GRADE (NUMBER) GRADE (LETTER) MEANING 4.3-3.7 A Excellent 3.6-2.7 B Good 2.6-1.7 C Adequate 1.7-1.0 D Pass <1.0 F Fail
School at Hong Kong starts around 7:30 to 8:00 . The school hours last until around 14:30 or 15:00.
Public schools’ classes typically teach in Chinese but there is a chance of English as a teaching language being added later on to the curriculum (secondary schools). Some private schools operate in Chinese however, private international schools generally teach in English.
Kindergarten and Daycare
Overall, high-quality Kindergartens with excellent facilities for children and pre-schools are easy to find within Hong Kong. Kindergarten is usually started at the age of 3 or 6. But it’s not required. If you’re in the mood, it is generally possible to decide if your child will attend kindergarten on a daily or half-day basis.
For children under the age of 3, you can apply for a spot in a nursery classor in a childcare center or even hire someone to look after the children at your home.
The kindergarten curriculum varies between different institutions while the government acknowledges the principle of child-centered education. The objective of this style of learning is to help children learn how to be socially aware, cultivate good habits, and be interested in their surroundings. Common subjects are languages, early mathematics, physical health, science and technology, self and society, as well as art. They are taught by playing, active involvement, and encouraging.
All kindergartens in Hong Kong are run privately. Some of them are non-profit-making, while others are independent establishments. The costs for kindergarten be contingent on the school you choose.
Non-profit kindergartens are now covered under the Free Quality Kindergarten Education scheme that allows all children to get pre-school education for free. This scheme is only a half-day option to children ages 3 to 6.
Kindergarten fees depend on the school, whether you opt for half-day or full-day classes, as well as the area of the kindergarten. The cost of kindergarten is difficult to calculate as it could range from 7,000 to 75,000 HKD (900 to 9,000 USD) every year or more than that.
Click here for one of the best international kindergarten Hong Kong.
Primary and Secondary Schools
Primary Schools
It is a fact that in Hong Kong, primary schools operate on morning, afternoon or even a full day. The afternoon and morning schedules were devised in order to accommodate the large number of students attending primary schools and to reduce the possibility of overcrowding.
Admissions of students to the public primary (also known as elementary) school in Hong Kong is divided into two stages: Discretionary Admission , and Central Allocation.
Primary One Admission Systems Central Allocation Priority Points System Comprises 30% of accepted students. It comprises 20 percent from accepted students. Comprises 50% of accepted students. The priority is granted to students of employees at the school or kids with siblings who are enrolled at the school. The selection of students is made determined by a set point system. Parents can make an “unrestricted selection” and can choose up to three elementary schools that are public (comprises 10% of the accepted students to Central Allocation). Parents pick from a school network in the region they reside within (comprises 95% of the accepted students to Central Allocation).
If you’re not sure what school to pick from, there is a list of schools available. Hong Kong government provides you with a comprehensive listing of the (public and private) primary schools with all the necessary information. It provides information on the length and number of classes offered, the school’s curriculum, the qualifications and experience of teachers, school costs as well as other important details.
If your child is enrolled in a public primary school within Hong Kong, you may be asked to pay certain fees. These costs for school could include a fee for an association called the Parent-Teacher Association, Tong Fai as well as other fees that have been approved. Tong Fai is a payment introduced in public schools after the schooling in Hong Kong became free. In the majority of cases, fees for public schools need to be no more than 500 HKD (65 USD) per year.
Parents who wish for their children to go to private schools will have to deal with an application process that is different and are charged more costs. One year in an elementary school that is private in Hong Kong costs around 40,000 HKD (5,100 USD).
If your child attends an elementary school that is public the child will be assigned to a specific secondary school once they graduate. Parents of children that attend private or DSS primary schools have to apply for secondary school themselves.
Secondary Schools
Secondary school (in some countries referred to as high schools) schooling within Hong Kong is split into two parts: junior secondary and senior secondary education. Each of them runs for three years and while junior secondary schooling is compulsory however, the decision on whether or not to be enrolled in a high school for senior secondary is entirely up to the student and their ability.
The secondary school allocation system is similar to the way applicants are admitted for primary education in Hong Kong and the process is broken down into two steps two stages: Discretionary places and Central Allocation. The ratio of students accepted varies.
Secondary School Places Allocation System Discretionary Places Central Allocation comprises 30% of students who are accepted. Comprises 70% of students accepted under this program, it is possible to apply to two secondary schools. In this plan you can apply for three secondary schools within any school network (comprises 10 percent of applicants accepted for Central Allocation). With this plan, it is possible to submit applications for the 30 schools of secondary from your school’s local network(comprises 90percent of accepted candidates of Central Allocation).
In certain secondary schools, specific subjects are made available for students to study in English as a learning language. To determine if this is an option in the school closest to the place you live, check out this list of Hong the city’s secondary schools. Here you can learn more about their size, the instructors as well as the curriculum, techniques of teaching, and other details.
If it comes to school fees Public secondary schools in Hong Kong are mostly free but there are some extra charges. There are a few possible fees to consider. Parent-Teacher Association fees, Student Association Membership fee, And Tong Fai for students in the senior secondary school. In all, the amount are not to over $5000 HKD (65 USD) per year.
For kids transitioning from primary school to secondary school, many schools will organize events to help them get to know the new surroundings.
Senior Secondary Schools
Transferring from junior school to senior secondary should not be difficult. Many schools that run junior programs ensure that the graduates have a good number of places in their senior classes as well.
Students that do not wish to continue with mainstream education right now may opt to pursue an occupational training program instead.
Students that opt for high school in the senior secondary level must study four subjects that are essential to their education: Chinese and English languages along with mathematics, and liberal studies. Additionally they may choose to study three additional subjects within their school’s syllabus (history and biology, physics, etc.) and study an additional subject in applied learning and language (applied science (business management, services, etc.) and so on. ).
After completing three years of high school, students are required to take the final test, which typically includes the previously mentioned core subjects as well as some additional subjects that the student can choose to take. Exams are conducted in several sections and require both written and oral exams. Students are also required to write essays in order that are evaluated on their language skills and get an assessment for their application of learning subject before receiving their diploma.
When the exams are completed after which the students get after passing the exams, they receive a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) which allows them to proceed to higher education stages.
Assistance for Students who are Newly Arrived
Hong Kong pays specific attention to newly-arrived kids that need to be brought into the local education system. Parents who wish to send their children to be enrolled in one of the more mainstream schools have a few choices to help their kids integrate. These are:
Initiation Programme – a six-months-long (September-March) fully-time course that incorporates both academic and non-academic elements to allow English learners to acquire Chinese (or in reverse). The program is for free and is available at a couple of schools in Hong Kong.
Induction Programme – a 60-hour-long part-time program that runs in the morning, after school or during weekends, depending on the requirements of the children. The curriculum is comprised of lessons on Chinese and English along with introduction to the cultural traditions of the local community and Hong Kong’s education system as well as communication and learning. This program is provided free for all students and is offered at various schools throughout Hong Kong.
School-based supplementary language classes is a program offered by public and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and provided by the School-Based Sustained Scheme . Typically, the curriculum of these classes is determined by specific schools.
International Schools
In addition to private schools in town, a well-known private school system with many international schools has been in operation. Many expats decide to send their children there due to the more westernized curriculum. They are now becoming more and more popular among local Chinese pupils as well.
The school year for international schools usually starts in August. To ensure your child’s spot at the school of your choice, you should start your application one year in advance.
Every international school usually has specific admission requirements, so be sure you contact your preferred school directly. Be aware that certain schools may give preference to students of specific nationality (e.g. : French schools might prefer French students) or siblings of current students, or children of the staff.
One benefit that you can get your kids to attend an international school is that classes typically are smaller than the local public schools, and, generally, not as competitive. However, the biggest disadvantage of international schools is simply their price. While public schools are mostly open to all children, international school tuition costs range between 100,000 and 200 000 HKD (12,800 and 25,600 USD) or more in annual tuition costs, contingent on the school and school your child is attending.
If your kid is familiar of the Chinese language and you want to improve their fluency and write in Hanzi (Chinese letters) It is possible that the standard of Mandarin and Cantonese taught at international schools is not adequate. There are a few international schools are truly bilingual and a public school could be the better choice in this case.
Higher Education
The universities of Hong Kong have recently developed excellent reputations both within Hong Kong’s boundaries and beyond. Hong Kong’s University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong specifically were recognized as top performers in the international rankings of universities. In addition, the administration is currently giving a significant amount of its time and money to enhancing the region’s status as an educational hub. This means that universities in Hong Kong might be a greater than a sensible option when your kids are looking to pursue college education , while living there in Hong Kong.
All of the universities and other institutions of higher education that are located in Hong Kong offer internationally recognized degrees to their students. These include bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees that are based on research programs and post-grad courses. Undergraduate degrees in Hong Kong usually last four years. But, you can find courses lasting just 2-3 years.
A majority of universities offer courses in English, so there is no need to be concerned about your Chinese proficiency in Chinese. However, you should investigate the details of the school you choose.
How Much Will It Cost to Study in Hong Kong?
The cost of higher education varies from one school to another according to the type of course you choose as well as whether you’re an international student or not. Local students can anticipate paying between 40,000 and 45,000 HKD (5,100 to 5,750 USD) to complete an undergraduate program. The tuition fees for international university students can be as high as double or triple, and even more than quadruple the amount of up to 80,000-165,000 HKD (10,200 to 21,100 USD) for the academic year.
Post-graduation courses for international students in universities supported by government costs about 40,000 HKD (5,100 USD) annually, and residents of the country can not pay tuition fees generally.
Universities may charge an application fee that is around 350 HKD (45 USD). Certain universities have students pay a non-refundable fee upon acceptance. This deposit ranges from 10,000 to 80,000 HKD (1,300 to 10,250 USD). On the other hand, a lot of universities also offer scholarship programs that international students might be qualified to.
Additional Degrees, Courses and Certificates
There are a variety of accredited universities and institutions that are local to Hong Kong offering sub-degree courses like associate degrees and higher diplomas.