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HKDSE - Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

HKDSE - Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education examination is administered by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority. Most candidates take four core subjects (Chinese and English languages, mathematics and liberal studies) and two or three elective subjects.
Students at TICC Cunzhi Academy, a private school in Shanghai that offers the DSE curriculum and charges 136,000 yuan (HK$150,000) a year, are seen on August 10. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Opinion | Hong Kong should offer an international DSE to boost education hub goal

Growing mainland demand and a falling local birth rate add to the need for a unified, secure and globally accessible DSE pathway.

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Hong Kong society

Editorial | Both traditional and simplified Chinese have value for Hong Kong

Education in Hong Kong

Letters | Hong Kong’s AI education quest needs human connection to succeed

Education in Hong Kong

2 Australian universities to admit Hong Kong students based on predicted grades

Unprecedented agreement with Queensland University of Technology and Griffith University applies to those from direct subsidy scheme schools.

The new scheme will benefit students sitting the public exams next year. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Letters | Create an international DSE to extend Hong Kong’s educational reach

Readers discuss Hong Kong’s educational strategy, Shenzhen’s merger opportunities and banking charges.

Education in Hong Kong

No Hong Kong student visas for mainland Chinese pupils ‘under mutual agreement’

Secretary for Education Christine Choi explains why mainland pupils are excluded from scheme to increase non-local intake at semi-private schools.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong school’s registration revoked amid cross-border DSE tutorial centre row

Tsung Tsin Middle School registration ended over unresolved conflicts and unauthorised collaboration with a Shenzhen-based centre.

The Education Bureau have revoked the registration of Tsung Tsin Middle School, which had previously been ordered to suspend operations in early August. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Exclusive | Hong Kong education minister open to international version of DSE exams

University entrance exams could go digital as schools push to attract non-local students amid declining enrolment numbers.

Education in Hong Kong

Private DSE candidates’ marks will not affect Hong Kong pupil scores: exam body

Post analysis shows that the number of private candidates securing top marks has increased at a much faster rate than that of school pupils.

Education in Hong Kong

Why are more non-day school candidates achieving top scores in Hong Kong’s DSE?

Analysis by the Post shows number of candidates outside regular school route achieving Level 5** rose sharply in 2025.

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More than a quarter of the 2,700 private candidates enrolled in the DSE through a special entry route in 2025. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Internationalise Hong Kong’s DSE to help turn city into education hub: lawmakers

Lawmakers behind call say move will not harm local students’ interests, as non-locals should still be subject to university places quota.

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The Diploma of Secondary Education is Hong Kong’s university entrance exam. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong urged to quickly adopt residency rule for subsidised university spots

Concern group circulates petition calling for no transition, but authorities dismiss fears children of non-local talent will rush to take DSE.

Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong sets up inspection team to tackle illegal tutorial centre operations

Secretary for Education Christine Choi vows zero tolerance on schools misusing third-party collaboration to offer unapproved courses.

Education in Hong Kong

Editorial | DSE needs oversight to ensure growth in popularity remains healthy

The boom in DSE courses on the mainland speaks to Hong Kong’s appeal as an education hub, but better oversight is needed to ensure quality.

Yew Chung International School in Beijing is among the most expensive institutions offering Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) curriculum in mainland China. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Mainland China tutorial centre undeterred by warning over Hong Kong school ties

New Oriental touts HK$200,000 a year programme that it says can help pupils attend Hong Kong subsidised school with accommodation and ‘intensive training’.

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Caritas St Joseph Secondary School in Tsing Yi. A mainland Chinese tutorial centre has been promoting a programme that it says can help students attend the school. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Fight for Hong Kong’s university spots to heat up as 150,000 more teens eligible

Hong Kong’s ‘predicament’ is reminder of the ‘unplanned consequences’ of official policies, ex-leader CY Leung says.

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Education in Hong Kong

Second Hong Kong school suspended over unauthorised courses

Authorities targeting ‘shell schools’ that work with agencies to help students from outside city become eligible for subsidised university places.

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Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong DSE exam courses offered at over 70 mainland Chinese schools

Increasing popularity of DSE programme also prompts calls to internationalise curriculum to attract more non-local candidates.

Beijing No 4 High School International Courses Jialian Campus. Photo: Handout
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong suspends school in DSE row linked to Shenzhen-based tutorial centre

Education Bureau says behaviour of Tsung Tsin Middle School’s managers has been deemed ‘unsatisfactory’.

Education in Hong Kong

36.53% of Hong Kong students get university, diploma spots under allocation system

Figure represents decline in proportion of successful candidates compared with last year, as expert points to increased competition.

Education in Hong Kong

Opinion | How top scores are leading Hong Kong’s brightest down narrow path

Hong Kong would benefit from a philosophy that grants students the freedom to learn, fail and grow without fear of ruining their future.

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Illustration: Stephen Case
Education in Hong Kong

Hong Kong’s policy change for children of non-local talent ‘to ensure fairness’

Minister defends required residency period for subsidised tertiary education, points to fivefold surge in applications between 2022, 2024.

The Chinese University of Hong Kong. Photo: Jelly Tse
Education in Hong Kong

Editorial | Hong Kong must make the most of its allure for mainland Chinese, overseas students

With the right policy support, Hong Kong would be an ideal choice for those seeking quality education, diverse opportunities and global connectivity.

China-Australia relations

Letters | The wisdom of Australia’s fresh approach to China

Readers discuss why Canberra must keep its foreign policy options open, private DSE candidates in Hong Kong, and driverless vehicles for the Hong Kong-Zhuhai-Macau Bridge.

Education in Hong Kong

Everything you need to know about this year’s Hong Kong DSE examinations

From top scorers to how it compares with mainland China’s gaokao, here’s everything you need to know about Hong Kong’s university entrance exams.

Wang Haibo, a student from the Hong Kong Chinese Women’s Club College, is this year’s DSE “ultimate top scorer”. Photo: May Tse
Education in Hong Kong

‘Less stressful’: why mainland Chinese pupils choose Hong Kong’s DSE over gaokao

Increasing number of mainland candidates see city’s university entrance exams as pathway to more diverse opportunities in higher education.

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A DSE Chinese language examination held at the Hong Kong Teachers’ Association Lee Heng Kwei Secondary School in Tai Po. Photo: Handout
Hong Kong society

Editorial | DSE results not the only path to success for Hong Kong students

While the record number of students with perfect scores has understandably drawn attention, there is more to life than university education.

Education in Hong Kong

Beyond language barriers: ethnic minority students shine in Hong Kong DSE tests

Perseverance in navigating linguistic challenges pays off for Smriti Kedia and Halima Sadia Yaqub in achieving impressive results.

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