Jupas results are out, now what? A guide to handle every possible outcome
No matter how your Jupas applications turn out, your need to have a clear plan and prepare for the future - whatever your final grade
On Monday you will receive your Jupas results and find out whether you’ve been offered a place at university. But if your results are not as good as you anticipated, there are other higher education options you can consider.
Young Post spoke to Hok Yau Club Student Guidance Centre’s director Ng Po-shing, and Cecilia Ng Kam-kuen, the head of the Hong Kong Federation of Youth Groups media counselling centre, for some useful advice on how to prepare for every possible outcome.
The Jupas office says that if you get an offer for a programme you want to study, you should accept it immediately. You need to pay the acceptance fee for main round offers by 5pm on Tuesday.
The results of DSE papers that were rechecked and remarked will be released on August 10. With your upgraded HKDSE results, you can submit your application via your Jupas account by 6pm on the same day. This option is available for Form Six students who successfully appeal their results and are considering applying for a “better offer”. The second round for candidates with upgraded HKDSE results will be announced on August 17.
A handful of candidates may also turn down successful offers, so some programmes could have a few spots available for students who haven’t accepted or received any offers. These clearing round offer results will be released on August 21.
However, Ng Po-shing advises you not to expect too much from this round as there haven’t been many places in the past. “It’s very late to start planning for a course that starts only a week later. You’ll also miss some orientation activities which help you adapt to new environments. You should take the offers as early as possible,” he says.
If you’ve paid the enrolment deposit for a self-financing programme and get another offer, you can get a refund. Higher education institutions like Tung Wah College or Hang Seng Management College will refund your deposit if you accept a full-time government funded bachelor’s degree’s offer from Jupas, or if you are accepted into an undergraduate programme designated under the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP).
Ng Po-shing reminds you to follow the instructions of individual institutions as the procedures and deadlines vary. For example, at Hang Seng Management College, you can request a refund but they will charge you an administrative fee of HK$500. The deadline for refunds for main round offers is noon on Wednesday. If you want a refund after the Jupas clearing round offers, remember the deadline is August 23, also at noon.
If you don’t secure a university place, Cecilia Ng recommends applying for other self-financing undergraduate programmes in Hong Kong. “It’s understandable you’ll be disappointed. But you shouldn’t end up stressed. You’re unlikely to make the best decisions if you’re stressed. Bear in mind your choices should be based on your interest and abilities,” she says.
Ng Po-shing tells Young Post that some students (whether or not they receive a Jupas offer) choose to pay the deposit for self-financing options such as selected undergraduate programmes, and higher diploma or diploma programmes. These students have a bit of freedom to choose what they want to study.
“However, if you still haven’t applied for any programme, don’t panic,” Ng Po-shing says.
These few days before the release of the Jupas results are crucial. You should check whether there are spots available on self-financing courses you are interest in.
A spokeswoman for Tung Wah College’s told Young Post that students can still apply at King’s Park Campus from Monday to Wednesday. They can submit their application forms and attend interviews at the venue. They will be notified if they have been accepted on the same day.
The application period for Hang Seng Management College’s self-financing bachelor’s degree courses is open until August 31.
As of 5pm on Friday, some bachelor’s degree places at the Centennial College of the University of Hong Kong’s were still available.
The Vocational Training Council will also organise admission days for students to apply for bachelor’s degree courses, higher diploma and other diploma programmes on Monday and Tuesday from 9am-5pm, at the Institute Of Vocational Education (Haking Wong Campus) in Cheung Sha Wan.
Application for Shue Yan University’s bachelor’s degree courses is open from 9.30am to 5pm, Monday to Wednesday. Completed forms can be submitted to the admissions office in person.
“For all of these options, it’s a good idea to bring along your personal documents, copies of your HKDSE results reports, and enough money for application fees,” advises Ng Po-shing.
Edited by Jamie Lam