UK

 

The recent relaxation of the BNO immigration policy in the UK paves the way for more parents to consider sending their children to study in the UK. Reasons for choosing the UK include the similarity of the educational system to Hong Kong's earlier model and the fact that the UK is the birthplace of English, providing students with an opportunity to learn the purest form of the language. Additionally, UK graduates can apply for a work visa to continue working in the UK or return to Hong Kong to take up employment, both of which could enhance their competitiveness in society.

 

British schools are internationally renowned, with four of the top ten universities in the world located in the UK. Local universities offer three-year bachelor's degree programmes, one year shorter than those in Hong Kong, except in Scotland where a four-year programme is required. For some professional disciplines, such as medicine, pharmacy, and architecture, students may need to pursue four to six-year bachelor's degree courses. Besides, for those who do not meet the admission requirements of British universities, Foundation, Diploma, or International Year 1 programmes are available. The courses offered at universities are quite diverse, with more options than in Hong Kong, including disciplines such as chiropractic, aircraft engineering, disaster management, museology, veterinary courses, and more. These universities have relatively abundant degree offers, making it easier for students to pursue the degrees they want.

 

Universities in the UK accept applications based on DSE results, with admission requirements varying depending on the individual university rankings and subject quotas. Generally speaking, students need to obtain at least three subjects ranging from 554 to 444 in the DSE exam, with specific disciplines requiring a minimum of 5*55. Furthermore, universities also require applicants to have attained a certain level of English proficiency, scoring at least 6.0 on the IELTS international English proficiency test.

 

Australia

 

Hong Kong students looking to study abroad often consider Australia, in addition to the UK. The climate of the country is pleasant, and the cities are international and diverse, attracting students from all over the world. Australia is home to the "Big Eight" - prestigious universities with a rich history and many distinguished alumni in politics and business, including Nobel laureates. Australian schools offer a more flexible start date, with courses starting either at the end of February or beginning of March, depending on the programme. Courses are also available for enrolment in July.

There are three pathways for HKDSE graduates to study in Australia. The first is to apply directly to a university programme for those who meet the academic and English language requirements of the university. The second option is to enrol in a foundation programme and then transition to a local university. Finally, students can choose to study at a public vocational college, registered training institution, or vocational education and training programmes offered by universities and secondary schools, primarily focussed on practical and professional training.

 

Canada

 

In recent years, Canada has emerged as a highly attractive destination for further education for Hong Kong students. The Canadian government recently announced that Hong Kong residents who work or graduate in Canada can apply for permanent residency, making it even more appealing to many. Canada's education system is consistently ranked among the best worldwide, and it offers a high quality of life. Canadian universities provide a wide range of courses, and students wishing to enrol in a bachelor's degree programme must have good results in their HKDSE and meet the TOEFL requirements set by the university they are applying to.

In addition, transferring credits from a local college or university in Canada is a popular pathway for high school graduates to enrol in university. Students can study at Canadian institutions for two years to earn recognised credits before applying to continue their studies in the second or third year of university courses. Some private institutions and individual universities have close connections, and as long as students complete the university transfer course and meet the university's requirements, they can seamlessly progress to the second year of that university. The average time to complete a bachelor's degree this way is also around four to five years, which is similar to those who directly enrol in university.

 

Switzerland

 

Switzerland is known for its prestigious hotel management profession, boasting a rich history of over a century. The vast majority of senior executives in international and chain hotels hold degrees from Swiss schools, making their hotel management diploma one of the most globally recognised within the industry. Swiss hotel management universities typically run for three years, although some offer four-year courses, with a difference in duration based on subject content and length of internships.