Statistics of HKDSE results and post-secondary places

HKDSE candidates may apply for the programmes provided by the local tertiary institutions. The programmes accredited by the Hong Kong Government have entered onto the Qualifications Register. By levels of study, the programmes can be classified as:

  • Degree courses (QF Level 5)
  • Sub-degree programmes, including Associate Degree and Higher Diploma (QF Level 4)

By geographical areas, the programmes can be classified as:

  • Degree and sub-degree programmes provided by about {{localNum}} local tertiary institutions.
  • Non-local degree programmes joint provided by overseas universities and local tertiary institutions.

By funding categories, the programmes can be classified as:

  • Bachelor’s degree programmes funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC). The programmes are provided by CityU, HKBU, LingnanU, CUHK, EdUHK, PolyU, HKUST, HKU which are generally referred as the “Eight Tertiary Institutions” by mass media.
  • UGC-funded sub-degree programmes provided by CityU, EdUHK and PolyU.
  • Bachelor’s degree programmes funded by the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP) for the students entering the first year studies in 2015 or later. The programmes are provided by CIHE, CHC, HSUHK, TWC, HKMU, VTC – THEi, HKSYU and UOWCHK.
  • Sub-degree programmes funded by the SSSDP for students admitted in 2019 or later. The programmes are provided by about {{sssdpIns.length}} tertiary institutions.
  • Publicly-funded bachelor’s degree programmes provided by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA)
  • Publicly-funded sub-degree programmes provided by Vocational Training Council (VTC)
  • Self-financing bachelor’s degree programmes provided by about {{degNum}} tertiary institutions, including local and non-local courses.
  • Self-financing sub-degree programmes provided by about {{sdNum}} tertiary institutions.

The courses can be summarised in the table below:

Bachelor’s Degree Sub-degree (AD/HD)
UGC-funded Eight Tertiary Institutions CityU, EdUHK, PolyU
SSSDP Totally {{sssdpNum}} local tertiary institutions About {{sssdpIns.length}} local tertiary institutions
Publicly-funded HKAPA VTC
Self-financing About {{degNum}} tertiary institutions, including local and non-local programmes. About {{sdNum}} local tertiary institutions

To search for the details of the UGC-funded, SSSDP and some of the self-financing programmes of HKMA, please visit: HKDSE - JUPAS Programme Search

To search for the details of the publicly-funded, SSSDP and self-financing programmes, please visit: HKDSE - iPASS Programme Search

UGC-funded degree programmes

In {{year}}, totally {{r33222}} candidates obtained the results that met the general entrance requirements of the local undergraduate programmes at 3322+2 or above, i.e. {{r33222pc}} of all the sat candidates.

In HKDSE, the result of 3322+2 represents, in the 4 core subjects, Chinese Language and English Language at level 3, Mathematics Compulsory Part and Liberal Studies at level 2 respectively, and in addition any elective subject at level 2. This is generally considered as the minimum entrance requirement of the local funded bachelor’s degree programmes. However, some of the funded universities require 3322+33 as the minimum requirement, i.e., 2 elective subjects at level 3 or above. Some of the funded programmes require specific subjects or better results as minimum requirement. Please refer to the websites of the universities for the details.

There are 8 post-secondary institutions in Hong Kong providing undergraduate places funded by the UGC. Their minimum entrance requirements are:
3322+33 – CityU, CUHK, HKBU, HKU, HKUST, PolyU,
3322+2 – EdUHK, LingnanU.

UGC recommends the number of UGC-funded first-year full-time degree places at 15,000 per annum, including JUPAS, non-JUPAS and non-local places. Excluding about 3,000 non-JUPAS and non-local places, there are only about 12,000 something JUPAS funded places for the local HKDSE candidates to apply.

Because of the lack of funded undergraduate places compare with the number of candidates attained the minimum entrance requirement, the competition ratio (number of candidates competing for one place) usually at around 2, there is a remote chance for a candidate who just attained the minimum requirement at 3322+2 to get a place in the funded undergraduate programmes.

The minimum entrance requirement at 3322+2 is equivalent to a score at 12. However, total score of the best 5 subjects at 20 or above is a more practical result for a candidate to pursue a UGC-funded undergraduate place, but still many variables.

Calculation of total score is to add the grade points of the best 5 subjects with level 5** counted as 7 points, level 5* as 6 points, level 5 as 5 points, level 4 as 4 points, and so on, but no point below level 1.

Generally speaking, the result of the best 5 subjects at level 4 or above, with the core subjects at 3322 or above, i.e. total score of the best 5 subjects at 20 or above, is more practical to pursue a funded place. However, due to variation of the competition ratio each year, scores at 19 to 20 are marginal cases. Scores at 21 or above will have higher chance.

Cumulative curve of 5-subject score of the candidates having core subjects at 3322
Exam years
Shaded area shows the number of JUPAS UGC-funded places and scores of higher chance of intakes.

The total score of the best 5 subjects is just one of the factors of admission and serves as a reference only. Other factors include requirements of specific programme, competition ratio, candidates’ Student Learning Profile and performance at interviews, etc. Moreover, the statistics disclosed by HKEAA does not reflect the situation of repeaters who apply through JUPAS with more than one sitting in HKDSE. Therefore, there are many variables if the total score is in the range of 19 to 21.

Other degree programmes

In addition to UGC-funded degree courses, the HKDSE candidates may also apply for the publicly-funded (HKAPA), SSSDP and self-financing degree courses. HKAPA and SSSDP courses include areas of few professions and sectors, and less number of places. Therefore, self-financing degree courses are in main stream other than the UGC-funded programmes. However, without government funding, the tuition fee of the self-financing programmes is higher.

The minimum entrance requirements of other bachelor’s degree programmes are at 3322+2, similar to the UGC-funded programmes. However, the total number of places are still less than the number of candidates attaining the minimum entrance requirement.

SSSDP from 2015/16 to 2017/18 in 3 academic years subsidised around 1,000 places per cohort. From the academic year 2018/19, this plan has been regularised with an increase in number of subsidised places to around 3,000 per cohort.

Sub-degree programmes

Sub-degree includes associate degree and higher diploma. Both are at Level 4 in Qualifications Framework (QF). A sub-degree programme may be UGC-funded, publicly-funded or self-financing. The minimum entrance requirements are in general at 22+222, i.e. the best 5 subjects at Level 2 or above including Chinese Language and English Language.

In {{year}}, totally {{r33222}} candidates obtained the results that met the general entrance requirements of the local sub-degree programmes at 22+222 or above, i.e. {{r22222pc}} of all the sat candidates.

Accredited degree and sub-degree places all together are more than the candidate attaining the minimum entrance requirements. It is not difficult for an HKDSE candidate to get a post-secondary place once his/her result meets the requirement.