A Guide to Education & International Schools in Hong Kong

Jump right in:

• The education system in Hong Kong
• Daycare & kindergarten
• Primary school
• Secondary school
• Support for newly arrived students
• International schools
• Higher education
• Language schools

Education system in Hong Kong

The education system in Hong Kong is publicly funded. All 12 years of education, from primary to senior secondary school (ages 6 through 18), is free for students attending public schools. Public schools make up the majority of schools in Hong Kong. They are either run by the government or a charitable or a religious organization. Thus, finding a Catholic or Protestant school in Hong Kong should not be a problem.

The main difference between public and private schools in Hong Kong is cost and curriculum. Public schools are free and follow a standard curriculum, while private schools charge fees and often have different curricula. However, some private institutions still prepare students for the same final exams as public school.

What Is education system like in Hong Kong?

When talking about the Hong Kong school system, it is important to note that it has undergone some major changes in the last years. Notorious for its competitiveness, it was reformed to put less pressure on students. The mandatory primary and junior secondary school exams are not part of the curriculum anymore. Students now only need to pass internal exams and tests, and in some cases, the Basic Competency Assessment (BCA). The major public examination takes place at the end of secondary school. However, the highly demanding culture still remains, pushing many students to the verge of mental breakdown.

Facts about Hong Kong education system

Children in public schools in Hong Kong attend primary schools for six years, followed by three years of junior secondary education, and another three years of senior secondary education.

All stages of education follow a September to July school year often with a break in late January or early February because of the lunar New Year. After completing the 12-year program and taking the final exam, students are granted a Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE).

Grading system for HKDSE

The grading system in Hong Kong universities is based on a 4-point system:

School in Hong Kong starts around 7:30 to 8:00 and last until about 14:30 or 16:00. Classes in public schools are usually taught in Chinese with a possibility of English as a teaching language being integrated later on in the curriculum (secondary school). Many private schools also operate in Chinese; however, private international schools usually teach in English.

Daycare & kindergarten

Children usually start kindergarten at age 3, but it’s not mandatory, your child can go for either:

• Half-day: 3 hours (morning or afternoon session)
• Full-day: 8:00/9:00 –16:30

For children under Age 3, parents can consider:

• Nursery classes
• Childcare center or
• Private in-home care

Each kindergarten has its own style, but most follow a child-centered approach that focuses on social skills, curiosity, and good habits. Kids learn language, early math, health, science, art, and more — mostly through play and hands-on activities.

Kindergarten fees and funding

All kindergartens in Hong Kong are run privately. Some of them are non-profit-making, while others are independent institutions. The fees for kindergarten will depend on which option you choose. Non-profit kindergartens are now under the Free Quality Kindergarten Education scheme that allows all children to get pre-school education at a subsidized cost.

The scheme covers both half-day and whole day option for kids ages 3 to 6. Kindergarten fees depend on the grade, whether you opt for full or half-days, and the location of the kindergarten. The average kindergarten costs are hard to determine as it can be anywhere between 7,000 to 70,000 HKD (900 to 9,000 USD) per year or even more than that.

How to apply to kindergarten or nursey schools in Hong Kong

Research kindergartens to find the best fit for your needs. Apply directly to your selected schools, either through a central application system or each school’s individual online or in-person process (refer to their websites for details). Most kindergartens require a child interview, so arrive on time and bring all necessary documents, including the interview notification letter.

Primary schools

In Hong Kong, primary schools mostly run on a whole-day schedule. However morning and afternoon schedules exists in some schools and were created to accommodate the number of pupils attending primary schools and to avoid overcrowding. The admissions to public primary (also known as elementary) schools in Hong Kong is divided into two stages: Discretionary Places Admission and Central Allocation.

How to apply to primary schools

Discretionary Places Admission (DPA) is the first stage where parents can apply to one government or aided school directly this is based on two things:

• Mandatory admission: Priority is given to children with a sibling or a working parent
• Point based system: Remaining places are allocated on a set point system.

Note that up to 50% of places is allocated here at this stage.

Central Allocation is the second stage for children who did not secure a place during the Discretionary Places Allocation (DPA) stage, with 50% of Primary One spots assigned through this process. Parents can select up to three schools outside their district (accounting for 10% of CA places), while the remaining 90% must be within their district. School placements are determined by a computer system based on these choices and a random number assigned to each student.

If you’re unsure which school to choose, the Hong Kong government provides a comprehensive list of all primary schools, including details on class size, teaching approach, staff qualifications, and costs.

Primary school fees

Public schools may charge fees such as Parent-Teacher Association dues, Tong Fai. Other costs to consider include school uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activity fees. but these rarely exceed 4000 HKD (approx. 510 USD) per year.

Parents who want their children to attend private schools will face a different application system and will be charged higher fees. Fees for both public and private schools are as follows:

If your child attends a public primary school, they will be allocated to a certain secondary school once they graduate. Parents of children that attend private or DSS primary schools have to apply for secondary schools themselves.

Secondary schools

Secondary school (in some countries referred to as high school) education in Hong Kong is split into two parts: junior secondary and senior secondary schooling. Both of them lasts three years and while junior secondary education is mandatory, the choice of whether or not one should attend a senior secondary school is up to the student and their capabilities.

In some secondary schools, certain subjects become available in English as a teaching language. To find out whether it is an option in a school near where you reside, check out the list of Hong Kong’s secondary schools. There you can also find detailed information about the size of the school, the teachers, the curricula, the teaching methods, and many other important details. For kids transitioning from primary to secondary education, many schools will organize events to help them get to know the new environment.

The secondary school allocation system is similar to the way applicants are accepted to primary schools in Hong Kong, and the process is divided into two stages: Discretionary Places and Central Allocation. However, the ratio of accepted students differs.

How to apply to secondary schools

The Discretionary Places Admission (DPA) is the first stage of secondary school placement in Hong Kong: During this stage, parents may apply directly to up to two participating schools of their choice, regardless of district. Schools typically reserve up to 30% of their Secondary One places for DP admissions and establish their own selection criteria, which often include:

• academic performance
• interview results
• non-academic achievements
• EDB Rank Order List score

Successful applicants are notified in late March. If admitted through DPA, students do not proceed to the Central Allocation stage.

The Central Allocation (CA) stage is the main process for placing students who didn’t secure a spot through Discretionary Places or chose to skip that stage. CA fills the remaining Secondary One places, with allocation based on

• parental choice
• academic banding (Band 1, 2, or 3, determined by school assessment results)
• a lottery system

Parents may first select up to three schools from any district (10% of places), then up to 30 schools within their own district (90%). The computer system allocates places according to the priority of choices, academic band, and, if necessary, a random tiebreaker for oversubscribed schools.

Secondary school fees

When it comes to school costs, public secondary schools in Hong Kong are mostly free, with some additional charges. The possible charges are Parent-Teacher Association fees, Student Association Membership fee, and Tong Fai for senior secondary school attendees. Other costs to consider include school uniforms, textbooks, and extracurricular activity fees. In total, the payments should not exceed 4,000 HKD (approx. 510 USD) per year.

Senior secondary schools

Transitioning from junior to senior secondary school is usually straightforward, as most schools reserve spots for their graduating junior students. Those not pursuing mainstream education can opt for vocational training instead. Senior secondary students study four core subjects:

• Chinese
• English
• Mathematics
• Liberal studies
• Three electives

Students may take additional languages or applied learning courses. After three years, students complete written and oral exams in core and elective subjects, and upon passing, receive the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), which qualifies them for higher education.

Support for newly arrived students

Hong Kong pays specific attention to newly-arrived kids that need to be introduced to the local schooling system. Parents who wish for their children to attend one of the mainstream schools have a few options that can help their kids integrate. These are:

Initiation Programme: a six-months-long (September-March) full-time program that uses both academic and non-academic elements in order for English speaking students to learn Chinese (or vice versa). The program is free and runs at a few schools around Hong Kong.

Induction Programme: a free, 60-hour-long part-time program that runs daytime, after school, or during weekends, depending on the needs of children. The curriculum comprises of lessons in Chinese and English, an introduction to the traditions of the local community and Hong Kong’s education system, and communication and learning skills. The program runs at a variety of schools around Hong Kong every year.

School-based supplementary language classes: a program run by public and Direct Subsidy Scheme schools and funded by the School-Based Support Scheme, these classes have curricula tailored to individual schools.

International schools

Most expat parents in Hong Kong who don’t opt for a public school for their children choose a private international school instead. This is because international schools typically have run a westernized curriculum.

Some of the popular schools in Hong Kong for international students are:

• French International School of Hong Kong
• German-Swiss International School of Hong Kong
• Nord Anglia International School Hong Kong
• Christian Alliance International School
• Canadian International School of Hong Kong
• Australian International School Hong Kong
• Schools of English Schools Foundation
• Hong Kong International School

These are just a few examples of the possibilities. The Hong Kong education system offers a variety of international schools including both primary and secondary school options. The school year in international schools usually starts in August.

Application Process

To secure a spot, start your application at least a year in advance and check each school’s specific admission requirements. Be aware that some schools might give priority to students of specific nationality (e.g.: French schools might prefer French students), siblings of already existing students, or children of the staff.

Advantages and disadvantages

One of the advantages of sending your child to an international school is that classes are usually smaller than in local public schools, and, generally, not as competitive. International schools in Hong Kong primarily follow globally recognized curricula, which is a major advantage for expat families. Many offer not only national curricula but also International Baccalaureate (IB) programs, GCSEs, and A-Levels.

On the downside, the biggest disadvantage of international schools is simply their cost. While public schools are mostly free for all students, international school tuition fees can be anything from 100,000 to 250,000 HKD (approx. 12,840 to 32,120 USD) or more in annual tuition fees, depending on the school and the grade your child attends.

If your child already knows some Chinese and you want them to become fully fluent and proficient in character writing, be aware that most international schools in Hong Kong focus primarily on English and offer less intensive Mandarin instruction than local schools. While some international schools now provide bilingual streams or Chinese-as-a-first-language tracks, local public schools generally offer a more immersive environment for mastering Chinese language skills.

Higher education

The universities in Hong Kong have recently developed excellent reputations both within Hong Kong’s borders and beyond. Hong Kong’s universities, including the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, are highly ranked internationally. All universities and higher education institutions in Hong Kong offer internationally recognized bachelor’s and postgraduate degrees, most of which are taught in English. Undergraduate programs usually last four years, though some shorter options exist. Always check specific course details.

How much does higher education cost in Hong Kong?

The price of higher education varies from one university to another depending on the course and on whether you are a local or not.

Many universities also offer scholarships, which international students may be eligible for.

What are the main institutions of higher education in Hong Kong?

The following schools are funded publicly by the so-called University Grants Committee (UGC). The UGC is a non-statutory advisory committee which supports the government on matters concerning both funding and development of universities in Hong Kong.

• City University of Hong Kong
• Hong Kong Baptist University
• Lingnan University
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong
• The Hong Kong Institute of Education
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology
• The University of Hong Kong

About one third of all students in Hong Kong receive some kind of undergraduate education. In addition to the universities in Hong Kong financed by the UGC, there exists self-financing academic institutions that offer higher education:

• Caritas Institute of Higher Education
• Centennial College
• Chu Hai College of Higher Education
• Gratia Christian College
• Hang Seng University of Hong Kong
• HKCT Institute of Higher Education
• Hong Kong Metropolitan University
• Hong Kong Nang Yang College of Higher Education
• Hong Kong Shue Yan University
• Technological and Higher Education Institute of Hong Kong
• The Open University of Hong Kong
• Tung Wah College
• Yew Chung College of Early Childhood Education

Other degrees and courses

There is a number of locally-accredited institutions and universities in Hong Kong offering sub-degree courses such as associate degrees and higher diplomas. You can find more information on these courses by browsing the Information Portal for Accredited Post-Secondary Programs provided by the Hong Kong government. There are also a great variety of distance-learning classes and other courses offering non-local qualifications. All programs must be officially registered and approved by the Hong Kong Education Bureau; the bureau keeps an up to date list of registered non-local courses that fulfil the government’s requirements.

Language schools

Before you start looking into Hong Kong’s language schools, you will have to decide on which of the many Chinese languages you wish to learn. The main two options are between Chinese Mandarin, the official language of China, and Cantonese, the main dialect of Hong Kong.

Do I need to speak Chinese in Hong Kong?

While English is one of the main business languages in Hong Kong, you should not pass on the opportunity to brush up on your Chinese skills at a local language school. It will not only help you in your day-to-day life, but show your colleagues, employers, and business partners your willingness to integrate into their culture.

Popular Chinese and Mandarin language schools:

• Q Language
• The Oxford oriental school of language
• Focus Mandarin
• Manadrin channel school
• International language center
• Hong Kong Mandarin time school
• [Hong Kong language school](https://hkls.com.hk/9
• Hong Kong language learning center

Monthly fees for language courses in Hong Kong vary depending on the program’s intensity and duration:

You can easily apply for courses directly through their websites.