Welcome to the Overseas Visitors' Corner!
 
Hong KongNote is a metropolitan city and aspires to be a regional education hub that attracts people from all over the world to live, work and study. We are right at the gateway of Mainland China, the world's fastest growing economy and have acute understanding of the business acumen on the Mainland as well as close social and cultural ties with our neighbouring provinces. It is our vision not only to attract and nurture talents for Hong Kong, but also for the region as a whole. Foreign students coming to study in Hong Kong would benefit from the good blend of eastern and western cultures. The English and Chinese speaking environment has enabled non-local students to adapt easily to our academic environment, as well as our city life.
 
To keep pace with the changing environment and respond to new trends in learning, Hong Kong's education system has undergone considerable reform over the past decade. We have reformed the academic structure, as well as the curriculum and assessment framework. We have started implementing the New Academic Structure (NAS) in 2009, which represented another critical milestone in our education development. The NAS aims to enable students to enjoy education of a better quality, leading to a more comprehensive development in terms of knowledge, skills, positive values and attitudes. It provides multiple pathways for students' further studies and career development. The NAS will also align Hong Kong with major international academic systems and facilitate better globalised articulation.
 
This Overseas Visitors' Corner would help you understand the NAS, and assist to meet your aspirations to study in Hong Kong or to consider admitting our students to your institutions. As the information in this Corner presents only an overview, you are welcome to visit the New Academic Structure Web Bulletin for more details and updates to keep abreast of the latest developments of the NAS and the education system of Hong Kong.
 

Information at a Glance

 
Note: Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region of the People's Republic of China
 
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Find the information you need simply by clicking the following icons:
 

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If you need more specific information, please contact us via email at nas@edb.gov.hk.
 
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You can also search for the information you need by directly clicking the individual questions below:
 

1.Overview of the New Academic Structure (NAS)

  1. Why is the New Academic Structure implemented in Hong Kong?
  2. What are the qualities expected of the students under the New Academic Structure?
  3. How is the New Academic Structure different from the old academic structure?
  4. What are the transitional arrangements to phase in the New Academic Structure?
 

2. Student Learning under the NAS
  1. What curricula do students study under the New Academic Structure?
  2. What are the characteristics of the New Senior Secondary curriculum?
  3. What is the lesson time of each subject in the New Senior Secondary Academic Structure?
  4. What are the differences between the compulsory part and extended modules of Mathematics? Who takes the extended modules? Will students' performance be reported separately?
  5. What are Combined Science and Integrated Science? Why are they introduced?
  6. Will the reduction of one year's study in senior secondary education affect learning?
  7. How are schools and teachers prepared for the New Academic Structure?
  8. What are the changes happening in local universities under the New Academic Structure?
 

3. New Qualification under the NAS
  1. What is the new public examination under the New Academic Structure? What will be its reporting system?
  2. What is School-based Assessment? Why is it introduced?
  3. How is the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education qualification recognised locally?
  4. How is the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education qualification recognised internationally?
  5. Will the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education qualification be recognised for entry to higher education institutions in Mainland China?
  6. When will results of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination be released in 2012? Before the results are released, what information is available to institutions when they consider applications from Hong Kong students?
 

4. Information for Overseas Students Coming to Study in Hong Kong
  1. Why should I choose to study in Hong Kong? Are there measures to attract students to study in Hong Kong?
  2. How long will it take if I want to pursue undergraduate studies under the New Academic Structure?
  3. What are the general entrance requirements of the universities in Hong Kong under the New Academic Structure? How and when should I apply?
  4. How do I apply for a post-secondary programme under the New Academic Structure?
  5. What are the research opportunities in Hong Kong?
  6. Can I stay and work in Hong Kong after graduation?
 
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