[CHINESE 中文] [The UCAS tariff value for HKDSE]

[How ITS can help][support for individual subjects][take the IGCSE]

[add a GCE subject][support with the application process]

The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education

In the past few years, the senior secondary curriculum offered by local schools in Hong kong has received a major overhaul.  The new senior secondary education model, leading to the Hong Kong Diploma in Secondary Education (HKDSE) has now replaced the old HKCEE (Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination) and the HLALE (Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination) qualifications.
The result of this change in the curriculum has been to increase the general level of education in Hong Kong. Under the former system, some students received no senior secondary education while a large number received only two years, as they failed to successfully complete the entry requirements for the HKALE. Under the new system, virtually all students will complete three years of senior secondary education.  The new HKDSE will be used for tertiary entrance requirements.

The structure of the HKDSE
All students take four core subjects – Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies.  Students are then able to select two or three NSS (new senior secondary) subjects from a choice of 20 electives including subjects from the key learning areas of Personal, Social and Humanities Education, Science Education, Technology Education, Arts Education and Physical Education.
The public examinations for the HKDSE will be conducted by the same assessment body, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority.

Acceptance of the HKDSE for admission to UK Universities
UCAS, the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service in the UK has assessed the HKDSE as follows for the UCAS Tariff system.  It is the UCAS Tariff system that determines how tertiary institutions make offers to their courses, based on the grades that students achieve.

 

The UCAS tariff value for HKDSE ( allocated to 23 HKDSE subjects, excluding Mathematics)

Level	Tariff	Remark
5**	N/A	This will be allocated upon further evidence after the first administration of the HKDSE exams in 2012.
5*	130	Between grades A and A* in the 2010 GCE (A Level) examinations
5	120	Comparable to an A in the 2010 GCE (A level) Examinations
4	80	Comparable to a C in the 2010 GCE (A Level) Examinations
3	40	Comparable to an E in the 2010 GCE (A Level) Examinations

The UCAS tariff value for HKDSE ( Mathematics only)

Level	Compulsory Part	Extended Part	Remark
5**	N/A	N/A	This will be allocated upon further evidence after the first administration of the HKDSE exams in 2012.
5*	60	70	Between grades A and A* in the 2010 GCE (A Level) examinations
5	40	65
4	35	50
3	25	40

 

UCAS Tariff points for other International Qualifications

Advanced Placement Programme – US and Canada
Grade 5 4 3	UCAS Tariff Points 120 90 60
CIE Cambridge Pre-U Diploma
Grade D1 D2 D3 M1 M2 M3 P1 P2 P3	UCAS Tariff Points N/A 145 130 115 101 87 73 59 45
GCE AS and Advanced Levels (from 2010)
AS Grades                     UCAS Tariff Points N/A                                         N/A A                                              60 B                                              50 C                                              40 D                                              30 E                                               20	AL Grades                    UCAS Tariff Points A*                                             140 A                                                120 B                                                 100 C                                                   80 D                                                   60 E                                                    40
International Baccalaureate Diploma (higher level subjects)
Grade 7 6 5 4 3	Tariff 130 110 80 50 20

How ITS can help

Help for DSE students can be obtained from ITS in a number of ways –

•  support for individual subjects

ITS can provide tuition for individual subjects students are taking as part of their core or their electives. One-to-one and small group tuition is available in a large range of subjects as well as help in exam –taking techniques and exam tips.

• take the IGCSE

Sometimes parents have concerns regarding the DSE, including whether the structure of the DSE will suit their child and whether the DSE is providing the right pre-requisites for alternative pathways of study. One way to compensate for the lack of an exam score at Year 11 (or upper fifth level) is for students to take a number of IGCSE subjects with ITS.  Students can join one-to-one tuition or small group preparation classes then enroll and take the exams at ITS. I/GCSE

• add a GCE subject

In order for students to ensure that they have the best possible choices available to them at university, adding one or more GCE (A level) subjects can help.  As the A level is a modular system, students can take the subjects as quickly or as slowly as suits their schedule, while giving themselves an additional qualification and increasing their chances of entering the university of their choice. UK AS/A2 Levels in Hong Kong.

• support with the application process

Considering sending your child abroad, either to finish secondary school or to university? ITS can help with the application process.  We can provide assistance in preparing students for UK school entrance test as well as language proficiency tests such as IELTS or the PTE.  If you want help with an overseas university application, ITS can provide a specialist in either the UK or US systems.  Your child can get help with editing of a personal statement for UCAS or support with a college application for the US.  We provide lessons in SAT preparation too.

 

email: info@tuition.com.hk

For specific information on the options available for a Hong Kong parent wishing an international education now the HKCEE and the HKAL are gone please click this link

International Secondary Education - The options