Mainland Chinese schools offering Hong Kong university entrance exam coursework to more than 70 institutions
In mainland China, the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) from Hong Kong is gaining significant traction, with more than 70 schools offering the curriculum, including private institutions like TICC Cunzhi Academy in Shanghai. This surge in popularity can be attributed to Hong Kong's reputation as an education hub and the perceived advantages of the DSE exam for university entry.
The TICC Cunzhi Academy, one of the schools offering the DSE curriculum in cities such as Beijing, Shanghai, Shenzhen, Guangzhou, Zhejiang, and Jiangsu, has seen a remarkable increase in enrolment. In the current year, the academy's enrolment for the DSE curriculum has quadrupled, growing from 15 students in 2022 to 60 students.
The allure of the DSE lies in its rigorous standards and its role as the core university entrance exam in Hong Kong, with a high percentage of candidates securing admission to top local universities. However, the cost of private schools and tutorial centers offering DSE courses in mainland China is substantial. Annual fees range from 100,000 to over 300,000 yuan, with additional expenses such as boarding, meals, and consultancy services for university application guidance adding to the overall cost.
This boom in DSE tutoring and courses on the mainland has raised concerns about quality and regulatory oversight, as many providers are not registered with the official Hong Kong examination authority. The growing demand for the DSE curriculum presents both an opportunity and a challenge for maintaining quality and fair access to Hong Kong university education pathways.
To address this issue, calls have been made for the internationalization of the DSE assessment, which was launched in 2012, to increase the number of non-local candidates. This move could potentially alleviate concerns about quality and access while continuing to capitalize on the growing interest in the DSE.
Johnny Qian Changsheng, the head of TICC Cunzhi Academy, has reported that parents in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region have become more informed about the DSE in the past two years, indicating a growing awareness and interest in this education pathway. Alongside the DSE curriculum, TICC Cunzhi Academy also offers the General Certificate of Education A-levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB), providing students with a variety of options to suit their academic needs and aspirations.
References: 1. www.scmp.com/education/china-universities/article/3168124/chinese-schools-offer-hong-kongs-university-entrance-exam 2. www.scmp.com/education/china-universities/article/3168134/hong-kongs-diploma-secondary-education-dse-gains-popularity 3. www.scmp.com/education/china-universities/article/3168170/hong-kongs-diploma-secondary-education-dse-courses-mainland 4. www.scmp.com/education/china-universities/article/3168124/chinese-schools-offer-hong-kongs-university-entrance-exam
- Parents in the Jiangsu-Zhejiang-Shanghai region are increasingly seeking out educational opportunities for their children, with many showing interest in the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) curriculum offered by schools like TICC Cunzhi Academy, which also provides learning opportunities through the General Certificate of Education A-levels and the International Baccalaureate (IB).
- The growing demand for the DSE curriculum, driven by its reputation for rigorous standards and high university entry rates, has led to a significant increase in enrolment at schools like TICC Cunzhi Academy, where the number of students undertaking the DSE curriculum has quadrupled in the current year.
