The lure of DSE for mainland China students

Hong Kong’s university entrance exam, the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), is gaining popularity on the mainland. The Post looks into the trend and explores the impact it might bring to the city and local students.

Updated: 13 Aug, 2025

Students sitting the DSE exams at the Cheung Sha Wan Catholic Secondary School. Photo: Handout

[1]

Hong Kong DSE exam courses offered at over 70 mainland Chinese schools

Increasing popularity of DSE programme also prompts calls to internationalise curriculum to attract more non-local candidates.

11 Aug, 2025

Beijing No 4 High School International Courses Jialian Campus. Photo: Handout

[2]

90% pass rate for Hong Kong’s mainland-based DSE pupils, exceeding city average

Hong Kong students from four mainland Chinese schools far surpass overall average of 38 per cent pass rate of all assessment candidates.

10 Aug, 2025

Abbigale Lau, second from right, from Minxin Hong Kong School has received at least eight offers from renowned universities. Photo: handout

[3]

Mainland Chinese schools charging pupils up to HK$365,000 for Hong Kong DSE

Increasing number of mainland pupils opting to take city’s university entrance exams to apply for institutions in Hong Kong and abroad.

11 Aug, 2025

Yew Chung International School in Beijing is among the most expensive institutions offering Hong Kong’s Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) curriculum in mainland China. Photo: Handout

[4]

Why are mainland DSE pupils willing to pay up to HK$22,000 for university advice?

Shenzhen-based consultant says admission info found online is often overwhelming, hence applicants outside Hong Kong seek stronger guidance.

11 Aug, 2025

Students on University of Hong Kong campus. Photo: Dickson Lee

[5]

Mainland China tutorial centre undeterred by warning over Hong Kong school ties

New Oriental touts HK$200,000 a year programme that it says can help pupils attend Hong Kong subsidised school with accommodation and ‘intensive training’.

13 Aug, 2025

Caritas St Joseph Secondary School in Tsing Yi. A mainland Chinese tutorial centre has been promoting a programme that it says can help students attend the school. Photo: Jelly Tse

[6]

‘Less stressful’: why mainland Chinese pupils choose Hong Kong’s DSE over gaokao

Increasing number of mainland candidates see city’s university entrance exams as pathway to more diverse opportunities in higher education.

17 Jul, 2025

A DSE Chinese language examination held at the Hong Kong Teachers’ Association Lee Heng Kwei Secondary School in Tai Po. Photo: Handout

[7]

Explainer | Why do non-local students take the DSE in Hong Kong and how competitive is it?

The Post examines revised regulations for private candidates and why mainland Chinese students choose DSE over gaokao.

17 Jul, 2025

Students sit for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) exam at Munsang College in Kowloon City. Photo: Handout

Select Voice

Choose your listening speed

Get through articles 2x faster

1.25x

250 WPM

Slow

Average

Fast

00:0000:00

1.25x

The lure of DSE for mainland China students

Hong Kong’s university entrance exam, the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), is gaining popularity on the mainland. The Post looks into the trend and explores the impact it might bring to the city and local students.

Hong Kong DSE exam courses offered at over 70 mainland Chinese schools

Increasing popularity of DSE programme also prompts calls to internationalise curriculum to attract more non-local candidates.

90% pass rate for Hong Kong’s mainland-based DSE pupils, exceeding city average

Hong Kong students from four mainland Chinese schools far surpass overall average of 38 per cent pass rate of all assessment candidates.

Mainland Chinese schools charging pupils up to HK$365,000 for Hong Kong DSE

Increasing number of mainland pupils opting to take city’s university entrance exams to apply for institutions in Hong Kong and abroad.

Why are mainland DSE pupils willing to pay up to HK$22,000 for university advice?

Shenzhen-based consultant says admission info found online is often overwhelming, hence applicants outside Hong Kong seek stronger guidance.

Mainland China tutorial centre undeterred by warning over Hong Kong school ties

New Oriental touts HK$200,000 a year programme that it says can help pupils attend Hong Kong subsidised school with accommodation and ‘intensive training’.

‘Less stressful’: why mainland Chinese pupils choose Hong Kong’s DSE over gaokao

Increasing number of mainland candidates see city’s university entrance exams as pathway to more diverse opportunities in higher education.

.css-sioo19{color:#c79a00;}Explainer | Why do non-local students take the DSE in Hong Kong and how competitive is it?

The Post examines revised regulations for private candidates and why mainland Chinese students choose DSE over gaokao.

Explainer | Why do non-local students take the DSE in Hong Kong and how competitive is it?