Explained
What is the HKDSE?
The HKDSE (Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) is Hong Kong's main school-leaving qualification, taken at the end of secondary school. It is the route into local Hong Kong universities (HKU, HKUST, CUHK) through the JUPAS system, and accounts for the large majority of local university admissions.
Most international-school families in Hong Kong choose the IB or a British curriculum instead, which feeds overseas applications and non-JUPAS local admission. The HKDSE is the local-track default; the IB is the international hedge.
Both pathways coexist in Hong Kong's bifurcated market — HKDSE for local universities, IB/A-Levels for overseas. The choice follows your child's target university system, not a quality ranking.
Reviewed by Priscilla Han. BrightKey is independent and takes no payment from schools or universities.
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