"Higher Education | AboutHK.Com - more information about HK"

With 8 universities and several

other tertiary institutions in just one city, tertiary education plays a key role in the education system.

Of the 36,660 students who attended the HKALE in 2003, 18,049 (49.2%) of them fulfilled their general entry requirement to their respective university, usually a pass in Chinese Language and Culture and Use of English, plus another two A-level subjects (or one A-level subject and two AS-level subjects). Students who sit for the HKALE first time have a success rate of 75.8%. There are 19 different A-level and 20 different AS-level subjects available. The cost of undergraduate, full-degree, full-time programmes tend to be around HK$40,000 - 50,000 a year, with the cost being higher for engineering and medical students. The reason for this relatively low cost is due to heavy government subsidisation. Being an international city, Hong Kong"s tertiary institutions attract many foreign exchange students from US, UK, Switzerland, Canada, Italy, Singapore to name a few.

The following is a table comparing HK tertiary students enrollment in various countries. It also provides a ratio comparison to the number that enrolled in local Hong Kong universities


HK Institute of Vocational Education

Country	1975	1984	1986	1988	1990	1992	1994	1998	2000
Australia	572	1,658	1,687	1,889	3,864	6,707	11,932	17,135	20,739
Canada	6,644	7,723	6,730	5,840	6,372	6,600	6,589	5,000	5,000
Taiwan	2,626	3,816	3,854	3,850	3,633	3,450	2,663	1,487	1,171
UK	4,434	6,500	6,935	7,300	7,700	7,600	7,400	5,450	5,200
USA	11,930	9,000	9,720	9,160	12,630	14,018	12,940	8,730	7,545
Local	11,575	21,538	25,995	29,591	34,556	42,721	52,494	59,528	59,408

Vocational and Post-secondary Education

Commerce stream in secondary schools are considered vocational in nature. Students in the Commerce stream would usually enter the workplace to gain practical work experience by this point. Further education pursuit in Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education or universities abroad are common. The Manpower Development Committee (MDC) advices the government on coordination, regulation and promotion of the sector. In addition, the Vocational Training Council (VTC) ensures the level of standard is met through the "Apprentice Ordinance". The VTC also operate three skills-centres for people with disabilities.

International Education

International institutions like German Swiss International School and French International School continue to teach with English as the primary language. International school students rarely take Hong Kong public exams. British students take GCSE, IGCSE and A-levels. US students take SATs. Other international student follow International Baccalaureate policies, and enter universities through non-JUPAS direct entry. International students apply on a per school basis, whereas Hong Kong local students have the advantage of submitting 1 application for multiple local universities as a JUPAS applicant.