Hong Kong remains one of the richest cities in the world. A special administrative region of the People’s Republic of China, Hong Kong has been dubbed as “The Best Business City in the World” boasting of majestic skyscrapers and competitive financial centre. Being a former British colony and an autonomous territory affiliated with China, Hong Kong embraces both the western and oriental cultures in its sophisticated lifestyle.
With its population of highly influential citizens and immigrants, Hong Kong provides educational institutions that cater to the aspirations of its elite community. Schools in Hong Kong are internationally acclaimed centres for top learning quality. English is the primary medium of instruction in schools consistent with the government’s aim to produce internationally capable graduates. Moreover, universities in Hong Kong are among the world’s best higher education institutions – an undeniable proof of the city’s commitment to continuously strengthen the education system for all enrolled students in Hong Kong schools.
Despite its high standard of living, Hong Kong is still a top choice for international tourists and students alike who wish to explore the distinct community where all of the world’s bests are found. Indeed, Hong Kong is true to its Cantonese name which means “fragrance harbor”.
Education in Hong Kong is free for primary and junior secondary school which are mandatory levels for all children in the region. Students who attend public schools for these mandatory levels do not pay tuition as the expense is covered by the government. The table below presents a summary of the education structure followed by schools in Hong Kong.
| Age | Education | Level | Number of Years |
|---|---|---|---|
| 6 to 12 | Primary School | 6 | |
| 12 to 15 | Middle School | Secondary Forms 1 to 3 | 3 |
| 15 to 17 | Secondary School (Junior) | Secondary Forms 4 to 5 | 2 |
| 17 to 19 | Secondary School (Senior) | Advanced Level Course Forms S6 and S7 | 2 |
| 19 and above | Tertiary Education | Undergraduate and University | 3 to 5 |
After primary school, students attend two levels of secondary school (junior and senior). In junior secondary school, students are taught broad subjects related to history, geography, science and other subjects they had in primary (e.g. mathematics, English). However, in senior secondary school, students will select the field of study they want as well as the duration of their studies. Upon successful completion of both levels in secondary school, students get to choose from either attending a university for a bachelor’s degree or looking for employment in one of Hong Kong’s many large firms.
Hong Kong has different types of school catering to all students who seek their best institute of choice. Schools in Hong Kong can be either of the following: government schools, aided schools (subsidized or grant), Direct Subsidy Scheme (DSS) schools, caput schools, private schools, private international schools, and English Schools Foundation (ESF). Below are descriptions of each type of school in Hong Kong.
Government Schools
Government schools are run and wholly funded by the government of Hong Kong. These schools use English and Cantonese as languages of instruction.
Subsidized schools are the most common aided schools in Hong Kong. These schools are managed by charitable and religious groups (e.g. Christian, Buddhist, Taoist) that receive funding from the government.
Grant schools receive government funding consistent with the Codes of Aid. They are typically administered by charitable and religious institutions as per the Grant Code (defunct code).
These schools are private schools overseen by non-government organizations. They receive some funding from the government to enhance the quality of Hong Kong’s private school education. Since DSS schools are managed by private organizations, they are free to implement their chosen curriculum, tuition fees, and admission policies provided that most of their students follow the local curriculum and that all students take the Territory-wide System Assessment (TSA) examinations.
Caput schools are subsidized by the government according to the number of enrolled students.
Private schools are schools that prioritize local Chinese children for admission. They are privately funded schools which screen applicants based on academic qualifications rather than financial capability. These schools use English and Cantonese as languages of instruction.
Private international schools have significantly higher tuition fees than local schools. They are privately funded and are usually sponsored by other countries such as France, Japan, Germany, Canada, Singapore, and China. Private international schools use English as the primary medium of instruction. They also incorporate a foreign language depending on their sponsoring country. Children enrolled in private international goals usually aim to enroll in foreign universities upon completion of their studies in Hong Kong.
These are subsidized schools that provide an ideal alternative to conventional Hong Kong education. International students who cannot afford to study in private international schools may opt to enroll in ESF schools as these are funded by the government to support English-speaking children. In 2001, ESF schools made a switch from implementing the British curriculum to the International Baccalaureate (IB) curriculum.
Each school in Hong Kong follows a different curriculum depending on its institutional description and objectives. The following are the types of curriculum used by schools in Hong Kong:
This type of curriculum applies to primary schools that teach children aged 3 to 12. Its main goal is to develop compassionate and active learners. The PYP focuses on inquiry-led transdisciplinary framework that incorporate teaching about real-life and global issues. Since its introduction in 1997, the PYP has been used by 1,472 schools worldwide.
This type of curriculum applies to students aged 11 to 16. Its main goal is to entice students to connect theoretical learning to practical application in the real world. This is a five-year program that leads to a direct path for an IB Diploma Programme (DP) or Career-related Programme (CP). For the MYP, 50 hours for each of the eight subject groups is required.
This type of curriculum applies to students aged 16 to 19. Its main goal is to prepare students to succeed in university life and in the real world. At the end of this challenging and balanced programme, students will take final examinations leading to an entry to higher education institutions. The DP curriculum allows students to study courses from six subject areas as well as a minimum of two languages that would enable them to explore their own culture and another foreign culture.
This type of curriculum is followed by schools in the United States. It offers a broad and balanced programme from kindergarten until Grade 12. Its main goal is to prepare students to take the SAT and language proficiency exams such as TOEFL and IELTS.
This type of curriculum is commonly used in Canada and the United States. It caters to high school students who are able to study under a college-level curriculum. It is usually equivalent to an accelerated step towards completing one’s education.
The New South Wales Curriculum focuses on eight learning areas: English, HSIE (human society and its environment), languages, mathematics, PDHPE (health, safety, physical education), science, TAS (tools and technology), and creative arts.
The Canadian Curriculum typically requires kindergarten, primary school, middle school, and high schools. Primary education concentrates on developing the students’ skills in mathematics, English, science, arts, social studies, technology, and physical education. They are also taught about the culture and language of the country they are currently located in. For high school, the Canadian Curriculum offers a wide range of subjects allowing students to choose their degree of specialization.
In the French curriculum, children are honed into learning areas (technical and soft skills) starting from nursery education until they are prepared for tertiary education and baccalaureate programmes.
Developed by the Cambridge International Examinations, the IGCSE is similar to the O-Level curriculum. Examinations for this type of curriculum are known to be arduous as it is the world’s most popular international certification to be obtained at the end of secondary education. The core subjects for the IGCSE are English, mathematics, and sciences.?
International students have a large number of options when it comes to the type of curriculum they want to be educated in. Hong Kong offers most curricula parallel with international requirements.
International students can choose from among 600 primary and 500 secondary schools in Hong Kong. As admission processes in Hong Kong can be tough because of the huge number of prospective students, it is necessary to plan ahead. Below are the most important things to know when searching for a school in Hong Kong.
A chance to study in one of the world’s best cities is what Hong Kong offers. Start planning your child’s education in Hong Kong with the helo of our guide.
Below is a comprehensive list of all schools in Hong Kong (Victoria City, Kowloon (including New Kowloon), Tsuen Wan (Tsuen Wan, Kwai ChungandTsing Yi), Sha Tin, Tuen Mun New, Town, Tai Po, Yuen Long, Fanling-Sheung Shui, Ma On Shan, Tseung Kwan O New Town, Tin Shui Wai, North Lantau (Tung ChungandTai Ho), Aberdeen, Cheung Chau, Kennedy Town, Discovery Bay, Jardine's Lookout, Kwun Tong, Lei Yue Mun, Ma, Wan, Mui Wo (Silvermine Bay), Peng Chau, Sai Kung, Sha Tau Kok, Shek O, Sok Kwu Wan, Stanley, Tai O, Yuen Long Town, Yung Shue Wan, Lantau Island). Edarabia strives to offer the latest updates, helping you find the best schools in Hong Kong with information on tuition fees, accreditation details, videos, photos, location map, community reviews and ratings.
Edarabia showcases all private schools in Hong kong through which parents can filter by tuition fees, curriculum, rankings & ratings. There are many public, private and charter schools near you that cater to both expat and local students.
Depending on the level of education; kindergartens (pre-schools), primary, secondary and high schools will all have varying tuition fees. Most K-12 schools offer different curriculums and extra-curricular activities to support the intellectual and physical wellbeing of students. Admissions for the top international schools in Hong kong tend to have waiting lists so it is recommended that parents apply well in advance to secure a spot for their children. Additionally, each school has ratings based on parent reviews and are ranked below accordingly.
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