Retaking the HKDSE is definitely not an easy decision and requires careful consideration. One must think about how to improve their exam results next year and whether they are confident in doing so. If a student decides to go forward with it, they should pay close attention to the registration details to strategically plan ahead for the coming year.01 | Three Key FactorsWith reference to Hok Yau Club’s article, "4 Major Considerations for Retaking HKDSE" (Chinese version only), three key factors are extracted below which would help the repeaters to make the most suitable choice- Summarising past exam experiences: If your results cannot meet your expectation, was it due to inadequate preparation or underperformance? Or did you give it your all but still fall short? If you retake the exam, do you have the confidence to turn things around, or would it be just another trial without a guaranteed outcome?Don’t see retaking as the only option: Consider whether you have other interests or talents. Exploring alternative education pathways that better suit you might allow you to develop your strengths more effectively.Choosing the right way to retake: Should you study independently or repeat the year at school?Self-study (i.e. being a private candidate) allows you to create your own study schedule based on your grasp of different subjects. However, this method lacks teacher guidance and peer support, making self-discipline and perseverance crucial.Repeating at your current or a different school provides a more structured learning experience, addressing the drawbacks of self-study. But since most of your daytime will be spent in school, the time left for independent revision is limited. Students must clearly assess their knowledge levels and adjust their study pace accordingly.02 | Being a Private CandidateA person may enter for the HKDSE as a private candidate provided that he/she has satisfied the requirements set out at (a) or (b) or (c) below: (a)    The person has sat the previous HKDSE or an equivalent examination, or(b)    The person has reached the age of 19 by 1 January of the year of the Examination, or(c)   The person has completed or is currently pursuing a non-HKDSE curriculum equivalent to Secondary 6 as determined by the HKEAA in the year preceding the Examination.The Authority may consider applications from persons possessing other qualifications or pleading special circumstances.  Persons who have sat other public examinations are expected to demonstrate a suitable level of competence in the same subject(s) entered for the Examination and may be required to provide supporting documents from their schools (if applicable).  Persons who are currently pursuing an HKDSE curriculum will not normally be considered for special entry to the Examination. Exceptional cases may be considered on a case-by-case basis. Students can submit their applications through the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) Online Services. For the registration details, please refer to Private Candidates - Entry Qualifications.03 | Repeat Secondary 6 at SchoolsIf you would like to repeat Secondary 6 at other schools, you may refer to the Life Planning website of the Education Bureau for the list of “Schools admitting HKDSE S6 repeaters from the other schools”. Sources:Hok Yau Club (Chinese version only)Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment AuthorityLife Planning Website of the Education Bureau

The results of the 2025 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination will be released on 16 July.  The Curriculum Development Institute of the EDB produced “HKDSE Cheer Up Videos – Exam Results Release” for all Secondary 6 students, which includes a 2-minute full version and a 1-minute abridged version.  Through sharing by seven guests, students are encouraged to maintain a positive and proactive attitude towards the HKDSE Examination results release day, and plan ahead for their future pathways.
>>Click here to view the Cheer Up Videos and the instant message stickers

After completing the HKDSE, do you wish to pursue further studies but hesitate due to financial constraints? Here are some student financial assistance schemes, which would possibly meet your needs -Local Education SubsidiesFor students pursuing higher education locally, the Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency offers various subsidy schemes. You can also use the "SFO E-link" calculator tool to estimate the possible subsidy amounts under different schemes.1. Tertiary Student Finance Scheme - Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) - provides means-tested financial assistance in the form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students taking up an exclusively publicly-funded student place of a recognised post-secondary programme.2. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Full-time Tertiary Students (NLSFT) - complements the Tertiary Student Finance Scheme – Publicly-funded Programmes (TSFS) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of recognised full-time study courses.3. Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) - provides means-tested financial assistance in form of grant and/or loan to eligible full-time students pursuing locally-accredited, self-financing post-secondary education programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or bachelor’s degree.4. Non-means-tested Loan Scheme for Post-secondary Students (NLSPS) - complements the Financial Assistance Scheme for Post-secondary Students (FASP) to provide loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of locally-accredited, self-financing full-time programmes at the level of associate degree, higher diploma or degree.5. Extended Non-means-tested Loan Scheme (ENLS) - provides loans to eligible students to settle tuition fees of specific post-secondary/continuing and professional education courses studied in Hong Kong.6. Student Travel Subsidy (STS) for Tertiary or Post-secondary Students - provides travel subsidy to eligible students (residing more than 10 minutes’ walking distance away from their schools; and who need to travel to school by public transport) attending a full-time day course up to first degree level in an acceptable institution. Local Continuing Education SubsidiesThe Government provides different subsidy schemes to help young people pursue lifelong learning -1. Continuing Education Fund (CEF) - subsidises adults aged 18 or above to pursue continuing education and training. Eligible applicants may submit unlimited number of claims for reimbursement of fees up to a maximum sum of HK$25,000 within one year upon successful completion of CEF reimbursable courses.2. Financial Assistance Scheme for Designated Evening Adult Education Courses (FAEAEC) - provides eligible students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the tuition fees paid after the end of each school term.3. Diploma of Applied Education (DAE) / Diploma Yi Jin (DYJ) Tuition Fee Reimbursement - provides students with financial assistance in the form of tuition fee reimbursement. Students who fulfill the prescribed eligibility criteria can obtain 30%, 50% or 100% reimbursement of the actual tuition fees paid after the end of each school year.Subsidies for Studying in the MainlandFor students wishing to study in the Mainland, the Education Bureau's "Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS)" might help. This Scheme aims to support Hong Kong students in pursuing undergraduate studies on the Mainland and ensure that no students will be deprived of post-secondary education opportunity due to a lack of means.  MUSSS comprises two components: “means-tested subsidy” and “non-means-tested subsidy”, while eligible applicants can only receive either one subsidy in the same academic year. The subsidy is granted on a yearly basis, and the subsidised period is the normal duration of the undergraduate programme pursued by the student concerned in a designated Mainland institution. MUSSS is not subject to any quota.Additionally, Mainland universities offer scholarships, grants, and tuition waivers. You might check with individual universities.Scholarships & GrantsYou can also use the Scholarship & Grants Search Tool to explore scholarships and grants available for studying in Hong Kong, the Mainland, or overseas. Source:Working Family and Student Financial Assistance Agency - Student FinanceEducation Bureau - Scholarship & Grants Search Tool

The release of DSE results is approaching, and it's normal to feel a bit anxious. To help ease your worries, we have prepared some useful information about further studies. We wish you can start the planning and preparation earlier; so that once the results are out, you will know exactly what steps to take next.Study Locally01 | Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS)Information about JUPAS, like Important Notices, Useful Materials, as well as Admission Requirements of JUPAS Participating-institutions can be found from the JUPAS section of the "Designated Webpage for Secondary 6 Students" prepared by the Education Bureau. This resource aims to help students plan their future academic paths, covering the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) and the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), which allocates bachelor's degree places through JUPAS.In addition, many universities has been introducing a more flexible admissions arrangement so that HKDSE candidates who perform below par in one subject will still have an opportunity for further studies. For more details, students can refer to the JUPAS section’s admission requirements for participating universities and read an article by Hok Yau Club titled "Four Must-Know Facts About Flexible Admissions: Who Benefits the Most?" (Chinese only).02 | Programmes not covered by the JUPASTo further assist students in programme selection and application, apart from locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes, Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS) will also provide information on all locally accredited full-time higher diploma, associate degree and first degree programmes not covered by the JUPAS. These will include publicly-funded sub-degree programmes offered by the Vocational Training Council and publicly-funded degree programmes offered by the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts. Current HKDSE candidates may use the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) to lodge advance applications for full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programmes not covered by the JUPAS.Study in the Mainland and OverseasIn recent years, more and more Hong Kong students are interested in having their further studies in the Mainland or overseas. Here are some tips -01 | Study in the MainlandThere are three major channels to apply for the undergraduate and postgraduate programmes provided by the higher education institutions in the Mainland:1. Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education InstitutionsMainland universities participating in the scheme admit Hong Kong students based on their HKDSE results, exempting them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Mainland Institutions. For the latest updates and details on the Admission Scheme, please visit the Education Bureau's website.2.  National Education Exams Authority, People's Republic of China Joint Entrance Exam for Universities in PRC (Joint Entrance Examination for Mainland Institutions)The Joint Entrance Examination for Mainland Institutions is held around May in Hong Kong every year. Over 400 Mainland higher education institutions participate in it, and candidates are required to sit for the examination for five subjects, including Chinese, English, Mathematics, Physics / History, Chemistry / Geography. For further details, please refer to the latest announcements from The Education Examinations Authority of Guangdong Province (Chinese version only) and the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (Chinese version only).3.  Independent admissions by individual Mainland higher education institutionsThe Ministry of Education has granted the approval for individual Mainland higher education institutions (including Peking University, Tsinghua University, Jinan University, Huaqiao University, Fudan University and Shenzhen University) to conduct direct student recruitment in Hong Kong. Candidates can enquire with the concerned Mainland higher education institutions direct.02 | Study AbroadThere is a large number of overseas institutions and programmes, yet it is important for students to make the best choices for their future studies and plans.Before deciding to study abroad, students should carefully consider the following factors:Local education or overseas education?How to choose the study abroad destination?How to choose the course for studying abroad?What should be noted before applying?For more details, students can refer to the Hok Yau Club's article “Study Abroad Exploration │ Four Questions About Overseas Education! A Visual Guide to Help You Decide”(Chinese version only).If you wish to learn more details about the application method, visa application, general information about study overseas, recognition of non-local qualifications, etc., please refer to "Non-Local Further Studies"  of the Education Bureau.Source:Education Bureau - "Designated Webpage for Secondary 6 Students"Education Bureau - Life Planning Information WebsiteConcourse for Self-financing Post-secondary EducationHok Yau Club (Chinese version only)

The 2025 HKDSE written examination commences in April. The Curriculum Development Institute of the EDB produced “HKDSE Cheer Up Videos – Exam Preparation” (2025) for all Secondary 6 (S6) students, which includes a 2-minute full version and a 1-minute abridged version. Through sharing by five guests, students are encouraged to embrace challenges with a positive and persevering attitude, creating a positive and caring social atmosphere.
>>Click here to view the five cheer up videos and the HKDSE instant messaging stickers

This year's Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) has already begun. We believe that all candidates have prepared well for their upcoming examinations! However, there are always moments when you feel nervous. Are you still worried about missing something before heading to the examination or before the results release? You can check out the following tips for HKDSE provided by the Education Bureau (EDB), to ensure that your final preparations are done and thus gain a peace of mind before the examination!HKDSE Exam TimetableItem Checklist for HKDSE ExamIn addition to the above preparation tips, the designated webpage for Secondary 6 (S6) students also provides other tips related to result release and multiple pathways ahead, in order to help candidates prepare for different stages under the HKDSE! If you wish to know more about HKDSE, further studies and employment information for S6 students, please visit the designated webpage for more information!>>EDB's Designated Webpage for S6 Students*Source of infographics: EDB's Designated Webpage for S6 Students

This year's Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE) is about to start, are you candidates ready to give it a go? In addition to familiarising with the textbook knowledge, candidates should also pay attention to their physical and mental state. It may affect your body, emotions, as well as your concentration if you are under too much stress, so we should pay attention to the stress signals when they appear. Let's check out below the Mental health tips for DSE students (Available in Chinese only) provided by the Department of Health and pratice together! Stress reliefRelaxationDeep BreathingConnecting with othersPlanning for uncertain outcomesSelf-imaginationEveryone reacts differently to stress, and remember to seek professional help and counseling if needed! Apart from taking care of your mental health, do not forget to spare time for your physical health. You may refer to the Health Information and Tips for DSE Students provided by the Department of Health for detailed contents including health tips, online resources and other related government resoureces!More Related LinksDepartment of Health's Student Health Service - Emotional Health Tips - Exam Stress ManagementEducation Bureau's Mental Health@School - Resources for Coping with DSE Exam StressShall We Talk - DSE Exam Stress Management