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

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)

After the release of the HKDSE results, you may start to consider your possible future paths. Employment is one of the options. Among all the industries, which one best suits your personality, abilities, and interests? How can you equip yourself? What job-seeking channels are available? Let’s break it down step by step!First, whether you already have a preferred industry or are still considering your options, you can start by browsing the Industries and Jobs - Life Planning Information Website under Education Bureau and Careers Exploration - Talent.gov.hk to understand the responsibilities, work environment, and personality matches for different positions across various industries. If you are interested in certain job positions, you can further explore the educational requirements, skills, career prospects, and promotion pathways. More importantly, you can get to know the vacancies available in the market for these positions and any relevant courses available in these websites.In addition, you can visit the Job Centres of the Labour Department to consult employment advisors for job search advice. Employment advisors provide information of the latest employment market, training courses and existing employment programmes available to meet the needs of individual job seekers. They also conduct career aptitude assessments for job seekers and offer job search advice.If you are unsure about your career direction, you may consider giving yourself more trials and experiences by participating in the Labour Department’s Work Trial Scheme or the following on-the-job training/ apprenticeship programmes:Labour Department’s "Youth Employment and Training Programme" (YETP) The YETP provides free and dedicated training and employment support services to young people aged 15 to 29 with an educational attainment at sub-degree level or below. This programme enables young people to better understand themselves and their work aptitudes while enriching their job skills and experience so as to enhance employability. Career Advisors of YETP provide trainees with career development services. Trainees may also choose to participate in training courses, workplace attachment training and on-the-job training. The programme also recently launched the Greater Bay Area Work Experience Attachment Programme this summer, offering 1-month workplace attachment in the Greater Bay Area Mainland cities for YETP trainees aged 18 to 29.Vocational Training Council (VTC)'s Apprenticeship and Other Training Programs Apprenticeship training has duality in essence: apprentice not only has a full-time job with steady income, and complemented with related vocational education; moreover, the training is monitored and supported. While being an apprentice, he/she accumulates working experience and progress academically concurrently.When you make up your mind to enter the workforce, you can consider exploring job opportunities through the following channels:Government-provided job platformsTalent.gov.hkLabour Department's Interactive Employment Service"GovHK - Applying for Government Jobs"Job fairs/recruitment events organised by the Labour Department, NGOs, or individual companiesNewspapers, professional magazines, and online advertisementsPrivate employment agenciesRecommendations from friends and relativesSelf-recommendation to potential employersIf you determine to apply for a job but don’t know where to start, don’t worry! You can refer to the Labour Department’s Job Hunting Briefcase or participate in a series of tailor-made career advisory activities organised by the Youth Employment Start (Y.E.S.); with an aim to assisting and equipping secondary school graduates in pursuit of a promising career. These activities range from CV preparation to interview makeup and styling workshops, helping you confidently tackle various job-seeking challenges and finally secure your dream job!Sources:Education Bureau - Life Planning Information Website Talent.gov.hkLabour Department - "Youth Employment and Training Programme"Labour Department - Youth Employment StartLabour Department - Interactive Employment ServiceLabour Department - "Launch Your Career""Job Hunting Briefcase"GovHK - One-Stop PortalVocational Training Council

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

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