A guide to the Hong Kong education system and how your credentials compare to US standards for immigration, university admissions, and employment.
Need your Hong Kong credentials evaluated? Fast, USCIS-accepted reports from $85.
Apply Now →Hong Kong operates a 12-year system of general education with children starting school at age 6, implemented following a major education reform in 2012. The Education Bureau, headed by the Secretary of Education, is responsible for education policy. Hong Kong operates under a "one country, two systems" framework, meaning its education system differs substantially from mainland China. English and Chinese (Cantonese) are both official languages and mediums of instruction.
Covers Chinese language, English language, Mathematics, General Studies, Music, Visual Arts, and Physical Education. Conducted in both Chinese and English.
Students study a broad curriculum including Chinese, English, Mathematics, Science, Humanities, Arts, and Physical Education. No public examination at the end of this stage.
Culminates in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), first administered in 2012 by the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA). Four core subjects are mandatory: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Liberal Studies (now replaced by Citizenship and Social Development from 2021). Students also choose 2–3 elective subjects.
Bachelor's degrees are typically 4 years. Hong Kong is home to several world-ranked universities including the University of Hong Kong (HKU), Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST), and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Master's degrees are 1–2 years and PhD programs 3–4 years.
The HKDSE uses a 7-level grading scale (5** being the highest). For university admission, a minimum of Level 3 in Chinese and English and Level 2 in Mathematics and the fourth core subject is typically required.
| HKDSE Grade | Description | US Equivalent |
|---|---|---|
| 5** (Level 5 with Distinction) | Outstanding | A+ |
| 5* (Level 5 with Merit) | Excellent | A |
| 5 | Excellent | A |
| 4 | Proficient | A− |
| 3 | Satisfactory | B |
| 2 | Basic | C |
| 1 | Below Basic | F |
A formal credential evaluation is required for US university admissions, employment-based immigration petitions (H-1B, EB-1A, EB2-NIW, O-1, L-1), and professional licensing.
Hong Kong academic documents are issued in both English and Chinese. Documents in Chinese must be accompanied by certified English translations.