The Mainland System
- Nine years of compulsory education: 6 years of primary + 3 years of junior secondary
- 3 years of senior secondary (Senior 1–3), ending with the gaokao
- 3 years of kindergarten (not part of compulsory education)
The Hong Kong System
- 6 years of primary (Primary 1–6)
- 6 years of secondary (Secondary 1–6), ending with the HKDSE
- 3 years of kindergarten (K1–K3)
Key Differences
- Secondary stage: Mainland China splits secondary into "junior + senior" with graduation in between; Hong Kong secondary is one continuous six-year programme.
- Public examination: Mainland students take the gaokao at the end of Senior 3; Hong Kong students take the DSE at the end of S6.
- Language of instruction: Mainland schools use Mandarin (Putonghua); most Hong Kong schools teach in Cantonese or English.
- Grade placement: Graduating junior secondary in mainland China (Grade 9) roughly corresponds to Secondary 3 in Hong Kong. The exact placement for transferring students is decided by the school based on age and academic records.
Transfer Tips
When mainland students transfer to a Hong Kong school, the school places them in the appropriate grade based on age, credentials and language ability. Prepare your Chinese and English early, and ask target schools about entry requirements and whether a written test is needed.