Path 1: Hong Kong Local Universities
- With Hong Kong identity (local applicant): apply through the JUPAS joint admission — more places and lower tuition;
- Without Hong Kong identity (non-local): apply directly to each university through Non-JUPAS; places are separate, interviews are often required, tuition is higher, and entry standards differ from local applicants.
Path 2: Mainland Universities Exemption Scheme
- Around 165 mainland institutions take part;
- You must hold both a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card and a Home Return Permit / Mainland Travel Permit;
- Students with purely mainland household registration are not eligible;
- The minimum reference standard is "332A": Chinese 3, English 3, Mathematics 2, with Citizenship and Social Development at "Attained";
- Top universities such as Tsinghua, Peking, Fudan and Jiao Tong set actual entry scores well above the baseline.
Path 3: Overseas Universities
- Results are recognised by over a thousand institutions in the UK, Australia, Canada, USA and Singapore;
- Some institutions accept DSE English results in place of IELTS/TOEFL;
- Always check each university's own requirements.
One Exam, Many Paths
With a single set of DSE results you can plan admission to universities in Hong Kong, mainland China and overseas — one of the biggest strengths of the DSE.