Education in Hong Kong
Hong Kong's educational landscape reflects the city's commitment to excellence, innovation, and global competitiveness. We provide an all-rounded learning environment for students of various interests, goals, abilities, and cultural backgrounds.
Features of Our Education
One of the defining features of education in Hong Kong is its emphasis on academic excellence. The city consistently ranks high in global education assessments, such as the Programme for International Student Assessment (PISA) and Progress in International Reading Literacy Study (PIRLS), showcasing students' strong performance in mathematics, science, and reading. This achievement is attributed to the rigorous academic standards, strong teacher-student relationships, and a culture that values hard work and perseverance.
Alongside academic pursuits, our education actively promote character education, critical thinking, creativity, and problem-solving skills. Extracurricular activities, including sports, arts, and community service, are essential and integral components of our curriculum design, fostering well-rounded individuals who are prepared for the challenges of the future.
In recent years, the government has enhanced its support in STEAM (Science, Technology, Engineering, Arts, and Mathematics) education, digital literacy, and entrepreneurship among students. This focus on innovation aims to equip the younger generation with the skills required to thrive in the digital era.
Diversity of Our Education
As a renowned international city, our education framework takes on a diverse and integrated approach. Apart from Hong Kong curriculum, there are many other options available, such as International Baccalaureate (IB), curricula from Australia, Canada, France, Germany, Japan, Korea, Singapore, the United Kingdom and the United States, etc. Some schools also offer specific school-based curriculum. Under the umbrella of various international curricula, our students are immersed in a multicultural learning environment that combines global perspectives and local insights.
These curricula are offered at various types of schools to cater to a myriad of educational environments, suiting individual students with diverse backgrounds and learning preferences. To find out more —
Statistics of International Schools at a Glance
Our Education System
In Hong Kong, the formal education a child receives before tertiary education is fundamentally divided in three levels – Kindergarten, Primary, and Secondary educations.
Although kindergarten education is not compulsory in Hong Kong, by the 2021/22 school year, almost all local children aged 3 to 5 will be attending kindergartens. Typically, children start enrolling in Kindergartens at the age of 3 to foster their social skills, habits, interests, and attitudes. Parents also have a range of options to consider for educating their children under the age of 3, including pre-kindergartens, nursery schools, or childcare centres.
At approximately 6 years old, children begin to receive their primary education that spans 6 years. The public sector primary schools in Hong Kong provide 6 years of free education, while the private sector primary schools charge various fees.
Hong Kong’s secondary education spans also 6 years, and begins when children complete their primary education at about 12 years old. Likewise, the public sector secondary schools in Hong Kong provide another 6 years of free education (3 years junior secondary and 3 years senior secondary). Students who participate in Hong Kong’s curriculum are eligible to sit for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) at the end of the secondary education. This examination is used as one of the recognised qualifications to enter local and overseas universities. Currently, there are more than 600 overseas tertiary education institutes recognising HKDSE qualification for admission.