General Admission Procedures and Contact Points

Schools in Hong Kong, including the Schools under Direct Subsidy Scheme (“DSS”), typically start their school year in September, while International Schools and some Private Independent Schools might start their semester in August, January, or April, depending on the curricula.

Application for admission to these schools usually opens about one year (or even an extra few months earlier) before the start of academic year. Some schools accept rolling-application all-year round, while others work with fixed application deadlines. Some schools have a rather narrow enrollment period while some schools admit students in multiple stages. Many allow applications to be submitted online, while a number of them accept hard-copy submissions only. It is thus wise to plan in detail and at least more than one year ahead for the admission of your child.

After you submit the application, the schools of your choice may invite your children to attend admission assessments and/or rounds of interviews. When it comes to admission priority, these schools may, on top of the assessment and interview performance, give favourable considerations to factors such as applicants’ nationalities, referrals from chambers of commerce, whether they are the siblings of enrolled students, or children of the staff. As some international schools raise funds through nomination rights schemes, debentures schemes or capital levies to finance capital developments and enhancement of school facilities (not every scheme is mandatory and some of the funds collected would be repaid to parents in full or at adjusted amount when their children leave school), favourable consideration in this regard would also be given. It is important that you fully understand the terms before making an application and subscription to these schemes.

As International Schools, Private Independent Schools, and DSS Schools determine their individual requirements and procedures for student admission, you should contact the corresponding admission office directly for latest information and details. Their admission office contacts are shown on the individual school profile pages on our School Search results. Furthermore, some schools gladly offer school tours or organise information day for you to familiarise yourself with them and to speak with the school admission team directly before making a decision!