University Admission Scores Decline, Expanding Major Options for Hong Kong Students: A Boost to the Education System
In recent years, there has been a welcome trend in Hong Kong’s university admission scores, with a gradual decrease in thresholds. This shift is now enabling more students to pursue majors based on their genuine interests, rather than solely focusing on programs they can gain entry to. According to a student currently studying law at the University of Hong Kong (HKU), this change provides students with greater freedom and flexibility in choosing their academic paths.
The Joint University Programs Admissions System, which took place on August 9th, has resulted in over 16,000 students receiving offers from nine local universities. This figure is slightly higher than last year’s numbers, which stood at 15,800. It is worth noting that prior to the universities’ official announcement of this year’s admission scores during information days scheduled in October, there has been a noticeable decline in entry requirements for popular programs, including law at both HKU and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK), over the past few years.
Despite the University of Hong Kong (HKU) implementing a new system in 2019 that awarded bonus points to candidates achieving level 5 or above in individual subjects, by considering candidates’ best-performed six subjects, the median admission score for its law school still dropped from 38 marks in 2019 to 35 marks. A fourth-year law student at HKU, Chan, expressed his gratitude for being admitted to the law school with a score lower than the previous admission median. He stated that a few years ago, it would have been impossible for him to secure a place with his scores, but he can now pursue his dream program. This shift allows students like Chan to prioritize their interests in selecting their field of study, rather than solely relying on their examination results.
The trend of declining admission scores is not limited to HKU; it is also seen in CUHK’s law school. The median scores for new intakes dropped from 32 marks in 2019 to 29 marks last year, considering candidates’ performance in four core subjects and two electives. According to Andy Wong Ka-chat, the director of admissions and financial aid at CUHK, the three-year-long pandemic coupled with an increased number of students studying abroad has contributed to the decrease in law school applicants. However, Wong expects that as confidence in Hong Kong’s legal sector is gradually regained by the public, the median admission scores will rebound.
Ng Po-shing, a student consultant from Hok Yau Club, mentioned that secondary schools have been focusing on enhancing career education to provide students with a better understanding of their desired professions. This shift has allowed students to realize that there are numerous major options available in universities, eliminating the need to solely aim for highly competitive programs such as medicine or law. Additionally, the overall drop in admission scores could be attributed to a declining student population. Ng explained that when the number of DSE candidates decreases, there is also a decrease in the number of top-performing students who achieve levels 5, 5*, and 5** in their exams. Level 5** is exclusively awarded to the top 10% of level 5 candidates.
To cater to the evolving needs and interests of students, universities are encouraged to offer more interdisciplinary programs. This approach allows students to gain a broader range of knowledge from various fields, especially in areas such as artificial intelligence and finance, which generally offer better job prospects.
In conclusion, the declining admission scores in Hong Kong’s universities are providing students with the opportunity to choose majors based on their genuine interests, rather than exclusively focusing on programs that were previously out of reach. This shift allows for greater flexibility and opens up a range of career options. As universities adapt to the changing landscape, the promotion of interdisciplinary programs can further equip students with the necessary knowledge and skills to thrive in today’s job market.
