UK still a popular destination for local students
Studying in Britain after Form Five is a popular option among Hong Kong students, particularly those want to go on to attend a British university.
Sixth-form education is offered by 2,400 independent schools - including more than 600 with boarding houses - 500 publicly-funded further education colleges and 350 independent colleges.
The number of Hong Kong students at independent schools in Britain rose by 10 per cent last year and accounted for a quarter of the 8,384 foreign students in the sector.
Although academic study is the established route to university, vocational programmes can now get you there too.
British A-levels are the main matriculation exams and candidates typically need three good passes to get a degree place. Foreign students also need an IELTS English test score of six or above.
The British A-level is now a two-stage qualification in which students typically take three to five AS-levels in the first year followed by three A2s in the second. Results of the AS and A2 exams are combined to produce the grades of the final GCE A-level qualifications.
Vocational qualifications in England and Wales have been streamlined in recent years. Schools mainly offer the Vocational Certificate in Education, which follows the same structure as A-levels, and is offered in 14 applied subjects, such as business, health and social care, and travel and tourism.
Many colleges also offer one-year pre-university foundation courses for international students that combine a specialist subject with English language and study skills and lead to a guaranteed place at a particular university for students who pass.
In Scotland, students go to university a year earlier than in England, after taking four to six Highers in the fifth year of secondary school plus more Highers or Advanced Highers in the sixth year. Scottish Vocational Qualifications are offered at further education colleges and training centres.
Tuition fees at further education colleges range from GBP4,000 (HK$58,300) to GBP4,800. The cost of tuition plus boarding at independent schools ranges from GBP7,000 to GBP20,000. Foundation programmes cost GBP4,000 to GBP12,000.
The British Council is running a series of events this month offering information to students interested in studying in Britain. A parents' forum on vocational education in Britain will be held on Saturday.
