UK education options for HKDSE F.4 students

The Advanced Level General Certificate of Education (GCE A-levels) is equivalent to the Hong Kong Advanced Level Examination (HKALE) – both of which are completed in F.6 and F.7. The first year of A-level is the Advanced Subsidary (AS) level and the second year is the A2 level. Students normally start their AS year taking four to five subjects, out of which they choose three to four stronger ones to focus on when they progress to A2. To enter an UK university, a minimum of three passes are required.

The General Certificate of Secondary Education (GCSE) qualification is equivalent to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE) qualification – both of which are completed in F.4 and F.5 – while GCSE poses less restriction on subject choices which allows students to do arts subjects alongside with science subjects. Students who take the standard 2-year GCSE programmes normally study seven to ten subjects. Passing grades are A* to C and students are expected to gain a minimum of 5Cs to qualify for the GCE A-levels examinations.

British Examination equivalent to the Hong Kong Certificate of Education courses (500.00 5,000.00), the same in four and in 2052 completed. However, the British HKCEE no selection restrictions, students can also attend the liberal arts and science subjects, and learning more freedom.