Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education
| Summary | The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education is a three-year senior secondary academic structure which commenced in September 2009. The first candidates sitting the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) will complete in 2012. Candidates take four core subjects (Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics and Liberal Studies), plus two or three elective subjects. Given that the Diploma is ungraded, UCAS Tariff points are awarded to each individual component. Whilst there are some vocational electives, only the academic subjects are included within the Tariff. Each component of the overarching Diploma will be graded from 5** to 1, with U being unclassified. For the purposes of this exercise only grades 5**, 5*, 5, 4 and 3 are being considered as appropriate levels of attainment for supporting progression to UK higher education. |
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| Tariff entry | The Expert Group first met in April 2009. |
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| Learning hours | English and Mathematics require 405 hours of lesson time, whilst liberal studies and electives are allocated 270 hours of lesson time. | |||
| UCAS Tariff points | Grade | All subjects except Mathematics | Mathematics compulsory component | Mathematics optional components |
| 5** | No value pending receipt of candidate evidence (post 2012) | |||
| 5* | 130 | 60 | 70 | |
| 5 | 120 | 45 | 60 | |
| 4 | 80 | 35 | 50 | |
| 3 | 40 | 25 | 40 | |
| Awarding body | Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority | |||
| Further information | http://www.hkeaa.edu.hk/en/hkdse/ | |||