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The Education Bureau (EDB) will launch a new round of applications for the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) tomorrow (December 4) to assist current Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination candidates in making advance applications for full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programmes not covered by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). A total of 31 non-JUPAS post-secondary institutions will participate in this round of E-APP.
"This is the third year that E-APP has provided an electronic application platform to help current HKDSE Examination candidates lodge advance applications so as to reduce their difficulties in looking for further study pathways after the announcement of HKDSE Examination results. E-APP promotes the good practices of early planning for further studies and advance application for post-secondary programmes," a spokesman for the EDB said.
Using this one-stop Internet-based service, applicants will only need to complete and submit one application via E-APP (www.eapp.gov.hk) to apply for multiple programmes. Institutions will process applications from E-APP as early as possible and may give eligible candidates conditional offers before the announcement of HKDSE Examination results. In addition, E-APP updates regularly the application statuses of the applicants, including invitation for interviews and provision of conditional offers, which in turn will assist both applicants and school teachers in monitoring the progress of the applications.
"The new round of E-APP has some function enhancements, including improvements in respect of data download and change of programme choices. These enhancements facilitate the application process as well as the transmission of updated application data. In order to allow ample time for students to map out their study pathways, E-APP's main round of application will start from tomorrow until May 26, 2014, while the second round application will be from June 1 to 30, 2014," the spokesman added.
The spokesman pointed out that, in general, institutions will first process applications received in the main round of applications. To facilitate students in their academic pursuits, institutions will continue the common application and admission arrangements. Students who have obtained an offer can settle the enrolment deposit by noon of the fourth working day after the release of the HKDSE Examination results, and applicants who later accept an offer for a full-time University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded undergraduate programme will be eligible for a refund of the enrolment deposit.
To assist students in programme selection and application, the EDB will in parallel update the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS). The iPASS (www.ipass.gov.hk) will provide details of some 490 full-time locally-accredited non-JUPAS higher diploma, associate degree and undergraduate programmes for the 2014/15 academic year, including tuition fees, entry requirements, accreditation and recognition by relevant professional bodies. The EDB will also upload institutions' estimated number of intake places, the application and admission arrangements for the 2014/15 academic year onto the iPASS later.
The iPASS will also provide information on full-time UGC-funded undergraduate programmes offering senior year places and locally-accredited self-financing top-up degree programmes in the 2014/15 academic year. This enables graduates and students of sub-degree programmes to plan their further studies.
Ends/Tuesday, December 3, 2013
Issued at HKT 15:10
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