The Education Bureau (EDB) today (February 27) reminded students who plan to enrol in the Scheme for Admission of Hong Kong Students to Mainland Higher Education Institutions (the Admission Scheme) that they should file their online applications starting from March 1.
 
     According to the detailed arrangements for the Admission Scheme in 2017 announced by the Ministry of Education, 90 Mainland higher education institutions will consider the admission of Hong Kong students based on their results in the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination, thus exempting them from taking the Joint Entrance Examination for Universities on the Mainland. Candidates sitting for the HKDSE Examination in 2017 are eligible for enrolment in the Admission Scheme.
 
     "Similar to last year's arrangements, the enrolment process will consist of online application and subsequent on-site confirmation of application. The Ministry of Education has commissioned the Co-Office of the Mainland Chinese Universities and Colleges of the People's Republic of China for the Joint Examinations and Enrolment of the Students from Hong Kong, Macao, Taiwan and Overseas Chinese-Resident Areas and Countries (the Joint Enrolment Office) to handle online application and admission screening. It has also commissioned the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre for on-site confirmation of applications, eligibility vetting and admission publicity," an EDB spokesman said.
 
     Students should file their online applications and make online appointments for on-site confirmation from March 1 to 20 at the website of the Joint Enrolment Office (www.ecogd.edu.cn) by clicking on "Hong Kong Students" under the menu of "Examination and Admission". In addition, applicants can choose to upload Student Learning Profiles via the online application system during the period from March 1 to May 31 (11.59pm). Students who have completed online application and made appointments for on-site confirmation should attend in person from March 10 to 30 (excluding Sundays) at one of the following venues:
 
1. On-site confirmation centre of the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre
     Function Room 3, 38/F,
     Holiday Inn Express Hong Kong Soho
     83 Jervois Street, Sheung Wan
     Enquiry hotline: 2542 4811
 
2. On-site confirmation centre for the Admission Scheme
     Room W425, 4/F, West Block,
     Kowloon Tong Education Services Centre,
     Education Bureau, 19 Suffolk Road, Kowloon Tong
     Enquiry hotline: 3698 4471
 
     Candidates should bring the following documents in order to complete on-site confirmation:
 
(a) Hong Kong identity card and valid Mainland Travel Permit for Hong Kong and Macau Residents and their copies;
(b) a printed copy of the completed online enrolment form;
(c) a digital photo (format: JPG; size (pixels): 168(W) x 240(H), within 35KB) (candidates can either upload their photos to the online application system or take photos during on-site confirmation free of charge); and
(d) relevant original documents of proof if they have filled in activity or award information via the online application system.
 
     Candidates should pay an enrolment fee of $420 in cash during on-site confirmation.
 
     All applicants enrolling in the Admission Scheme should complete the on-site confirmation process before entering the admission stage. In case applicants cannot attend on-site confirmation at the time and venue previously confirmed by the online application system, they should log in to the online application website (www.ecogd.edu.cn) again and reserve another time and venue for on-site confirmation.
 
     According to the admission procedure for 2017, institutions may arrange interviews based on the application information submitted by candidates and will announce admission results on the website in late July. As some institutions may advance the practical examinations, interested candidates should pay attention to the institutions' related arrangements of interviews or practical examinations. Institutions will also, based on their admission results, arrange online supplementary enrolment (offer of surplus admission quotas) in late July and announce the clearing admission results via the web.
 
     There are a number of enhancements to the Admission Scheme in 2017. First, there are six more institutions participating in the Scheme compared with 2016, namely Beijing University of Posts and Telecommunications, Central University of Finance and Economics, Southeast University, Zhejiang Normal University, Wuhan University of Technology and Xi'an Jiaotong University. The 90 institutions (listed in the Annex) are located in 15 provinces and municipalities as well as one autonomous region on the Mainland, thus providing students with more choices.
 
     Second, the flexibility as regards minimum entrance requirements will be maintained. Institutions will adopt an alternative minimum entrance requirement of "3232" (i.e. attaining Level 3 for Chinese Language and Mathematics and Level 2 for English Language and Liberal Studies) for students nominated by their schools under the School Principal Nomination Scheme (SPNS). Furthermore, the quota on the number of students nominated by each school under the SPNS will increase from five to six. As regards the minimum requirement for general admission, it is maintained at the level of "3322" (i.e. attaining Level 3 for Chinese Language and English Language, and Level 2 for Mathematics and Liberal Studies), and "2211" (i.e. attaining Level 2 in Chinese Language and English Language and Level 1 in Mathematics and Liberal Studies) for candidates applying for arts and sports programmes.
 
     In terms of admission principles, as in last year, the Ministry of Education has added a requirement that "participating institutions cannot refuse to admit candidates with disabilities if the candidates can fulfil the academic requirements, complete the enrolled programmes with their physical condition and take care of themselves in daily life". This serves to cater for Hong Kong students with special education needs to pursue study on the Mainland.
 
     The EDB, the China Education Exchange (HK) Centre and Hok Yau Club have continued to jointly compile a Chinese handbook on the Admission Scheme, which provides comprehensive information on the Scheme and further study on the Mainland, including information on all the institutions participating in the Scheme, the programmes offered, strategy on programme choices, and sharing by graduates of Mainland universities. The e-version of the handbook and details of the Scheme have been posted on the website of the EDB (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/policy-doc/pilot-scheme/Pilot_scheme_2017/Pilot_scheme_2017.html).
 
     In addition, the EDB launched the Mainland University Study Subsidy Scheme (MUSSS) in July 2014 to support Hong Kong students in need who will pursue undergraduate studies on the Mainland under the Admission Scheme. Under the MUSSS, students who pass a means test will receive either a full-rate subsidy of $15,000 or half-rate subsidy of $7,500 per student per year, depending on their needs. To support more financially needy Hong Kong students for pursuing undergraduate studies in the Mainland, the funding scope of MUSSS will, starting from the 2016/17 academic year, be expanded to cover all financially needy Hong Kong students pursuing undergraduate studies in the designated Mainland institutions, irrespective of the channels of their admission to the institutions.

Ends/Monday, February 27, 2017
Issued at HKT 15:00

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