Following the money: Hong Kong self-financing degrees gain more students with new education subsidy

Meanwhile, programmes like associate degrees are losing favour as odds of using them to gain university admission remain low

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DSE students applying for self-financing degrees in Cheung Sha Wan on Wednesday. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Published: 7:12pm, 12 Jul 2017Updated: 11:47pm, 12 Jul 2017

High-cost, self-financing degree courses are gaining popularity among Hong Kong students who cannot secure a seat at a public university this year following the government’s new education subsidy, with more shunning controversial sub-degree programmes.

Secondary school graduates said Chief Executive Carrie Lam Cheng Yuet-ngor’s proposed subsidy last week had turned them away, inspiring many to explore self-financing undergraduate courses instead.

A newly unveiled education subsidy has made self-financing degree courses more popular than before. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

Under the proposal, students meeting basic requirements to enrol at local universities but unable to secure a place due to limited supply will be given an annual subsidy of HK$30,000 to pursue self-financing undergraduate programmes.

Secondary school graduate Flora Ng said she originally considered pursuing an associate degree at City University. However, she learned the chances of landing a spot at a public university’s degree programme were slim.

“Now it’s my last choice,” she said, this after learning she scored 15 points for her best five Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) examination subjects.

Many who obtain an associate degree plan to transfer to a public university. Photo: K. Y. Cheng

The Hong Kong DSE exam is a subject-based qualification test for secondary pupils seeking admission to university in the city.