Students in British university surge

The British Council expects a 35% to 50% increase in the number of Hong Kong students who will be accepted by British universities this year. More than 3,200 students were accepted in 2011, and this year there has been a 37% surge in applications so far, writes Kenneth Foo for The Standard.

British Minister of Schools Nick Gibb affirmed last week that universities in Britain will accept students who hold the new Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education. He said so far 45 universities had recognised the diploma and others are expected to follow suit. "We believe that our universities are better prepared than our competitors to receive students who have completed the HKDSE," said Gibb, who was last week visiting the territory.

According to a British Council spokesperson, overall applications to colleges certified by the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service had shot up from 3,641 to 4,998 in mid-January – the largest increase from anywhere in the world. The surge in demand comes as the greatest number of students vies for tertiary places in Hong Kong this year.
Full report on The Standard site