HKU introduces new programmes ahead of DSE result release

Ahead of the announcement of DSE results Wednesday, the University of Hong Kong introduces new programmes and shares adjustments made to its intake strategy amid an increase in JUPAS applicants this academic year.

Professor Bennett Yim, Director of Undergraduate Admissions and International Student Exchange of Hong Kong University, says the university had always reserved more than 60% its admissions quota for JUPAS students.

This year, however, there are approximately 58,000 HKDSE candidates, about 5% more than last year, increasing competition for admission. In light of this, HKU will allocate more places to the JUPAS pool, admitting around 3,000 students. This is excluding students admitted through the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme, which is part of the non-JUPAS quota.

BENNETT YIM, Director of Undergraduate Admissions, HKU: "This year we have received 256 nominations from schools. And we have admitted 115 students. The acceptance rate is about 45%, and 100% of all those students who received the offer have accepted our offer."

New programmes include Computing and Data Science under the Delta+ Scheme, and the Distinguished MedScholar Scheme for Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery.

For the former, students will be spending 2.5 years at HKU and complete the rest of their degree at the university's Shanghai campus. As for the latter, students will have the opportunity to complete a second degree within the six-year study period.

The university is setting aside 80 million dollars in entrance scholarships for students with outstanding academic merit. The highest scoring HKDSE student from every faculty will be awarded the title of President's Scholar and receive up to 1 million dollars.

100% of JUPAS students admitted into HKU last school year placed the university at their top Band A choices. Professor Bennett Yim advised the students this year to do the same to increase their chances of getting into the university.