The HKDSE is a university entrance examination established by the Education Bureau of the Hong Kong SAR Government. It is highly regarded in Hong Kong SAR, and has also gained a strong global reputation because of its internationalised educational philosophy and wide recognition.

The HKDSE is held each year from March to May, and it is open to all nationalities. Students can use their HKDSE scores to apply to universities in Hong Kong SAR and other regions or countries, including the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, and Singapore. On the basis of their HKDSE results, eligible Hong Kong SAR students and qualified international students can also apply for undergraduate programmes at leading universities in the Chinese mainland.

The HKDSE Programme is a three-year curriculum designed to prepare students for the examination. It includes four compulsory core subjects—Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Citizenship & Social Development—along with two to three elective subjects. In order to maximise their academic potential, students can choose these subjects in accordance with their interests and strengths, and the university majors for which they are applying. In addition, students complement the core and elective subjects with "Other Learning Experiences" (OLE), which support students in achieving holistic development.

Similar to other mainstream international secondary education programmes, the HKDSE has comprehensive English language requirements. Students in the HKDSE programme need mastery of English, including strong skills in reading comprehension, writing, critical thinking, as well as fluency in spoken English. Consequently, many overseas universities accept HKDSE English scores as the language requirement for admission.

A unique feature of the HKDSE is that it allows students to answer most subjects in either English or Chinese, including Simplified Chinese. This allows native Chinese speakers to better understand the questions on the examination and thus respond to the best of their ability.

In addition, there is significant overlap between the mathematics and science subjects (e.g., Mathematics, Physics, Chemistry, and Biology) in the HKDSE and the content of international and domestic courses such as IGCSE, A Levels, and AP (Advanced Placement). This feature allows students from different curricular backgrounds to adapt and keep up with their studies when transferring into the HKDSE programme.

YCYW originated in Hong Kong, China and understands the teaching philosophy and environment in Hong Kong SAR. With more than 90 years of extensive cross-regional educational experience, our network of schools spans Hong Kong SAR, Beijing, Shanghai, Guangzhou, Chongqing, Qingdao, Yantai, Zhejiang Tongxiang, as well as Silicon Valley in the United States and Somerset in the United Kingdom. We can therefore provide students with a diverse array of learning resources in Hong Kong SAR and other areas.

According to Dr Troy Lui Tsz-tak, YCYW's Chief Education Officer & Head of Curriculum and Professional Development Division, YCYW's curriculum structure and the expertise of the teaching staff allow for seamless integration with the HKDSE Programme.

He explained: "YCYW's curriculum puts great emphasis on holistic student development. In addition to subject knowledge and skills, it focuses on nurturing students' abilities in analysis, critical thinking, problem-solving, creativity, and metacognition. This aligns well with the HKDSE's dual focus on subject knowledge and comprehensive skills. In regard to our teaching staff, YCYW's commitment to bilingual and multicultural education means that our team is internationally diverse. This diversity enriches our campus environment, curriculum design, teaching methods, and teacher-student interactions with international elements. In such a learning environment, students develop comprehensive academic skills that can fully meet the requirements of international universities. This is consistent with HKDSE's use of international standards to ensure students are prepared for global higher education."

A tripartite team from Hong Kong SAR, the Chinese mainland, and overseas will collaboratively teach the YCYW HKDSE Programme. The teachers will offer their complementary strengths to enable students to broaden their horizons and develop holistically. By introducing high-quality HKDSE educational resources from Hong Kong SAR to the Chinese mainland, we will enable students to receive a high-level HKDSE education without going to Hong Kong SAR to study. This approach not only stabilises the family life of students but also provides their parents with convenience in both work and daily life.

We will utilise our established YCYW bilingual curriculum to provide various levels of bilingual (English and Chinese) courses and teaching in accordance with the needs of the students, and offer the students comprehensive support as they advance in the HKDSE Programme.

In order to achieve holistic education, teachers will use our unique Learning Community approach that engages both teachers and students in exploring various fields of knowledge creatively and holistically. This approach enables students to master the individual and collaborative learning skills that are essential for success in the 21st century. YCYW schools will provide students in the HKDSE Programme a diverse range of Other Learning Experiences (OLE) covering five areas: values education, music and arts development, social service, sports development, and work-related experience.

YCYW's forward-thinking and innovative curriculum will empower students for a more promising future. The EdFutures Division works closely with prestigious institutions such as the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Shanghai Astronomy Museum, the University of Hong Kong, and the Oxford Suzhou Centre for Advanced Research (OSCAR). These partnerships have enabled our students to extend their learning, interact personally with industry experts, and immerse themselves in real-world situations, thus enhancing their educational experiences.   

Teachers with expertise in the education systems of Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese mainland will oversee career planning and offer guidance regarding further education, thus ensuring the information provided is accurate and effective. Schools will offer HKDSE simulated assessments to develop the most suitable academic pathways for each student.

The YCYW graduates of the Class of 2024 received more than 1,400 offers for university admissions. More than 80 percent of these offers were from QS World Top 100 universities, including the University of Cambridge, the University of Oxford, Stanford University, and Imperial College London. This demonstrates the strong competitiveness of YCYW's educational quality.