Education in Hong Kong is largely modeled on that of the United Kingdom, particularly the English system.

Education System Classification

Hong Kong education system is classified into:

• Pre-school education
• Primary education
• Secondary education
• Alternative education options (International institutions)
• Tertiary and higher education

Pre-school education

Pre-school education includes nursery schools and kindergartens. Its fees are payable by pupils' parents. However, parents whose children have the right abode in Hong Kong can pay a portion of the fees with Government preprimary school voucher.

Primary education

Students in primary school are required to take six subjects including English, Chinese, mathematics, General Studies, music, visual arts and physical education.

Secondary education

There are total 514 secondary schools in Hong Kong. Since 2009 school year, senior secondary education and higher education in Hong Kong apply 3-3-4 new academic structure. Students will take three years junior high school study, three years senior high school study and four years university study. The HKDSE (The Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education) examination is the only public exams introduced in secondary schools. Candidates are expected to take four core subjects and two or three elective subjects.

Alternative education options (International institutions)

International institutions provide both primary and secondary education in Hong Kong. International school students can choose to take GCSE, IGCSE and A-levels or APs. Increasingly, international schools follow the International Baccalaureate (IBDP) program, and enter universities through non-JUPAS direct entry. International students apply on a per school basis.

Tertiary and higher education

Students who are taking HKDSE exams, can use the result to apply for the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS, the undergraduate admission allocation system in Hong Kong). However, students who are holding other International qualifications can also apply the universities in Hong Kong via Non-JUPAS scheme (specific entry requirement are applied). Students

Taught postgraduate studies and research postgraduate studies are also available in various universities in Hong Kong. Additionally, students have options to take associate degrees (They are undergraduate degrees, and generally regarded as an inferior substitute to bachelor's degrees).

Education Institutes

Statutory universities

• University of Hong Kong (HKU, founded in 1911)
• The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK, founded in 1963)
• The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST, founded in 1991)
• Hong Kong Baptist University (HKBU, founded in 1956, granted full university status in November 1994)
• The Hong Kong Polytechnic University (PolyU, founded in 1937, granted full university status in November 1994)
• City University of Hong Kong (CityU, founded in 1984, granted full university status in November 1994)
• The Open University of Hong Kong (OUHK, founded in 1989, granted full university status in 1997)
• Lingnan University (LU, founded in 1967 (as Lingnan School in Hong Kong, granted full university status in July 1999)

Statutory institutes

• The Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts (HKAPA, founded in 1984)
• The Hong Kong Institute of Education (HKIEd, founded in 1994)

Approved post secondary colleges

• Hong Kong Shue Yan University (SYU, founded in 1971, granted university status in 2006)
• Caritas Institute of Higher Education (formerly known as Caritas Francis Hsu College)
• Centennial College
• Chu Hai College of Higher Education
• Hang Seng Management College
• Tung Wah College

Vocational Training Council member institutions

• Hong Kong Institute of Vocational Education

General institutes

• Caritas Bianchi College of Careers
• Hong Kong Institute of Technology
• Hong Kong College of Technology
• Yew Chung Community College