Don’t have the grades? ‘Apply anyway’, Hong Kong’s Education University tells prospective students
- School’s vice-president says they are taking a more holistic approach and looking beyond youngsters’ grades
Education University of Hong Kong is encouraging students, including those from ethnic minorities, who did not meet the minimum admission requirement of 14 points on their university entrance exam, to submit their applications anyway.
The students have to put one of its courses as a Band A option – the candidate’s first three choices – in the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) application to be considered and invited for an interview.
Currently, students who take the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE), are required to obtain a minimum of level three in both Chinese and English languages, level two in mathematics and liberal studies, and level two for one other elective to enter local universities.
Grades are not everything, they do not tell the whole story of a person
“Let’s say if an ethnic minority candidate is applying for our Bachelor of Education in English Language but failed to score a level three in Chinese, I still have reason to believe that he or she is capable of becoming a great teacher,” the school’s vice-president, Professor John Lee Chi-kin, said.
“Why strip yourself of a chance if you know you have the ability to excel in our school?” he asked.
“Given, of course, that they do well in the required interviews by demonstrating their abilities, showing the panel that they’re passionate about teaching, they’re committed, patient with children and such”.
In an effort to push for a more flexible admissions policy, Lee revealed that the school is taking on a more holistic approach by looking beyond youngsters’ test scores.