Since its founding, the University of Hong Kong (HKU) conducted academic assessments in English, introducing the Hong Kong School Certificate Examination (HKCE) in 1932. By 1965, British universities recognized HKCE results as equivalent to the O-Level. After HKCE, students could enter a two-year Hong Kong Advanced Level (HKAL) program, equivalent to British A-Levels, also managed by HKU. In 1978, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA) took over HKCE and HKAL administration, maintaining alignment with the British curriculum. Hong Kong and Britain upheld mutual academic recognition for over 50 years.

After Hong Kong's return, the central government restructured its educational system to align it with the national framework. Prior to its return, Hong Kong operated under a 3+2+2+3 academic system, which differed from the 3+3+4 system used in the Chinese Mainland and internationally. In 2009, the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region introduced the 'New Senior Secondary Education System,' integrating the Hong Kong Certificate of Education (HKCE) and the Higher Secondary School Leaving Certificate (HKAL) into the Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE).

Although Hong Kong's political ties with Britain ended in 1997, its global academic connections remained strong. In 2009, the HKEAA worked with the UK's UCAS to benchmark the DSE against British A-Levels. In January 2010, UCAS announced that DSE Category A subjects (Levels 3 to 5) would be included in its system, enabling direct comparison with A-Level grades.

The UCAS points for DSE Category A subjects (excluding Mathematics) are as follows:

The following table shows UCAS points and the International Baccalaureate (IB) grade.

This shows that a DSE 5* is equivalent to an IB 7, the highest achievable score. 

The global recognition of the DSE stems from both its historical ties and the HKEAA's ongoing efforts to maintain its international standing.

YWIES HKDSE

The Hong Kong DSE curriculum, with its historical roots and global recognition, offers students an alternative pathway to top universities worldwide.