Recently, many parents may have noticed growing concerns about the current instability in US higher education and their implications for international students.

These developments have once again prompted families to reconsider a key question: In a rapidly changing global education landscape, how can we cultivate children's adaptability to uncertainty and change? And how do we choose the most beneficial academic pathway for their development?

With over 90 years of pioneering experience in international education in China, YCYW remains steadfast in its belief that education is a lifelong endeavour and a future-facing mission. This philosophy permeates daily teaching across YCYW schools, where students are offered diverse pathways and forward-thinking curricula designed to cultivate future-ready competencies and the resilience to meet evolving challenges.

What sets YCYW apart is its unique integration of Chinese and Western educational excellence. Today, YCYW provide a comprehensive suite of academic programmes—including IGCSE, IB, A Level, and HKDSE—tailored to meet the demand for high-quality, globally recognised education.

The IBDP and A Level programmes stand as the two most influential international upper secondary curricula, each commanding significant prestige in global education. The IBDP is renowned for its holistic approach, structured around six subject groups, Theory of Knowledge (TOK), the Extended Essay (EE), and Creativity, Activity, Service (CAS). Widely regarded as the gold standard for nurturing international-mindedness and critical thinking, it is particularly favoured by the world's leading universities. Meanwhile, A Level distinguishes itself through academic rigour and specialisation. Its modular assessment system and flexible subject choices have made it a cornerstone of secondary education in countries with British-influenced systems, including the UK, Australia, and Singapore, as well as a benchmark for admission to elite institutions such as Oxford and Cambridge.

In recent years, with the advancement of the Guangdong-Hong Kong-Macao Greater Bay Area's educational integration strategy, HKDSE has emerged as a vital bridge between Hong Kong SAR and the Chinese mainland. Increasingly recognised by both universities in the Chinese mainland and international higher education institutions, the HKDSE curriculum offers families and students expanded opportunities for further study.

At YCYW, there is no one-size-fits-all approach—only bespoke pathways designed to unlock each student's potential.

We prioritise students' future with our dedicated team of over 29 full-time Careers and University Guidance Counsellors. Our careers and university guidance support spans Years 7 to 13 in Yew Chung schools (Grades 6 to 12 in Yew Wah schools), providing structured and comprehensive support to help students make informed decisions about their academic and professional trajectories—equipping them to plan for life beyond the classroom.

From Year 7 for Yew Chung students (Grade 6 for Yew Wah students), dedicated Careers and University Guidance Counsellors work closely with learners and their families in understanding how subject choices align with future aspirations. After completing IGCSE examinations, students gain hands-on exposure to careers through immersive job shadowing programmes. As they progress to IBDP, A Level, or HKDSE studies, personalised course selection advice ensures alignment with their academic strengths, interests, and ambitions.

In addition, our CUGO Regional Coordinator for UK and Europe maintains close ties with local universities, ensuring immediate access to the latest updates on admissions policies. As Japan and the Republic of Korea emerge as increasingly popular study destinations, YCYW has strengthened collaboration with local universities in these countries. Our CUGCs now provide specialist support to students applying to these regions, where expert knowledge of the language and application processes is essential. 

We also have a dedicated Fine Arts university specialist who provides tailored feedback to help students enhance their art portfolios, ensuring they meet the specific requirements for fine arts university applications.

YCYW CUGO Special Initiatives:

Advanced University Preparation Programme (AUP): Provides students with an informative reading list to develop their understanding of science, society, the environment, geopolitics, and other topics. It also stimulates discussion and debate through meetings led by YCYW teachers, as well as academics from international universities.

University Preparation Programme: Helps students not only to gain admission to their dream universities, but also to adapt quickly to university learning styles, make full use of university resources, and further improve themselves.

Elite Application Process: Offers additional feedback on the personal statements and recommendation letters for students applying to highly competitive universities. This includes guidance for students applying in fields such as medicine, dentistry, and veterinary medicine; as well as to specific institutions such as Oxford, Cambridge, and the London School of Economics and Political Science; universities in Hong Kong SAR; and for "Early Decision" applications in the US.
 

With support from the CUGO team, academic staff, and parents, the Class of 2025 has thrived in an increasingly global academic environment. They have received offers of admission from a wide range of renowned institutions around the world. We are pleased to report that members of the Class of 2025 received offers from some of the most prestigious research universities in the UK, such as the University of Oxford, University College London, Imperial College London, and the London School of Economics and Political Science.

In addition, some of our students received offers from leading liberal arts colleges in the US, such as Middlebury College and Occidental College, which are known for their commitment to holistic education and nurturing intellectual curiosity.

Moreover, our students have been admitted to many other prestigious universities across North America, Europe, Asia, and Australia. Examples include: the University of California, Berkeley; the University of California, Los Angeles (UCLA); New York University; Emory University; Boston College; Northeastern University; Boston University; University of Toronto, Korea Advanced Institute of Science and Technology (KAIST); The University of Hong Kong, and Australian National University. These admissions reflect the academic excellence of our students and their adaptability.
 

YCYW's forward-looking ethos drives continuous curriculum innovation. Our Curriculum and Professional Development Division collaborates with leading AI enterprises to deliver a bespoke AI syllabus, empowering students with essential technical skills while fostering ethical reflection on AI's societal role.

As Dr Betty Chan Po-king, CEO and School Supervisor of YCYW Education Network, observes:

"The phrase '一日千里' is no longer just a figurative expression. The world has become smaller, and change is happening at an unprecedented pace. Any set curriculum needs to be updated. No one can predict the future, and there might not even be a curriculum in the future. What you learn in university will need to be updated. You must build the future in your own mind."

In 2023, YCYW established the Educational Futures Division (EdFutures Division), partnering with institutions like the Chinese Academy of Sciences, the Oxford Suzhou Centre of Advanced Research (OSCAR), and the University of Hong Kong. These collaborations have pioneered courses in planetary science, law, medicine, and marine science, creating platforms for students to develop future-ready skills through experiential learning.

In this age of volatility, uncertainty may well be the new normal. Yet, education's mission remains unchanged: to illuminate the path forward. True competitiveness stems not from rigid adherence to a single route, but from cultivating multifaceted capabilities.

Thus, YCYW commits to providing every student with flexible, open, and diverse spaces to grow—equipping them with global perspectives, empathy, resilience, and the courage to shape tomorrow.

The ultimate purpose of education transcends borders or universities; it lies in nurturing future citizens who embody global awareness, intellectual depth, and humanistic values. Amid uncertainties, we respond with possibilities—building futures of greater certainty, one student at a time.

We will host an exclusive online webinar on the evening of 4 June. Mr John Liu, Head of Careers and University Guidance and Student Development at YCYW, will join Ms Jing Luo, Director of Marketing and Recruitment at Michigan State University, and Mr David Wivell, Associate Director of International Enrollment at Rochester Institute of Technology, for a thought-provoking discussion on the latest international higher education admissions policies and how best to navigate them.