EVERY year, the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) creates anxiety among teenagers and parents. With a further drop in the number of full-time candidates and places in the eight universities funded by the University Grants Committee (UGC) remaining the same, admission 
chances were higher in 2019. Moreover, the government's "place buying" from selffinancing institutes makes it possible for them to sharply lower tuition fees of certain courses. This mechanism will cover sub-degree courses in the new academic year. The government "buys places" according to talent demands in society. Thus the prospects of these graduates are comparable to those taking "life-saver" courses at UGC-funded universities. Students have more choices. So candidates with borderline performance should accept their exam results with calm and make choices according to their personal ambitions 
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There were about 56,300 candidates in 2019 with over 48,000 full-time students – less than 2018 by six per cent. Over 19,000 students met basic undergraduate degree study requirement of "33222". The eight universities still offer 15,000 places with about 12,500 reserved for JUPAS students - an average of 1.5 candidates striving for one place. With higher chances for admission , some education counsellors encourage candidates to be a bit more ambitious in course choices.
Subsidising associate degree places means more choices
ADMISSIONS increase in the eight universities but there are still over 30,000 disappointed candidates. They are expected to enrol in government-approved self-financing institutes . Through the Study Subsidy Scheme for Designated Professions/Sectors (SSSDP), the government provides fee subsidies for certain courses ranging from $40,000 to over $70,000. It is in effect a means of nurturing talents needed in social and economic development through flexible "place buying". It also increases chances for further study.
This scheme much welcomed by students will be expanded to cover sub-degree courses in the 2019-20 academic year with the government providing from $20,000 to over $30,000 in subsidies. All are higher diploma courses covering design, dispensing , health & social care, sports coaching , tourism & hotel management, game software development, popular music, health care, civil engineering, etc.
This "place buying" scheme involves 3,000 degree and 2,000 sub-degree places. It is more flexible than UGC-funded schemes. It can be adjusted every year according to employment needs. The students not only have more choices but the courses are based on future needs in various sectors. Hence the chance of finding a suitable job after graduation is very high.
Vocational training for qualification, large market demand
WITH universities changing their admission scoring systems, the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority lists a candidate's score of the best six and five subjects for more detailed reference when making course choice amendments. But it is also more complicated to assess one's own chance of admission . The new subsidised sub-degree courses cannot be compared with those in the past because subsidies will increase enthusiasm.
Every year when results were announced, some candidates are happy and some are not. Apart from the top performers, most candidates cannot be absolutely sure of gaining admission to courses of their choice. Having a "Plan B" will prevent anxiety when they fail to get what they want and help them quickly seek admission to other institutes.
Even if they eventually cannot enrol in courses of their choice, they should not be affected by social frustration. They have to show high emotional and adversity quotients and make plans. University study is important but not the only aspect in life. In recent years, there have been more choices in further studies. Demand for such talents is great in the labour market which means good prospects for graduates.
