First-Hand Insights on HKU Admissions

DHSZ and our Dulwich sister schools were invited to join the Academy of the Talented, an amazing program giving students access to scholarship and internship opportunities at HKU.

With our school sending 2-5 students each year to HKU and our group of schools sending about 15, it was a joy to be able to spend 4 days reviewing all the new programs, asking about entry requirement changes and about job prospects for graduates. Our 6 counsellors from different Dulwich campuses, were asking key questions to admissions about the new timelines for applications, the new programs and colleges for 2026, and how to best prepare our Dulwich graduates.

Naturally I took a DHSZ Dragon for company! Amazing scenery all around campus with amazing facilities and dorm rooms (guaranteed for at least 1st year students). The Dragon quickly made friends with the HKU bear...

It was an upclose and personal tour with program directors and Admission officers touring and eating together each day! Being able to ask about the early round application benefits to Professor Bernett Yim (Director of Undergraduate admissions) and to explain the pressures on our cohort around those deadlines, I was able to understand more about the process of applications. 

As the only Chinese schools represented, Dulwich was honored to be invited to take part. Admissions officers explained that our group of schools is hugely respected and admired as we produce inquisitive minds that suit HKU's student profile. Other counsellors on the tour were from India and Thailand. 

4 important take-aways for our students 

1. Requirements

Of course, requirements will always be high for HKU as demand is rising each year and this has changed how interviews are conducted (see below), but the nuances of new programs was explained. The New School of Innovation director explained that whilst he wants A/A* students, he is also looking for those who love a project and have experiences of FAILURE! This ability across engineering-computers-sciences departments builds minds that try and fail, not those who will stick to what they know.

The cohort sizes are also small for Mainland students, and I asked carefully about future plans. I was delighted to hear that there are small increases in Biosciences and Health, but the competition is fierce, and the conditions will remain high. Some health courses only accept 80 students, some landscape architecture courses only 20!

It is no longer just about the A* grades and English requirements as too many applicants have these. HKU wanted to tell counsellors that it is now important to be an HKU minded student - but what does this mean?

2. Interview changes

Relatedly, interviewing the thousands of applicants is changing due to massive increase in applicants. Many programs (Arts, Geography and engineering) are moving to group interviews to save time. I was able to ask professors what catches their eye at interview and it was interesting-

- don't be shy! Naturally you'll need to speak up to stand out.

- don't suck the oxygen away from others as that will not be seen as collaborative.

- build the debate, ask questions to each other and be prepared to acknowledge changes in your opinion.

- Zoom is being used and no one is moving to in person.

- know the course options before the interview but don't worry if you don't know everything, it is personality and character they are reviewing.

Some other key tips will be passed to those taking interviews

3. New programs and interdisciplinary approach

With over 100 programs and amazingly down-to-earth professors, the university is dynamic and always changing. New programs are coming on board each year (merging majors and offering double majors across colleges), building so many new pathways for students to excel.

The 7year residency and almost 100% employment or further education means that HKU is a wonderful undergraduate experience. The focus on interdisciplinary approaches, engineers working with Geographers or language teachers and AI, means students are better prepared for the modern job market and in demand when seeking a job.

4. AI is the key but not how you might think

The education division head explained his process for using AI (he started his career in CS!) and how he explores this slowly with students. It is not about replacing humans but training us to prompt AI. How to get the most from prompts and how to check carefully the results. In the medical school they use AI to train doctors, in architecture they use AR, in sciences they use data mining to build food stores for oysters, in every session AI was being used to deepen and develop learning.

AI is not replacing us, but we need to adapt our learning to be aware how AI can work to deeper understand topics. A Perfect example being that AI may know every word in every book in HKU library, but can know the experts and family spirit that HKU has!

Each of the program directors gave us some brochures and new requirement information, mostly the same as their website, but each head of department pushed the need new style of student to fit the cross program, AI integrated and thinking forward student. These leaflets can be found in the new Counselling Office! Welcome to all students  to come by and ask questions about these exciting opportunities!