E-APP to launch new round of applications tomorrow
**************************************************

     The Education Bureau (EDB) will launch a new round of applications under the Electronic Advance Application System for Post-secondary Programmes (E-APP) tomorrow (December 3) to assist current Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) Examination candidates in making advance applications for full-time locally-accredited post-secondary programmes not covered by the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS). A total of 30 non-JUPAS post-secondary institutions will participate in this round of E-APP.

     "This is the fourth year that E-APP is providing an electronic application platform to assist current HKDSE Examination candidates in lodging advance applications so as to reduce the hassle of looking for further study pathways after the announcement of HKDSE Examination results. E-APP promotes the good practice of early planning for further studies and advance application for post-secondary programmes," a spokesman for the EDB said.

     Applying for programmes through E-APP is simple and fast. Using this one-stop internet-based service, applicants will only need to complete and submit one application via E-APP (www.eapp.gov.hk) to apply for multiple programmes. Institutions will process applications from E-APP as early as possible and may give eligible candidates conditional offers before the announcement of HKDSE Examination results. In addition, E-APP updates regularly the application statuses of the applicants, including invitation for interviews and the provision of conditional offers, which will help both  applicants and school teachers to monitor the progress of the applications.

     "Before students apply for programmes through E-APP, they can browse the information about institutions and programmes through the website at Concourse for Self-financing Post-secondary Education (Concourse) (www.cspe.edu.hk), or make use of the newly launched Concourse mobile application to obtain the information for planning their studies," the spokesman said.

     The Concourse mobile application includes information about all institutions with full-time locally-accredited self-financing post-secondary programmes. Students can easily find information about institutions and programmes using a smartphone or tablet anytime and anywhere. They can even login to the E-APP system and apply for programmes through the Concourse mobile application.

     "In order to allow ample time for students to apply for programmes, E-APP's main round of applications will run from tomorrow until May 18, 2015, while the second-round of applications will be from May 25 to June 30, 2015. In general, institutions will first process applications received in the main round of applications," the spokesman added.

     To assist students in programme selection and  application, the EDB will in parallel update the Information Portal for Accredited Post-secondary Programmes (iPASS). The iPASS (www.ipass.gov.hk) will provide details of some 500 full-time locally-accredited non-JUPAS Higher Diploma, Associate Degree and undergraduate programmes for the 2015/16 academic year, including tuition fees, entry requirements, accreditation and recognition by relevant professional bodies. The EDB will also upload institutions' estimated number of intake places, the application and admission arrangements for the 2015/16 academic year onto the iPASS later.

     The iPASS will also provide information on full-time University Grants Committee-funded undergraduate programmes offering senior year places and self-financing top-up degree programmes in the 2015/16 academic year.  This enables graduates and students of sub-degree programmes to plan their further studies.

Ends/Tuesday, December 2, 2014
Issued at HKT 15:04

NNNN