Sixth cohort of School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme opens for applications in October
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A spokesman for the EDB said, "The SNDAS, launched in the 2022/23 academic year, aims to recognise students who possess exceptional talents in specific disciplines that may not be fully assessed through the HKDSE Examination. It allows students with special and diversified talents to be matched with programmes that suit their potential, providing opportunities for them to be considered for direct admission to local universities."
The nomination period for the sixth cohort of the SNDAS will run from October 7 to December 2, 2026. Students who intend to apply for their preferred programmes through the SNDAS must be nominated by their secondary schools. Each local secondary school may nominate two students with exceptional talents and interests in specific disciplines/areas, and each student nominee may apply for admission to one designated University Grants Committee (UGC)-funded undergraduate programme participating in the SNDAS.
Participating universities will arrange interviews for all students nominated for the SNDAS and make direct admission offers to successful students prior to the release of the 2027 HKDSE Examination results.
The eight UGC-funded universities have designated over 300 publicly funded undergraduate programmes to participate in the sixth cohort of the SNDAS and set admission criteria for individual programmes that are not based on HKDSE Examination results. Details of the SNDAS and specific admission requirements of the participating programmes have been uploaded to the scheme's website (www.edb.gov.hk/en/edu-system/postsecondary/policy-doc/SNDAS/index.html).
The EDB added that the SNDAS was introduced to provide an additional pathway to university for students with exceptional talents. Those nominated for the SNDAS, like other Secondary Six students, are required to apply for admission to universities through the Joint University Programmes Admissions System in parallel and to sit for the HKDSE Examinations, ensuring that they do not limit their opportunities for further studies.
The EDB set up the Task Force on Review of School Curriculum in November 2017 to holistically review the primary and secondary school curricula. In its review report to the EDB in September 2020, the Task Force put forward six directional recommendations, including the implementation of a new direct admission scheme to enhance flexibility in university admissions. The EDB accepted the recommendation and introduced the SNDAS starting with the 2022/23 academic year.
Ends/Thursday, September 24, 2026
Issued at HKT 11:30
Issued at HKT 11:30
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