The Ministry of Education officially released the "Measures for Mainland Universities to Admit Students Who Have Taken the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination in 2026" on November 3, 2025, along with the latest list of mainland universities. Notably, the number of mainland institutions that will accept applications based on Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE) results in 2026 has significantly increased from 145 to 165, providing unprecedented opportunities for eligible students from Hong Kong and Macao to pursue higher education on the mainland.

This project is the official pathway to higher education established by the Ministry of Education specifically for students from Hong Kong and Macao, featuring clear policies and a standardized process.

Eligibility Requirements: Applicants must hold either a Hong Kong Permanent Identity Card or a Non-Permanent Identity Card, the Home Return Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents traveling to the Mainland, or the Residence Permit for Hong Kong and Macao Residents, and must have registered for that year’s DSE examination. All documents must be valid at the time of application.

The implementing agency is the "Office for Joint Enrollment of Overseas Chinese, Students from Hong Kong, Macao, and Taiwan Province," entrusted by the Ministry of Education to oversee the overall coordination. The China Education Exchange (Hong Kong & Macao) Center will handle the specific application review process, ensuring the authority and fairness of the procedure.

165 universities span across China's major provinces and cities, forming a high-quality network for further education. This expansion not only increases the number of institutions but also enhances the diversity of options available.

Top-tier universities converge: The list includes the vast majority of China's leading "985 Project" and "211 Project" universities, such as Peking University, Tsinghua University, Fudan University, Shanghai Jiao Tong University, and more—providing academically outstanding students with a direct pathway to China's premier academic institutions.

New highlights among institutions: Notably, two jointly-run universities with international backgrounds—both of which are included on the list for the first time—deserve close attention.

City University of Hong Kong (Dongguan) : Integrating the academic strengths of Hong Kong University with the industrial resources of the Greater Bay Area.

Beijing Normal University-Hong Kong Baptist University United International College Beijing Normal University-HKBU United International College ): As a pioneer in collaborative education initiatives between the mainland and Hong Kong, its liberal arts education model stands out with its unique characteristics.
The addition of these two universities provides students seeking an international educational environment with an innovative "study abroad without leaving home" option.

Comprehensive Coverage Across Regions and Disciplines: The list extensively covers major higher education hubs such as Beijing, Shanghai, Jiangsu, and Guangdong, while also including top-tier universities in central and western China. The range of academic programs spans across all disciplines—humanities, history, philosophy, economics, management, law, science, engineering, agriculture, medicine, as well as arts and sports—ensuring it meets the diverse interests and career aspirations of students.

Choosing the DSE mainland pathway means you have the opportunity to enroll in universities that are widely recognized as outstanding—not just in Asia, but globally. In the 2026 QS Asia University Rankings, the institutions on the list demonstrated exceptionally strong performance:

The top-tier institutions remain firmly in the leading positions: Peking University (2nd in Asia), Fudan University (5th in Asia), and Tsinghua University (9th in Asia) continue to rank among the top ten universities in Asia.

Multiple universities have seen significant jumps in global rankings: For instance, Zhejiang University (14th in Asia), Nanjing University (19th in Asia), and University of Science and Technology of China (21st in Asia) have all steadily improved their positions, reflecting strong momentum for growth. Meanwhile, several "dark horse" institutions have emerged—such as Tongji University, Wuhan University, Beijing Institute of Technology, and Harbin Institute of Technology—each experiencing notable rises in the rankings, underscoring the overall enhancement of higher education across mainland China. This clearly demonstrates that degrees earned by mainland Chinese universities through this pathway enjoy exceptionally high international recognition and competitive edge.

Facing such a wide range of choices, planning ahead is essential.

1. Placement Assessment: Students should, based on their recent mock DSE results, initially gauge their own academic level and identify the tiers of universities categorized as "冲刺" (high-challenge), "匹配" (well-suited), and "保底" (safe choice).

2. In-depth Research on Institutions: Fully leverage the official admissions websites of mainland Chinese universities, carefully examining the curriculum offerings, unique program features, and faculty strengths of your preferred majors—rather than focusing solely on the university names.

3. Pay attention to the Admission Regulations: Be sure to carefully read the admission regulations of your target institution, paying special attention to the grade requirements for specific subjects (such as math and English), as well as any additional health-related criteria for applicants.

4. Grasp the key milestones: Closely monitor the crucial deadlines—such as application, confirmation, and admission—announced by the Joint Admissions Office and the China Education Exchange (Hong Kong & Macao) Center, ensuring that you don’t miss a single step.

English:HKDSE Courses Offered by Yinghua:

Core subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, and Civics & Social Development

Elective subjects: Physics, Biology, Further Mathematics, Chemistry, Economics, Tourism and Hospitality, and more