Overview 

	2005	2006	2007	2008 (estimated)
Total Student Visas Issued in HK (US, Australia, and Canada)	14,458	15,100	15,553	14,200
*Total Expenditures Abroad by HK Students (USD million)	310	332	348	379
**Total Students in the US	6,550	6,812	7,288	7,000
Total Expenditures in the US by HK Students (USD million)	157	163	175	168

*CS Hong Kong estimated each student spends an average of US$24,000 each year.
**Source: Open Doors report
All figures are unofficial estimates.

In 2008, 106,770 form five students sat for the Certificate of Education Examination (HKCEE), of which only 55,260 (52%) passed the minimum requirement for entering form six.  This means that 51,510 of all form five graduates could not proceed to form six in Hong Kong and had to either start working or go overseas for further studies.  Among the 38,263 form seven graduates who took the Advancement Level Examination (HKALE) in 2008, 16,853 (44%) satisfied the first-degree course’s general requirement. 56% failed and were forced to seek other educational options, such as associate degrees or diploma degrees, or start working.  Local universities have inadequate capacity to accommodate all applicants.  About 17% of all students chose to study abroad in 2008.

The U.S. remains a top destination for Hong Kong students. In 2008, the U.S. Consulate General in Hong Kong issued approximately 7,000 student visas (including a small number to Macau passport holders), which is about 15% of all form five graduates.  Despite the economic downturn, education remains a high priority for Hong Kong students and their parents.  English language proficiency is a highly regarded skill, and many students seek opportunities abroad for their higher education.  Many parents feel that it is important for their children’s future to send them abroad for secondary, tertiary, and higher education.  According to local education service agents, inquiries about U.S. education have increased tremendously last year; many predict a stable number of students in 2009 and an increase on the order of 3% in 2010. 

Best Products/Services

Since the service sector in Hong Kong has grown rapidly over the last several years, business, management in tourism and hospitality, service training for cruise and convention and exhibition, engineering, computer science, and information technology have become extremely popular fields of study in the U.S. Other popular fields are mathematics, fine arts, social sciences, humanities, and health science.  MBAs and EMBAs are also very popular.

A number of U.S. education institutions have found success in developing partnerships with Hong Kong schools to open Hong Kong branch campuses for undergraduate and graduate programs.  While the hospitality sector has been affected by the economic downtown, the long term prospects for hospitality and MICE sector training in the region are also excellent.

Opportunities

Many U.S. Educational institutions (both secondary and tertiary) are active in recruiting Hong Kong students.  Strong competition exists, however, from schools in Australia, Canada and the U.K.  Nevertheless, industry experts predict that Hong Kong students studying overseas will increase 3% by 2010.  

The most cost-effective way to recruit Hong Kong students is to hire a local representative because parents and students often depend on these agencies for information and assistance, admission and student visa application processing, overseas boarding recommendations and travel arrangements.  Another way to disseminate information to Hong Kong students is by sending promotional materials to Hong Kong high schools and public libraries.  Taking part in education fairs is also a good way to reach Hong Kong students.

Resources

Trade Shows:

The Education & Careers Expo, 2009
Date: February 19-22, 2009 (annual)
Venue: Hong Kong Convention & Exhibition Center
1 Harbor Road, Wanchai, Hong Kong
Organizer: Mr. Benny Kevin Ho, Marketing Officer
Hong Kong Trade Development Council Unit 13, Expo Galleria
Tel: (852) 2240-4358
Fax: (852) 2169-9610
Email: Kevin.ch.ho@N0SPAM.tdc.org.hk
Website: http://hkeducationexpo.hktdc.com/

2009 U.S. Higher Education Fair
Date: October, 2009 (annual)
Venue: To be confirmed
Organizer: Ms. Maria Luk, Program Officer
Institute of International Education
Tel: (852) 2603-5771
Fax: (852) 2603-5765
Email: mluk@N0SPAM.iiehongkong.org
Website: www.iiehongkong.org

2009 North American Boarding Schools Fair in Hong Kong
Date: November (to be confirmed), 2009 (annual)
Venue: To be Confirmed
Organizer: Ms. Maria Luk, Program Officer
Institute of International Education
Tel: (852) 2603-5771
Fax: (852) 2603-5765
Email: mluk@N0SPAM.iiehongkong.org
Website: www.iiehongkong.org

Trade Associations:

The Institute of International Education
Room 601, General Commercial Building
156 - 164 Des Voeux Road
Central, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2603-5771
Fax: (852) 2603-5765
Website: www.iiehongkong.org
Email: iiehk@N0SPAM.cuhk.edu.hk

Education and Manpower Bureau
Room 1815, Landmark North
39 Lung Sum Avenue, Shung Shui, Hong Kong
Tel: (852) 2639-4774
Fax: (852) 2391-0470
Email: enquiry_ncr@N0SPAM.emb.gov.hk
Website: www.edb.gov.hk

For more information about this industry sector, please contact U.S. Commercial Service:

Rose Mak, Commercial Specialist
Email: rose.mak@N0SPAM.mail.doc.gov
Tel: (852) 2521-7173; Fax: (852) 2845-9800