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Seminar Introduction
With competition for university places intensifying each year, succeeding through the Non-JUPAS pathway demands far more than good grades — it requires a precise subject selection strategy and thorough early planning. This seminar brings together Annie KUNG, former Assistant Director of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at CUHK, and Grove Education's Head of Counselling, Mr. Anson Liu, to give students and parents an unfiltered, insider view of what universities truly look for in Non-JUPAS applicants.
About the speakers
Host: Mr. Anson Liu, Head of Counselling, Grove Education
Anson is the Head of Counselling at Grove Education. He is a dedicated and highly professional education expert with over a decade of experience in the field, having successfully guided more than 500 application cases. A graduate of the University of Birmingham with a Master's degree in Education, Anson possesses in-depth knowledge of the education systems in the UK, Europe, Hong Kong, and Mainland China, enabling him to help students design the most suitable academic and career pathways.
Guest Speaker: Ms. Annie KUNG, Principal Higher Education Specialist | Former Admissions Assistant Director
Annie KUNG is a seasoned education professional with over 30 years of experience in higher education and corporate training. She served as Assistant Director of the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) for 15 years (Until 2025), overseeing Non jupas admissions, outreach, and institutional liaison. She was also an institutional representative on the JUPAS Board, the Committee on JUPAS Operations, and the Education Bureau Liaison Group. Before CUHK, she served as Assistant Registrar, Head of Admissions at Lingnan University, where she led university admissions and internationalisation efforts.
Annie holds a bachelor’s degree from the National University of Singapore, a post-graduate Diploma in Education, and a Doctor of Education from the University of Bristol and an MA in Teaching English as a Second Language from City University of Hong Kong.
Event Details
Date: 18 July 2026 (Saturday)
Time: 2:00 pm – 3:30 pm (HKT)
Venue: First Commercial Building - 3/F First Commercial Building, 33-35 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay, Hong Kong
Mode: In-person
Speaker: Mr. Anson Liu, Head of Counselling × Ms. Annie KUNG, Principal Higher Education Specialist
Language: Cantonese
Fee: HKD 100/group (maximum 2 people per group)
Seminar Highlights
This seminar is built around the admissions officer's perspective — combining the latest data with real application cases to demystify critical aspect of Non-JUPAS:
Part 1: DSE vs International Curriculum? Debunking JUPAS vs Non-JUPAS Myths
- At what age should parents seriously start planning curriculum choices — and why does early planning matter?
- "Non-JUPAS is always more advantageous than JUPAS" — what does an admissions officer actually think of this belief?
- The real differences between DSE, IB, and A-Level: how to prioritise learning style, academic ability, and future direction
- Which students actually perform better on the DSE pathway than on IB or A-Level?
- The blind spots of switching curricula purely for perceived admissions advantage
Part 2: Which Non-JUPAS Curriculum Wins? — Inside University Admissions
- IBDP, IAL, Canadian, ATAR — which curriculum is most favoured by UGC-funded universities? Is that even the right question?
- Do admissions offices care more about which curriculum you studied, or about academic ability, subject match, and overall readiness?
- The distinct strengths of different curriculum backgrounds and how universities compare applicants across systems
- Hidden admissions criteria and key considerations for HKU, CUHK, and HKUST
- Personal Statement strategy: what admissions tutors are genuinely looking for
Part 3: University Survival Guide & Future Academic Trends
- "Easy to get in, hard to survive" — the real academic challenges students face after admission
- The academic culture and pressure at Hong Kong's top universities: how HKU, CUHK, and HKUST differ
- The rise of interdisciplinary programmes (Engineering + Business, BBA + JD, etc.) and what admissions look for
- The growing importance of exchange opportunities and global perspectives in university life
- What qualities will universities value most in the age of AI — from both an admissions and education research perspective
Part 4: When Should Career Counselling Start? — Questions Parents Ask Most
- Why career counselling should begin before age 15, and the common consequences of starting too late
- How early career planning helps students keep more options open when choosing subjects
- Do top students actually have fewer choices? Debunking the myth that high achievers must study medicine or law
- Open Q&A: students and parents are welcome to ask questions
Target Audience
Students planning to enter local universities through the Non-JUPAS route in 2027 or later, and their parents — particularly:
- Students studying IB, GCE A-Levels, SAT/AP, or other non-DSE qualifications who plan to apply to local universities
- Parents seeking to understand how international qualifications connect to Hong Kong university admissions, and who want to plan ahead
- Parents still navigating the DSE vs international curriculum decision and looking for professional guidance
- Secondary 4–5 students beginning to think about university applications and wanting a full overview of the Non-JUPAS process
Registration Method
Interested students and parents may complete the registration form below. A member of our team will contact you with event details and payment instructions. Places are limited — register now to secure your spot.