HKUST JUPAS Calculator: DSE Entry Thresholds & the 8.5-Point Scale

The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) is one of the nine institutions participating in the Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS), through which it admits local students holding the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE). This article provides an overview of HKUST's JUPAS admissions framework, covering minimum entry requirements, the scoring system, past score ranges for each school and programme, competition for popular programmes, the early admissions mechanism (SNDAS), and programmes that require a compulsory interview.

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# 1. Minimum Entry Requirements

According to the HKUST official admissions page^※, JUPAS applicants for 2026 entry must meet the following minimum thresholds (the "332A33" combination):

# Flexible Admissions Arrangement

As stated in the official admissions guide^※, if an applicant falls one level below the above requirement in a single core subject (Chinese Language, English Language, or Mathematics Compulsory Part) but their overall weighted score exceeds the 2025 admissions median score^※ for the programme they are applying to, and that programme is placed in Band A of their preference list, the University will still consider the application. This arrangement is designed to prevent strong candidates from missing out due to a single underperforming subject.

Non-Chinese speaking students may substitute the HKDSE Chinese Language subject with a grade from another recognised Chinese qualification; candidates should consult the University for specific details.

# Scoring Scale and Weighting Formulae

HKUST converts HKDSE grades using an 8.5-point scale^※ (for Category A subjects):

Each programme also applies its own subject weighting formula, giving higher weight to specific subjects (e.g., the School of Engineering applies a ×2 weighting to both English Language and Mathematics; the School of Business applies a ×2 weighting to English Language). The final admissions score is calculated using these weighted, converted scores, not by simply adding raw HKDSE grades. The University also has a "Best Sixth Subject" mechanism, which brings a student's best sixth subject (from eligible Category A or extended module subjects) into the calculation.

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# 2. 2025 Admissions Scores by School and Programme

The data below is drawn from the 2025 HKUST JUPAS Admissions Scores table^※ (scores are calculated using each programme's weighting formula), and is provided for reference. All figures are shown as "median" and "lower quartile" scores for local students.

Note: The scores listed are converted scores based on each programme's specific weighting formula and are not directly comparable with raw HKDSE levels or simple subject totals. A higher converted score reflects a stronger performance.

# School of Engineering

The School of Engineering also offers a broad-based admission route (JS5282 – Engineering with an Extended Major in Artificial Intelligence), which allows students to choose their major after entry. Its median score of 46.48^※ is on par with Computer Science, making it one of the most competitive entry paths within the School.

# School of Science

"Biomedical & Health Sciences" is the most competitive programme within the School of Science, with a median score of 40.50^※ significantly higher than other general science programmes; it also has a compulsory interview requirement (see below).

# School of Business and Management

The School of Business's BSc Quantitative Finance (JS5332) is the highest-scoring JUPAS programme across the entire university, with a 2025 median of 56.06^※; it is followed by BBA Global Business (JS5313), with a median of 50.40^※. Both require a compulsory interview (see below).

# School of Humanities and Social Science

# Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies and Joint-School Programmes

The Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management (JS5901) is the most competitive JUPAS programme in the entire university, with a 2025 median of 60.23 and a lower quartile of 62.48^※, far ahead of all other programmes. This five-year dual degree requires students to meet the admissions standards of both the School of Engineering/Science and the School of Business, and it involves a compulsory interview.

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# 3. Most Popular and Competitive Programmes

Based on 2025 admissions scores^※, the most competitive JUPAS programmes, ranked by median weighted score, are as follows:

1. JS5901 Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management – median 60.23, historically the hardest programme to enter.
2. JS5332 BSc Quantitative Finance – median 56.06.
3. JS5313 BBA Global Business – median 50.40.
4. JS5240 Computer Science – median 46.45.
5. JS5282 Engineering with an Extended Major in AI – median 46.48.
6. JS5331 BSc Economics & Finance – median 46.50.

The JUPAS programmes with the relatively "easiest" entry (lowest median scores) include Operations Management (JS5317, median 32.05) and Global China Studies (JS5411, median 28.80), though it should be stressed that these are already weighted, converted scores and cannot be directly compared with raw HKDSE levels.

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# 4. Early Admissions Mechanism: School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS)

According to the HKUST SNDAS official page^※, the School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme (SNDAS), launched by the Education Bureau (EDB) starting from the 2022/23 intake, allows local secondary school principals to nominate students with exceptional potential (with an emphasis on talents beyond academic results) for early admission.

# Participating Programmes

For the 2026/27 intake, HKUST has 25 programmes participating in SNDAS, covering five schools/academies:

• School of Science: 4 programmes (including AI extended major options)
• School of Engineering: 8 programmes (including AI extended major options)
• School of Business and Management: 6 programmes
• School of Humanities and Social Science: 2 programmes
• Academy of Interdisciplinary Studies: 3 programmes
• Joint Programmes: 2 programmes

# Quota Per School

Each local secondary school may nominate up to 2 students to apply for HKUST SNDAS.

# Eligibility Requirements

Applicants must satisfy all of the following:

• The programme applied for must be placed as their Band A first choice in JUPAS.
• They must meet the programme’s basic subject requirements.
• Other Experiences and Achievements (OEA) and the Student Learning Profile (SLP) must have been submitted as part of the JUPAS application.
• Attendance at a compulsory interview is required.
• Applicants must be local students sitting the 2026 HKDSE.

# Timeline (2026 entry)

# Admissions Advantage

Successful SNDAS candidates will retain their admission offer even if their final HKDSE results fall short of the programme’s normal entry requirements (i.e., a "locked-in" offer). Those admitted through SNDAS automatically receive the SNDAS Scholarship, a one-off sum of HK$50,000.

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# 5. Programmes Requiring a Compulsory Interview

According to the HKUST JUPAS admissions page^※, the following nine programmes require a compulsory interview for 2026 entry (interviews are conducted around the HKDSE results release period; specific dates vary by programme):

1. BBA Global Business
2. BSc Quantitative Finance
3. BSc Economics & Finance
4. BSc Sustainable and Green Finance
5. BSc Risk Management and Business Intelligence
6. BSc Innovation, Design and Technology (IDT)
7. International Research Enrichment (IRE, JS5101)
8. BSc Biomedical and Health Sciences
9. Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management

The format and content of interviews vary by programme; some (e.g., IDT, the dual degree) focus on a multi-dimensional talent assessment, while others (e.g., Quantitative Finance, Global Business) emphasise analytical and communication skills.

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# 6. Key Strategic Points for Preference Selection

Based on HKUST official admissions information^※, the University applies the following principles when processing preferences:

• The JUPAS preference list is divided into Band A (approximately 5 choices) and Band B; after the release of HKDSE results, the University processes choices in the order they appear in Band A.
• The flexible admissions arrangement applies only to the highest preference within Band A: if an applicant’s score exceeds the programme’s 2025 admissions median, the University will consider the application even with a core subject one level below the minimum requirement.
• Broad-based admission programmes (e.g., JS5300 School of Business and Management, JS5102 Science Group A) follow an "entry-first, choose-major-later" model, with entry competition generally lower than for individual specialist programmes, making them suitable for applicants whose scores are in the middle range.

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# 7. Scholarships (for HKDSE Holders)

According to the University Admissions Scholarship Scheme for HKDSE Holders^※, HKDSE applicants who achieve Level 5* or above in one or more Category A subjects or M1/M2 will automatically be considered for the following admissions scholarships (no separate application is required):

In addition, the WISE Scholarship (Women in Science/Engineering) is available for female STEM applicants. Eligible female JUPAS applicants (who must achieve Level 5** in one or more Category A subjects) may receive between HK$10,000 and HK$20,000 per year, renewable.

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# Frequently Asked Questions

Q: What is the minimum JUPAS entry threshold for HKUST?

A: For 2026 entry, the minimum is the "332A33" combination: Level 3 in English Language and Chinese Language, Level 2 in Mathematics Compulsory Part, "Attained" in Citizenship and Social Development, and Level 3 in each of two Category A elective subjects (or one elective and M1/M2). If a core subject is one level lower but the overall score exceeds the 2025 median for the applied programme, and the programme is placed as the first choice in Band A, the University will still consider the application.

Q: How does HKUST calculate DSE scores (converted scores)?

A: HKUST converts HKDSE Category A subjects on an 8.5-point scale: 5** = 8.5, 5* = 7.0, 5 = 5.5, 4 = 4.0, 3 = 3.0, 2 = 2.0. Each programme applies its own weighting formula (e.g., the School of Engineering weights English and Mathematics ×2; the School of Business weights English ×2), and there is also a "Best Sixth Subject" mechanism. The final admissions score is calculated from these weighted, converted figures.

Q: Which HKUST programmes have the highest JUPAS entry scores?

A: Based on 2025 data, the Dual Degree Program in Technology & Management (JS5901) has the highest median at 60.23; BSc Quantitative Finance (JS5332) leads within the School of Business with a median of 56.06; BBA Global Business (JS5313) follows with a median of 50.40. All three require a compulsory interview.

Q: What is the relationship between HKUST’s JUPAS scoring and the SNDAS early admissions scheme?

A: SNDAS (School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme) operates in parallel with JUPAS scoring: for the 2026/27 intake, 25 programmes are participating, with each school nominating up to 2 students. Nominees must place the programme as their first Band A choice and meet basic subject requirements. Successful SNDAS candidates will retain their admission offer even if their final HKDSE results do not meet the programme’s normal entry threshold, and they automatically receive a one-off HK$50,000 scholarship.

Q: Can HKUST JUPAS admissions scores be directly compared with raw HKDSE levels?

A: No. The median and lower quartile figures listed here are converted scores calculated using each programme’s specific weighting formula; they are not in the same unit as raw HKDSE levels or simple subject totals. A higher converted score indicates a stronger performance, but these figures cannot be directly compared with the admissions scores of other institutions.

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# Further Reading

• For a complete comparison of the Dual Degree in Technology & Management (JS5901) and other joint-programme entry pathways, see Dual Degree & Joint Admissions Schemes.
• For full details on the HKDSE admissions scholarships and the WISE Scholarship mentioned above, see Tuition, Accommodation & Scholarships.
• To compare JUPAS admissions scores with graduate destinations and employment data, see Graduate Outcomes & Employment Overview.

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