[Student Sharing Session - Alternatives to DSE]

Leaving the Comfort Zone After S5: A Band 1 Student’s Journey to a "Games Technology" Dream!

20260821seminar

Taking the DSE in Hong Kong is not the only path to success! When a top-tier Band 1 student decisively chose to "change tracks" after Secondary 5 (S5), how did his journey abroad transform his life? 

This seminar aims to debunk traditional academic myths for both students and parents. Ronny will candidly share his personal journey of bypassing the DSE to successfully pursue his dreams early through a UK University Foundation program. Meanwhile, Thomas, the school representative from Kaplan, will provide a comprehensive breakdown of the UK’s "International Year One" and the highly popular "Health Sciences Pathways." He will share insider admission tips to help you map out the most time-saving and efficient fast track to prestigious overseas universities. 

About the Speakers 

Host: Cici Chan 

Graduated in the UK, Cici has been working in overseas education consulting for over 20 years and is well-versed in various education systems worldwide. She is dedicated to designing suitable study plans for students. Additionally, Cici is often invited by local institutions or organizations to deliver seminars. She has also visited overseas schools to assess their environments and obtain the latest information for teachers and students. 

Guest Speaker

1. Student: Ronny Choi

Since his secondary school years, Ronny Choi has possessed a profound passion for computer technology and determined early on to build his future career in this field. Guided by a crystal-clear vision, he resolutely decided to step outside the traditional academic framework, despite achieving excellent grades at a top local Band 1 English-medium secondary school. Upon completing Secondary 5, he made the decisive choice to move to the UK to pursue a one-year University Foundation Program, utilizing it as an efficient stepping stone to transition directly into Year 1 of a UK undergraduate degree. 

Living independently abroad allowed Ronny to thrive academically while cultivating strong personal independence. Driven by his resilience and tech enthusiasm, he successfully fulfilled his aspirations and gained admission to the Bachelor of Games Technology program at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). This September, Ronny will confidently enter his second year of university, steadily turning his passion for technology into a promising reality. 

2. Thomas Leung - Student Recruitment Manager, Kaplan International Pathways

With over five years of experience in overseas study counseling, Thomas possesses an in-depth understanding of the admission requirements and academic structures of major UK institutions. As a born-and-raised Hong Kong student who went through the local education system himself, he truly empathizes with Hong Kong students, fully understanding their concerns and expectations when choosing study destinations, disciplines, and universities. 

Over the years, adhering to a student-centric philosophy, Thomas has successfully assisted hundreds of students in enrolling in UK University pathway programs and smoothly progressing to their bachelor's degrees. The academic disciplines he covers are extensive, ranging from highly competitive fields like Medicine, Veterinary Medicine, Physiotherapy, and Law, to popular majors such as Computer Science, Engineering, and Psychology. Under his professional guidance, numerous students have successfully fulfilled their dreams and secured admission to QS World Top 100 universities. 

Seminar Details 

Date: 21 August 2026 (Friday) 

Time: 7:00 - 8:00pm (HKT) 

Venue: Synchro Overseas Education + Live Online Streaming (Link provided upon registration)   

Language: Cantonese 

Seminar Highlights 

[Firsthand Sharing: Ronny’s Journey in Tech] 

  • The Mindset Behind Changing Tracks: Why did a top-performing student from a prestigious Band 1 school resolutely choose to skip the DSE after S5 and head straight to the UK? 
  • The Real UK Study Experience: Moving to the UK entirely on his own—how do the lifestyle and academic atmosphere of a one-year University Foundation program differ from Hong Kong? 
  • The Transformation into Independence: How studying abroad builds strong independent problem-solving skills and resilience, perfectly preparing students for university life. 
  • Turning Passion into a Profession: Insider insights on how a deep passion for technology led to a successful admission into the Bachelor of Games Technology program at the University of the West of England (UWE Bristol). 

[Expert Analysis: The Ultimate Guide to Kaplan UK Pathway Programs] 

  • Demystifying the International Year One (IYO): What exactly is the International Year One? How does it help students save both time and money while seamlessly transitioning into the second year of a UK university? 
  • The Fast Track to Golden Disciplines: An in-depth look at popular UK institutions that offer Health Sciences Pathways (covering highly competitive fields such as Physiotherapy and Radiotherapy). 
  • Insider Tips for Elite Admissions: Drawing on his own Hong Kong background, Thomas uses his 5 years of experience to analyze the unique pain points local students face when choosing schools, helping them achieve their dreams of entering QS World Top 100 universities. 

Target Audience 

  • Students and parents interested in studying abroad 
  • Students and parents aiming for the World Top 100 universities in the UK and Australia 
  • Students who are interested in Allied Health Science  

Registration Method 

Interested students and parents are invited to complete the registration form below. A member of our team will send you confirmation soon. 

Places are limited—register now to secure your spot! 

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Terms and Conditions

1. Registration

  • Pre-registration is required. Seats are limited and allocated on a first-come, first-served basis. A confirmation email will be sent before the event.
  • Synchro Overseas Education reserves the right to accept or decline any registration.

2. Participation

  • The seminar will be conducted both in-person and online.
  • Online participants will receive a unique access link 48 hours before the event. Please ensure accurate contact details are provided.

3. Event Changes & Cancellation

  • Synchro Overseas Education reserves the right to amend the event date, time, format, or cancel the event due to unforeseen circumstances (including but not limited to adverse weather, technical issues, or force majeure). Participants will be notified accordingly.
  • Synchro Overseas Education is not liable for any direct or indirect losses arising from such changes or cancellations.

4. Use of Personal Data

  • Personal information collected will be used for event coordination and future educational updates or promotional purposes.
  • Synchro Overseas Education complies with the Personal Data (Privacy) Ordinance. Participants may opt out of receiving future communications at any time.

5. Intellectual Property

  • All seminar content, materials, and presentations remain the property of Synchro Overseas Education and the speaker. Recording, filming, screenshots, or distribution for public or commercial use without prior consent is strictly prohibited.

6. Participant Responsibilities

  • Participants are expected to attend on time. Online attendees must ensure a stable internet connection.
  • Synchro Overseas Education reserves the right to remove any participant engaging in inappropriate behaviour.

7. General

  • In case of discrepancies between the English and Chinese versions, the English version shall prevail.
  • Synchro Overseas Education reserves the right to amend these terms without prior notice.