The Joint University Programmes Admissions System (JUPAS) is the main application platform for Hong Kong secondary school students who wish to apply for government-funded undergraduate programs at the nine participating institutions. For the 2025 entry cycle, students must follow a fixed timeline set by the JUPAS Office. Missing a deadline can result in higher fees, reduced program choices, or disqualification from early consideration. This article outlines the full JUPAS application timeline for 2025, from the opening of the application period in October 2024 to the final result release in August 2025.

Key Dates for JUPAS 2025 Entry

The JUPAS Office publishes the official schedule approximately one year before the application deadline. The table below shows the main milestones for the 2025 cycle, based on the pattern of previous years and confirmed by the JUPAS Office as of September 2024. All dates are subject to minor adjustments; students should check the JUPAS website for updates.

  • 3 October 2024: Application opens for the 2025 entry cycle. Students can create an account and submit the initial application.
  • 4 December 2024: Deadline for submitting the initial application with the standard fee. After this date, late applications incur an additional fee.
  • 5 December 2024 to 15 December 2024: Late application period. The JUPAS Office accepts applications with a late fee of HK$400 on top of the standard fee.
  • 15 December 2024: Final deadline for applying to JUPAS for the 2025 cycle. After this date, no new applications are accepted.
  • 11 January 2025: Deadline for submitting program choices (first round). Students can list up to 20 program choices in order of preference.
  • 17 July 2025: Release of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) examination results.
  • 19 July 2025 (noon): Deadline for submitting revised program choices after the HKDSE results are released.
  • 7 August 2025: Main round offer release day. JUPAS releases the first round of offers to successful applicants.
  • 14 August 2025: Deadline for accepting main round offers.
  • 17 August 2025: Release of offers from the second round (clearing round) if vacancies remain.

Application Fee Structure for 2025

The JUPAS application fee for the 2025 cycle is set by the JUPAS Office and is reviewed annually. For the 2024 cycle, the standard fee was HK$460 for applications submitted on time. For the 2025 cycle, the JUPAS Office has announced the following fee schedule:

  • Standard application fee: HK$470 (if submitted on or before 4 December 2024).
  • Late application fee: HK$870 (if submitted between 5 December and 15 December 2024). This includes the standard fee plus a late surcharge of HK$400.
  • Program choice fee: No separate fee for the first 20 program choices. However, if a student wishes to add more than 20 choices after the initial submission, each additional choice costs HK$100, up to a maximum of 40 choices overall.
  • Revised program choice fee: Free for the first revision after the HKDSE results are released. Subsequent revisions cost HK$100 each.

Students can pay the application fee online via credit card (Visa, Mastercard) or through a designated bank (HSBC or Bank of China). The JUPAS Office does not accept cash or cheque payments.

Step-by-Step Application Process for 2025

The JUPAS application process consists of several stages. Below is a step-by-step guide for the 2025 cycle.

Stage 1: Create an Account and Submit Personal Information

From 3 October 2024, students can register on the JUPAS website using their Hong Kong Identity Card number and a personal email address. After registration, the student receives a JUPAS application number and a temporary password. The student must complete the personal information section, including contact details, address, and education history. Students who have attended schools under the Hong Kong education system must provide their school code and class details.

Stage 2: Select Program Choices

By 11 January 2025, students must submit their program choices. The JUPAS system allows up to 20 choices, which must be ranked in order of preference. Students can change the order of these choices or add new ones until the deadline. After the deadline, no changes are allowed until the HKDSE results are released, except under special circumstances (e.g., medical reasons) with supporting documents.

When selecting programs, students should consider the admission score requirements from previous years. The JUPAS Office publishes the median and lower quartile admission scores for each program annually. For example, the median admission score for the Bachelor of Business Administration at the University of Hong Kong in 2024 was 5*55 (in terms of HKDSE grades), while the lower quartile was 555. Students can use the DSE score calculator and conversion tool to estimate their chances.

Stage 3: Submit Predicted Grades and School Reference

Schools submit predicted HKDSE grades for each student via the JUPAS system by a deadline in March 2025. These predicted grades are used by universities for early consideration under the School Principal's Nominations (SPN) scheme and for some early admission programs. Students should discuss their predicted grades with their teachers and ensure they are realistic.

Stage 4: Revise Choices After HKDSE Results

On 17 July 2025, the HKDSE results are released. From that date until noon on 19 July 2025, students can log into the JUPAS system to revise their program choices. This is a critical window: students can add new programs, remove existing ones, or reorder their preferences based on their actual results. The JUPAS system allows unlimited changes during this period at no additional cost. After noon on 19 July, no further changes are permitted.

Important Considerations for Program Choice Strategy

Choosing the right program order is one of the most important decisions in the JUPAS application. The system uses a computer algorithm that processes applications based on the applicant's HKDSE scores and the order of program choices. Here are key points to understand:

  • Band A, B, C, D, E: The JUPAS system groups choices into five bands. Band A contains choices 1 to 3, Band B contains choices 4 to 6, and so on. Universities see only the choices within each band. For example, if a program is listed as choice 2, it is in Band A. If it is listed as choice 8, it is in Band C. The system gives priority to applicants who place a program in a higher band.
  • No penalty for listing a program as first choice: Unlike some overseas systems, JUPAS does not penalize students for listing a popular program as their first choice. If the student is not admitted to their first choice, they are automatically considered for their second choice, and so on.
  • Use the 20 choices wisely: Students should include a mix of aspirational programs (those with higher entry requirements), realistic programs (those with requirements matching their predicted or actual scores), and safety programs (those with lower requirements). For example, a student with predicted scores of 5*55 in three core subjects might list the HKU Bachelor of Medicine and Surgery as Band A, the CUHK Bachelor of Pharmacy as Band B, and the CityU Bachelor of Science as Band C.

For more detailed advice on subject selection and study plans, refer to the DSE subject selection tips and DSE study plans and timelines articles.

Special Admission Schemes

JUPAS offers several special admission schemes that have their own timelines and requirements. Students who qualify for these schemes should take note of the additional deadlines.

School Principal's Nominations (SPN)

The SPN scheme allows secondary school principals to nominate up to two students per school for priority consideration. Nominated students receive a bonus of 5% of their total HKDSE score. The nomination deadline is usually in March 2025. Students must have their predicted grades submitted by their school before this deadline. The JUPAS Office then processes the nominations and informs the universities.

Sports, Music, and Other Talent Schemes

Some universities, such as the University of Hong Kong and the Chinese University of Hong Kong, have separate talent admission schemes for students with exceptional achievements in sports, music, or other areas. These schemes require separate applications directly to the university, often with earlier deadlines in November or December 2024. For example, the HKU Sports Scholarship application deadline for 2025 entry was 15 November 2024. Students should check each university's website for specific dates.

Disability Support Scheme

Students with disabilities can apply for special accommodation during the HKDSE examinations and for consideration under the JUPAS Disability Support Scheme. The application deadline for this scheme is usually in November 2024, and supporting documents from medical professionals are required.

Post-Application: What Happens After the Deadline?

After the application deadline and the program choice revision window, the JUPAS system processes all applications using the following steps:

  1. Score calculation: The JUPAS Office calculates each applicant's total score based on the HKDSE results. The score is the sum of the best five subjects, with weightings applied by individual programs. For example, a program may count Mathematics as double weight and English as single weight.
  2. Program ranking: For each program, the university ranks all applicants who have listed that program, based on their calculated scores. The top-ranked applicants receive offers first.
  3. Offer allocation: The JUPAS computer algorithm then allocates offers. It starts with the first choice of the highest-scoring applicant. If that applicant is admitted to their first choice, they are removed from consideration for all subsequent choices. If not, the system moves to their second choice, and so on. This process continues until all offers for the main round are filled.
  4. Main round offer release: On 7 August 2025, successful applicants receive an offer notification via the JUPAS website and email. The offer includes the program name, university, and conditions (e.g., must have achieved a certain grade in a specific subject). Applicants must accept the offer by 14 August 2025.

If an applicant does not receive any offer in the main round, they are automatically considered in the second round (clearing round) on 17 August 2025. This round fills any remaining vacancies after the main round. Students who accept offers in the second round must do so by 21 August 2025.

Common Mistakes and How to Avoid Them

Every year, some students miss out on their preferred programs due to avoidable errors. The common DSE mistakes to avoid article provides a longer list, but here are the most relevant pitfalls for the JUPAS timeline:

  • Missing the program choice deadline: The 11 January 2025 deadline is absolute. The JUPAS system automatically locks all choices at midnight on that day. No extensions are granted. Set a calendar reminder one week before the deadline.
  • Forgetting to revise choices after HKDSE results: Some students assume their original choices are still valid after the results are released. This is true, but they may miss the opportunity to add programs that have lower requirements than expected. Always log in during the revision window (17-19 July 2025) to review and adjust.
  • Not using all 20 choices: Some students list only 5 or 10 choices, thinking they will definitely get into their top choices. This is risky. Use all 20 choices to maximize the chance of receiving an offer.
  • Ignoring the program-specific requirements: Some programs require a minimum grade in a specific subject (e.g., a 5 in Mathematics for engineering programs). If the student does not meet that minimum, the program will not consider them, even if their overall score is high. Check the program pages on the JUPAS website for these requirements.

Frequently Asked Questions

Can I apply to non-JUPAS institutions as well?

Yes. JUPAS only covers the nine participating institutions. Students can also apply directly to other institutions, such as the Hong Kong Academy for Performing Arts, the Open University of Hong Kong (now Hong Kong Metropolitan University), or overseas universities. These applications are separate and have their own deadlines. For more information on alternative pathways, see the complete guide to Hong Kong education pathways.

What if I am not studying the HKDSE?

Students with other qualifications, such as A-Levels, International Baccalaureate (IB), or the Mainland Chinese Gaokao, can apply through the Non-JUPAS route. Non-JUPAS applications are handled directly by each university, not through the JUPAS system. Deadlines vary by university, but typically fall between November 2024 and February 2025. For example, the University of Hong Kong's Non-JUPAS application deadline for 2025 entry is 15 November 2024 for early consideration and 31 January 2025 for regular consideration.

Can I change my program choices after the January deadline?

No, except during the revision window after the HKDSE results. The JUPAS system does not allow any changes between 11 January 2025 and 17 July 2025, except in cases of medical emergencies or other exceptional circumstances approved by the JUPAS Office.

Related articles

  • The Complete Guide to Hong Kong Education Pathways
  • DSE Exam Format and Grading
  • DSE Score Calculator and Conversion
  • DSE Subject Selection Tips
  • DSE Study Plans and Timelines
  • Common DSE Mistakes to Avoid