Choosing the right subject combination for the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (DSE) is one of the most consequential decisions a secondary school student makes. The subjects a student selects in Form 3 or early Form 4 determine not only the content they will study for two to three years but also the university programmes and careers open to them after the DSE. According to the Education Bureau's 2023 statistics, over 47,000 school candidates sat the DSE, and the majority chose combinations that balanced personal interest, perceived difficulty, and university admission requirements.

This article examines the most popular subject combinations among DSE students in Hong Kong, explains why these combinations are common, and offers practical advice for students and parents navigating this decision. The information is based on publicly available data from the Hong Kong Examinations and Assessment Authority (HKEAA), university admission figures, and surveys conducted by local educational bodies.

Core Subjects: The Foundation of Every DSE Combination

Every DSE candidate must take four core subjects: Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics (Compulsory Part), and Liberal Studies (which will be replaced by Citizenship and Social Development from the 2024 cohort onwards). These four subjects are compulsory for all school candidates and form the basis of the DSE score used in university admissions.

Mathematics has an extended part (Module 1 Calculus and Statistics, or Module 2 Algebra and Calculus) that counts as an elective for university admission purposes. Many students who are strong in mathematics choose to take one of these modules as a fifth subject.

Liberal Studies (LS) has been a core subject since the first DSE in 2012. Starting with the 2024 DSE, LS will be replaced by Citizenship and Social Development, which has a simplified curriculum and a pass/fail grading system instead of a 5** grade. This change will affect subject combination strategies from the 2024 cohort onward.

Elective Subject Categories

HKEAA offers 20 elective subjects across several categories. Students typically choose two to four electives. The most common elective categories are:

  • Science subjects: Physics, Chemistry, Biology, Combined Science
  • Humanities: History, Chinese History, Geography, Economics
  • Business and Accounting: Business, Accounting and Financial Studies (BAFS), Economics (also classified under humanities), Tourism and Hospitality Studies
  • Technology: Information and Communication Technology (ICT), Design and Applied Technology
  • Arts: Visual Arts, Music
  • Other: Physical Education, Ethics and Religious Studies

The Five Most Popular Subject Combinations

Based on HKEAA candidate enrolment data from 2022 and 2023, plus internal surveys from major secondary schools, the following five combinations are the most common among DSE school candidates.

1. Physics, Chemistry, and Biology (Pure Science)

This combination, often called the