Sending your child to study abroad

Studying abroad offers more than an international education – it's a life-enriching experience. Not only does it enhance your children's language proficiency, but it also fosters independence, adaptability, resilience, and critical thinking.

Living and studying overseas exposes your children to diverse cultures and prepares them for a global career. They'll gain newfound confidence and lifelong friendships.

Admission requirements for universities vary from country to country. Some recognise the results of the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (HKDSE), while others require standardised tests, such as IELTS, TOEFL, SAT and ACT. Letters of recommendation, proof of financial ability and other supplementary documents may also be requested.

In terms of scores, most colleges or disciplines require an HKDSE average score of 4 or above or an IELTS score of 6.0 or above. Prestigious universities, such as Oxford and Cambridge, even require 7.0 points for the IELTS score. Alternatively, your children can enrol in a community college or university prerequisite class for two years. When the requirements are met, they can transfer their credits to a related undergraduate programme.

Certain universities require application submissions a year before the school term starts. These can be completed via post or the Internet. Once you receive the confirmation of admission, you can apply for a student visa at the relevant immigration office.

Studying abroad in the USA, UK, Canada, Australia and Japan are the most popular choices. Your choice of city and university will impact your expenses. The cost of living is influenced by proximity to campus.

Studying abroad is a big investment. A four-year programme often requires more than a million Hong Kong dollars. If financing proves to be difficult, consider applying for an HSBC Personal Instalment Loan, which provides a loan amount up to 23 times your monthly salary or HKD3 million (whichever is lower), to enjoy better liquidity. The maximum 60-month repayment period offers you a comfortable repayment schedule while covering tuition costs and living expenses. It's possible to redraw the repaid loan without applying again in case additional education funds are needed.

Studying abroad is not a simple decision. Other than visiting the websites of different institutions for more details, you can get additional information from different public and private resources, like the Education Bureau and Hong Kong Education & Careers Expo.

To find out more about HSBC Personal Instalment Loan, feel free to call us on (852) 2748 8080, or apply online now.

To borrow or not to borrow? Borrow only if you can repay!