In the Senior school students choose one of two pathways, each with a comprehensive list of subject choices.
Curriculum and Pathways
AISHK is the only school in Hong Kong to offer students in Years 11 &12 the flexibility to undertake either the:
- New South Wales, Higher School Certificate (NSW, HSC)
- International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP).
These pathways allow students to transition to tertiary education, career aspirations and unlimited opportunities in Hong Kong, Australia or around the world.
AISHK offers students in Years 11 and 12 the option to study and graduate with the Australian NSW HSC, an internationally recognised, final year high school graduation credential. The HSC provides students with flexibility in its curriculum to study a wide range of subjects or to focus and specialise within more specific subject fields.
HSC academic results are used to calculate an Australian Tertiary Admissions Rank (ATAR). A student’s ATAR is the ranking score used by Australian and overseas universities to qualify a student’s eligibility for course entry.
HSC Preliminary Course (Year 11): To be eligible for the HSC, a student must satisfactorily complete at least 12 units in the Preliminary study pattern.
HSC Course (Year 12): To successfully complete Year 12 and be awarded the HSC, students must satisfactorily complete at least ten units including English (five subjects for most students). Year 12 students have the option of selecting additional extension courses in certain subjects. HSC examinations are typically held yearly from mid-October to mid-November.
AISHK offers students in Years 11 and 12 the option to study and graduate with the International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IBDP). The IBDP is a globally recognised programme which emphasises critical thinking, intercultural understanding and exposure to a variety of points of view.
AISHK offers a varied range of courses from the six IB subject groups; Language A, Language B, Mathematics, Sciences, Individuals and Societies and The Arts. To be awarded the IB diploma, students must satisfy the course requirements over two years. At least three and not more than four courses are taken at higher level (HL - 240 hours over two years), the others at standard level (SL - 150 hours over two years). Additionally, students must also complete the three DP core elements; Theory of Knowledge (TOK), Creativity, Action and Service (CAS); and the extended essay.
AISHK runs IBDP examinations in November each year and results are available in early December (aligning with the HSC results). IB scores automatically convert to an ATAR equivalent.
Subjects Offered
NSW Higher School Certificate
COMPULSORY
ENGLISH
Compulsory, offered at various levels, including Extension 1 (and Extension 2 in Year 12)
MATHEMATICS
Compulsory, offered at various levels, including Extension 1 (and Extension 2 in Year 12)
ELECTIVES
SCIENCES
Physics, Biology, Chemistry
(Extension Science in Year 12)
LANGUAGES
Chinese and French, offered at various levels
(and Extension Chinese offered in Year 12
CREATIVE INDUSTRIES
Design and Technology, Visual Arts,
Software Engineering (all 2 unit courses)
HUMANITIES
Modern History, Legal Studies, Economics,
Business Studies, Geography (and
Extension History in Year 12)
PERFORMING ARTS
Music (with Extension course offered in Year 12), Drama
PDHPE
Human Movement Science (HMS)
IB Diploma Programme
GROUP 1
English A or Chinese A, offered at either Higher or Standard Level
GROUP 2
Chinese B or French B, offered at either Higher or Standard Level; Chinese ab initio Standard Level or
French ab initio Standard Level
GROUP 3
Business Management, History, Economics, Psychology (all offered at either Higher or Standard Level)
GROUP 4
Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Design and Technology (all offered at either Higher or Standard Level)
GROUP 5
Mathematics – two courses of varying degree of difficulty, offered at Higher or Standard Level
GROUP 6
Music, Visual Arts (offered at either Higher or Standard Level)
Exam Results and Pathways
AISHK students achieve outstanding academic result in both the NSW, HSC and IBDP. Our exceptional academic outcomes are a result of our dedicated teachers, our students love for learning, the choices available to them, small class sizes and the individual attention students receive.
52%
achieve one or more Band 6 (HSC Results)
40%
achieved final scores of 40 IBDP points or more.
47%
achieve 34 points or more (IB Diploma Results)
75th
In the Sydney Morning Herald rankings of 800 schools
37
Average IB points vs the global average 29.2
60%
of the IBDP cohort achieved at least one grade 7 result.