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King George V School
(KGV)
Image Source: Hong Kong Green Building Council
Institutional Overview
Curriculum:
Years 7–9:
IB Middle Years Programme (MYP).
Years 10–11:
(I)GCSE and BTEC Level 2.
Years 12–13:
IB Diploma Programme (IBDP) or IB Career-related Programme (IBCP) featuring BTEC Level 3.
Levels:
Year 7 to Year 13 (Secondary only).
Student Body:
~1,900 students.
Campus
2 Tin Kwong Rd, Ho Man Tin, Kowloon (A sprawling 10.2-acre historic campus).
Founded:
1902 (as the Central British School); renamed in 1948.
Website:
Academic Profile
Average IB Score (2025):
35.5 (Pass Rate: 94%).
Pass Rate:
98.4%.
Vocational Success:
100% pass rate for BTEC Level 3 students, with 77% of entries achieving Triple Distinction or above.
Notable Strengths:
Robust Learning Enhancement Centre (LEC) for inclusive education, elite-level sports (Rugby/Hockey), and a highly regarded Media & Film department.
Admissions and Matriculation Statistics
Top 10 University Destinations:
UK:
Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial College London, LSE, UCL, Warwick.
USA:
NYU, UC Berkeley, Cornell, University of Chicago.
Local/Asia:
HKU (highly popular for Medicine/Law), HKUST, CUHK.
Reputational Standing:
Known as the “Greatest of the ESF schools” in terms of historical legacy. It maintains a prestigious reputation for balancing high-tier academic results with a grounded, diverse student culture.
Financials (2025/26 Academic Year)
Annual Tuition (International Stream):
Years 7–10:
HK$181,100 (Year 10 became non-subvented in 2025/26).
Years 11:
HK$159,400 (Government subvented).
Years 12–13:
HK$167,600 (Government subvented).
Non-Refundable Capital Levy (NRCL):
HK$26,000 for Year 7 entry (reduces on a sliding scale for later entry).
Nomination Rights:
Individual (INR):
HK$500,000 (Priority on waitlist).
Application Fee:
HK$2,800.
Admissions & Application Windows
Admission Difficulty:
Selective.
Application Window:
Year 7:
September.
Other years, rolling applications.
Assessment Format:
Collaborative group activities and evidence of English language proficiency. Interviews with faculty.
The Consultant’s Take
Best Fit For:
The “community-minded” student. KGV is a large school with a small-school feel thanks to its strong House system. It is perfect for students who want a massive range of extracurricular options (from high-level sports to orchestra) while benefiting from a highly inclusive environment.
The “Insider” Tip:
KGV is often the most requested ESF school in Kowloon due to legacy applications as well as higher residential population in the Kowloon area. Your chances of entry without an Individual Nomination Right (INR) are mathematically slim. Strategically, KGV is one of the few schools in Hong Kong that offers a truly high-quality BTEC vocational pathway that still leads to top UK universities.
