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Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA)
Image Source: Victoria Shanghai Academy (VSA)
Institutional Overview
Curriculum:
IB continuum (PYP, MYP, DP) delivered bilingually in English and Mandarin.
Levels:
K1 to Year 13 (ages 3 to 18).
Student Body:
Approximately 1,900 students; mostly HK Chinese families seeking bilingual education.
Campus
19 Shum Wan Road, Aberdeen, Hong Kong. Purpose-built campus with pool, theatre, science labs and rooftop sports.
Founded:
2004 (under Victoria Educational Organisation, founded 1965).
Website:
Academic Profile
Language of Instruction:
Bilingual English and Mandarin; roughly 50/50 in primary, English-weighted at senior secondary.
Additional Languages:
Mandarin (Putonghua) is mandatory throughout; Chinese Lit at IBDP.
Academic Rigour:
Full IB continuum delivered bilingually in English and Mandarin from primary through the Diploma.
Notable Strengths:
Bilingual immersion, swimming, debating and a strong CAS/service culture.
Admissions and Matriculation Statistics
Top University Destinations:
UK: Oxford, Cambridge, Imperial, UCL, LSE. USA: Columbia, Cornell, NYU, UC Berkeley. Asia: HKU, CUHK, HKUST, Tsinghua, NUS.
IB Diploma Average
37 points (2024 cohort); ~15% scored 40+.
Bilingual Education
Genuinely bilingual English and Mandarin instruction from primary through the IB Diploma.
Financials (2025/26 Academic Year)
Annual Tuition:
K1, Y6 (Primary):
HK$ 196,400
Y7, Y9 (Lower Sec):
HK$ 210,300
Y10, Y13 (Senior):
HK$ 224,800
Annual Capital Levy
HK$ 18,000 (payable by all students not covered by a debenture).
Debentures:
Individual Debenture
HK$ 500,000 (waives capital levy; transferable).
Corporate Debenture
HK$ 1,200,000 (priority interview slot).
Application Fee
HK$ 2,000 (non-refundable).
Admissions & Application Windows
Application Deadline:
Applications open in October (rolling); February in the year prior
Assessment:
Based upon availability; Stage 1: Parent and Child Interview: February -March Stage 2: Student face to face group interview: April - May
Assessment Format:
1. Total 1.5 hrs 2. No MAP 3. Written CN - Comprehension (both Traditional&Simplified avail) EN - Comprehension MA(EN)- Mainly MC 4. Oral: PTH and EN. Teacher will approach students while they are doing their written exam to conduct oral ex
The Consultant’s Take
Best Fit For:
Families who want a child to come out genuinely bilingual in English and Mandarin while sitting a full IB, VSA was Hong Kong’s first through-train IB World School built on an English-Putonghua co-teaching model from primary. It suits families committed to serious Chinese; it is not for those wanting an English-dominant environment.
The “Insider” Tip:
The bilingual bar is high: VSA expects strong literacy in both English and Chinese by Year 1, not just one language. In practice, Year 1 entry is dominated by feeders and debenture families. Causeway Bay Victoria kindergarten children are favoured, and debenture families most of all. Realistically, do not bank on a Year 1 place unless your child is coming from a Victoria kindergarten or you hold a debenture.
