International schools in Hong Kong place children by age, with the cut-off date varying by school and curriculum. British curriculum schools use UK year group names Reception through Year 13. American curriculum schools use Kindergarten through Grade 12. This guide gives you the exact age-to-year-group mapping used by international schools in Hong Kong in 2026.
Most British international schools in Hong Kong use 31 August as the age cut-off, matching the UK system exactly. Some schools use 31 December for January intakes. Always confirm the cut-off date with the individual school. Match your child's age on 31 August to find their likely year group.
| Age on 31 Aug | UK Year Group | US Grade | Key Stage | Milestone |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| 3 | Nursery | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 4 | Reception | Pre-K | EYFS | Early Years |
| 5 | Year 1 | Kindergarten | KS1 | |
| 6 | Year 2 | Grade 1 | KS1 | |
| 7 | Year 3 | Grade 2 | KS2 | |
| 8 | Year 4 | Grade 3 | KS2 | |
| 9 | Year 5 | Grade 4 | KS2 | |
| 10 | Year 6 | Grade 5 | KS2 | |
| 11 | Year 7 | Grade 6 | KS3 | Secondary starts |
| 12 | Year 8 | Grade 7 | KS3 | |
| 13 | Year 9 | Grade 8 | KS3 | |
| 14 | Year 10 | Grade 9 | KS4 | IGCSE begins |
| 15 | Year 11 | Grade 10 | KS4 | IGCSE exams |
| 16 | Year 12 | Grade 11 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB begins |
| 17 | Year 13 | Grade 12 | Sixth Form | A-Levels / IB exams |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
Hong Kong has one important nuance compared to other markets: the cut-off date is not uniform across all schools. Most British curriculum schools use 31 August, matching the UK. Some schools offer January intakes with a 31 December cut-off. IB schools may use different placement practices. A child born in October could be placed in different year groups at different schools in Hong Kong depending solely on which school they apply to, so confirming with each school's admissions team directly is essential.
Most international schools in Hong Kong run an August to September start with a June finish, divided into three terms. Hong Kong's international school market is one of the most competitive in Asia. Some of the most established schools have waiting lists stretching years rather than months, and families relocating for work often secure a school place before confirming their housing. The English Schools Foundation (ESF) — a government-subsidised network of schools following the British curriculum — offers a middle ground between local and fully private international schools, with fees considerably lower than the premium private sector. ESF schools are worth investigating early for families on a tighter budget. Entry at popular year groups, particularly Nursery, Reception and Year 7, is highly competitive and early application is advised.
Early Years (EYFS): Nursery at age 3, Reception at age 4. Children enter Nursery classes at age 3 and Reception at age 4 at British curriculum schools.
Primary: Year 1 at age 5. Key Stage 2 covers Years 3 to 6, ages 7 to 11. Hong Kong's local primary system also runs Primary 1 to 6, so the stage names are broadly familiar, though the starting ages and cut-off dates differ.
Secondary: Year 7 at age 11. British international schools in Hong Kong lead students through IGCSE from Year 10 and A-Levels or the IB Diploma from Year 12.
IGCSE and Sixth Form: Year 10 at age 14 begins Cambridge IGCSE. Year 12 at age 16 begins A-Levels or the IB Diploma.
A child who is 10 on 31 August enters Year 6 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 5 at an American curriculum school. Year 6 is the final year of primary and Key Stage 2.
Reception is for children aged 4 turning 5 at British international schools. The Hong Kong local system uses Kindergarten 1 and 2 (ages 4 to 5) before Primary 1 at age 6. A child in Reception at a British international school is at a similar age to a child in K2 in the local system, though the curriculum structure differs significantly.
Hong Kong's local school system has British roots and uses similar naming to UK schools. Primary 1 to 6 covers ages 6 to 12, and Secondary 1 to 6 covers ages 12 to 18. The local year runs September to July. The terminal qualification is the Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE), taken at Secondary 6 at age 17 to 18.
| Hong Kong Local Stage | Age | UK Year Group | US Grade |
|---|---|---|---|
| Primary 1 (P1) | 6–7 | Year 2 | Grade 1 |
| Primary 2 (P2) | 7–8 | Year 3 | Grade 2 |
| Primary 3 (P3) | 8–9 | Year 4 | Grade 3 |
| Primary 4 (P4) | 9–10 | Year 5 | Grade 4 |
| Primary 5 (P5) | 10–11 | Year 6 | Grade 5 |
| Primary 6 (P6) | 11–12 | Year 7 | Grade 6 |
| Secondary 1 (S1) | 12–13 | Year 8 | Grade 7 |
| Secondary 2 (S2) | 13–14 | Year 9 | Grade 8 |
| Secondary 3 (S3) | 14–15 | Year 10 | Grade 9 |
| Secondary 4 (S4) | 15–16 | Year 11 | Grade 10 |
| Secondary 5 (S5) | 16–17 | Year 12 | Grade 11 |
| Secondary 6 (S6) | 17–18 | Year 13 | Grade 12 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
The local Hong Kong system starts Primary 1 at age 6, one year later than British international schools. Because the local system has British roots, the naming is closer to UK year groups than other Asian national systems. Students switching from local to international schools will be assessed individually, with age as the primary placement factor.
For curriculum decisions, our IB vs British curriculum comparison covers the practical differences in depth.
| School | Location | Curriculum | Ages |
|---|---|---|---|
| American School Hong Kong | Tai Po | American, IB DP | 5–18 |
| Bloom KKCA Academy | Kowloon | British, Cambridge IGCSE | 3–16 |
| Hong Kong Academy | Sai Kung | IB (PYP, MYP, DP) | 3–18 |
| Stamford American School Hong Kong | Ho Man Tin | American, IB DP, AP | 5–18 |
| Kellett School | Pok Fu Lam / Kowloon Bay | British, Cambridge IGCSE, A-Levels | 4–18 |
Schools shown for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.
What year group is a 7 year old in at an international school in Hong Kong? A child who is 7 on 31 August enters Year 3 at a British curriculum school, or Grade 2 at an American curriculum school. This is the start of Key Stage 2.
Why might my child be placed in different year groups at different Hong Kong international schools? Cut-off dates vary. Most British schools use 31 August, but some offer January intakes with a 31 December cut-off, and IB schools may use different placement practices. Always confirm the specific cut-off date with the admissions team of each school you apply to.
My child is in Primary 6 at a local Hong Kong school. What year group will they enter at an international school? Primary 6 is typically age 11 to 12, placing them in Year 7 or Year 8 at a British international school depending on their birthday and the cut-off date used. The school will assess before confirming placement.
What is the difference between the HKDSE and A-Levels? The HKDSE is taken at Secondary 6 at age 17 to 18 in local Hong Kong schools. A-Levels are taken at Year 13 at age 17 to 18 at British international schools. Both are post-secondary qualifications recognised for university entry, though A-Levels are more widely accepted internationally outside Hong Kong.
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This guide was written by Aziza F, part of the doris editorial team. doris sources school data from institutions worldwide and speaks directly with parents navigating the school search process. Fee data reflects published and publicly available information for the 2026 to 2027 academic year and is reviewed annually. External sources: Lion Rock Education, age cut-off guide Hong Kong 2026, Shrewsbury International School Hong Kong, admissions. Schools are listed for informational purposes only. doris does not rank or promote any school.