The number of Hong Kong students studying at state schools in England has surged by nearly one-third in the 2023-24 academic year compared with the previous year. Birmingham, Nottinghamshire, and Barnet are the most popular choices, according to a government survey.
The Department of Education’s annual survey, completed voluntarily by state-funded schools, revealed that at least 7,100 students from Hong Kong were studying in state schools during the 2023-24 academic year, a 32% increase from 5,400 the previous year. This trend shows a significant rise from 3,068 in 2021-22 and 1,081 in 2020-21, the year before the UK launched the BN(O) immigration pathway for Hongkongers in response to Beijing’s national security law.
More Hong Kong students are likely studying at state schools than the survey indicates, as participation in the survey was not mandatory for schools.
The survey found that Birmingham had the largest number of Hong Kong students among approximately 150 local authorities, with 946 students, up from about 800 last year. Nottinghamshire and Barnet followed, with 661 and 486 students, respectively. Other notable areas included Essex, Kent, Warrington, Hertfordshire, and Trafford.
In terms of ethnicity, the “Asian-Chinese” category, which includes Hongkongers, saw the second-largest increase among all ethnic groups, up by 8.6%, followed by black students, who saw a 12% rise. There are 9.1 million students in England’s state schools.
Most Hong Kong students, or 31%, were aged between seven and 11 and enrolled in Year Three to Six. The second largest group, 29%, were aged 11 to 14, in Year Seven to Nine. Another 14% were aged between 14 and 16.
These figures align with earlier findings that Hong Kong primary schools have been significantly affected by the emigration wave to the UK. Statistics show that 19,280 children between six and 11 years old constitute 13% of the BNO visa holders, the highest among different student age groups.
A Kent County Council spokesman said their officers continue to provide support to Hong Kong families, including education arrangements for their children.
In contrast, an annual census conducted by the United Kingdom’s Independent Schools Council revealed that 7,677 students from Hong Kong were studying in private schools in the country, down from a record of 8,011 last year. Education consultants have suggested that possible tuition fee hikes under the new Labour Party government, which has pledged to remove the current exemption from value-added tax and business rates for independent schools, may deter Hong Kong families.
Students from Hong Kong moving to the UK must pay international tuition fees before securing settled status. Some groups representing Hongkongers have advocated for home fee status for BN(O) migrants.
Australia, Britain, and Canada created special immigration pathways for Hongkongers after Beijing imposed the national security law banning acts of secession, subversion, terrorism, and collusion with foreign forces. Hongkongers moving to Britain via the BN(O) pathway can work, study, and live in Britain for six years, after which they can apply for citizenship. As of March, about 144,400 BN(O) visa holders had arrived in the UK.