Curiosity beats perfect statements, UK elite universities tell Hong Kong students

Elite British universities are prioritising authentic curiosity and academic resilience over rigid test prep and “perfect personal statements”, top admissions officials have told an education summit in Hong Kong.

Representatives from the “golden triangle”, including the University of Oxford, the University of Cambridge and King’s College London, spoke on day two of the Global Education Summit, co-organised by the South China Morning Post and HSBC Premier. The session focused on studying abroad.

The total number of attendees at the two-day summit was close to 11,000.

“At the heart of the admissions process at Oxford is a passion for the course that you want to study,” said Samina Khan, director of undergraduate admissions and outreach at the University of Oxford, during a panel curated by SCMP Learn, the newspaper’s education arm.

“Whether you’re doing an A-level or a Hong Kong diploma, don’t just stick to what you’re being taught in school. You should be researching, you should be reading, listening to TED Talks to expand your knowledge.”

Admissions leaders emphasised that high grades represent only a starting baseline. Sarah Hales, senior regional manager in admissions and access at the University of Cambridge, said the university selected candidates with genuine intellectual drive.