DSE Programme
Introduction of HKDSE
UISZ offers two years of full-time senior secondary education and further study to students who wish to choose HKDSE.
4+2+1 HKDSE Subjects
Under the HKDSE system, students are required to take four compulsory “core subjects” (Chinese, English, Mathematics, Civic and Social Development) and choose two of the four electives (Economics, Physics, Chemistry, History) and Physical Education to ensure a whole person development.
Write the test paper in Chinese
The only international higher education examination in Chinese
High contact ratio
With the mainland teaching program knowledge 80% overlap
International recognition
More than 95% of the world’s prestigious universities recognized results
Easy change of direction
New choice for Hong Kong and Commonwealth countries
HKDSE Teaching Team
UISZ has a teaching team composed of academic teachers, moral education teachers, special full-time homeroom teachers, college planning guidance teachers and other teachers with different roles. It gathers all its strength to accompany students in high school and “customize your future”.
Sebastien Pelletier
"Over the past 20 years, Mr Pelletier travelled the world to pursue his passion for travels, cultures, and Education, of course. His interest to see the world as both a unique AND diverse place led him to work in Canada, Egypt, Syria, India, and the USA with various curricula (Canadian, French, British, US, and the IB), through which he can see their subtleties, commonalities, and can act as mirrors of our global society. Sébastien spent the first 13 years of his career as a French as a Second Language teacher at all levels. After a Master in Educational Leadership at Lehigh University, he has been leading school divisions and campuses.
As UISZ’s new Head of School, he is particularly keen to launch different community building projects and is interested in the data-driven decision process. Mr Pelletier and his family, Valentine (also a UISZ teacher), Lila, and Achille, are proud to call UISZ home for the years to come. "
Freeman Kwong
"My name is Wai Kit Kwong and I am so delighted and privileged to be a part of the UISZ community. This is my 7th year of teaching jouney after university graduation. I have been given the privilege of being UISZ HKDSE Coordinator! Throughout my career I have been blessed to work with students coming from all different backgrounds and abilities. To me, there is no greater joy then watching a child engaged with their learning and seeing how proud they are when they accomplish challenges. I am most excited for this as I get to design, construct and create with all the students at UISZ !"
Stephy Sun
"Greetings to all !
I am Qixian Sun. You can call me Stephy. It is an exciting time for me to be joining UISZ this August as a Chinese teacher!
I have worked in an international school in Shenzhen for the past five years. I taught Chinese primarily to students in grades 9-12. In the past, I have tutored graduating classes on preparing for the International Chinese Examination. All students achieved excellent results, and most of them obtained an A+.
I graduated from Hong Kong Baptist University with a master's degree in Chinese culture, language and literature. When I studied in Hong Kong, I was fortunate to study under Professor Lam Hing Him. Also, I attended the lecture tour held by Ms. Lung Ying-tai in Hong Kong.
I have a senior secondary school language teaching certificate and a C certificate in Mental Health Education. I also obtained a secondary school level 2 professional and technical qualification for primary and secondary school teachers in Shenzhen. In addition, I was awarded the National Outstanding Teacher Award in the Beijing Academician and the Excellent Tutor Award in the National Composition Contest.
Education is my passion, and I am meticulous and patient. I hope to inspire students' interest in Chinese culture and help them achieve excellent grades.
It is a pleasure to be a part of the UISZ community. And I am very much looking forward to beginning my teaching and learning journey with my students."
Lindsey Walsh
I'm Lindsey Walsh, the incoming School Counselor and Deputy Head of Boarding. I am an experienced counselor and Boarding practitioner with nearly seven years of experience in boarding. I specialize in creating a home life atmosphere in all boarding houses I work in, and I strongly believe in the principles of positive education and solutions-focused practice.
I am currently undertaking a Master of Science in Psychology from Liverpool University. I hold a Masters's Degree in Anthropology and Environmental Sciences (graduated Cum Laude) and an Honours Degree in Psychology from Rhodes University. I also earned my Bachelor of Arts in Psychology (graduated Cum Laude) from the University of South Africa. I work in Berlin, Germany, providing socio-emotional support and academic mentoring to MYP and IB students aged 14 - 19. I am also a Cross Country and Basketball Coach. Before that, I worked at Letovo School in Moscow, providing pastoral and well-being training to the boarding staff and serving on the well-being committee. Before that, I was a House Parent in South Africa. I also have experience as a psychiatric support volunteer at Valkenberg Psychiatric Hospital.
In my personal life, I am married to Nicholas Heymans, an experienced boarding practitioner with ten years of boarding experience. I love the outdoors, and running is my favorite hobby.
We are so excited to join the team at UISZ and can't wait to meet everyone in person.
Yolanda Yan
"Nǐ Hǎo. I’m Yolanda Yan. You can call me Yo Yo just as my friends and students usually do. I’m the Chinese Culture Coordinator at UISZ. I also teach different curriculums and subjects here, including IBDP and MYP Chinese Language and Literature, MYP Chinese Acquisition, and HKDSE Chinese Language. I’m the EE and PP supervisors at UISZ as well.
I’ve been obsessed by Chinese language and culture, cultural exchanges and intercultural relationships for many years. I have a Bachelor degree in Chinese Language and Literature, and a Master degree in Comparative Literature and World Literature. I’m a life-long learner and dedicated teacher with many years' international teaching experiences. For instance, teaching Mandarin and Chinese culture at the Confucius Institute of Prince of Songkhla University（Thailand), as well as teaching IGCSE Chinese at an international school in Thailand. I’m also a qualified high school teacher with both IBDP Teaching Certificate (provided by IBO and University of Toronto) and National Qualification for Chinese Teacher in Senior High School.
I enjoy reading, writing, traveling and making crafts in my spare time. I find many joys to connect these hobbies together. For example, I wrote thesis which inquires the cultural relationship based on my field trips overseas, and taught people to make crafts when traveling. I’ve been teaching Chinese knots to different people during volunteering abroad since 2015. I ever traveled to Nepal and Thailand to be a volunteer. I love to explore the local culture and make friends with local people when I travel to another places. These experiences inspire me to be an International educator finally. "
Paul Brandt
"I am Pauli, the Special Education Needs coordinator. This is my first year at UISZ, and my first time living overseas. This is my sixth year of teaching special education, and I have worked with adults who have disabilities for several years on top of that. I have two undergraduate degrees, one in History and Political Science, the other in Forestry, and a master’s in special education with concentration in autism-spectrum disorder. I am currently working on a second master’s in literature and composition.
I have lived in multiple US states, though Colorado and Minnesota are home. I love skiing, kayaking & canoeing, running, mountain climbing, coffee, and I am an avid reader. I’m also trying to teach myself Mandarin. "
Ivy Liu
My name is Ivy Liu, I got my master’s degree in chemical engineering and teaching certificate in Guangzhou University. I have 14 years of experience in teaching MYP Science and DP Chemistry in UISZ. With rich experience in e-Assessment, personal project, internal and extended essay of IB program, I have ability to make profound contributions both in and out of the classroom. As a service as action coordinator, I have taken on the responsibilities of the role with supporting students to build authentic connections between what they learn in the classroom and what they encounter in the community. I am a dedicated and hard-working individual, with a passion for learning and facilitating the learning of others. And This is my first year as a teacher teaching DP Chemistry and HKDSE Chemistry. As a teacher, I can offer students much as well, in terms of academic knowledge, life experience and passion.
Alex Marinescu
After graduating with a Bachelor’s Degree in Physical Education, I have been an educator for 15 years in various locations and contexts including Europe, the Middle East and now here in China where I have lived for the past seven years.
In addition to teaching, I also have extensive experience in curriculum development. For the past five years, I have been leading PE Departments in creating curricula with the associated documents and resources.
I have also been a professional football (soccer) referee for more than 18 years with more than 1000 games refereed national and international.
I am happy to join UISZ with my wife and our two boys and be a part of this wonderful community.
Rita Ruan
Hello, I'm Rita. I'm glad to join the big family of uiszc. I'm from Guangzhou and graduated from Nanguo Business School of Guangdong University of Foreign Studies and has 2 years of international education experience. I once worked as a bilingual economics teacher in Zhixin middle school and served as an economic trainer of asdan simulated business competition. I am familiar with the economic syllabus of AP / Al / DSE systems, accurately grasp the key and difficult points, and help students to successfully upgrade and pass the international examination with high scores. Economics is a very life-oriented discipline. While teaching knowledge, it will also incorporate current events, news and life examples, so that students can have fun in learning. It not only enriches the basic knowledge of economics, but also forms economic thinking and makes rational decisions on matters in life.
Fei Wang
"My name is Fei Wang. I am from Guangzhou.
I got my master degree of science in Finance in University of Houston Clear Lake, bachelor degree of science in Mathematics in Guangzhou University.
I have Senior Teacher Certificate in Maths and 2 years IB experience. It is my pleasure to join UISZC. Nice to meet you all! "
Harper Gao
Harper Gao is a DSE English teacher at UISZ with over 6 years of English teaching experience. She holds a Bachelor of Arts degree from Shanghai International Studies University as well as the certificates of TEM8 and Advanced English Interpretation. During the early phase of Covid-19 epidemic in WuHan, Harper actively participated in the volunteer translation service and was praised by CCTV. Also she has a certificate of Harvard Management Mentor, equipping herself with useful management skills such as time management, goal setting and coaching.