Introduction
Dulwich High School Hengqin is known as the Dulwich International High School Programme Hengqin (DHHQ). It is the first Sino-foreign school in the Guangdong-Macao Zone.
The school runs IGCSE and A-Level programs for students aiming at universities in Hong Kong, Macau, the UK, and beyond. It’s supported by Dulwich College International. This school is one of Britain’s oldest, with over 400 years of history. Its partner is Hengqin Huafa Yung Wing High School in China.
What does that mean in practice? Students learn in English. They take Cambridge exams. They also connect with eight Dulwich schools in Asia. The school's 93% QS Top 100 university placement rate speaks for itself.
Annual tuition runs RMB 266,000 per year—one of the more premium options in South China. For families targeting top universities in the Greater Bay Area, DHHQ stands out. Few schools offer what DHHQ provides.
Here's everything you need before applying.
DHHQ at a Glance
Dulwich High School Hengqin is located in the Hengqin Deep Cooperation Zone. This area is a narrow strip of land, just south of Macau and west of Hong Kong. The Lotus Bridge connects directly to Macau. High-speed rail links it to mainland China. For families based in Zhuhai, Macau, or the western Pearl River Delta, the location is a genuine draw.
The school has run for over 12 years. However, the new Hengqin campus opened in 2021. Two partners work together. Dulwich College International offers the curriculum and teaching. They also have a global network. Hengqin Huafa Yung Wing High School gives local support. They provide activities and infrastructure.
Importantly, DHHQ is not a typical international school. Since February 2024, the Guangdong Department of Education changed the school’s status. It is now a Chinese-foreign program. This is the first approval in the Guangdong-Macao area. That status shapes who can attend and how the school operates.
The Dulwich College heritage
Dulwich College was founded in London in 1619. Four centuries of academic tradition sit behind every DHHQ student. Dulwich College International has eight schools and two high school programs in Asia. These are in Singapore, Beijing, Shanghai, Suzhou, and Zhuhai.
That network matters for students. Exchanges, competitions, and shared academic resources flow across all Dulwich schools. A student at DHHQ has access to a community far wider than a single campus.
Curriculum: IGCSE and A-Level
DHHQ uses the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level pathway. These are popular international qualifications. Many universities accept them. They are recognized in the UK, Hong Kong, North America, Australia, and Europe.
Pre-A Level (IGCSE): Year 1
The pre-A-level year serves two purposes. For students coming from Chinese middle school, it helps build academic English. It also teaches the subject knowledge needed for A-Level. For students already on a Cambridge track, it consolidates foundation skills.
Students learn important IGCSE subjects. They also improve their academic English. At the end of the year, they take their Cambridge exams. Class sizes stay small. The pace is deliberately steady—the goal is a solid base, not speed.
A-Level: Years 2 and 3
A-Level is a two-year program and DHHQ's main offering. Students pick three or four subjects. They base their choices on what universities they want and what they enjoy. Teaching uses modern tools. There are interactive whiteboards. Online research platforms are available too. Tech labs help with every subject.
Subject choices directly shape university applications. DHHQ's university counseling team helps students in their A-Level years. They align subject choices with the schools students want.
A fully English-language environment
DHHQ is not a bilingual school. Every lesson, every assessment, every piece of coursework happens in English. Students fully immerse themselves in English. They don't just study the language; they think and talk in it every day. Chinese language classes are still available. They meet local curriculum needs. These classes run next to the main English-language program.
Signature Programmes
SE21 STEAM Programme
The SE21 program is DHHQ's flagship science and technology initiative. Students work on real projects in the SE21 STEAM suite. This space helps them solve problems in science, engineering, arts, and math.
The focus is on 21st-century skills: collaboration, creative thinking, and applied technical knowledge. This program helps students who want degrees in science, tech, or engineering. It gives them useful skills before university.
Arts and Music
DHHQ takes arts seriously. The school has art rooms that meet professional standards. It also has music studios and a recording studio. There is a black box theater and a main auditorium too. Drama, music, and visual arts programs run all year. Performances are open to the school community.
The school teams up with places like Berklee College of Music. This lets students join masterclasses and workshops. They learn from real musicians. Students can join the school orchestra, choir, or rock band. They can do this while also following their academic program.
Sports and the Duke of Edinburgh's Award
Students have many ways to stay active. There are four sports fields. There’s a swimming pool. They can run on the track. The fitness center is open. Plus, there are tennis courts. Teams compete in basketball, football, golf, and rowing. Horse riding is also an option.
The Duke of Edinburgh's International Award is a standout program. Students earn awards: bronze, silver, or gold. They complete outdoor expeditions. They do skill-building activities. They also finish community service hours. Universities in the UK and elsewhere see it as a key sign of character and independence.
University Results and Achievements
Where DHHQ graduates go
The numbers are strong. In recent graduation cohorts, 93% of students gained places at QS Top 100 universities. Many earned offers from Top 50 and Top 10 institutions worldwide. Collectively, graduates have received over RMB 8.5 million in scholarships.
Graduate destinations include:
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- University of Hong Kong
- University of California, Berkeley
What alumni say
Past students consistently point to two things: academic preparation and personal growth. DHHQ taught them more than just grades. They learned to think independently. They also learned to manage their time and adapt to new places. These skills were as valuable at university as any subject knowledge.
A few alumni stories worth noting:
- Ellen H., Class of 2018, studied chemistry at the University of Oxford. Before that, she was at Imperial College London.
- Beanny W., Class of 2017, is now studying Aerospace Engineering at Georgia Tech in the U.S.
- Betty W., Class of 2016 — studied piano performance at the Royal College of Music in London.
- Devon W., Class of 2022—accepted to the University of California, Berkeley, to study physics.
- Celine H., Class of 2024, was accepted to many top art schools. She chose her first-choice university for her studies.
Awards and rankings
- Hurun Top 100 Chinese International Schools — five consecutive years on this list.
- IELTS Model School — recognized by the British Council. DHHQ students consistently record some of the highest IELTS scores in the country.
- Students regularly earn Global Top Score recognition for IGCSE and A-Level examinations.
- Science Olympiad gold and silver medal winners; strong performances in major mathematics competitions.
Campus and Facilities
The Hengqin campus earned LEED Gold certification for its sustainable design. It's one of the few school campuses in South China with this honor. The design features Dulwich College's old London buildings. It also adds Southern Chinese Lingnan-style elements.
Academic spaces
- 30+ large modern classrooms
- 15 dedicated science and IT laboratories
- Three libraries with extensive print and digital resources
- SE21 STEAM suite for cross-disciplinary project work
- Art classrooms and design studios
Performance and Creative Spaces
- Main auditorium and black box theater
- Drama and art studios
- Music rooms and a professional recording studio
Sports facilities
- Four outdoor sports fields
- Indoor gymnasium
- Swimming pool
- Running track
- Tennis courts
- Fitness centre
Technology
Fast Wi-Fi across the entire campus. Classrooms are equipped with interactive whiteboards and connected devices. Tech labs offer the newest hardware and software for STEM and digital learning.
Tuition Fees 2026 to 2027
DHHQ fees are structured on a half-year payment basis. The following figures come from the official 2026–2027 fee schedule.
| Programme | Half-Year Fee (RMB) | Annual Total (RMB) | Exam Board Fee (RMB) |
|---|---|---|---|
| Pre-A Level (new students) | RMB 133,000 | RMB 266,000 | RMB 3,000/year |
| A Level (new students) | RMB 133,000 | RMB 266,000 | RMB 10,000/year |
Other costs
- Meals: billed directly by the school's catering provider
- Uniform: charged according to actual purchases
- Both tuition tiers include teaching materials and insurance
Total annual cost for a new A-Level student works out to approximately RMB 276,000, accounting for tuition and exam board fees. Meal and uniform costs are in addition to this.
Admission to DHHQ
Who can apply
DHHQ operates as a Sino-foreign cooperative education program. Unlike typical expatriate schools, it admits both local Chinese students and international students. Students need a strong academic base. They also need a real interest in studying for Cambridge English qualifications.
What the school looks for
Applicants are assessed on:
- Previous academic results and school reports
- English language proficiency
- Suitability for the IGCSE or A-Level pathway
An interview is typically part of the process. Students starting at the Pre-A level don't need any Cambridge experience. The program is made to help them build that foundation.
How to apply
Contact the Alifa admissions team directly:
- Phone: +86 152 0107 9455
- Email: admissions@alifaedtech.com
- Admissions for SY2026–2027 are currently open
DHHQ vs Zhuhai No.1 High School
Parents in the Greater Bay Area often compare DHHQ with Zhuhai No.1 High School. They look at the international program there. Here's a direct comparison:
| DHHQ | Zhuhai No.1 High School (Intl) | |
|---|---|---|
| Curriculum | IGCSE + A-Level | UK + US dual curriculum |
| Language | Full English | English-medium |
| Annual Fees | ~RMB 266,000 | Lower — confirm with school |
| School Type | Sino-foreign cooperative | Public school intl department |
| Who Can Apply | Local + international students | Local students primarily |
| University Track | UK, HK, global | UK, US, Oxbridge focus |
| Key Differentiator | Dulwich heritage + network | 26+ Oxbridge offers since 2020 |
Choose DHHQ for the full Dulwich College International experience. You’ll get a pure Cambridge curriculum. The campus is made just for international education.
Choose Zhuhai No.1 for dual UK-US curriculum flexibility. It's perfect if your child qualifies for the public school program.
Frequently Asked Questions
Q: Can Chinese students apply to Dulwich High School Hengqin?
Yes. DHHQ is officially a Sino-foreign cooperative education program, not a standard expatriate school. Local Chinese students can apply. International students can apply too. They must meet the academic and English language requirements.
Q: What curriculum does DHHQ follow?
DHHQ teaches the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level curriculum exclusively. All lessons are in English. Students take Cambridge International exams. They use their results to apply to universities in the UK, Hong Kong, Macau, North America, and more.
Q: How much does Dulwich High School Hengqin cost?
Annual tuition for both Pre-A Level and A-Level new students is RMB 266,000 (paid as RMB 133,000 per half-year). Exam board fees are additional—RMB 3,000/year for pre-A-level and RMB 10,000/year for A-level. Meals and uniforms are charged separately. Fees include teaching materials and insurance.
Q: Does DHHQ offer boarding?
Yes. Boarding is part of the tuition and fee structure. This applies to both pre-A-level and A-level fees, which include accommodation. Meals are billed separately through the school's catering provider.
Q: What universities do DHHQ graduates attend?
93% of graduates gain places at QS Top 100 universities.
Named destinations are
- University of Oxford
- Imperial College London
- University of Hong Kong
- Georgia Tech
- UC Berkeley
The school has a dedicated university counseling program to support applications.
Q: Is DHHQ an IB school?
No. DHHQ follows the Cambridge IGCSE and A-Level pathway — not the International Baccalaureate. These are different qualifications. A-Level is widely accepted by UK, Hong Kong, and many international universities. If your child needs the IB Diploma specifically, you'll need to look at other schools in the region.
Q: How long has Dulwich High School been in Hengqin?
DHHQ has been operating for over 12 years. The new Hengqin campus opened in 2021. This was when the school moved to the Guangdong-Macao In-Depth Cooperation Zone. In February 2024, the Guangdong Department of Education made a change. The school is now a Sino-foreign cooperative education program.
Conclusion
Is DHHQ the Right School for Your Child?
DHHQ makes most sense for a specific type of family. If your child is finishing middle school or starting high school, think about a Cambridge qualification. It can help them get into UK and international universities. This is important if they prefer English-medium education. If all three are true, DHHQ is worth a serious look.
The fees are real — RMB 266,000 per year puts DHHQ firmly at the premium end of Greater Bay Area options. The Dulwich brand holds real value with university admissions offices. The 93% QS Top 100 placement rate isn’t just a marketing claim; it’s a proven record.
DHHQ stands out from other international programs in the region. It combines Cambridge's rigor with the Dulwich global network. Students don’t just study for exams. They connect with an alumni community in Asia. It includes top universities worldwide.
Alifa Education Services works with 800+ international schools across China, including DHHQ. Book a free 1-on-1 consultation. We’ll help you find out if DHHQ is right for you. If it’s not, we’ll suggest a better choice.
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