Mainland students must submit exam scores for local university admissions

Macau universities have reinstated pre-pandemic admissions policies, requiring mainland students to submit college entrance exam scores as part of their applications.

This policy shift follows a recent scandal involving the submission of fraudulent academic credentials by some students.

The decision coincides with the conclusion of the 2025 joint examination for recommended students from Macau to mainland universities, which saw the admission of 1,301 students from local secondary schools.

To aid these students, the Education and Youth Development Bureau (DSEDJ) and the Macau New Chinese Youth Association hosted a “Sharing Session for Students Studying in the Mainland” late last week.

Kong Chi Meng, director of the Education and Youth Development Affairs Bureau, announced that only mainland students with valid college entrance exam scores will be eligible for admission, ending temporary Covid-era measures allowing enrollment in international courses.

The change follows a scandal involving 24 mainland students who allegedly used fraudulent credentials to gain admission to the Macau University of Science and Technology (MUST).

Kong emphasized that universities must report suspected fraud to the bureau, although no similar cases have been reported from other institutions.

To counter fraud, the bureau has established a task force in collaboration with police and local colleges, alongside a campus awareness campaign to educate students about fraud prevention.

At the sharing session, students learned about life and academic culture on the mainland. Kong encouraged them to follow President Xi Jinping’s guidance, embrace national development, and embody values of patriotism, innovation, and a global perspective. Victoria Chan