Online School & Homeschool in Hong Kong, Macau and China

Live online Cambridge IGCSE, A-Level, Pearson Edexcel, IB Diploma and American AP for families in the Hong Kong and Macau Special Administrative Regions, which have their own education systems. For mainland China we set out the regulatory position honestly first: the Double Reduction policy constrains what a provider based outside China may offer, and we do not enrol compulsory-education-age mainland residents for subject teaching.

From USD 423/month. Small live classes 4-6 students, Cambridge / IB / American AP through to A-Level — no waiting list, evening classes, for Hong Kong and Macau families.

Where we serve, and where we do not

Smartious serves families in the Hong Kong Special Administrative Region (one of the deepest international school sectors anywhere, with famously competitive admissions and long waiting lists — which is where we help most) and the Macau Special Administrative Region (a small international sector relative to its internationally recruited workforce). Both have their own education systems and regulators. Our Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen pages exist to set out the mainland regulatory position rather than to make an offer, because the Double Reduction policy constrains what a provider based outside China may lawfully do, and we would rather say so plainly than let a family find out later.

Homeschool laws and regulation in China

This is the only country page in our coverage where we lead with a constraint on ourselves rather than a description of a system. It is important enough to warrant that.

Three separate education systems, not one

The first thing to establish is that this page covers three distinct education systems. Mainland China has its own framework. The Hong Kong Special Administrative Region has its own education system, curriculum and regulator. The Macau Special Administrative Region likewise. Which applies to a family is determined by where they legally reside, not by where they work or which boundary they cross. Almost everything that follows concerns the mainland; families resident in Hong Kong or Macau can read this section for context and then treat our offer as they would in any other market.

The Double Reduction policy, stated in full

In mainland China, the policy formally titled Opinions on Further Reducing the Homework Burden and Off-Campus Training Burden of Students in Compulsory Education was issued on 24 July 2021 by the General Office of the CPC Central Committee and the State Council, and took effect on release. It bans all forms of for-profit tutoring in academic subjects for students receiving compulsory education. Subject-based training is defined to cover the subjects taught in compulsory education schools — Chinese literature, history, geography, mathematics, foreign languages including English, physics, chemistry, biology, and morals and law. Compulsory education comprises six years of primary education, typically from about age six, followed by three years of junior secondary; reporting indicates the Opinions are also likely to apply through upper middle school. Existing subject-based institutions must convert to non-profit status, foreign capital is prohibited from participating in them, training materials and overseas education materials are subject to a filing and review system, subject training is prohibited during national holidays, weekends and school breaks, and advertising for training institutions is banned on mainstream media platforms.

The provision that speaks directly to us

One element matters more than all the others for a provider like Smartious, and we would be dishonest to bury it. The policy places a strict ban on foreign teachers physically based outside of China teaching students in China. Our teachers are physically based outside China. Separately, institutions may not use foreign curricula, and non-subject-based institutions are prohibited from providing overseas education courses — and Cambridge, Edexcel, the IB and AP are foreign curricula. And we are a for-profit provider. That is three distinct points of contact between our business model and the policy, and no reading of it that we find plausible leaves room for us to enrol compulsory-education-age students resident in mainland China for subject teaching.

What we therefore do, and will not do

We do not enrol compulsory-education-age students resident in mainland China for subject teaching, regardless of what a family is willing to pay or how the enquiry is framed. We hold no mainland licence, are not a registered mainland school, and do not teach toward the gaokao. We will not suggest that the policy can be worked around, that enforcement varies, or that other providers do it anyway — a family acting on that kind of hint carries the consequence, not us, and we are not willing to expose anyone to it in exchange for a subscription. If a family believes their particular circumstances fall outside the policy, they should take their own advice before contacting us rather than after; we have not assessed anyone's individual position and cannot. Mainland international schools operate under their own enrolment rules, which vary and which a family must confirm with the school and the relevant authority directly.

Hong Kong and Macau, where we do operate normally

Both Special Administrative Regions have their own education systems and regulators. Education is compulsory in both and administered by their own education authorities; we could not verify a settled framework for parental home education in either and will not guess, so a family whose plan depends on educating outside a registered school should take advice on their own position first. Smartious is not a registered school in either territory, issues no local qualification, and does not teach toward the HKDSE. What we offer there is what we offer across our coverage: live Cambridge, Edexcel, IB or AP subject teaching alongside a school enrolment — with one configuration particular to Hong Kong, which is a complete interim programme for a family on a school waiting list.

The clock, and why Hong Kong is the market that needs us most

Hong Kong, Macau and the mainland all run UTC+8 with no seasonal clock changes, five hours ahead of our teaching base. A seven o'clock evening class in Hong Kong is two in the afternoon for our teachers and an eight o'clock class is three — comfortable teaching hours, every week of the year. And the Hong Kong case is worth stating plainly: this is a territory with outstanding schools where the binding constraint is places rather than quality. Waiting lists, particularly for families arriving mid-year, are the defining feature of the market. A child who starts with us within a week of an assessment is not settling for less; they are avoiding losing a term or two of schooling while a place comes free, and a great many of our Hong Kong families use us exactly that way and then either stay for a subject or two or move on with our blessing.

Why China families choose Smartious

Honest about the mainland, in the first paragraph

The Double Reduction policy constrains providers based outside China, and we say so before making any offer rather than after taking a fee.

No waiting list, which is the Hong Kong constraint

Excellent schools, competitive admissions, long queues. A child starts with us within a week of the assessment.

A complete interim programme, not a holding exercise

Families waiting for a Hong Kong place run a full internationally examined pathway in the meantime rather than losing a term.

The set your school cannot staff

Further Mathematics or a third science for four pupils is unviable on one timetable and routine in a live group drawn across countries.

Evening classes that work

Five hours ahead, so a seven o'clock evening class is two in the afternoon for our teachers.

Residence decides the framework, and we explain it

Mainland China, Hong Kong and Macau are three separate systems. Which applies turns on legal residence, not on where a family works.

Fees and admission

From USD 423/month for Primary, payable termly; varies by curriculum and level. One-to-one tuition: USD 15/hour.

Frequently asked questions

Can a child in mainland China study with Smartious?

If they are of compulsory-education age and resident in mainland China, no — we do not enrol them for subject teaching. The Double Reduction policy bans for-profit academic tutoring for compulsory-education students and places a strict ban on foreign teachers physically based outside China teaching students in China. Our teachers are based outside China, we are for-profit, and we teach a foreign curriculum.

Why are you publishing this rather than just marketing?

Because a family who enrols on a claim that turns out to be wrong bears the consequence, not us. We would rather lose enquiries than expose anyone. Any provider telling mainland families something more comfortable should be asked which part of the policy they are relying on.

Is Hong Kong different?

Yes. Hong Kong is a Special Administrative Region with its own education system, curriculum and regulator, and we serve families resident there in the ordinary way. The same applies to Macau.

We live in Shenzhen and work in Hong Kong — which applies?

Your place of legal residence rather than where you work or cross to. That is a question for your own advisers before you enquire, and we would not attempt to answer it for you.

What is the main reason Hong Kong families come to you?

Waiting lists. Admissions are among the most competitive anywhere and mid-year arrivals routinely find every preferred school full. We have no waiting list, and a complete programme runs while a place comes free.

Do you teach the HKDSE or the gaokao?

Neither. We are not a registered school in Hong Kong, Macau or the mainland and issue no local qualification. We teach Cambridge, Edexcel, IB and AP.

What time are classes?

Evening. Hong Kong and Macau run UTC+8, five hours ahead of our teaching base, so a seven o'clock class is two in the afternoon for our teachers and eight o'clock is three.

Which places does Smartious cover here?

Hong Kong and Macau have full service pages. Our Shanghai, Beijing and Shenzhen pages set out the mainland regulatory position rather than making an offer.

Guides for families in this country

What parents say

Rated 4.9 out of 5 on Google from 130+ reviews. Read our Google reviews

“I am truly impressed by the level of professionalism at Smartious Homeschool and Tuition. The tutors are not only knowledgeable but also very patient and supportive. They create a comfortable learning environment where children feel free to ask questions. My child now enjoys studying and looks forward to every session.” — Google reviewer, Google review