University Application Counsellor

Happy Life Education Foundation Limited; Hong Kong; On-site; HKD 450,000 - 600,000; Full time

Job summary

Happy Life Education Foundation Limited in Hong Kong seeks a dedicated University Application Counsellor to guide students through university exploration and applications, aligning options with strengths, interests and goals.

You will support applications to HK and international universities (UK, US and others), manage UCAS/Common App portals, deliver workshops for students, parents and staff, and contribute to personal development and values education.

Qualifications

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counselling, Psychology, Higher Education, or a related field.
• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in university counselling, careers guidance, student advising, admissions, higher education, or a related field.
• Demonstrated knowledge of university application procedures and admissions practices.
• Experience supporting students with applications to universities in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other international destinations.
• Experience delivering workshops, seminars, presentations, or training sessions for students, parents, and colleagues.

Responsibilities

• Provide individual and group counselling to students regarding university and college options, programmes, entry requirements, and application procedures.
• Support students in identifying appropriate higher education pathways based on their academic profile, interests, talents, career aspirations, and personal circumstances.
• Guide students through application systems and processes for different countries and university destinations.
• Advise students on course selection, university research, admissions requirements, standardised tests, interviews, portfolios, and supporting documents.
• Support students through personal statements, essays, résumés, activity lists, and other application materials.
• Provide guidance on application timelines, key deadlines, conditional offers, firm and insurance choices, and enrolment procedures.

Skills

Interpersonal skills

Counselling skills

Communication

Presentation

Relationship-building

Education

Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counselling, Psychology, Higher Education, or related field

Job description

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated, knowledgeable, and student-centred University Application Counsellor to join our school community. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive guidance and support to students throughout the university exploration and application process, helping them identify suitable higher education pathways aligned with their academic strengths, interests, aspirations, and personal goals.

The role will involve supporting applications to universities and colleges in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other international destinations. The successful candidate will be familiar with major university application systems, including UCAS, Common App, university application portals in Hong Kong, and other relevant platforms.

The University Application Counsellor will also regularly deliver workshops and seminars for students, parents, and colleagues on university planning, admissions requirements, application procedures, and developments in higher education. The role further contributes to the school’s character and values education, student leadership development, and broader personal development programme.

Job Summary

We are seeking to appoint a dedicated, knowledgeable, and student-centred University Application Counsellor to join our school community. The successful candidate will provide comprehensive guidance and support to students throughout the university exploration and application process, helping them identify suitable higher education pathways aligned with their academic strengths, interests, aspirations, and personal goals.

The role will involve supporting applications to universities and colleges in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other international destinations. The successful candidate will be familiar with major university application systems, including UCAS, Common App, university application portals in Hong Kong, and other relevant platforms.

The University Application Counsellor will also regularly deliver workshops and seminars for students, parents, and colleagues on university planning, admissions requirements, application procedures, and developments in higher education. The role further contributes to the school’s character and values education, student leadership development, and broader personal development programme.

Key Responsibilities

University Guidance and Application Support

• Provide individual and group counselling to students regarding university and college options, programmes, entry requirements, and application procedures.

• Support students in identifying appropriate higher education pathways based on their academic profile, interests, talents, career aspirations, and personal circumstances.

• Guide students through application systems and processes for different countries and university destinations.

• Provide accurate and up-to-date guidance on:

  • UCAS

  • Common App

  • University application portals in Hong Kong

  • Other international university application systems and platforms

• Advise students on course selection, university research, admissions requirements, standardised tests, interviews, portfolios, and supporting documents.

• Support students in preparing personal statements, essays, résumés, activity lists, and other application materials.

• Provide guidance on application timelines, key deadlines, conditional offers, firm and insurance choices, and enrolment procedures.

• Advise students and families on scholarships, financial aid, accommodation, visas, and other relevant aspects of the university transition process.

• Encourage students to take ownership of their university planning and application journey.

• Maintain accurate and confidential records of student counselling, applications, offers, and final destinations.

• Monitor application progress and follow up with students to ensure that deadlines and requirements are met.

• Support students who are applying to highly competitive universities and specialised programmes.

• Assist students with preparation for university interviews, admissions tests, auditions, portfolios, and other selection processes.

• Support students through alternative pathways, including foundation programmes, vocational education, gap years, and other post-secondary options where appropriate.

Workshops, Seminars, and Information Programmes

• Regularly plan and deliver workshops and seminars for students on topics including:

  • University research and selection

  • Subject and course choices

  • Application timelines and procedures

  • UCAS, Common App, Hong Kong, and other application systems

  • Personal statements and application essays

  • Admissions interviews and admissions tests

  • Scholarships and financial aid

  • University transition and student life

• Organise information sessions and seminars for parents and guardians to explain university pathways, admissions requirements, application processes, costs, scholarships, and key deadlines.

• Deliver professional briefings and training sessions for teachers, tutors, and colleagues to ensure that staff understand relevant university admissions processes and can effectively support students.

• Organise university fairs, university representative visits, webinars, information evenings, and other higher education events.

• Adapt workshops and communications to meet the needs of different year groups, academic pathways, university destinations, and student profiles.

• Prepare clear and accessible bilingual materials and presentations where appropriate.

Student Development and Pastoral Support

• Promote students’ personal growth, independence, resilience, confidence, and informed decision-making.

• Support students in understanding their strengths, interests, values, and long-term goals.

• Provide appropriate guidance to students who may require additional support in navigating the university application process.

• Collaborate with teachers, tutors, counsellors, and pastoral staff to support students’ academic, social, and emotional well-being.

• Promote equitable access to higher education guidance and ensure that all students receive appropriate support.

• Contribute to student leadership, career education, personal development, and university preparation programmes.

• Encourage students to develop meaningful academic and extracurricular experiences that support their future aspirations.

Parent, University, and School Engagement

• Communicate effectively with students, parents, guardians, colleagues, university representatives, and external organisations.

• Conduct individual parent meetings and parent information sessions as required.

• Develop and maintain positive relationships with universities, colleges, admissions officers, and external education organisations.

• Coordinate university visits, representative meetings, student events, and information sessions.

• Prepare and submit school references, counsellor recommendations, predicted grades, transcripts, and other supporting documentation in collaboration with relevant staff.

• Represent the school at university counselling events, higher education conferences, professional networks, and admissions forums.

• Keep the school community informed about relevant developments in university admissions, application systems, scholarships, and higher education trends.

Collaboration and Professional Development

• Work collaboratively with academic departments to ensure that students receive accurate and timely advice regarding subject choices, predicted grades, and university requirements.

• Collaborate with senior leadership and pastoral teams on strategic planning for university guidance and student progression.

• Provide colleagues with relevant updates, resources, and guidance on university admissions and application procedures.

• Contribute to school-wide initiatives, events, and extracurricular programmes.

• Maintain up-to-date knowledge of university admissions policies, application systems, scholarships, and international higher education opportunities.

• Participate in relevant professional development, conferences, workshops, and counselling networks.

• Review and evaluate the effectiveness of the school’s university guidance and application support provision.

• Use appropriate digital systems and technology to manage student information, applications, communications, and reporting.

Requirements

Qualifications and Experience

• Bachelor’s degree in Education, Counselling, Psychology, Higher Education, or a related field.

• Recognised counselling, teaching, careers guidance, or university advising qualification is desirable.

• Minimum of 3 years of relevant experience in university counselling, careers guidance, student advising, admissions, higher education, or a related field.

• Demonstrated knowledge of university application procedures and admissions practices.

• Experience supporting students with applications to universities in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, and other international destinations.

• Practical experience using UCAS, Common App, Hong Kong university application portals, and other relevant university application systems.

• Experience delivering workshops, seminars, presentations, or training sessions for students, parents, and colleagues.

• Experience working in an international school, secondary school, college, university, or similarly diverse educational environment.

• Strong understanding of university pathways and the transition from secondary education to higher education.

Language Requirements

• Fluency in written and spoken English and Chinese.

• Fluency in both Cantonese and Mandarin is highly desirable.

• Ability to communicate clearly and professionally with students, parents, and colleagues in both English and Chinese.

• Ability to prepare and deliver bilingual presentations, workshops, and written communications where required.

Skills and Competencies

• Strong interpersonal, counselling, communication, presentation, and relationship-building skills.

• Excellent organisational and time-management skills, with the ability to manage multiple applications and deadlines.

• Ability to provide accurate, impartial, and student-centred guidance.

• Strong knowledge of university research, admissions requirements, application processes, and scholarship opportunities.

• Excellent written communication skills, including the ability to prepare and review references, recommendations, and official correspondence.

• High level of professionalism, discretion, confidentiality, and ethical conduct.

• Ability to work effectively with students, parents, teachers, school leaders, university representatives, and external partners.

• Sensitivity to the needs of students from diverse cultural, social, academic, and personal backgrounds.

• Ability to support students in making informed decisions while encouraging independence and personal responsibility.

• Strong attention to detail and accuracy in managing documentation and application records.

• Confidence in using online application platforms, student information systems, digital communication tools, and presentation software.

• Collaborative, approachable, proactive, and reflective approach to professional practice.

• Ability to explain complex admissions information clearly to different audiences.

Desirable

• Experience working in an international or bilingual school environment.

• Experience supporting applications to universities in Hong Kong, the United Kingdom, the United States, Canada, Australia, Europe, Asia, or other international destinations.

• Familiarity with Cambridge, Edexcel, IB, or other international curricula and their university entry requirements.

• Knowledge of major university application systems and platforms, including UCAS, Common App, and Hong Kong university portals.

• Experience supporting applications for scholarships, financial aid, competitive programmes, or highly selective universities.

• Experience advising students on standardised tests, admissions interviews, portfolios, auditions, or specialised programme requirements.

• Experience planning and delivering bilingual workshops or seminars.

• Membership of a recognised university counselling, careers guidance, or higher education professional association.

• Familiarity with university research databases, counselling management systems, and appropriate AI tools for education and career guidance.

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