Various businesses offer exclusive discounts for current DSE candidates during the exam period from April to May to support pressured ‘dser’.
The 2026 Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education Examination (DSE) commenced on April 8 and will conclude on May 5. As a university entrance exam in Hong Kong, the DSE is considered by many candidates as a major life event which demands diligent effort and leaves no room for idleness. Since the early preparation period at the beginning of this year, it has been common to see graduating secondary school students engrossed in their studies in libraries and self-study rooms. To support candidates who are under great pressure, businesses including retail stores, restaurants, and even hotels offer special discounts to them, showcasing warm support for DSE candidates from various sectors of society.
Self-Study Spaces
Known as a city with limited land and a dense population, many students find it hard to have a large and quiet space for focused study. During the DSE period in recent years, besides traditional study rooms offering discounts to candidates, some restaurants have also turned into comfortable study venues, offering free food and beverages.
Fanta Self-Study Rooms
Fanta has collaborated with the large student membership network Y.X Community to set up exclusive Fanta self-study rooms, the “Chill Zone A” in Causeway Bay and the “Chill Zone Y83” in Hung Hom. These spaces offer unlimited free Fanta soft drinks and chips, free Wi-Fi, individual charging ports, and restrooms. What’s exciting is that The Hung Hom Y83 venue even provides Nintendo Switch and PS5 consoles for students to unwind, with university students on-site to share helpful exam strategies.
Opening time: April 10, 17, 24 | 16:00-20:00
Address:
• Y83 Student Accommodation, 83 Wuhu Street, Hung Hom
• 18F, Honest Building, 9-11 Leighton Road, Causeway Bay
Regal Hotel Restaurants
Regal Hotels International offers free study spaces for current and future candidates at three hotel restaurants. Students can enjoy Wi-Fi, ample charging points, as well as cookies, herbal teas, seasonal nourishing soups, and sweet soups, creating a comfortable environment for focused exam preparation.
Opening time: March 10 – May 5 | 12:00 – 18:00
Address:
• Garden Café – Regal Hong Kong Hotel, 88 Yee Wo Street, Causeway Bay
• Aviary Café – Regal Kowloon Hotel, 71 Mody Road, Tsim Sha Tsui
• Ciel – Regal Riverside Hotel, 34-36 Tai Chung Kiu Road, Shatin
KABU Free Seat
Simon Wong Kit Long, the chairperson of Kabushikigaisha Limited (KABU), shared on his Facebook page, “Hong Kong people going to Shenzhen for leisure has become part of everyday life. While we have come to accept this new era, I sometimes find myself wondering: what is there that only we in Hong Kong can do, but Shenzhen cannot?” And the thing he thought of is opening up restaurant spaces during off-peak hours so that DSE candidates have somewhere to sit down and study properly.
These designated free study spaces are located in barbecue restaurant “Gyu-Kaku”, hot pot venues “Mou Mou Club” and Taiwanese restaurant “HAP Taiwanese Hotpot”. These spaces allow candidates to study for free for 3 hours while enjoying unlimited soft drinks, fruit juices, coffees, and more beverage.
Opening time: April 1 – May 5 | 14:30 – 17:30 (Monday to Friday, excluding public holidays)
address: total 12 branch shops of
• Gyu-Kaku Buffet
• Mou Mou Club
• HAP Taiwanese Hotpot
Retail and Dining
Some retail shops offer discounts for products, especially refreshing and healthy snacks, to students. For example, candidates using a Student Octopus at Circle K can purchase the Pokka Sapporo energy drink and the C1000 Vitamin Lemon drink with a HK$2 discount until the end of the DSE period.
For dining businesses, bubble tea shop Ten Ren’s Tea offers a HK$5 discount on tea drinks for candidates until May 7. Shops that are not chain stores also warmly support candidates by giving time-limited discounts. One of them is Linkzy cafe in Sheung Wan, where current dser can enjoy duration-unlimiting seating, free Wi-Fi, and a buy-one-get-one-free offer on regular-priced beverages.
Media
Community Support for candidates is not just limited to merchants. Different media also establish DSE cheering sections for candidates. The “DSE Cheering Station” is a well-known dedicated programme for candidates produced by RTHK Radio 2. Its live broadcasts take place from 9:00 to 10:00 in the mornings before certain exams, such as the English Language listening test. Not only does the programme offer warm encouragement and exam tips, but it also relays messages and supportive notes sent by candidates’ family and friends.
The various initiatives available to DSE candidates and the support from a broad range of social sectors tell that academic success is not solely about individual effort. From self-study zones and discounted meals to entertainment options and radio message boards, businesses and organizations remind candidates that they are not alone. In a city known for its pace and density, small gestures of offering free drinks and quiet corners may make a meaningful difference to those sitting for the stressful examination.