The University of Hong Kong took in nearly half the top students, including Choi Man-hin - one of the two students to get six As in this year's examination.

The other, Cheng Fuk-wai, has been admitted to the Chinese University of Hong Kong.

Of the 35,300 Form Seven students who applied to the Joint University Programmes Admissions System, 17,613 met basic admission requirements. However, only 12,908 managed to secure places in the eight local universities.

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The remaining 4,705 students may choose to pursue associate degrees or other self-financed degree courses if they wish to continue their studies.

The government will subsidize 6,400 places for associate degrees, a 16 percent rise over 2009.

"Due to the slack labor market and the strong competition for jobs, students are advised to consider pursuing an associate degree or to study overseas if their families can afford it," said Chui Yat-hung, student counseling head at Hong Kong Polytechnic University.

HKU took in 173 of the 364 students who scored at least three As.

The Hong Kong Certificate of Education Examination results are due to be released on Wednesday.

A HKCEE student concern group, Hok Yau Club, yesterday opened 38 counseling hotlines and received more than 300 calls within hours.

Most of the calls were about admission to the Institute of Vocational Education. The number to dial is 2503-3399.

Meanwhile, Education Bureau director Ng Po-shing warned students to think twice before deciding to repeat Form Five as it will "narrow their future." He suggested they opt for vocational courses instead.