Focus on Chinese Medicine teaching supplemented with biomedical sciences knowledge

The programme provides students with comprehensive and systematic Chinese Medicine and biomedical sciences courses, which are taught by teachers from the School of Chinese Medicine and other academic departments of the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine.

Frequent and early clinical training

The programme aims at providing early clinical training to students. Clinical attachments require students to undertake clinical observation under the supervision of teachers at the 8 Chinese Medicine Clinical Centres for Teaching and Research which are directly under or affiliated to the School of Chinese Medicine. Students are also required to write up medical case reports for their studies. In Year 4, students will undergo a 4-week junior clerkship at the HKU-SZ Hospital to integrate and practice what they have learnt in junior years. Moreover, they will be required to undertake a continuous 40-week clinical clerkship in their sixth year of studies to be arranged by the School in the affiliated teaching hospitals of first-tier TCM Universities in Mainland China.

Comprehensive clinical skills training

Under the supervision of experienced teaching staff and with the provision of excellent facilities in Clinical Skills Training Centre and various departments of the HKU Li Ka Shing Faculty of Medicine, students will have the opportunity to be exposed to experiential learning in clinical skills training.

Broadening students' horizons beyond professional study

Students are required to take Common Core Curriculum courses during their first and second years of study. These courses help students develop broader perspective and build up critical thinking on issues that they encounter in their everyday lives. In addition, a wide range of disciplinary elective courses of advanced topics in Chinese Medicine are offered to BChinMed students.

Arousing students' interests in scientific research

Students are given the opportunity to undertake laboratory experiments in several Chinese Medicine and Biomedical Sciences courses. The School has also set up different research interest groups for students to participate during their studies.

Tri-lingual teaching medium

English is the medium of instruction for most of the common core curriculum courses and all biomedical sciences courses. Putonghua and Cantonese will be used in Chinese Medicine courses, field trip, Chinese Medicine dispensary practicum, clinical attachments, junior clerkship and clinical clerkship, etc.

An outcome-based approach to students' learning and multi-disciplinary teaching approaches, such as problem-based learning and clinical case discussion, are adopted in the BChinMed programme.

The programme emphasises the integration of theories and practical skills. Experiential learning is encouraged through the participation in clinical attachment, junior clerkship and clinical clerkship in which students will have the opportunities to apply the knowledge acquired in practical settings.

Through the Chinese Medicine Undergraduate Student Exchange Programme, the School encourages BChinMed students to participate in student exchange programmes during their course of study, with a view to widening their horizons and enriching their learning experience. Successful applicants will have the opportunity to study in Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for one summer semester.

Students will also be arranged to participate in a field trip which they can learn more about the indigenous traditional Chinese Medicine herbs in the natural environment in Mainland China. The Chinese Medicine dispensary practicum will, on the other hand, allow them to obtain practical experience at Chinese Medicine dispensary.

Graduates of the BChinMed programme are eligible for applying for the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination in Hong Kong. Those who have passed the Chinese Medicine Practitioners Licensing Examination are qualified for registration as registered Chinese Medicine practitioners with the Chinese Medicine Council of Hong Kong. Registered Chinese Medicine practitioners can seek employment in Chinese Medicine clinics in both public and private sectors or to engage in private practice. They are also qualified to take up research and development posts in Chinese Medicine pharmaceutical trading and manufacturing companies, and biotechnology companies, or to work in managerial, marketing, sales, insurance or advertising positions in Chinese Medicine related businesses. Some may opt to pursue postgraduate studies or become academics in tertiary institutes.

The BChinMed curriculum is a 6-year programme, including the clinical clerkship on the Mainland during the sixth year. The curriculum covers

• Chinese Medicine Foundation Courses
• Chinese Medicine Classical Texts Courses
• Chinese Medicine Clinical Courses
• Biomedical Sciences Courses (including western medicine bedside training)
• Disciplinary Elective Courses
• Field Trip and Chinese Medicine Dispensary Practicum
• Chinese Medicine Clinical Attachments, junior clerkship and Clinical Clerkship
• Common Core Curriculum Courses
• Language Enhancement Courses

• Improve communication and language skills
• Enhance the development of students in Chinese culture and social appreciation
• Enrich student's life experience in learning Chinese Medicine in Mainland China
• Build up network with fellow Chinese Medicine students in the Mainland
• Enhance the all-round development and competence of students

• Successful applicants will study in the Bachelor of Chinese Medicine Programme in the Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine for the summer semester;
• The exchange period is normally arranged from June to July;
• Credit transfer will be granted in accordance with HKU regulations;
• The SHUTCM will offer help to students in adapting to the university life during the exchange period;
• During the exchange period, students are only required to pay tuition fees to HKU, while cost of travelling, accommodation, meals, books, insurance and medical expenses will be borne by the students;
• SHUTCM will arrange university accommodation for exchange students during the exchange period; and
• Exchange students should comply with the local laws and the regulations of SHUTCM.

• All year 3 BChinMed students are eligible to apply
• Have outstanding academic performance
• Proficient in written Chinese and verbal communication in Putonghua
• Have outgoing personality
• Demonstrate leadership and have outstanding performance in extra-curricular activities and/or community service