Master of Chinese Medicine (part-time)
(Streams Offered: Clinical Pharmacy)
Background of launching the revamped programme and introduction of the new stream of Clinical Pharmacy
In view of the rapid changes in the market demand and to align with the Government’s pragmatic approach in promoting the development of Chinese Medicine, the School has launched the new MChinMed programme with different streams, i.e. Oncology*/Gynaecology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion* since 2019/20. As time evolves, especially with the first new traditional Chinese medicine hospital commencing full operation by the end of this year, the demand for competent healthcare professionals devoted to the integration of Chinese and Western Medicine disciplines, legitimacy and safety concerning the clinical prescriptions, and preparation of Chinese medicines would surge in the long run. The offer of the new stream of clinical pharmacy* in 2025/26, would address such market demand in future, it also serves as an unique stream offered by the School.
* Open for 2026/27 admission
Programme Objectives
The programme aims to provide in-depth theoretical knowledge an extensive clinical training of the respective stream. Besides, students are also expected to master the diagnostic and therapeutic means of common and complicated illnesses, as well as the techniques of using different prescriptions of herbal medicines and acupuncture to enhance the therapeutic effect. The new stream, on the other hand, equips students with the knowledge in identifying the interactions between the Chinese and Western medicines, techniques in preparation of Chinese medicines, as well as management skills of Chinese medicine dispensary and related industry to Chinese Medicine, as to enhance students’ capability in prescription of remedies for specific kinds of illnesses and optimize the service as a whole.
Curriculum
- Gynaecology, Oncology and Clinical Pharmacy are special streams offered by the SCM, HKU with no close alternatives offered by other local tertiary institutions currently
- To allow students to attain interdisciplinary knowledge of different streams through attending common courses and some of the classes of designated core courses. The exchange of interdisciplinary knowledge across different streams facilitates the medical diagnosis of illnesses, as well as enhancing the therapeutic effectiveness of herbal Chinese Medicines with the use of acupuncture and moxibustion
- To provide a high degree of flexibility which caters for students’ different needs by offering two pathways, namely project-based and practice-based in the second year of studies
- An effective integration of traditional Chinese Medicine with modern medicine, Chinese Medicine with Western Medicine philosophies, theoretical teaching with practical application, and Chinese herbal medicines with acupuncture and moxibustion
- To be increasingly familiar with the actual operation and market demand related to Chinese Medicine industry, graduates may serve in different positions, such as Chinese Medicine clinics, Chinese Medicine hospital, pharmaceutical plants, quality control centers in public or private sector, etc (applicable to the new stream-Clinical Pharmacy)
| Award of degree | The degree of Master of Chinese Medicine will be awarded to those who have satisfactorily completed the curriculum requirements and satisfy the examiners in accordance with the Regulations and Syllabuses. |
| Commencement date | September or October |
| Class arrangement | Classes are normally arranged on three alternate weekday evenings. Seminars or other courses may be arranged on weekend (*The School reserves the right for finalizing the final class arrangement). |
| Duration of study | 2 years (part-time mode) |
| Composition fee | For 2026/27 intake 1st year: HK$85,000# (two installments) 2nd year: HK$85,000# (two installments) (Exclusive of the necessary costs incurred in non-local clinical attachment such as cost of travelling, accommodation and other living expenses, etc.) |
# Subject to Council's approval annually and the actual amount charged may be subject to change.
| Curriculum structure | Credit Units | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Common courses | |||
| Research Methodology in Chinese Medicine | 3 | ||
| Chinese Medicine Therapeutics of Pain Disorders | 3 | ||
| Classical Literature of Chinese Medicine | 9 | ||
| Seminars on Progress of Modern Research of Chinese Medicine | 6 | ||
| Core courses of chosen stream (Clinical Pharmacy) |
12 | ||
| Practical Training of Pharmaceutical Science for Chinese Medicines | 6 | ||
| Industrial Pharmacy Practice for Chinese Medicines | 6 | ||
| Project-based* | Practice-based* | ||
| Individual Project | 24 | Chinese Medicine Dispensary Internship | 18 |
| Placement Report* | 6 | ||
| Total | 69 | ||
*Remarks: Either project-based or practice-based has to be chosen
| First Year | 27 Credits |
|---|---|
| Common courses | Credit Units |
| Research Methodology in Chinese Medicine | 3 |
| Chinese Medicine Therapeutics of Pain Disorders | 3 |
| Classical Literature of Chinese Medicine | 9 |
| Core courses of chosen stream Clinical Pharmacy |
12 |
| Second Year | 42 Credits | ||
|---|---|---|---|
| Seminars on Progress of Modern Research of Chinese Medicine | 6 | ||
| Practical Training of Pharmaceutical Science for Chinese Medicines | 6 | ||
| Industrial Pharmacy Practice for Chinese Medicines | 6 | ||
| Project-based* | Practice-based* | ||
| Individual Project | 24 | Chinese Medicine Dispensary Internship | 18 |
| Placement Report | 6 | ||
*Remarks: Either project-based or practice-based has to be chosen
Admission
| Admission Requirements |
|
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| Means of application | Online application (only online application is accepted) | ||||||||
| Application fee | HK$600 (non-refundable)(effective from 2026/27 intake) | ||||||||
| Interview | Eligible candidates who are shortlisted may be invited to attend interview. | ||||||||
| Contact means | Tel: (852) 39176439/39176490 E-mail: mchinmed@hku.hk |
FAQ
Q：Are the four streams under the Master of Chinese Medicine (to be referred as MChinMed) (part-time) programme open for admission every year?
A：There are four streams under the existing MChinMed curriculum, namely Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Gynaecology, Oncology and Clinical Pharmacy. Acupuncture and Moxibustion and Clinical Pharmacy are open for admission every year whereas Gynaecology and Oncology are open for admission in alternate years. For 2026/27 intake, the three streams of Acupuncture and Moxibustion, Oncology and Clinical Pharmacy will be open for admission.
Q：When will the application period for the MChinMed programme commence (2026/27 intake)? And when will be the deadline?
A：The admission exercise for 2026/27 intake may commence by December 2025 the earliest.
Q：Is there a written test and/or interview for the admission exercise?
A：The School appoints the assessment panel for reviewing and considering eligible applications, and it may set up the selection mechanism in screening for suitable candidates. The School’s office may inform the candidates of the detailed arrangement in due course.
Q：What are the eligibility criteria of the MChinMed? Could candidates without Chinese Medicine background apply?
A：The eligibility criteria are accessible via the following link:
https://scm.hku.hk/Views/Programme/English-Mchinmed.html
Candidates without Chinese Medicine background may be eligible to apply*, provided that they hold the first degrees as recognized by the University, and they also hold a recognized diploma in Chinese Medicine (applicable to application for the stream of Gynaecology/Oncology/Clinical Pharmacy) or in Acupuncture and Moxibustion (applicable to application for the stream of Acupuncture and Moxibustion) issued by the university or comparable institution respectively.Please refer to the above URL for more details.
Please note that the academic qualifications submitted by the applicants should be authentic and correct, regardless of where the qualifications are attained. If the academic qualifications or related documents are found or allegedly fraudulent, the applicant(s) concerned would be disqualified and the applicant(s) has or have to bear the ill consequences arising from the criminal offence.
*The following disciplines are generally covered:
Western Medicine, dentistry, physiotherapy or other healthcare related disciplinesQ：Do non-local students need a visa for studies? How to apply?
A：Non-local students have to apply for valid study visa on their own, and the visas are issued by the Immigration Department, HKSAR Government. Please visit the following links for more information:
https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/mainland-student (mainland students)
https://www.studentvisa.hku.hk/overseas-student (other international students)
Q：Is there any distance learning arrangement?
A：The MChinMed is primarily a face-to-face programme and there is no remote/online learning arrangement (except for special circumstances such as the COVID-19 pandemic).
