The Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (BChinMed) programme is a 6-year full-time degree programme, aiming to provide systematic and professional training to students allowing them to develop into competent Chinese medicine practitioners. Upon completion of their studies, they will be able to provide Chinese medicine healthcare services to the community as well as meet the challenges brought by the modernisation of Chinese medicine. The main features of the curriculum include:
 
1. Focus on Chinese medicine teaching supplemented with biomedical sciences knowledge
2. Frequent and early clinical training 
3. Comprehensive clinical skills training
4. Broadening students’ horizons beyond professional study 
5. Arousing students’ interests in scientific research
6. Trilingual teaching
 
BChinMed students will spend their first five years on campus studying systematically a full curriculum of Chinese medicine courses, modern biomedical sciences courses and general education courses. Students in the sixth year will undertake a 40-week clinical clerkship in affiliated teaching hospitals of universities teaching traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) in Mainland China.
 
The School is dedicated to providing early clinical contact to its students, and emphasising the integration of theories and practice. Clinical attachments involve clinical observation of out-patient practice under the supervision of teachers. Students will undertake a 4-week Junior Clerkship in HKU-Shenzhen Hospital during their fourth year. Field trips and Chinese medicine dispensary practicum will also be arranged for students to study the indigenous TCM herbs in Mainland China and to gain practical experience at a Chinese medicine dispensary.

Introduction

The new 2-year MChinMed programme with the streams of Oncology, Gynaecology*, and Acupuncture and Moxibustion aims to provide extensive training which covers in-depth theoretical knowledge in the respective stream, offering potential synergistic effect across different streams, particularly concerning the treatment of common and complicated illnesses. Other than the requisite theoretical knowledge of the respective stream, students are also expected to master the diagnostic and therapeutic means of common illnesses, including the potential adoption of integrated approach of Chinese and Western Medicine approach (with the use of acupuncture and moxibustion) in the treatment process. The programme offers two pathways, namely project-based and practice-based, allowing a higher degree of flexibility and catering for different students' needs.

*not offered in 2022/23

Programme Description

The programme bears a total of 69 credits, regardless of streams, the structure of the new curriculum is summarized below:

Year 1
(33 credits)

Common courses (total 21 credits):
- Research Methodology in Chinese Medicine (3 credits)
- Evidence-based Medicine (3 credits)
- Classical Literature of Chinese Medicine (9 credits)
- Seminars on Progress of Modern Research of Chinese Medicine (6 credits)
Core courses of chosen stream (total 12 credits):
- Oncology
- Acupuncture and Moxibustion
Year 2
(36 credits) Option A^
(project-based) Option B#
(practice-based)
- Clinical Attachment of chosen stream
(Oncology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion) (6 credits)

- Advanced Clinical Attachment I of chosen stream (Oncology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion) (6 credits)

- Individual Project
(24 credits)
- Advanced Clinical Attachment II of chosen stream
(Oncology/Acupuncture and Moxibustion) (18 credits)

- Clinical Report (6 credits)

Total 69 credits
^Those who opt for project-based pathway will have to complete a total of 12-credit clinical attachment and a 24-credit Individual Project.
#Those who opt for practice-based pathway will have to complete a total of 30-credit clinical attachment and a 6-credit Clinical Report.

The MPhil degree is a postgraduate programme that focuses on research work.  The programme is available in all faculties and schools/departments, allowing candidates to select their field of study from a wide spectrum of subjects and specialise their research in distinct fields on offer. Students can register on either a full-time (2-year) or part-time (3-year) basis.  The programme offers an introductory experience to research studies and is suitable for those who wish to later pursue a PhD degree or become professionals in their specialised area.

MPhil students will receive ongoing advice and guidance from a dedicated academic or a team of academics in conducting research and thesis writing.  The programme also provides students with solid academic training and diverse educational experiences.  Coursework has been incorporated into the curriculum, introducing students to research techniques and also discipline-specific knowledge.  Students may take part in different workshops, conferences, and competitions to further develop their research skills and perspectives.  The award of the MPhil degree is based on satisfactorily completing courses, submitting a thesis that displays some originality and demonstrates a sound understanding of the field of study and the appropriate research methods, and satisfying the examiners in an oral examination, unless waived, (and any other examination if required) in matters relevant to the subject of the thesis.

Selected full-time MPhil students who have attained good academic qualifications will be provided financial assistance in the form of Postgraduate Scholarships.  Various scholarships and conference/travel support are also available to enrich students’ learning experience and promote professional and personal development.

The PhD degree is a highly recognised advanced research postgraduate programme.  It is available in both full-time and part-time mode.  Candidates can select their field of study from a wide spectrum of subjects as the programme is available in all faculties and schools/departments.  The PhD programme is intellectually demanding, requiring strong analytical skills, critical thinking ability, and language proficiency for undertaking independent research to produce original ideas with significant impact.  It aims to cultivate competent researchers who would like to develop their career in research, academia, and other professional areas.  The 4-year PhD programme is available for candidates who have obtained a good bachelor’s degree with honours and/or a taught master’s degree, while the 3-year PhD programme is offered to those with a research master’s degree.

PhD study focuses on conducting independent research, under the supervision of a dedicated academic or a team of academics, leading to the final submission of a thesis.  In addition, the 4-year PhD programme has a compulsory coursework component, which encompasses advanced specialist knowledge and language and research skills to enhance students’ abilities in different stages of their research studies and prepare them for research work and thesis writing.  The award of the PhD degree is based on satisfactorily completing courses, where prescribed, submitting a thesis that should be an original contribution to knowledge and worthy of publication, and satisfying the examiners in an oral examination (and any other examination if required) in matters relevant to the subject of the thesis.

Selected full-time PhD students who have attained good academic qualifications will be provided financial assistance in the form of Postgraduate Scholarships.  Various scholarships, fellowships, and conference/travel support are also available to enrich students’ learning experience and promote professional and personal development.