To help the city to cope with the shortage of healthcare professionals in future, the Government has approved to increase 30 places for the city’s two major medical schools – The University of Hong Kong (HKU) and The Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK).

In the 2019-20, the admission requirements for HKU medical degree is a total score of 36 JUPAS points or above in 6 HKDSE* subjects. Unlike its rival, CUHK decided to retain the same admission threshold and requires applicants to obtain a minimum score of 40 JUPAS** points in 7 HKDSE subjects (one of the elective subjects must be either Chemistry or Biology). Successful candidates must also pass the multiple mini-medicine interview organised by their chosen school.

“Students who have obtained at least 40 in seven subjects, meaning those who are able to demonstrate overall good performance in various subjects, will have a higher level of learning ability and adaptability. While those who have got a score of 36 in six subjects sometimes show a lack of skills in one of the subjects.”, emphasised by Francis Chan, Dean of Medicine, CUHK in SCMP.

Note

* HKDSE: Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education, which is equivalent to A-level in the UK.

* JUPAS: The Joint University Programmes Admissions System, which is equivalent to UCAS in the UK.

Comments by Karen Hsu, Education Services Manager, Hong Kong (karen.hsu@britishcouncil.org.hk)

In line with the new policy announced by the HKSAR Secretary for Food and Health last year, the Government plans to increase over150 publicly funded training places at local medical schools for the upcoming 3 years. In the 2019/20 school year, both CUHK and HKU medical schools will offer a total of 530 places, which are 60 more than the previous academic year (470 places in the 2018/19). This indicates that UK institutions may face a higher competition from local institutions, although this may be offset by increased interest in studying medicine if barriers for non-locally trained doctors to practice are reduced.

The British Council has compiled the universities' entry requirements and admission scores for readers’ information:
 

The University of Hong Kong

• Course title: Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery
• Entry requirements: https://www.jupas.edu.hk/en/programme/hku/JS6456/
• Admission scores in the 2019-20:
  HKDSE: minimum 36 points in 6 subjects (average 5* in each subjects)
  
  (Reference: minimum admission scores in the 2017-18: IB: 43/ GCE A-Level: 280)

The Chinese University of Hong Kong

• Course title: Medicine (MBChB) Programme
• Entry requirements: https://www.jupas.edu.hk/en/programme/cuhk/JS4501/
• Admission scores in the 2019-20:
  HKDSE: minimum 40 points in7 subjects (average 5* or 5** in each subjects)
  
  (Reference: minimum admission scores in the 2017-18: IB: 42/ GCE A-Level: 280)
  
   

Sources:

• Chinese University of Hong Kong refuses to lower entry requirements for student doctors, despite recruitment shortages, SCMP
• Student intakes ramped up as Hong Kong grapples with chronic shortage of doctors, nurses and dentists, SCMP