Complete Guide to Applying for HKU and CUHK Medical Schools via Non-JUPAS in 2025
Non-JUPAS Medical Schools, HKU & CUHK
What is Non-JUPAS?
Non-JUPAS refers to one of the ways to apply for university in Hong Kong, mainly suitable for applicants who do not meet the JUPAS admissions requirements. These applicants may come from different backgrounds and academic qualifications, such as international students, students holding other international or regional academic certificates, students who have completed other studies, such as Associate Degree (Asso), Higher Diploma (HD), etc.
What is the difference between Non-JUPAS and JUPAS?
Application method
JUPAS: Mainly used for Hong Kong Diploma of Secondary Education (HKDSE) candidates. All HKDSE candidates can apply for university through the JUPAS system.
Non-JUPAS: For those applicants who do not pass JUPAS, including international students, students with other academic credentials, people who are already working or have completed other higher education, etc.
Eligibility
JUPAS: Mainly for HKDSE candidates, applications must be submitted in the JUPAS application system.
Non-JUPAS: Suitable for applicants who hold other qualifications, such as International Baccalaureate (IB), A-level, other higher education qualifications, or those who have study experience in other higher education institutions.
Application process
JUPAS: Applicants need to submit their applications through the JUPAS system, which will select and admit students according to a pre-set process.
Non-JUPAS: Applicants need to submit their application directly to the university and will usually be evaluated against the university's requirements and standards.
Who is suitable to apply to university through Non-JUPAS?
International Students
International students come from other countries and their academic qualifications and admission qualifications are different from Hong Kong’s local academic system. As these qualifications generally do not meet the requirements of Hong Kong's JUPAS system, international students need to apply through the Non-JUPAS route in order to be appropriately assessed against their international qualifications.
Students holding international or other regional qualifications
Students hold international academic certificates such as A-level, IB (International Baccalaureate), Australian VCE (Victorian Certificate of Education), etc. These certificates do not meet the requirements of the Hong Kong JUPAS system and therefore need to apply to local universities through the Non-JUPAS route.
Students who have completed studies at other higher education institutions
Students who have completed an Associate Degree (Asso) or Higher Diploma (HD) program may wish to transfer or progress to a university degree program in Hong Kong. These students usually need to apply through the Non-JUPAS route, especially Senior Entry if they wish to enter university directly.
Students who have studied Asso or HD courses for one year
Since students have not completed the entire course, their choices are limited. They can usually only enroll in the Year 1 course, which is the First Year Entry. However, there are generally fewer degrees and relatively high academic requirements. Except for the first year in addition to the scores, the HKDSE scores will generally be looked at to decide whether to make an offer.
However, not every university accepts transfer students who have only completed one year of Asso or HD courses, such as the Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (UST) and the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK). Indeed, for students who have only completed the first year of Asso or HD courses, there are stricter rules for student transfers, and these applicants may not even be accepted.
Students who have completed Asso or HD courses
After completing the entire course, students can enroll in Year 1 courses or direct Senior Entry according to their own wishes. Most students will choose to directly continue with Year 3 degree courses to keep them consistent with the year of admission when they originally applied for JUPAS.
Applicants for professional further education or work experience
Applicants with specific work experience or professional qualifications, such as professional certifications in relevant industries or years of work experience, may choose to apply for professional continuing education courses or advanced degree programs through Non-JUPAS.
Students who have completed other stages of academic study
Students who have completed a PhD, master's degree or other high-level degree and wish to further pursue university degrees or further education courses in Hong Kong can also apply through the Non-JUPAS route.
Non-JUPAS Complete Guide to Admission to the School of Medicine at HKU and CUHK
Medical schools often have specific admission requirements and application procedures, which may differ from those for other disciplines. As a medical school, universities have very high academic requirements for students.
Department of Medicine, HKU
HKU Faculty of Medicine is one of the most prestigious medical schools in Asia, founded in 1887. The medical school is committed to providing comprehensive medical education and excellent research, covering the fields of clinical medicine, basic medicine, public health and medical management. Its core curriculum is the six-year MBBS (Bachelor of Medicine, Bachelor of Surgery) course, which aims to cultivate future medical professionals, combining clinical skills and research capabilities. The Faculty of Medicine of the University of Hong Kong attracts outstanding students and researchers from around the world with its high-quality education and outstanding academic reputation.
Eligibility
- Apply for admission with academic qualifications other than HKDSE (such as IB, A-level, etc.)
- Have successfully completed one year of higher education with excellent academic results
Academic Requirements
Apply with IB scores
- Applicants must have a total IB score of at least 43 points, and chemistry (higher level subject) must have at least 4 points or above.
Apply with A-Level results
- Applicants must obtain at least 4A* (excluding Chinese and English subjects, Critical Thinking, General Studies, Global Perspectives and Research, Knowledge and Inquiry, Project Work, Thinking Skills and Extended Project Qualifications), Chemistry must obtain E or above score.
Interview arrangements
Universities will decide whether to grant interviews based on a student's academic performance and other non-academic achievements. Interviews are usually held during the Christmas and Easter holidays or from June to August and are designed to assess a student's suitability to study medicine.
Offers
The school will issue admission notices to candidates who have met the admission requirements. The school will also issue conditional admission letters to Non-JUPAS students who have taken the exam. As long as they meet the admission requirements before August, they can be admitted to the university.
Key dates for 2024 admissions
September 20, 2023 | Open for applications |
November 15, 2023 at 12 noon | Deadline to submit applications for first round assessment |
From November 15, 2023 | Applications are reviewed in order (Rolling Basis) |
December 1, 2024 | Submit supporting documentation for the first round of assessment (including Predicted Grade) |
From December 6, 2024 | First round results announced |
August 22, 2024 at 12 noon | Deadline for all applications |
Department of Medicine, CUHK
The Chinese University of Medicine (CU Medicine) is a well-known medical education institution in Hong Kong, committed to providing high-quality medical education and excellence in research. The CU Medicine, established in 1991, has multiple disciplines, including clinical medicine, basic medicine, public health and medical management. Its five-year undergraduate medical program aims to cultivate medical professionals with clinical skills and scientific knowledge. The medical school focuses on the integration of theory and practice, and students will gain valuable experience in internships and clinical practice. In addition, CU Medicine also actively promotes cutting-edge research and is committed to solving public health challenges and improving the quality of medical services.
Eligibility
- Apply for admission with academic qualifications other than HKDSE (such as IB, A-level, etc.)
- Have successfully completed one year of higher education with excellent academic results
Academic Requirements
Apply with IB scores
- IB students should take 6 elective subjects, including 3 higher level subjects. It is recommended to take chemistry or biology, preferably both at the same time. The minimum requirement is that the final score is ≥42/45, and the scores in higher level subjects are at least 6, 7, and 7.
Apply with A-Level results
- A-Level students should take 4 AL subjects (excluding Chinese), at least 3 of which should be completed at one time within 12 months. It is recommended to take chemistry or biology, and it is best to take both subjects at the same time. Further Maths is not considered a separate subject and marks in Mathematics or Further Maths (whichever is higher) will count towards the overall GCE score.
- In addition to A-Level scores, students are advised to provide UK Clinical Aptitude Test (UCAT) or Biomedical Admissions Test (BMAT) test scores in order to gain the opportunity to be invited for interviews in advance.
Interview arrangements
IB: Since results will not be released until July, IB candidates with a Predicted Grade of 42 or above will receive an early interview, and the remaining students will attend interviews in late July.
A-Level: As results will not be released until mid-August, the school will invite some applicants with excellent scores in Predicted Grade, UKCAT or BMAT for early interviews, and the remaining students will attend interviews in late August.
2024 Admissions Interview Schedule
*First round interviews may take place in December/April
December 21, 2023 | IB/A-Level/GCSE students with outstanding performance in Predicted Grade |
March 28, 2024 | IB/A-Level/GCSE students with outstanding performance in Predicted Grade |
June 20, 2024 | Degree holders and undergraduate applicants |
July 30, 2024 | 1. IB students after results released 2. Degree holders, undergraduate applicants and other non-JUPAS candidates 3. A-Level students after results released |
Interview Contents
Interviews at Hong Kong medical schools usually assess applicants from the following aspects:
- Personal traits and motivations: Why do you want to become a doctor? How do your personal traits contribute to being a good doctor? What experiences have you had that demonstrated your interest in medicine?
- Knowledge and skills: understanding of medicine, problem-solving ability, communication skills.
- Situational simulation: patient communication, teamwork, ethical issues.
Ascent Prep will develop a personalized training plan based on each student's personal background, strengths and weaknesses, and target schools to ensure that students can improve their abilities in a targeted manner.
Choosing Ascent Prep will not only allow you to better understand the content and requirements of the Hong Kong Medical School interview, but also receive professional guidance and support, enhance your competitiveness, and increase your chances of being admitted to the Hong Kong Medical College.
If you would like to learn more about Ascent Prep's services or have other questions, please feel free to contact us.
Further Readings:
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