How to Apply to Life Sciences and Medicine at the Chinese University of Hong Kong: Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biotechnology and Food and Nutritional Sciences through SCIENCE, plus the MBChB Route, with Requirements for Local, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

The life science and medicine undergraduate programmes at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) sit in two faculties: the Faculty of Science (the School of Life Sciences’ B.Sc. degrees in Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Molecular Biotechnology and Food and Nutritional Sciences) and the Faculty of Medicine (the MBChB). This guide sets out how to apply and what prerequisites the websites give, for Hong Kong local students, students on international curricula (including those in China), mainland Gaokao candidates and transfer students. Some pages are labelled for 2026 entry; check the latest 2027-entry version. The Faculty of Medicine’s other undergraduate programmes (such as pharmacy and nursing) are not covered by the pages used for this guide; check the Faculty of Medicine website.

1. Life science programmes in the Faculty of Science

• Biochemistry (programme page): the chemical compounds and processes in living organisms; four key areas are chemical biology, structural biology, synthetic biology, and health and well-being, with a year-long laboratory course. The website says nearly half of graduates pursue postgraduate studies and about a quarter join medical and research laboratories.
• Biology (programme page): established in 1963, with courses in genetics, physiology, plant biology, zoology, marine biology and ecology; students can choose study packages such as Biology for Teaching Career, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, and Environmental Biology.
• Cell and Molecular Biology (programme page): launched in 2008, with stem cell biology, cancer biology and molecular genetics, and intensive laboratory training. The website gives graduate destinations: postgraduate studies 58%, business 17%, research and medical 9%, government 6%, teaching 6% and others 4%.
• Molecular Biotechnology (programme page): launched in 1998, covering genetic engineering and applications in animals, plants, microbes, medicine and the environment, as well as the business and social implications such as government policy, management, intellectual property and ethics.
• Food and Nutritional Sciences (programme page): offered since 1994, with a Nutritionist Stream; for the Registered Nutritionist route the website refers to the programme website.
• Other related programmes: the Biology and Chemistry / Chemistry and Biology double major programme (with its own major declaration requirements); the joint-faculty B.Sc. in Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management (BEHM, JUPAS code JS4725) with Biotechnology Entrepreneurship and Innovation and Healthcare and Biomedicine Analytics concentrations; and the two-year B.Sc. in Natural Sciences for local sub-degree holders.
• These programmes are four years long (except the two-year programme), and Faculty of Science programmes require 123 units (Faculty of Science general requirements).

2. What you apply for: SCIENCE or direct entry

• SCIENCE (JS4601) (broad-based admission page): Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology are all participating majors. Students can declare their major at entry, at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2 (except for double major programmes). The website says there is no quota for any specific major and that advising is provided; the Faculty FAQ states that entry to the chosen major is guaranteed once its specific requirements are met.
• Joint-faculty BEHM (JS4725): direct admission. In 2026 the median weighted total was 35.25 and the lower quartile 35.00 (out of 51), for reference only.
• BEHM interviews only after the HKDSE results are released; SCIENCE interviews both before and after, and only Band A applicants may be invited.

3. How to declare a life sciences major after entry

These are the Faculty’s rules “for 2026 entry” (major declaration page); check the website for the 2027-entry dates and conditions. “Life Sciences” here covers Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology.

• Phase I: entry (October 2026): HKDSE Biology or Chemistry at Level 5 or above (for Food and Nutritional Sciences, Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) is also accepted); or a course exemption; or 88% or above in the JEE total score.
• Phase II: end of Year 1 (June 2027): C+ or above in LSCI1002 from the Faculty Package.
• Phase III: end of Year 2 (March 2028): having taken LSCI1002, BCHE2030 and BIOL2120 (taken, not necessarily all passed).
• Common first year: SCIENCE students take the Faculty Package in Year 1, with five groups of courses (chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, physics and statistics) and at least three 3-unit courses: the first from the student’s most desired major, the second from a relevant subject, and the third from the remaining groups.

4. Admission channels: local, international and mainland Gaokao applicants

• Hong Kong local students (HKDSE): apply through JUPAS. The University’s general minimum is 4 core and 2 elective subjects (4C+2X, or 4C+1X+M1/M2/Other Language subject).
• Local Non-JUPAS (Year 1 admission): local applicants who cannot use JUPAS, or who apply with international or other qualifications, use the Non-JUPAS Local Admissions Scheme. Holders of Hong Kong sub-degree qualifications (associate degree or higher diploma) are also treated as Non-JUPAS applicants.
• International Students Admissions Scheme: for non-local students who need a student visa or entry permit to study in Hong Kong. The Faculty of Science states that, from 2020 entry, all non-local students (whether or not they have HKDSE results) must apply through Non-JUPAS and cannot use JUPAS.
• Mainland Chinese current Gaokao candidates: apply through the National Colleges and Universities Enrolment System rather than submitting a direct application. The details are on the admissions office’s Chinese-language page; see the section for Chinese applicants below.
• Non-JUPAS local and international applicants apply directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA), and each application is considered case by case on individual merits.

5. Local students (JUPAS): subjects and score references

• SCIENCE (JS4601) (in the 2027-entry JUPAS leaflet): Chinese 3, English 3, Mathematics 2; the 1st elective must be one of Biology, Chemistry, Physics or M1/M2 (level 3) and the 2nd elective level 3; Biology, Chemistry, Physics and M1/M2 are weighted 2.0, and English or Mathematics, Economics, Geography, ICT and Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) 1.5; the score uses the best 5 subjects. In 2026 the median weighted total was 41.50 and the lower quartile 39.75 (out of 68).
• BEHM (JS4725): Chinese 3, English 3, Mathematics 3; the 1st elective must be Biology or Chemistry (level 3) and the 2nd elective level 3.
• The Faculty also runs a STEM Talent Scheme: applicants with at least three stars in total across three HKDSE STEM electives (Biology, Chemistry, Physics, M1/M2, Information and Communication Technology, Design and Applied Technology; the website gives 5*5*5*, 5**5*3 and 5**5**5** as examples), who put a Faculty of Science programme among their top JUPAS choices, are reviewed by a dedicated panel, even if they miss the University’s entrance requirement in the four core subjects, and may be given an interview.

6. University general requirements and English requirements for international qualifications

• Accepted qualifications: the Faculty of Science lists GCE/International A-Levels, the IB Diploma, a high school diploma plus SAT/ACT and AP tests, the Alberta/OSSD/BC diploma in Canada, AISSCE/CBSE/ISC in India, SMA in Indonesia, UEC/STPM in Malaysia, or any other equivalent.
• University general requirements (Faculty of Science leaflet, information as of September 2026): 3 A-Level passes, or 2 A-Levels plus 2 AS passes; an IB Diploma with 30 points out of 45; for SAT/ACT plus AP, a senior secondary graduation diploma or certificate, SAT 1190 out of 1600 or ACT composite 24, and a score of 3 in each of 2 AP tests. For other qualifications, including Canadian ones, the leaflet points to “More Qualifications”; check the admissions office website for the exact requirements.
• Programme-specific subject requirements: the leaflet says these differ by programme and that applicants should generally have good grades in advanced science-related subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. The subject-preference table for each qualification is said to be on the Faculty of Science website; it was not found on the pages used for this guide, so check the website.
• English: IELTS Academic overall 6.0; TOEFL iBT 80 out of 120, or 4.5 out of 6 on the newer scale; ACT English Language Arts 23; GCE O-Level/GCSE/IGCSE grade C or 4; GCE A-Level/AS grade E; IB English 4; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 590. Some programmes set higher English requirements.
• Chinese: applicants are expected to show an acceptable level of both English and Chinese; the Chinese admission requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Faculty Dean.
• Advanced standing: applicants with qualifications such as GCE A-Level/International A-Level, IB, or an associate degree/higher diploma who meet the University’s specific requirements may apply for admission with advanced standing. The units needed for graduation can be reduced by up to 24, and the normative period of study by up to one year.

Subject preferences for the life science programmes from A-Level or IB (for example, whether Biology or Chemistry at Higher Level is required) are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the Faculty of Science website, the School of Life Sciences website or the admissions office.

7. Faculty of Medicine: MBChB

This section draws on the Faculty of Medicine’s Non-JUPAS page and FAQ (Non-JUPAS requirements, FAQ) and includes only what they state.

• How to apply: HKDSE applicants use JUPAS, holders of other qualifications use the Non-JUPAS system, and mainland current Gaokao candidates use the national enrolment system. A local candidate can apply through either JUPAS or Non-JUPAS but not both in the same year. The FAQ says there is no specific quota split between JUPAS and Non-JUPAS, and that admitted students are normally top 1% for the HKDSE “or equivalent standards” for Non-JUPAS categories.
• Non-JUPAS score requirements: IB students take 6 subjects including 3 Higher Level, with Chemistry or Biology at Higher Level (both recommended), a total of at least 42/45 and at least 6, 7, 7 in the Higher Level subjects. GCE A-Level students take 4 subjects (excluding Chinese and EPQ) including Chemistry or Biology (both preferable), with at least 3 grades obtained within a 12-month period. Australian applicants need an ATAR or equivalent of at least 99.5; Canadian applicants over 96% in at least 6 final examination subjects including English, Chemistry and Biology; US applicants a SAT total above 1500 (or ACT above 34), with AP students expected to take 8 to 10 subjects at grade 5 including Chemistry and Biology. The FAQ’s recent admission thresholds are IB 42–43 out of 45 and GCE AL 4 A* with an average UMS of 95%.
• Aptitude tests: UCAT, MCAT, BMAT and GAMSAT results are not mandatory, but the website says it is increasingly common for applicants to provide them.
• Interview: all applicants are interviewed individually by two panel members, in English, for around 15 minutes; interviews have been in person since 2023 entry. After IB results, top-ranked IB applicants are interviewed in late July; for A-Level, in late August. A 250-word personal statement is required.
• Other routes: the Global Physician-Leadership Stream (GPS); Dynamic Year 2 (DY2); and, from 2025 entry, the four-year Graduate Entry Track (GET) for degree holders, with 25 extra places, under which all degree holders applying via Non-JUPAS are automatically considered and no longer considered for the six-year programme or DY2.
• Other: deferred admission is not allowed. Any limit on places for international students or visa arrangements for the MBChB are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the Faculty of Medicine (faculty@med.cuhk.edu.hk).

8. Applicants from China

• Current Gaokao candidates: the Faculty of Science page says that current mainland Gaokao candidates apply through the National Colleges and Universities Enrolment System. The enrolment plan, programme list, score lines and English-subject requirement are on the admissions office’s Chinese-language page (marked as Chinese only), which was not part of the pages used for this guide; check CUHK’s undergraduate admissions website.
• Students in China on international curricula who are not taking the Gaokao: apply through the International Students Admissions Scheme with A-Level, IB, SAT/ACT plus AP and similar qualifications; see the requirements above.
• Special notes for Chinese applicants (Chinese transcripts and school-leaving exam materials, credential verification, interview arrangements) are not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the admissions office.

9. Transfer and sub-degree pathways

• Associate degree / higher diploma: Hong Kong sub-degree holders apply as Non-JUPAS applicants. The Faculty of Science also runs a two-year B.Sc. in Natural Sciences for local sub-degree holders, with concentrations in Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, Chemical and Testing Sciences, Data Science, Environmental Studies, Food and Nutrition, and Physical Sciences.
• International transfer students: the Faculty of Science pages used for this guide do not give a separate entry year, credit-transfer rule or deadline for international transfer students; ask the admissions office. Applicants who qualify for advanced standing are covered above.

For the MBChB, the Non-JUPAS page says existing medical students can apply to transfer into Year 2, 3 or 4, with the latest transcripts, a reference letter from the Dean and detailed course descriptions, and some overseas medical students have to transfer one year below their current year; applicants who already hold a bachelor’s degree are covered by the GET above.

10. Fees, deadlines and scholarships

• Tuition, application fee and 2027-entry deadlines: not given on the pages used for this guide. The Non-JUPAS and International Students Admissions Scheme timetable sits on the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA) website; check the OAFA website for the latest 2027-entry dates and tuition rather than relying on earlier years’ figures.
• Admission scholarships: CUHK’s Faculty of Medicine FAQ states that the University offers admission scholarships to both local and non-local new undergraduates on the basis of academic or non-academic performance. No separate application is needed; the University identifies and informs the students. Values range from HK$5,000 to full tuition plus a living allowance, and many can be renewed over the normative period subject to satisfactory progress. Faculties and Colleges also offer admission scholarships.

Checklist

Students on international curricula (including those in China):

• Use the International Students Admissions Scheme, applying directly to OAFA; meet the University general and English requirements; check the website for life science subject preferences
• For Faculty of Science programmes, choose SCIENCE and declare your major in phases; for the MBChB, meet the Faculty of Medicine’s separate score thresholds and interview

Mainland Gaokao candidates:

• Apply through the national enrolment system; read the admissions office’s Chinese page for details

Hong Kong local students:

• List JS4601 (1st elective Biology, Chemistry, Physics or M1/M2) or JS4725 (1st elective Biology or Chemistry)

Transfer students:

• Local sub-degree holders apply as Non-JUPAS; rules for international transfers are not given on the pages used, so ask the admissions office; MBChB transfers follow the Faculty of Medicine page

Sources: The Chinese University of Hong Kong websites, Biochemistry; Biology; Cell and Molecular Biology; Molecular Biotechnology; Food and Nutritional Sciences; SCIENCE broad-based admission; major declaration; Faculty FAQ; local students; non-local students; STEM Talent Scheme; JUPAS leaflet (PDF); Non-JUPAS and international leaflet (PDF); general requirements; Faculty of Medicine MBChB Non-JUPAS requirements; Faculty of Medicine MBChB FAQ. Some pages are labelled for 2026 entry; check CUHK’s website for the latest 2027-entry fees, deadlines and rules.