How to Apply to Biology at the Chinese University of Hong Kong: Six B.Sc. Programmes in the School of Life Sciences, Entered Mostly Through the SCIENCE Broad-based Scheme, with Admission Routes and Prerequisites for Local, International (Including Chinese) and Transfer Applicants

Biology-related undergraduate study at the Chinese University of Hong Kong (CUHK) is run by the School of Life Sciences within the Faculty of Science, and every degree is a B.Sc. This guide sets out how to apply and what prerequisites the website gives, for Hong Kong local applicants, applicants with international qualifications (including those studying international curricula in China), Mainland Gaokao candidates and transfer applicants. Most pages are labelled for 2026 entry; please check the version that applies to 2027 entry. Medicine and other degrees offered by the Faculty of Medicine (for example MBChB) are outside the scope of this guide; see the Faculty of Medicine website.

1. The programmes

• Six programmes (the School of Life Sciences undergraduate brochure says the School has six undergraduate programmes): Biology; Biochemistry; Biology and Chemistry Double Major; Cell and Molecular Biology (CMB); Food and Nutritional Sciences; Molecular Biotechnology. Science programmes use a credit-unit system with a normative study period of four years and 123 units (general requirements page).
• Biology (Faculty page): genetics, physiology, plant biology, zoology, marine biology and ecology, among others. Three recommended study packages are listed: Biology for Teaching Career, Biodiversity and Conservation Biology, and Environmental Biology. The curriculum includes lectures, laboratory sessions, tutorials, field trips, seminars and individually supervised research projects; the brochure mentions a year-long Biodiversity Lab.
• Biochemistry: the chemical processes of life at the molecular level; the brochure lists research areas including chemical biology, structural biology, synthetic biology and health and well-being, with a year-long project-based laboratory course and a pre-capstone course.
• Cell and Molecular Biology: established in 2008, with, per the brochure, research training, one-to-one capstone mentoring and year-long project-based laboratory training.
• Molecular Biotechnology: microbial, plant, animal, biomedical and environmental biotechnology, genetic engineering, molecular biology and biochemistry, plus the policy, management, intellectual property and bioethics sides of biotechnology.
• Food and Nutritional Sciences: links food science and nutritional science; its Nutritionist Stream is accredited by the UK Association for Nutrition (registration number AC311 in the brochure), and the brochure notes that further training is required for dietetics.
• Biology and Chemistry Double Major: offered jointly with the Department of Chemistry, described below.
• Related programmes: the joint-faculty Biotechnology, Entrepreneurship and Healthcare Management programme (JS4725, projected intake of 15 per the FAQ), biomedical engineering (offered by the Faculty of Engineering) is not covered here. Apart from the Nutritionist Stream, accreditation of the biology and biochemistry degrees by bodies such as the Royal Society of Biology is not given on the pages used for this guide.
• Research and placements: the brochure mentions the SMART summer research training programme (with a stipend), research internships at the University of California, Berkeley (the brochure says 12 units of tuition are sponsored), and a two-week overseas trip joining conservation projects led by the Ocean Park Conservation Foundation Hong Kong. For Food and Nutritional Sciences it says over 70% of students have internship opportunities in industry, clinical or academic settings; check the website for places and conditions.

2. What to apply for: the SCIENCE broad-based scheme

• SCIENCE (JUPAS code JS4601): Biochemistry, Biology, the Biology and Chemistry Double Major, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology are all majors under this broad-based admission (SCIENCE page). The website states there is no quota for a specific major and that academic advising is provided; students admitted to SCIENCE are guaranteed entry to their chosen major provided they meet its specific requirements (Faculty FAQ).
• The Faculty FAQ gives a projected intake of 335 for SCIENCE (subject to University and Government approval, so it may change).
• First-year common courses: students go through the Faculty Package in Year 1, with five course groups (chemistry, life sciences, mathematics, physics, statistics). They take at least three 3-unit courses: the first from the group of their most desired major, the second from a relevant subject, and the third from the remaining groups.

3. Declaring a Life Sciences major

The rules below are the Faculty of Science’s rules for 2026 entry (major declaration page); check the website for 2027 entry dates and conditions. The website groups Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology as “Life Sciences” majors with the same conditions.

• 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) at Level 5 or above also counts); or exemption from the course specified for Phase II declaration; or 88% or above in the JEE total score.
• Phase II: end of Year 1 (June 2027): grade C+ or above in the Faculty Package course LSCI1002 (Introduction to Biological Sciences).
• Phase III: end of Year 2 (March 2028): having taken LSCI1002, BCHE2030 (Fundamentals of Biochemistry) and BIOL2120 (Cell Biology) (the website says “taken, not necessarily all passed”).
• The website says that, depending on preparation, students may declare at entry, at the end of Year 1 or at the end of Year 2 (except for double major programmes).

4. Biology and Chemistry Double Major

Offered jointly by the Faculty of Science, the School of Life Sciences and the Department of Chemistry. Per the Department of Chemistry’s Double Major page (labelled for students admitted in 2022-23 and thereafter; check the 2027 version); the Faculty page excludes double majors from end-of-Year-2 declaration, and the page lists only two phases:

• Phase I (admission stage): HKDSE Chemistry and Biology with a total score of at least 10, in one of these combinations: Level 5* or above in Chemistry and Level 4 or above in Biology; Level 5* or above in Biology and Level 4 or above in Chemistry; or Level 5 or above in both. Alternatively, qualifications eligible for exemption from CHEM1070 and LSCI1002, or 88% or above in the JEE total score.
• Phase II (end of Year 1): grade B or above, or an exemption, in CHEM1070 and LSCI1002.
• Outstanding students who declare the Double Major at entry are eligible for an admission scholarship, selected on public examination results. The brochure gives 76 major-course units: Biology 32 required plus 6 elective, Chemistry 29 required plus 9 elective, and a further 4 units of capstone courses listed separately.

5. Routes: local, international and Mainland China applicants

• Hong Kong local applicants (HKDSE): apply through JUPAS for JS4601. The University’s general minimum is 4 core and 2 elective subjects (4C+2X, or 4C+1X+M1/M2/Other Language subject) (local students page).
• Local Non-JUPAS (Year 1 admission): for local applicants not eligible for JUPAS or applying with international or other qualifications; holders of Hong Kong sub-degree qualifications are also treated as Non-JUPAS applicants.
• International Students Admissions Scheme: for non-local students who need a student visa/entry permit to study in Hong Kong. The Faculty FAQ states that since 2020 entry all non-local students, whether or not they hold HKDSE results, must apply through the non-JUPAS scheme and cannot use JUPAS.
• Non-JUPAS local and international applicants apply directly to the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA); applications are considered case by case on individual merit.
• The website also lists SNDAS (School Nominations Direct Admission Scheme) and SALSA (Student-Athlete Learning Support and Admission Scheme), not covered here.

6. Local applicants: subjects and scores

• JS4601 minimum requirements (JUPAS leaflet, information as of October 2026): Chinese 3, English 3, Mathematics 2, Citizenship and Social Development “Attained”; first elective one of Biology / Chemistry / Physics / M1 or M2 (level 3), second elective any Category A subject (level 3).
• Scoring: best 5 subjects, with at most 3 weighted more heavily; Biology, Chemistry, Physics and M1 or M2 carry a weighting of 2.0, and English or Mathematics, Economics, Geography, ICT and Technology and Living (Food Science and Technology) carry 1.5.
• 2026 admission reference: median weighted total 41.50 and lower quartile 39.75 (out of 68), for reference only; the formula and scores change every year.
• Interviews: for JS4601 only Band A applicants may be invited, with interviews both before and after the HKDSE results; those before the results are tentatively in May, with invitations by email in February or March.
• STEM Talent Scheme: the Faculty FAQ says applicants with a broad and good STEM background who do not meet the minimum core-subject requirements may still be considered, and may be offered interviews, if they show a strong passion for science.

7. International qualifications and language requirements

• Accepted qualifications (Non-JUPAS leaflet, information as of September 2026): GCE/International A-Levels, IB Diploma, Associate Degree or Higher Diploma, high school diploma plus SAT/ACT and AP, OSSD/BC in Canada, AISSCE/CBSE/ISC in India, SMA in Indonesia, UEC/STPM in Malaysia or any other equivalent.
• University general requirements: A-Level — 3 A-Level passes, or 2 A-Levels plus 2 AS passes; IB — Diploma with 30 points out of 45; SAT/ACT plus AP — a senior secondary school graduation diploma/certificate, SAT 1190 out of 1600 or ACT composite 24, and a score of 3 in each of 2 AP tests.
• Programme-specific requirements: the leaflet says requirements differ by programme and that applicants should in general obtain good grades in advanced-level science subjects such as Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics and Physics. Subjects and grades specific to the biology programmes (for example whether advanced-level biology is required), and the subject-preference tables for A-Level/IB and SAT/ACT/AP, are not given on the pages used for this guide; check the Faculty website or ask the admissions office.
• English: IELTS Academic 6.0 overall; TOEFL iBT 80/120 or 4.5/6; ACT English Language Arts 23; GCE O-Level/GCSE/IGCSE grade C or 4; GCE A-Level/AS grade E; IB 4; SAT Evidence-Based Reading and Writing 590. Some programmes have higher English requirements.
• Chinese: applicants should show an acceptable level of both English and Chinese; the Chinese requirement may be waived at the discretion of the Faculty Dean.
• Advanced standing: applicants with GCE A-Level/International A-Level, IB, Associate Degree/Higher Diploma and similar qualifications who meet the University’s specific requirements may be considered for admission with advanced standing, with up to 24 fewer units for graduation and up to one year less in the normative study period.

8. Applicants from Mainland China

• Current Gaokao candidates: the Faculty page says they apply through the National Colleges and Universities Enrolment System rather than directly to the University. The enrolment plan, programmes, score and English-subject requirements are on the admissions office’s Chinese-language page (marked as Chinese only), which is not among the pages used for this guide; check the CUHK undergraduate admissions website. The website does not say whether the biology programmes have any additional Gaokao subject or score requirement.
• Mainland students on international curricula who do not sit the Gaokao: apply under the International Students Admissions Scheme with A-Level, IB, SAT/ACT plus AP and similar qualifications, as above.
• Specific guidance for Chinese applicants on transcripts, school-leaving examination materials, credential verification and interviews is not given on the pages used for this guide; ask the admissions office.

9. Transfer and sub-degree pathways

• Associate Degree / Higher Diploma: local sub-degree graduates apply as Non-JUPAS applicants. The Faculty also offers a two-year B.Sc. in Natural Sciences for local sub-degree holders, whose concentrations include Biological Sciences, Biotechnology, and Food and Nutrition; details are not given on the pages used for this guide.
• International transfer applicants: the pages used for this guide give no separate entry year, credit-transfer rule or deadline for international transfer students; ask the admissions office. Applicants eligible for advanced standing are covered above.

10. Fees, deadlines and scholarships

• Tuition, application fee and 2027 application deadlines: not given on the pages used for this guide. The Non-JUPAS and international application timetable and fees are on the Office of Admissions and Financial Aid (OAFA) website; check the latest information for 2027 entry and do not rely on earlier years’ figures.
• School of Life Sciences admission scholarships (brochure): HKD 6,000 to 50,000 for local and non-local students; HKD 20,000 to 50,000 for an International Admission Scholarship; the 1966 Biology Alumni Scholarship is open to all School students. Individual programmes list further alumni scholarships and prizes in the brochure.
• Scholarship for Master’s Degree Studies: the brochure says students with excellent results in high school or public examinations, especially in science subjects, can receive a full tuition waiver if they graduate from a School of Life Sciences undergraduate programme and go straight into one of four listed taught master’s programmes (including the M.Sc. in Artificial Intelligence for Science and the M.Sc. in Biochemical and Biomedical Sciences). Check the website for eligibility.
• Health Sciences Exposure Initiative: per the brochure, top students with a strong motivation for health sciences and medical fields may take designated introductory courses offered by the Faculty of Medicine from Year 2; Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology majors are eligible.

11. STARS research stream

• An add-on stream for Faculty of Science students; Biochemistry, Biology, Cell and Molecular Biology, Food and Nutritional Sciences and Molecular Biotechnology are among the eligible majors (STARS page, last updated August 2025). No interview is required.
• Phase 1 (start of Year 1): JUPAS admittees with at least 3 stars in the science subjects Biology, Chemistry, Mathematics/M1/M2 and Physics in the HKDSE; non-JUPAS admittees with excellent performance in public examinations and/or international competitions, considered case by case.
• Phase 2 (after Year 1 Term 2 results): Year 1 GPA of 3.7 or above; at least 3 Faculty Package courses taken or exempted from 3 different groups; and A- or above in 2 Faculty Package courses from different groups.
• Students must keep a cumulative GPA of 3.3 or above (with a two-regular-term grace period).

Application checklist

Applicants with international qualifications (including those on international curricula in China):

• Apply under the International Students Admissions Scheme directly to OAFA; meet the University general requirements and the English requirement; check subject preferences for biology programmes on the Faculty website
• Choose the SCIENCE broad-based scheme and declare a Life Sciences major in the phases after entry; the Biology and Chemistry Double Major can be declared only at entry or at the end of Year 1, not at the end of Year 2

Current Mainland Gaokao candidates:

• Apply through the national enrolment system, not directly to the University; see the admissions office’s Chinese-language page for details

Hong Kong local applicants:

• Choose JS4601 in JUPAS; to declare a Life Sciences major at entry you need HKDSE Biology or Chemistry at Level 5 or above

Transfer applicants:

• Local sub-degree holders apply through Non-JUPAS; rules for international transfer applicants are not given on the pages used for this guide, so ask the admissions office

Sources: The Chinese University of Hong Kong websites, Faculty of Science Biology page; School of Life Sciences undergraduate brochure; Department of Chemistry Double Major page; Major declaration page; Faculty FAQ; Local students page; Non-local students page; JUPAS leaflet; Non-JUPAS leaflet; STARS page; General requirements page. Check the website for the version that applies to 2027 entry.