Hong Kong Universities
For Non-JUPAS applications, you must apply through the individual portals of each university. Each portal has its own required documents, formats, and features. We’ve simplified the process for you by providing a clear step-by-step guide.
Part 1 / CV Building
Each university has specific requirements. As the competition is extremely high, you not only need excellent academic performance and English proficiency, but also highly relevant extracurricular achievements or volunteering experience. Make sure to prepare for a rich list of these activities during your form 4 to 6 academic years.
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Competitions and Awards
You must prepare 1-2 biology/chemistry related and 2-3 other competitions. Not just interschool/regional, but try to collect some regional or even international awards. These achievements will be the core of your personal statement and character display.
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Volunteer Services
Apply for as many internship / volunteer service programs in hospitals, private clinics, family doctors, elderly homes, and community service centres. Your personal statement and interview will also circulate around these activities. When attending these activities, keep in mind to prepare some personal stories and reflections that you can use in the interview. Remember: get reference letters!
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Biology / Medical Research
Try to initiate some research projects by participating in research competitions with your classmates. There are plenty of these opportunities, consult your school to see if you can join school-based teams.
You should also use the time to consider the 3 programme choices for each university during this time.
Part 2 / Non-Jupas Application
From September onwards, most of the Non-Jupas university application portals will be open for submission. Other than general documents, you must prepare the following materials:
All Exam Certificates
GCE/IAL/IB exam statement of results and certificates
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- 4-5A*, including Biology / Chemistry, excluding GCE A Level Chinese
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GCE/IAL/IB exam predicted grades (issued by your school)
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- 4-5A*, including Biology / Chemistry, excluding GCE A Level Chinese
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IELTS Academic exam certificates
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- Each component band 7 required, overall band 8+ recommended
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Other SAT/ACT/TOEFL exam certificates
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- Optional, but do not upload if do more harm than good
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UCAT exam certificates
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- “Optional” but highly recommended, generally 3000+, otherwise consider not uploading
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Personal statement
You must submit a personal statement and a personal CV to each university. Each university has its specific format and requirement.
For example, HKU requires a 1000-word essay to cover all 3 choices, although some students will just include the 1st choice.
CUHK requires a 250-word essay for medicine, and a 1000-word essay for your remaining choices.
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Achievements and volunteer services
You can upload documents of your achievements and volunteer services in the “other documents” section in most portals.
This is a relatively subjective area, but you can utilize this to showcase your profile to professors more:
- Certificates of competitions and awards
- Certificates of volunteer services / training programmes
- Extra details about your research projects
Reference Letters
The universities will require you to upload reference letters, that highlight your academic achievements, personality and conduct.
Normally, you will request letters from the principal/your subject teachers, as they know you the best.
Note that most universities require 2-3 letters, and that the letters have a separate submission deadline. Make sure to send out your requests in advance – your teachers may need to handle letters for your whole class!
Part 3 / Interview
If you are lucky, you will receive an interview opportunity from universities in the start of December. All HK 1st round interviews will take place in mid December. Specifically: