Chinese University of Hong Kong refuses to lower entry requirements for student doctors, despite recruitment shortages
- High standards of the medical profession must be maintained, says CUHK
- Rival HKU insists reducing minimum subject score does not affect quality of students
One of the major trainers of Hong Kong doctors has defended a decision not to lower the threshold for student admissions despite the city’s chronic shortage of physicians.
Chinese University announced on Thursday that only high school graduates who score 40 or above in seven subjects on their entrance exam, who list the course as their first choice, and who perform satisfactorily in the admission interview will be guaranteed a place on its Bachelor of Medicine and Bachelor of Surgery programmes.
It comes as its rival, the University of Hong Kong, unveiled a plan to admit students who obtained a minimum score of 36 for six subjects, which is four points and one subject below CUHK’s requirement.
Previously, people applying to HKU’s medical faculty needed a minimum score of 37 for six Diploma of Secondary Education examination (HKDSE) subjects.
While most candidates take four core subjects and two elective subjects, CUHK has encouraged youngsters aiming to do a medical degree there to sit through another elective subject.
