Departments and Schools
Teaching Departments

The School of Biomedical Sciences seeks fundamental insights into the ways living systems function at the molecular and cellular levels, and use multidisciplinary approaches to apply these insights in a biomedical context. We are committed to the provision of high-quality biomedical science education in the professional training of the new generation of healthcare workforce. Our specially-designed courses enable fledging health professional to develop competence, based upon sound scientific principles, in their future practices which involve handling existing and emergent health issues and problems affecting humankind. By using a combination of traditional and innovative pedagogical approaches, teachers of the School actively engage health science students in the learning of basic and applied aspects of anatomy, biochemistry and physiology.

Our research areas include:

• Brain & cognitive sciences
• Cell signalling & cancer biology
• Genomics & biomedical data sciences
• Stem cell, molecular & development genetics
• Structural, chemical & synthetic biology 

Visit the School's website at sbms.hku.hk.

The School of Chinese Medicine strives to deliver quality Chinese Medicine education, research and clinical services by incorporating Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) with the latest biomedical science knowledge.

The School aims to deliver quality teaching and nurture graduates with an international perspective and professional knowledge in the modernisation of Chinese medicine.

The School offers undergraduate, taught and research postgraduate programmes to equip students with solid understanding of TCM, modern life sciences and the required skills in medical practice that prepare them as Integrative Chinese-Western Medicine professionals. The School also offers research postgraduate programmes at both the Master of Philosophy (MPhil) and Doctor of Philosophy (PhD) levels, with the aim of nurturing scientists in the field of Chinese medicine. The School has also established eight Clinical Centres for Teaching and Research which serve as clinical practicum training bases for students and junior Chinese Medicine Practitioners/Teaching Assistant as well as platforms for outpatient services and clinical researches.

Our staff members of the School have been conducting basic and clinical researches pertaining to various disciplines of Chinese Medicine. The School’s major research directions include:

• Chinese Medicine for ageing-related diseases such as cardiovascular & cerebral vascular diseases
• Chinese Medicine for cancer treatment & related disorders
• Chinese Medicine for mental disorders
• Chinese Medicine for pain management
• Quality control of Chinese medicines 

Visit the School's website at scm.hku.hk.

The School of Clinical Medicine is a vibrant and dynamic community of world-leading departments and units to drive transformative advancements in research, education, and clinical practice for the benefit of our patients and communities.

The School unites a remarkable array of clinical specialties and comprises the following departments and units:

• Centre of Cancer Medicine
• Department of Anaesthesiology
• Department of Clinical Oncology
• Department of Diagnostic Radiology
• Department of Emergency Medicine
• Department of Family Medicine and Primary Care
• Department of Medicine
• Department of Microbiology
• Department of Obstetrics and Gynaecology
• Department of Ophthalmology
• Department of Orthopaedics and Traumatology
• Department of Paediatrics and Adolescent Medicine
• Department of Pathology
• Department of Psychiatry
• Department of Surgery
• Critical Care Medicine Unit
• Medical Ethics and Humanities Unit

Each of these units carries its own history, expertise, and distinct identity—some tracing their roots back decades, others newly established to meet emerging needs. This rich diversity is the cornerstone of our strength, positioning the School as a global leader in medical education, clinical innovation, and impactful research.

Visit the School's website at sclinmed.hku.hk.

The School of Nursing of The University of Hong Kong was established in 1995 and has rapidly gained a reputation for excellence in teaching, research and clinical practice. Our School has a strong mission to educate nursing leaders for the community, and it is our goal to provide a diversified and holistic nursing education that will prepare our graduates to become leaders of the nursing profession. One of the strengths of the School is its innovative, interdisciplinary and internationalised nursing curricula responding to the health needs of the population locally and globally. We also have close links with a range of health care settings in Hong Kong which facilitate the provision of cutting-edge learning environments for our students.

The School has developed a strong network with nursing schools in renowned universities internationally which enables student and academic exchanges as well as research collaboration. Currently, the School offers Bachelor of Nursing, Master of Nursing, taught Doctor of Nursing as well as research-based Master of Philosophy and Doctor of Philosophy degrees. These programmes contribute to the nursing profession by educating and preparing nursing practitioners, researchers, educators and leaders.

We have expertise in a variety of research methods including randomised controlled trials, surveys, meta-analysis, qualitative methods, mixed methods, instrument development and validation, and complex interventions. We also have international collaborative links as well as partnerships with the local community to generate, disseminate and apply knowledge.

• Ageing & chronic diseases
• Cancer & palliative care
• Gerontology & long-term care
• Primary care & behavioural health
• Community & mental health nursing
• Smoking cessation & tobacco control 

Visit the School's website at nursing.hku.hk.

The Department of Pharmacology and Pharmacy is involved in teaching the fundamental principles in pharmacology and relevant knowledge pertaining to drugs to medical, dental, nursing and pharmacy students. It is also committed to serve the community partly by research into drug actions of relevance to the local population, as well as by providing consultation when its expertise is sought. The Division of Pharmacy is dedicated to provide education to foster the future leaders in Pharmacy through teaching and research.

Our research areas include:

• Cardiovascular pharmacology
• Metabolic research
• Toxicology & drug metabolism
• Cellular signalling & herbal medicines
• Medication safety
• Medication use in children
• Chinese medicine
• Drug delivery

Our research is highly interdisciplinary with a dynamic researchProfile spanning from basic pharmacology and drugdevelopment, through drug delivery and formulation, clinicaltrials and big data research, use of medicines by patients, and safemedication practice. Our researchers work closely together onthe common goal of developing new medicines and formulations thatcan be evaluated in patients and that can improve health and the quality of life. 

Visit the Department's website at pharma.hku.hk.

The School of Public Health is committed to protecting and improving health for all people, through the synthesis of state-of-the-science research, the dissemination of knowledge in education and training, and the application of the public health sciences. Its mission is to excel in educating future leaders of public health and engaging in impactful original research to protect and promote population health.

The School has an internationally recognised track record of innovative and ground-breaking research in public health, and enjoys a leading regional reputation in postgraduate and professional education and training.

The School of Public Health offers the leading Master of Public Health programme in Asia, and has published extensively on:

• Adolescent health
• Antimicrobial resistance
• Behavioural medicine
• Biostatistics
• Environmental health
• Health services research
• Health economics
• Lifestyle & life course epidemiology
• Molecular & infectious diseases epidemiology & control
• Physical activity & health
• Psycho-oncology 
• Risk communication
• Tobacco control
• Virology, pathogenesis & diagnostics 

Visit the School's website at sph.hku.hk.