Non-JUPAS IB Intake
The International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme (IB DP) is one of the routes in which international students and local non-JUPAS students can gain entry to the undergraduate Bachelor of Pharmacy (BPharm) programme in both the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the University of Hong Kong.
The requirements for IB students to enter the BPharm programme is relatively high for ensuring that the admitted students are fully equipped and prepared for a challenging pharmacy course provide by both schools.
IB Course Selection
In order to apply for the BPharm programme, for both schools, it is compulsory for the IB candidate to take Chemistry at Higher Level. There are no other specific courses required by both schools, however, it would be an advantage to the student if he or she have taken Biology at either Standard or Higher Level, so as to decrease the workload during university.
Studying Tips for Prospective IB Pharmacy Students
- Focus on HL Chem! It is very important for you to do well in HL Chemistry and secure that 6 if you really want to get into Pharmacy. At the end of the day, pharmacy is all about chemistry.
- Take Biology if you can! Biology is another key component of the pharmacy course, understanding high school biology will really put off some pressure off your shoulders when studying things like anatomy or health science.
- Master English. Communication skills are also important, being able to communicate fluently in different languages is important. English being the core of many pharmaceutical journals and the main communication language, you must master it.
- Do not just study! Schools do not just look at your academic results; they also look at your extracurricular activities(ECAs). So participate in more ECAs and this will also earn you CAS hours.
- Talk to pharmacists. Make sure pharmacy is the right profession for you. To know more about pharmacy, talk to different pharmacists or pharmacy students and they will give you an inside view of what it is like.
Application
Candidates can apply to BPharm through Fast Track or Normal Round online application forms on the CUHK or HKU website. Note that students applying through fast track could have the chance of gaining an early interview, and receiving a conditional offer earlier, given that the interview is successful. Also, it is compulsory for the student to be fluent in Cantonese before the application.
Interview
The time for interview varies depending on:
- Time of your application (fast track or normal round)
- Academic merit
- Academic achievements
- Final results
The candidates are also shortlisted for interview according to:
- Academic results
- Academic achievements
- Extracurricular activities
Interviews usually start from December on the year of the application to late August before the first semester starts.
Offer
If the offer is given before the final results released in May, the offer is most likely to be a conditional offer. A conditional offer means that the candidate have successfully passed the interview, hence he or she must fulfil a set of criteria given by the school in order to gain a spot in the coming semester. Some conditional offers do not contain subject requirement (only the overall point is accounted for), whether as some schools, the conditional offer contains requirements for both the overall points as well as specific subject specific.
The first batch of conditional offers is usually given from January on the year of admission.
The criteria for 2014-2015 conditional offers were set as follows:
- HKU – 40 points
- CUHK – 38 points; subject specific requirements: 7 in HL Chemistry
Offers that are given after the final results are usually firm offers. It means that the candidates have successfully passed the interview and have fulfilled the requirements for admission. This means that the candidate can accept the offer and get ready for the first semester.
Real Case Examples of a Successful Application by an IB Candidate in 2014:
Case 1
IB Subject Selection
– Chinese A: Language and Literature SL
– English B HL
– Chemistry HL
– Biology SL
– Mathematics SL
– Geography HL
Application Type
Fast Track
Interview Dates
HKU – December 30th
CUHK – July
Conditional Offer
HKU – 40 points
Final IB Result
Chemistry HL (6)
Total: 39 points
Firm Offer
CUHK Pharmacy
Case 2
IB Subject Selection
– English A: Language and Literature SL
– Chinese B HL
– Chemistry HL
– Biology HL
– Mathematics SL
– Economic HL
Application
Normal Round
Interview
CUHK – Before Exams
Final result
Chemistry HL (6)
Total: 40 points
Conditional and Firm Offer
CUHK Pharmacy
Case 3
IB Subject Selection
– English A: Language and Literature SL
– Chinese B HL
– Chemistry HL
– Physics SL
– Mathematics HL
– Business SL
Application Type
Normal Round
Interview Dates
CUHK – Before Exams
Final Result
Chemistry HL (6)
Total: 38 points
Conditional and Firm Offer
CUHK Pharmacy
Author: Annie Tsoi (gratitude for Eric Wan and Wally Lee of CU Pharm P18)