Program Overview

Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Laboratory Science

Programme Overview

The Bachelor of Science (Honours) in Medical Laboratory Science is a four-year full-time programme that aims to equip graduates to become medical laboratory scientists who practice competently and with integrity. The programme is the first full-time government-funded undergraduate programme in medical laboratory science in Hong Kong.

Programme Aims and Learning Outcomes

The programme aims to provide graduates with the knowledge, skills, reasoning abilities, and professional attitudes necessary to provide qualified healthcare services to the public. Graduates will be able to perform laboratory analysis of clinical samples, which aids in disease diagnosis, treatment, risk assessment, and the investigation of underlying disease mechanisms.

Programme Characteristics

The programme curriculum comprises university-based education and medical laboratory science-specific subjects, which are integrated with clinical training in medical laboratories in Hong Kong. The programme also provides students with opportunities to engage in overseas exchange activities and undertake clinical attachment at overseas hospital laboratories.

Recognition and Prospects

Graduates are eligible for registration (Part II) with the Medical Laboratory Technologists (MLT) Board of Hong Kong. They are also eligible for Licentiate Membership of the Institute of Biomedical Science (IBMS, UK) and to sit the Certificate Examination of the American Society for Clinical Pathology International (MT, ASCPi). A wide range of career opportunities are open to graduates, including careers in medical laboratories, the medical biotechnology sector, and environmental science, agriculture, and food testing industries.

Curriculum

The programme is a four-year full-time programme leading to a registrable qualification required to perform diagnostic tests in clinical laboratories in Hong Kong. The curriculum includes:

• Year One: General University Requirement subjects, foundation medical science subjects, and medical laboratory science subjects
• Year Two: Medical science subjects and medical laboratory science subjects
• Year Three: Pathophysiology, medical laboratory science subjects, and introduction to clinical research
• Year Four: Human Genetics, Molecular Diagnosis of Human Disease, Legal and Ethical Issues in Healthcare, Bioinformatics for Molecular Diagnostics, and elective subjects

Entrance Requirements and Subject Weightings

Applicants must satisfy the University's General Entrance Requirements. There is no compulsory subject requirement, but preferred subjects with the highest weighting for admission score calculation include Chinese Language, English Language, Mathematics, Biology, and Chemistry.

Admission Score Calculation Mechanism

The admission score calculation mechanism is based on the best 5 subjects (plus an additional bonus score for the 6th subject with Level 3 or above).

Other Information

Normal colour vision is not one of the admission criteria, but applicants should note that normal colour vision may be required for employment in the medical laboratory profession.

Programme Details

Code

JS3478

Entry

Sept 2026 Entry

Study Mode

Full-time

Duration

4 years

Credit Required

126 (plus 10 clinical/field credits)

Programme Intake

60 (JUPAS and Non-JUPAS)

Fund Type

Government-Funded

Programme Leader

Prof. Polly Leung

Application Deadline

• Non-JUPAS Year 1:
• International / Other Qualification:
• 內地应届高考生: 2026年6月11日

Interview Arrangement

• Local JUPAS:
  • Aims: To evaluate the potential for and interest of applicants in the programme, and to test their language and communication skills and understanding of the profession
  • Date of Interview: After the announcement of HKDSE results
  • Duration: About 30 minutes
  • Medium: English and Cantonese
  • Mode: Face-to-Face (Group interview)
• Local Non-JUPAS Year 1:
  • Aims: To evaluate the potential for and interest of applicants in the programme, and to test their language and communication skills and understanding of the profession
  • Date of Interview: Between December and June
  • Duration: About 30 minutes
  • Medium: English
  • Mode: Face-to-Face / Online (Group interview)
• Non-Local International / Other Qualification:
  • Aims: To evaluate the potential for and interest of applicants in the programme, and to test their language and communication skills and understanding of the profession
  • Date of Interview: Between December and June
  • Duration: About 30 minutes
  • Medium: English
  • Mode: Face-to-Face / Online (Group interview)
• Non-Local 內地应届高考生:
  • Additional documents required: 自荐信, 成绩表, 证书
  • Interview arrangement: To be announced

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