Subjects to Study
Studying Traditional Chinese Medicine in China: Programs, Requirements and Costs
How international students study traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and acupuncture in China: the TCM universities, programs in Chinese and English, HSK and fees.
2 min read · Updated 30 Oct 2026 · Verified
Traditional Chinese medicine (TCM, 中医) is taught at specialist universities across China, in Chinese and, in some programs, in English. This guide uses Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's 2026 brochures as a worked example.
The TCM universities in our database
- Beijing University of Chinese Medicine: acupuncture, Chinese pharmacy and integrative medicine
- Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine
- Chengdu University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Tianjin University of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Nanjing University of Chinese Medicine
All six are on China's Double First-Class list, and Beijing's is also a 211 university.
Chinese-taught bachelor's: an example
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine's 2026 brochure for Chinese-taught bachelor's programs includes:
| Program | Length | Degree |
|---|---|---|
| Chinese Medicine (中医学) | 5 years | Bachelor of Medicine |
| Acupuncture and Tuina (针灸推拿学) | 5 years | Bachelor of Medicine |
| Chinese Pharmacy (中药学) | 4 years | Bachelor of Science |
| Chinese Language, TCM track (汉语言专业，中医药方向) | 4 years | Bachelor of Arts |
Requirements: a high-school diploma, usually age 18 or over, HSK 4 with at least 180 points taken within the last two years, and the CSCA. The medical programs take CSCA mathematics and professional Chinese (humanities); Chinese Pharmacy takes mathematics, chemistry and professional Chinese (science).
Fees per year: tuition 28,000 CNY (20,000 CNY for the Chinese Language program), insurance 800 CNY, and a one-off application fee of 450 CNY. Applications for September 2026 ran from 1 December 2025 to 30 June 2026.
English-taught bachelor's: an example
The same university runs Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) in English:
- Five years, three trimesters a year; graduates receive a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine
- High-school diploma and the CSCA in mathematics, taken in English
- English: previous study in English, or TOEFL above 90 or IELTS above 6
- Tuition 42,000 CNY a year, insurance 800 CNY a year, application fee 450 CNY
Before you apply
- Check the licence at home. A Chinese TCM degree does not automatically let you practise in your country. Ask your health ministry or medical council what they require.
- Read the health conditions. Shanghai's brochure says applicants with color blindness and some vision, hearing or other conditions should not apply. Read your university's list.
- TCM is not MBBS. If you want to become a doctor of Western medicine, see our MBBS guide instead.
- Chinese helps even in English. Chinese is a compulsory course for every degree student, and you will live in Chinese every day. Start early; see Learn Chinese first, then start your degree.
Frequently asked questions
Can I study traditional Chinese medicine in English?
Some universities offer it. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine runs a five-year, English-taught bachelor's in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Acupuncture) that awards a Bachelor of Chinese Medicine. Tuition in its 2026 brochure is 42,000 CNY a year.
What HSK level do I need for a Chinese-taught TCM degree?
Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine asks for HSK 4 with at least 180 points, taken within the last two years, plus the CSCA. Other universities set their own levels.
How long is a TCM degree in China?
Five years for Chinese medicine and for acupuncture and tuina at Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine; four years for Chinese pharmacy.