The world of traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) is vast, and the opportunities for study are seemingly endless. If you're looking to break into the TCM field, where should you focus your studies? We've compiled a list of 7 great options for studying traditional Chinese medicine.


1. Tsinghua University School of Traditional Chinese Medicine


Located in the heart of China's capital city, Beijing, Tsinghua University is one of the most prestigious universities in the country. Established in 1907, today it is one of China's largest and most respected universities. While it originally focused on Western studies, over the years it has developed an impressive TCM department.


The school's curriculum consists of 12 years of primary education and then a further 12 years of study. This provides you with ample opportunity to obtain a wide range of knowledge and skills. The university actively promotes postgraduate study, and it provides many research and study opportunities. With its historical connections to Chinese medicine, the university's library holds a large collection of TCM related books and journals. Not only that, but there are also several TCM hospitals affiliated with the university. This means you can apply for practical training courses upon graduation.


2. China Academy of Chinese Medicine And Pharmaceutical Sciences


Located in Beijing, the capital city of China, the China Academy of Chinese Medicine And Pharmaceutical Sciences was founded in 1906 and is one of the most well-known institutions of its kind in China. While it was originally a pharmaceutical college, it now offers a 4 year bachelor's degree in TCM as well as a 3 year professional doctorate degree in TCM. The faculty and staff are highly qualified, with around 70% holding the Master of TCM (Chef-D___y__ng).


One of the unique things about this university is that it was established by the Chinese government to provide medicine to the Chinese population. This is in line with the government's recent push for science and medicine within the country. As such, teaching and learning at the academy is highly relevant and can often be applied to real world situations. Students publish their work frequently, and the staff also organize seminars and classes regularly to keep abreast of the latest developments within the field. If you have a keen interest in the Chinese medical tradition and feel that you can benefit from some formal education, this could be the option for you.


3. The Beijing Chinese Medicine University


The Beijing Chinese Medicine University (formerly Beijing Hospital of Chinese Medicine) was established in 1983 and is one of the newer universities on this list. However, it has established itself as one of China's most reputable universities, with a reputable faculty and a wide range of courses and specializations. The school currently offers a 5 year bachelor's degree in TCM, along with the occasional postgraduate degree and PhD. The university also has a very active student run association that promotes social and academic events for its students. If you're looking for a university that offers a wide range of courses and specializations, and one that is actively involved in the community, this could be the option for you.


4. Dalian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine


Dalian University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Tartaric) was established in 1998 and is one of the newer universities on this list. It currently has over 50,000 students, including around 20,000 full-time undergraduates. The university offers 5 years of study, and it was the first university to offer a traditional Chinese medicine degree in China. The teaching staff are highly qualified, with around 70% holding the Master of TCM (Chef-D___y__ng) qualification.


One of the unique things about this university is that it offers a wide variety of degrees, including ones in nutrition and environmental health, Tibetan Buddhism, and TCM. This means that you can study what you are interested in, and the university also offers a range of optional subjects. This means you can gain a well-rounded education even if you don't have a clear focus in mind when you begin your studies. If you want to study in a reputable university, and you feel that traditional Chinese medicine is of interest to you, this could be the option for you.


5. Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine


Shanghai University of Traditional Chinese Medicine (SUNYTM) was established in 1951 and now has 15 faculties and schools. One of the largest universities in China, it is also one of the most prestigious. Like many other universities on this list, it offers a 5 year bachelor's degree in TCM. However, unlike some of the other options, this university also offers five-year postgraduate courses in a variety of other subjects, along with a Doctor of Medicine (M.D.) degree. There are around 50,000 students at the university, including approximately 15,000 full-time undergraduates. Many of the faculty and staff are also research active, and the university has a number of research institutes and centers. If you're looking for a highly reputable and broad-based university, with a large student population, this could be the option for you.


6. Hong Kong University of Science and Technology


The Hong Kong University of Science and Technology (HKUST) was established in 1999 and is one of the newer universities on this list. It was the first university in Hong Kong to ever grant a degree in science and technology, and it currently has over 15,000 students, including over 5,000 postgraduates and researchers. The university offers a 4 year bachelor's degree in biochemistry, molecular biology, and genetics, along with an M.Tech. in bioinformatics. The Faculty of Medicine and dentistry has close collaboration with local hospitals and organizations, including the Chinese University of Hong Kong and the Hong Kong Institute of Medical Sciences. This means you will gain valuable practical experience while still under the supervision of experienced academic staff.


7. Shaanxi Normal University


Shaanxi Normal University (SNU) was established in 1955 and is one of the largest universities in north-west China. It currently has over 40,000 students, including around 10,000 full-time undergraduates. One of the unique things about this university is that it is one of the few remaining higher education institutions that was founded before 1960. This means you can study at one of China's most prestigious universities even if you live in a remote area. Like many other universities on this list, it offers a 5 year bachelor's degree, along with a range of postgraduate degrees. There are also several research institutes at Shaanxi Normal University, which means you can also become involved in cutting edge research even if you don't have a clear focus upon graduation. If you're looking for a large, well-established university, with a broad range of courses and specializations, and you live in a remote area, this could be the option for you.


The world of traditional Chinese medicine is vast, and the opportunities for study are seemingly endless. While we've listed 7 great universities, we could write an entire article just on the topic of TCM Uni Witten, and that's probably what you'll want to read (and get stuck into) as soon as you graduate. The field is growing rapidly in China, and if you have a keen interest in this traditional medical practice, there are plenty of accredited institutions where you can study and gain valuable practical experience.