The University started teaching and research in Chinese medicine (CM) as well as the provision of CM clinical services in 1997. In October 1999, the School of Chinese Medicine was formally established. It is a full-fledged school that comprises the Teaching Division, the Research and Development Division, the Clinical Division and the Division of Continuing and Professional Education.

A core division of the School, the Teaching Division (CMTD) offers two full-time undergraduate programmes, namely Bachelor of Chinese Medicine and Bachelor of Science (Hons) in Biomedical Science, and Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in Chinese Medicine. It also nurtures PhD and MPhil students in disciplines related to CM and pharmacy in CM, and manages the teaching laboratories of the School.

The first of its kind in Hong Kong, the double-degree programme is a six-year programme which aims to nurture CM practitioners with the ability to utilize modern technology in conjunction with CM on a scientific basis for prevention, diagnosis and treatment of diseases. The new generation of CM graduates would have adequate knowledge to pursue higher degrees in science and medical disciplines. Graduates of this programme may find their careers in medical practice, research or academics related to CM.

Launched in 2001, the Bachelor of Pharmacy (Hons) in CM programme is the only one of its kind funded by the University Grants Committee in Hong Kong. The programme aims to nurture graduates with knowledge and skills in the identification, formulation, pharmacology and new product development of Chinese medicines, and well-versed in the regulations of pharmaceutical management in Hong Kong and international trade of Chinese medicines.

The Division of Continuing and Professional Education (DCPE) offers a variety of part-time programmes, including the Master of Chinese Medicine programme, Master of Pharmaceutical Sciences in Chinese Medicine programme and a number of professional programmes at degree, professional diploma, diploma and certificate levels. A wide range of registration examination preparatory programmes are also offered to meet the needs arising from the registration requirements for CM practitioners in Hong Kong.

On the research front, the School is engaged in cutting-edge research, with focuses on areas including cancer and inflammation, bone and joint diseases, Chinese medicines authentication, CM pattern diagnosis and drug discovery, as well as high quality clinical research in CM. For basic research, the School aims at understanding the complexity of diseases and conducting evidence-based research to construct the molecular network participating in pathophysiology and establish prototypes based on "Holism of CM features" for the continuous development of CM as a modern science. In view of the aging population worldwide, the School strategically focuses its research strengths on diseases of the elderly, inflammation and autoimmune diseases, for which CM treatments are popularly accepted as effective although the treatment processes are yet to be properly documented. As for clinical research, it focuses on evidence-based research, which stresses the design, measurement and evaluation of clinical cases with CM medication and methodologies.

The Clinical Division (CLNC) oversees the clinical operations and clinical research of the School. In addition to providing out-patient services for the general public through the operation of the CM clinics (in Kowloon Tong, Tsim Sha Tsui, Lai Chi Kok, Tai Po, Sheung Wan, Wong Chuk Hang and Causeway Bay), it also serves as bases for clinical training and research. While the School conducts some of its clinical practices at its clinics, it has been sending its CM students to the Guangzhou University of Chinese Medicine in mainland China for clinical internship since there is as yet no CM hospital in Hong Kong. The School also collaborates with the Pok Oi Hospital, Yan Chai Hospital, TWGHs Wong Tai Sin Hospital, Hong Kong Anti-Cancer Society and the Hong Kong Federation of Trade Unions to provide internship training for students and clinical services for the general public.

In addition to teaching and basic research, the School also recognizes the importance of mid- and down-stream research and development of CM products. Technology transfer enables CM products to be widely used and accepted. Joining forces with industry is a crucial step towards the goals of modernization, commercialisation and internationalization of CM. The Research and Development Division (RDD) is charged with the responsibility to achieve the above objectives. The Division is engaged in a wide range of R&D projects in the form of joint ventures with major local and overseas pharmaceutical companies, and provides professional testing, certification and consultancy services to the CM industry. In addition to rendering support to the Teaching and Clinical Divisions, RDD serves also as a technology platform to foster modernization of the CM industry and advancement of CM as a modern science. The ISO/IEC 17025 laboratory under RDD provides safety testing for the industry and supports research. Chinese medicinal authentication is closely connected to the inheritance and innovation of traditional CM as well as the safety and efficacy of Chinese medicines. The School will continue with its world level work in applying medicinal authentication techniques to identify the genuineness and to evaluate the quality of herbal medicines. Through scientific research, systematic standardization and stringent quality assurance, CM will be modernized and accepted by the world as an effective alternative to western medicine in the treatment of diseases and health care.

The School is housed in a nine-storied Hong Kong Jockey Club School of Chinese Medicine Building. Equipped with a board range of state-of-the-art equipment and instruments, the Building enables the School to (1) provide quality CM teaching and training in a modern and scientific setting, (2) conduct sophisticated and advanced research, and (3) render professional consultancy services to industry and foster modernization of CM. Major equipment includes Liquid Chromatograph/Tandem Mass Spectrometers, an Inductively Coupled Plasma/Mass Spectrometer, two Liquid Chromatograph/Quadrupole Time-of-Flight Mass Spectrometers, a Liquid Chromatograph/Ion-trap Mass Spectrometer, a MALDI TOF/TOF Mass Spectrometer, a HPLC-Chip, a DeltaVision Personal Imaging System, a IVIS Lumina XR Small Animal Imaging System and a Laser Microdissection System. They are housed in various laboratories of the School including the Quality Research Laboratory, the Natural Products Chemistry and Analysis Laboratory, the Proteomic Laboratory for System Biology Research, and the ISO/IEC 17025 accredited laboratory for heavy metal and pesticide residues testing.