The School of Humanities at Beijing University of Chinese Medicine (BUCM) originated from the Department of Liberal Arts and Law established in July 2003 and adopted its current name in September 2007. The school comprises the Department of English, the Department of Law and the Department of Public Foreign Languages. It also houses the Research Center for CM English Communication, the Research Center for Health Law, the Legal Consultation Center for BUCM Faculty and Staff and the Legal Consultation and Service Center for University Students.
The school currently offers two undergraduate programs — English (with concentrations in Medicine and International Communication of CM) and Law (with a focus on Medicine and Health). It also provides a minor bachelor’s degree program in Law and a second bachelor’s degree program in English. Making full use of the university’s strengths in CM education and research, the school is committed to cultivating high-quality, interdisciplinary talents. The English and Law programs both have made an early start and developed rapidly, ranking among the top in similar institutions nationwide. Both programs have been selected as Beijing First-class Undergraduate Programs. In ShanghaiRanking’s Best Chinese Universities Ranking by Subject in 2022 and 2023, they were each ranked No 1 among medical institutions in their respective fields. Students’ pass rates in TEM-4 (Test for English Majors-Band 4), TEM-8, the National Unified Legal Professional Qualification Examination and postgraduate entrance examinations are all significantly above the national average, reflecting the school’s strong academic standing as part of a leading 211 Project university.
In 2010, BUCM’s CM Humanities was approved by the Beijing Municipal Education Commission and the Beijing Municipal Academic Degrees Committee as a key interdisciplinary discipline in Beijing, with the School of Humanities responsible for its two major research directions: research on TCM English and international communication and research on CM-related legal issues.
In 2010 and 2011, the school began enrolling postgraduate students in Health Law and CM Foreign Language Studies, respectively. In 2012, its CM English and Medical and Health Law were recognized by the National Administration of Traditional Chinese Medicine as key cultivation disciplines in TCM during the 12th Five-Year Plan period (2011-15). That same year, the university independently established master’s degree programs in the sub-disciplines of Medical and Health Law and CM Foreign Languages, and began accepting master’s students in 2014. In 2018, with approval from the Academic Degrees Committee of the State Council, the school was authorized to offer Master of Translation and Interpreting and Juris Master professional degree programs. In 2024, it began enrolling doctoral students in Medical and Health Law, marking another milestone in the advancement of the school’s academic and talent cultivation capacity.
The school boasts a distinguished faculty team that includes renowned professors who enjoy special government allowances, as well as a group of well-trained young and middle-aged scholars who graduated from top universities at home and abroad. They are known for their rigorous scholarly attitude and pragmatic approach.
In recent years, many have been honored with titles such as New Century Excellent Talent of the Ministry of Education, Outstanding Young Backbone Teacher in Beijing Higher Education Institutions, Beijing Outstanding Teacher, Beijing Advanced Worker in Moral Education, Beijing Pioneer of Teacher Ethics and BUCM Teaching Master. Eleven teachers have been selected for the Beijing Higher Education Young Talents Program. Its faculty members have achieved remarkable academic accomplishments in health law and CM foreign language studies, undertaking or participating in more than 100 research projects at the national, provincial, ministerial and university levels.
The School of Humanities attaches great importance to the all-round development of students in moral, intellectual, physical, aesthetic and labor education, emphasizing both theoretical learning and practical competence. Its students have excelled in research programs, cultural and arts festivals and various competitions, demonstrating their vitality and excellence.
To date, 18 cohorts of graduates have embarked on their careers or pursued further studies in China and abroad, earning high recognition from employers and institutions alike.
