Abstract: The integrated "5+3" medical education system has raised a new challenge to institutions with tentative eight-year medical education regime. Based on an educational reformation at Tongji Medical College, Huazhong University of Science and Technology, this paper argues for the construction of a competence-oriented 8-year educational system, so as to train up medical specialists with potentials to be physician scientists.In the system, a PBL (problem-based learning) approach is applied to develop students’ competences in self-directed learning, communication skills, information management and critical thinking. Meanwhile, students are immersed in a variety of training sessions to inspire creativity and skills required by scientific research and inquiry. In addition, abundant opportunities of clinical practice are offered to cultivate students’ clinical competence. The educational project is accomplished and assessed with a three-stage comprehensive evaluation allocated in the eight years of education.