Abstract: Objective To investigate the cognition of professional master candidates and their suggestions for improvement of curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness so as to provide reference for improving the curriculum. Methods A questionnaire survey was conducted among 185 professional master candidates of Grade 2021 in Xinjiang Medical University in May 2022, and the results were described and analyzed statistically. Results A total of 10(5.4%) of the professional master candidates had a good understanding of curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness, 131(70.8%) had a certain understanding,183(98.9%) thought it was necessary to carry out curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness, and 179(96.8%) thought that curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness had a great or certain impact on the personal values. 183(98.9%) thought that teachers often and moderately supplemented political and virtuous awareness theory concepts, 181(97.8%) thought that teachers often and moderately gave explicit guidance, and 171(92.4%) thought that teachers often and moderately gave implicit guidance. 123 (66.5%) suggested adding practical activities to the teaching style. 144(77.8%) of the professional master candidates suggested that the current social events should be more integrated into teaching content. Conclusions At present, the awareness rate and support rate of professional master candidates to carry out curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness are high. Teachers should pay attention to the flexible use of practical activities, in-depth exploration of the ideological and political points of the curriculum, and try more teaching methods. In the teaching process, we should integrate current affairs, traditional culture and cultural self-confidence.

Key words: Cognition, Medical colleges and universities, Curriculum-based political and virtuous awareness, Professional master candidates, Questionnaire survey