help with choosing TCM/acupuncture course, please!

[Hungry]

Hi there

I've, at long last, decided to pursue training in Chinese Medicine and/or Acupuncture. I however admit to not knowing where to start. I am not for the moment going to worry about where the college is, but instead focus on finding out about what TCM training is being offered around the country - and whether these types will suit me.

Can folk please offer any suggestions regarding how I should approach this? What sorts of questions should I be asking?

Thanks!

Ava

 

[Toy C]

Hi Ava,

I trained at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine CICM in Reading and thought the course and teaching were excellent. They teach a combined 5 Element and TCM acupuncture course and then you can follow that on with Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Best wishes, Lingzhi

 

[justm399]

You might like to check out the Acupuncture Therapists Directory for info and useful links: http://www.acupuncture-suppliers.com

 

[coolkid8989]

Hi Ava.

www.bodyharmonics.co.uk

Maria Mercati is the leading authority on chinese medicine in the west. She actually wrote the sylabus (itec)that all courses in the uk are training from.
People travel from all over the world to learn with her. The atmosphere is family oriented and very personal, and the standards are the highest in the country.
I have spent 3 years training with her and will continue in the future.

INDO

 

[Godgardann]

Hi Ava,

I too trained at the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine College and believe it is one of, (if not the) most highly regarded colleges within the UK. All the courses lead to either a BSc hons or MSc, but don't let that put you off. This has simply been done to keep up with current regulations and all the training preserves both a practical and human aspect at the heart. In addition to your recognised qualification, you automatically become a member of British Acupuncture Council (an absolute neccessarity in my opinion with statutory regulation on the way). Check out www.cicm.org.uk for more info.

All the best.....it's a fantastic career!

Charlotte BS.

 

[politically_incorrect]

Hi Ava,
I am currently studying at Westminster universoty and I am really happy about it. I suggest you go for open days and get a feel from each different colleges...you will notice that they all have their weakness and strengths. Apart from the tuition, for me being in central London and having a high number of clinic hours from the very first year was important and these are some of the reasons i choose Westminster among others, but im sure that the standards of tuition are pretty high in most colleges. On a financial side I could also apply for student support, which you cannot do in private schools unless you take out a Career Development Loan which i was not ready to do.

Hope that helps!

 

[morrisonchick60]

Hi,
Don't know if you have decided on a course yet, but I am doing my BS.c (hons) at Lincoln University - and highly recommend their course. You do a lot on Western medicine as well as TCM, in order to compare conditions and recognise red flags. You also do business stuff in the final year.

16 weeks to go.................and yes it has been a lot of hard work, but well worth it! i love being in clinic, and have learnt so much in the last 6 months alone!!!

Good luck - hope you choose something.

 

[ejndwlld]

I highly recommend the Tui Na course at LCTA in London if you are interested in doing bodywork. It's the UKs most in depth course, and very good indeed.

 

[Rew]

LCTA also run TCM courses in acupuncture and Chinese herbal medicine. Westminster University offer a BSc course in Acupuncture. There's also another course in Camden The School of Five Elements as per this link
http://trustedplaces.com/review/uk/london/health+and+medical/1r02773/school-of-five-element-acupuncture

Hope this helps.

Binah
x

 

[Christian Soldier of God]

Hi Ava,

Do it! Learning about Chinese medicine is wonderful You really must go for an accredited course which will give you membership to the British Acupuncture Council though as soon (hopefully) acupuncture will be state regulated.

Here is a link to The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board's website which lists all the accredited institutions.

http://www.acupuncture.org.uk/content/baab/baab.html

I studied at LCTA and thoroughly enjoyed the course, but I'm sure the other courses are equally wonderful. I found it useful to visit several colleges before making a decision about where to study.

Best of luck!

P.S. As an aside, I nearly ended up going to a College in Bristol which lied about their accredidation status, went bankrupt, and took thousands and thousands of pounds from the students. So please do make sure the course is fully accredited!

 

[prem]

regulation starts next year!!

INDO

 

[Wyett]

Indo - Do you have any more info on the regulation? Any websites? Thanks.

 

[Izzie]

Its all 'chinese' whispers at the moment

 

[bmetguktimciqeefd]

Here is a link to the press release from the Health Professions Council
http://www.hpc-uk.org/mediaandevents/pressreleases/index.asp?id=293

 

[Pompal 09.]

2011 looks like a good date so far.

Time to polish those edges!

INDO

 

[ohqfowwa]

Hi everyone


Next year I will be studying for the BS.c (hons) Acupuncture degree at the University Lincoln. I have a couple of questions that I would like to ask if someone can possibly answer them for me.


I have bad dyslexia and other difficulties associated with learning and I know that any problems that I encounter I would go to Student Services.


From what I have read the acupuncture programme is very good at this university. I would like to ask if the lecturers are supportive and helpful on this course? Are they patient and approachable? Do they mind if students need help with something they may have not understood and may need to be explained again?


Many thanks to whoever may answer my questions.

 

[OneTiredMama]

Hi Claire,

You will certainly have all the support you can ask for.

I have just completed my degree there - and enjoyed every second of my 3 years - and I am missing everyone badly!!

The tutors are great, and the university is very helpful to people with any kind of problem - so ask them for all the help you can.

Any further advice you need about the course, feel free to PM me