Admissions policy

Postgraduate CHM course

The Chinese herbal medicine course is open to those with a high level of training in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) and with experience of practising in a healthcare or complementary medicine related field, for example:

• Acupuncturists registered with the British Acupuncture Council (BAaC); and
• Shiatsu practitioners who have graduated from a course accredited by the UK Shiatsu Society.

Although it is not an essential requirement for entry on to the WCA course it is desirable that you have your own operational clinic. This is because our clinical practice module encourages you to treat patients drawn from your own practice under the supervision of an experienced WCA tutor. However, if this is not possible alternative arrangements will be made for you.

Students from the the EEA (European Economic Area) or EU that have graduated in acupuncture, physiotherapists, tui-na and medical doctors with an advanced level of TCM knowledge may be eligible for the course and will be assessed on a case by case basis. We will require documented details of your previous training and you may be required to sit a case-based examination or attend an online refresher TCM module.

Applicants with CHM knowledge

If you have previously completed part of your training, we will assess what level of study you have attained and see how this corresponds with our Chinese herbal medicine course. This is called Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL). Typically, we will ask you to provide transcripts and syllabus of your previous study programme and we may ask you to complete an assessment or sit an exam. For more information please consult our RPL policy.

Applicants with no TCM knowledge

If you have no previous TCM experience but wish to study CHM you may be eligible to attend the WCA 4 - 5 year undergraduate ‘Acorn to Oak’ programme which will give you a full training in CHM, biomedical anatomy, physiology and pathology, and practitioner development.

• TCM training is available as an online foundation module.
• Anatomy, physiology and pathology are available as an online training provided by one of our partners.

Ideally you should have a minimum of 2 Grade ‘C’’s at A level (one of which is biology) or equivalent qualifications. However exemptions to this requirement are possible if it was not possible for you to sit A-levels or equivalent qualifications . Students with prior training in anatomy, physiology and bio-medical pathology who wish to apply to the ‘Acorn to Oak’ course may be exempted from these modules in the course in order to focus on acquiring a strong foundation in TCM theory.

You are expected to demonstrate motivation, maturity and the personal attributes necessary for clinical training as well as analytical capability. Please note that in future, students completing their courses may have to undergo a
Criminal Records Bureau assessment to satisfy the requirements of the professional body for registration. This will incur an additional fee which you will have to pay.

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Last updated

1 September 2024

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