Chinese Herbal Medicine

Spinal Acupuncture

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Chinese Herbal Medicine 2 Year Degree Level Diploma Course with Pulse, Face, Tongue and Eye TCM Diagnosis

Online Course with Clinical Experience Option in the 2nd Year

Please text 0773 4668402 to arrange a Callback

All  Herbal, Diagnosis & Theory classes on Zoom on one Saturday afternoon per month, (these are recorded for those unable to attend).

One Sunday per month 2nd Year Clinical Experience

Course Venue:

BCOM Clinic

Room F1
6, Netherhall Gardens
London NW3 5RR
(Near Finchley Road Station)
View Map

Cost £2500 per year

(Prospective Students who are interested in joining this course can attend Open Days on the following weekends free of charge by prior arrangement, to see how you like the course.  Email Paul to book your Open Day attendance: acusoc@yahoo.co.uk).

Next 2 Year Weekend Course and Admission Dates

January 2024 Winter Break

24/25 February 2024
23/24 March 2024
20/21 April 2024
25/26 May 2024
22/23 June 2024
13/14 July 2024

Aug 2024 Summer Break

21/22 Sept 2024
19/20 Oct 2024
16/17 Nov 2024
14/15 Dec 2024

January 2025 Winter Break

15/16 February 2025
22/23 March 2025
26/27 April 2025
24/25 May 2025
21/22 June 2025
12/13 July 2025

Aug 2025 Summer Break

20/21 Sept 2025
18/19 Oct 2025
22/23 Nov 2025
13/14 Dec 2025

Zoom Theory Dates at 2pm
on the following Saturday afternoons:

Winter 2024 Break
17 February 2-6pm
16 March 2-6pm
13 April 2-6pm
18 May 2-6pm
15 June 2-6pm
6 July 2-6pm

Summer 2024 Break
14 September 2-6pm
12 October 2-6pm
9 November 2-6pm
7 December 2-6pm

Winter 2025 Break
8 February 2-6pm
15 March 2-6pm
19 April 2-6pm
17 May 2-6pm
14 June 2-6pm
5 July 2-6pm

Summer 2025 Break
13 September 2-6pm
11 October 2-6pm
15 November 2-6pm
6 December 2-6pm

Interviews by appointment only: 
Contact Paul Robin acusoc@yahoo.co.uk txt or call 07734 668402

Outline

We teach students how to create and modify safely their own herbal formulations according to Chinese Traditional Pulse, Face, Tongue and Eye diagnosis.

We are one of the few courses in the UK still teaching individual herb knowledge based on Traditional Chinese diagnostic techniques.

As we do not use or advocate patent herbal remedies and prefer to teach individual herb knowledge and how to prescribe and formulate your own formulas tailor-made to your client’s specific requirements.

These formulas are modified on regular consultation with qualified practitioners and as such fall outside of the EU Directive on the regulation of patent herbal remedies, further we believe this is the most effective and safest way to use herbal medicines

We welcome new students with a background in Anatomy and Physiology and also those who have previously studied patient formulas, western Herbalism or TCM theory who wish to upgrade their skills to be able to formulate in the Ancient safer and more effective way of the Traditional Chinese style Herbalist.

Successful graduates will be awarded a Degree Level Diploma in Traditional Chinese Medicine and will be entitled to use the initials Dip HTCM after their names and will be accepted as a member of the Acupuncture Society.

(annual membership £100 and student and professional indemnity cover can also be arranged)

Members of the Acupuncture Society, and are entitled to use the initials MAcS HTCM after their names.

This two-year degree-level course with an optional 3rd-year clinical attachment and Tuina Training is a practical professional training course to enable students to achieve high standards of competence, safety and confidence as practitioners of Traditional Chinese Medicine.

Students will be applying TCM diagnosis and practising on each other under supervision in a clinical environment from their very first lesson as well as being taught the theoretical understanding of what they are learning because TCM is a practical subject and is best learnt in a practical way.

There are 10 Saturday modules (10 contact days) in the first year and the same in the second year. Students can begin the course on any module and provided that all 10 modules are successfully completed they can then proceed to the second year which has a similar continual arrangement.

All theory is on Zoom on one Saturday afternoon per month, this is recorded, so can be viewed later on if you miss it

There’s an option to attend an additional day each month to gain valuable extra clinical experience this additional course day costs £1000 per year an is payable by monthly Direct Debit payable over the year

The ‘Ethos of the College’ is to ‘fit treatments to patients’ rather than ‘patients to treatments’ thus depending on Traditional TCM diagnostic skills to make patient assessments rather than follow theories which may pre-anticipate a patient’s condition. Accurate assessment is the key to successful and effective treatment, this is confirmed through Pulse, Face, Tongue, Eye and other Traditional Chinese methods of examination with targeted questioning about the patient’s condition and medical history.

This object of this course is to achieve standards set out by the Acupuncture Society Accreditation process and is a professional training diploma course in Chinese TCM Theory herbal medicine and diagnosis, the emphasis is on achieving set standards of practical and clinical training. Students will be treating each other during the modules and through clinical experience combined with TCM theory to learn practical clinical skills in there correct setting.

The course will cover Chinese anatomy, meridians and points, pathology, pulse reading and analysis, tongue, face, Chinese Sclerology and skin diagnosis, knowledge of around 200 herbal medicines and their appropriate use in clinical practice. Students will be tested on the contents of each module.

This course is taught in the same practical way that a practitioner would treat their patients, this is the way masters taught students in china through the centuries.

We hear the patient describe their symptoms and explain any western medical diagnosis they may have been given, then we use traditional Chinese diagnostic methods to identify signs and formulate acupuncture and herbal formulas appropriate to the condition, either herbs, acupuncture or both.

The whole process is discussed in depth during the session.

Treatment formulations take into account what the patient has told the practitioner and what the practitioner has discovered through TCM diagnosis. By being taught how to incorporate all this information together the student can see the big picture from the onset.

There are 20 Lessons grouped together into 10 modules in each of the first and second years. The lectures are on weekends, each lesson lasts 6 hours, from 10 am till 5 pm Saturday and Sunday with a one hour break for lunch.

2 year Degree Level Chinese Herbal & Traditional Diagnosis Diploma Course

Cost: £2500 per Year (total £5000 over 2 years)

Total Contact hours: 180 (9 hours x 20 Contact Weekends)

Total Home study 728 (7 hours per week over 2 years)

Total Contact and Home Study Hours 908 (over 2 years)

Course Transcript Click Here

Qualification:

Degree Level Chinese Herbal & Traditional Diagnosis Diploma

Content                                                                       Return to Top ↑

Detailed study of 200 Chinese Herbal medicines

Pulse diagnosis explained based on Paul’s 25 years experience with practical pulse taking sessions and explanations of how to translate pulse data into diagnoses and effective Herbal formulations.

Each module will cover Herbs which are similar or used together in combination, you will study thier differences to understand the feature properties and synergies of each medicine and how this will assist in each particular treatment area.

The Pulses Face Tongues and Eye diagnostics studied in each module will be relevant to the herbs chosen so as to focus attention on a particular syndrome.

Tongue Face and Eye diagnosis is used to cross correlate with pulse information and confirm or reject a diagnostic assumption it is very reliable and and easy to learn. Paul teaches these diagnostic methods in a practical way and explains in clear traditional Chinese and modern medical terms.

This course will cultivate a clear passage from the diagnostic signs seen the pulse tongue face and eye to the ability to formulate your own herbal prescriptions.

Formulations vary from 1 or 2 up to 20 or more herbs

We treat multiple symptoms and conditions often simultaneously so each herb within a formula will tackle with different problem that a patient is suffering.

The course is run over 10 weekend modules per year at

Lief House

3 Sumpter Close

Finchley Road

NW3 5HR

and online in regular zooms

Roll on Roll off Entrance Policy

2 year course students need to complete 20 modules over 2 years.

1st year is foundation level and 2nd year will cover advanced course study’s and a higher understanding of formulations and diagnosis will be attained under supervision by the module leader

Modules

There are 10 weekend modules (20 contact days) in the first year and the same in the second year. Students can begin the course on any module and provided that all 10 (2 day) modules are successfully completed they can then proceed to the second year which has a similar continual arrangement.

Where a module is missed student can make up the missing days at the teaching clinic at an extra cost of £100 per day

Module Content and Dates:                                Return to Top ↑

The 10 second year modules are held on Sundays scheduled weekend

Short written and oral testing on the main content of previous module, monthly home assignments researching the modern Western and traditional Chinese aspects of each topic with class discussions

Pulse diagnosis, theory, interpretation and practice, cross correlating between Chinese pulse tongue eye theory and diagnostic terminology with common western conditions, and meridian theory

Detailed practical pulse face tongue eye theory analysis
common conditions and herbal formulations

Practical herbs and herbal formulations for common conditions.

Understanding herbal formulations also practical medicinal use and contra indication and the progression from diagnosis to treatment formulation

End of year Examinations

Modules

2023 Dates

February 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Blood Stasis Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
TCM Diagnosis and Discussion

Orthopaedic Acupuncture Drawing

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Liver Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

March 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous month’s topics
Hemostatic Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion

Tongue Face & Chinese Sclerology Diagnosis
Occupational Standards & Professional Ethics

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Conception and Governing Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

April 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Spleen Tonic Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Pulse Diagnosis
Classical Formulas Analysis

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Lung and Large Intestine Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

May 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Kidney Yin/Yang Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Auricular Acupuncture
Consultation and Case History

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Stomach Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

June 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Cardiovascular Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Making Balms for Skin Conditions
Basic Needle Insertion Techniques
Scalp Acupuncture

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Spleen and Heart Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

July 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Gastroenteric Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Tongue Face & Chinese Sclerology Diagnosis
Cosmetic Acupuncture with facial gua sha and cupping theory

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Small intestine Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

Sept 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Genito-urinary Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Herbal Formulation Skills
Sacred Turtle Acupuncture theory1st year: Meridian Theory & Clinical

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Bladder Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

October  2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

John Ttikarou Medical Lecture on Red and Yellow Flags
Virus Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Formulas and Strategies Herbal Topics 2
Spinal Acupuncture, Needle Manipulation, Qi Gong

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development 1st Year

Topics: *Kidney and Pericardium Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

November 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Gynecological Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Auricular Acupuncture
Code of Ethics and Safe Practice

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Triple Warmer Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

December 2024

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Dermatological Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Pulse Diagnosis
Deadman Head and Face Drawings

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Gall Bladder Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

February 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Anti-inflammatory Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Korean Hand Acupuncture & Magnetic Therapy
Making Patient Consultation Notes

Class Clinical Sessions:

1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st year Topics: * Liver Meridian Conditions, Points, Herbs and Syndrome

March 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Oedema Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Tongue Face & Chinese Sclerology Diagnosis
Dr John Ttikarou
CCM Medical Lecture Oedema (1st & 2nd Year)

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Conception and Governing Meridians Conditions Points Herbs and Syndromes

April 2025 

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Liver Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Pulse Diagnosis
Dr John Ttikarou
CCM Medical Lecture Liver (1st & 2nd Year)

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Lung & large Intestine Meridians Herbs and Syndromes 

May 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Making Balms for Musculoskeletal conditions & Bi Syndromes
Auricular Acupuncture
Dr John Ttikarou
CCM Medical Lecture Musculoskeletal conditions (1st & 2nd Year)
Face Mandible Microsystem

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Stomach Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

June 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Anti-rheumatic Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Traditional TCM Theory
Scalp Acupuncture Theory

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Spleen and Heart Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

July 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Astringent herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Pulse Diagnosis
Turtle Acupuncture

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Small Intestine Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

Sept 2025 

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Clearing Heat Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Herb Formulation Skills
Dr John Ttikarou
CCM Medical Lecture Cardiovascular and Blood disease (1st & 2nd Year)

Cosmetic acupuncture theory

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Bladder Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

October 2025 

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Replenishing Essence herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Formulas and Strategies Herbal Topics 1
Spinal Acupuncture Theory

Dr John Ttikarou
CCM Medical Lecture
Orthopaedic Joint & Articulation Functional Assessment

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Kidney and Pericardium Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

November 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Dampness Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Tongue Face & Chinese Sclerology Diagnosis
Auricular Acupuncture Point Drawing

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Triple Warmer Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

December 2025

Zoom Theory Lessons
One Saturday afternoon per month 2pm to 6pm

Discussion of previous months topics
Blood Tonics Herbal Topic Diagnosis and Discussion
Pulse Diagnosis
Korean Hand Acupuncture

Class Clinical Sessions:
1st year: Clinical applications of this month topics and meridians 
2nd year:  Clinical experience and practitioner development

1st Year Topics: *Gall Bladder Meridian Herbs and Syndromes

HOMEWORK FOR ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL STUDENTS  

is based around focusing on the study of the previous months lesson content and includes creating cut/paste research articals on the monthly topic from a Medical vs TCM perspective and learning monthly meridians, microsystems and theories through homestudy and online quizzes, these help you focus on whats important to remember,  also there are analysis test tables for acupuncture with diagnosis and herbal medicine with diagnosis which help you learn multiple actions of herbs and points,  to connect them together with diagnostic signs from pulse face tongue and eye examinations

Chinese herbal medicine 2 year degree level course objectives

Gain core knowledge of 200 common used herbs to include TCM action, medicinal use, contra indication, practical uses and formulation for both the theoretical and clinical environments

To understand TCM theory, Chinese and western anatomy, physiology and diagnostic assesments of pulse, tongue, face, eye, smell, touch, observation, listening, interrogation, constitutional types, organ emotional orifice body structure relationships through five element correspondence, eight principles,

Students to be able to convert and assimulate TCM diagnostic signs with medical and patient information and be able to formulate practical useful and effective herbal treatment combinations.

To gain aptitude in composing and administering such formulations. Showing the ability to read pulse, face, tongue and eye and cross correlate information to find bases for effective treaments

To demonstrate awareness of health and safety issues, safe practice, keeping good records, legal and ethical issues and professionalism

Admission Requirements                                    Return to Top ↑

Prospective students should be Qualified in anatomy and physiology level 3 or above,  (if not please go to the following link to enrol on our recommended anatomy and physiology and pathology level 3 online course,  this must be completed prior to taking your final exams

https://www.ccmlondon.com/acupuncture_courses/anatomy

_and_physiology/

PLEASE READ OUR TREATMENT SAFETY CHECK LIST BELOW BEFORE ATTENDING CCM COURSES:

The list below is a student safety guide used prior undertaking a CCM course. We aim to protect the health and safety of students in training and also those they practice on during and after the course.

If you suffer from any of the conditions listed below or other conditions which have not been included that you feel are relevant, please inform us prior to class treatments so that we can assess you suitability for such treatment.

Where there is any doubt please consult your GP.

– A recent operation
– An untreated medical condition
– Severe Bone or joint disorders (Rheumatoid/Osteo arthritis, osteoporosis)
– Cardiovascular disorders (high blood pressure, heart / circulatory desease, thrombosis)
– Diabetes
– Endocrine disorders
– Epilepsy
– Drug addiction or recent use of cocktails of recreational and prescribed drugs and or exessive alcohol consumption
– Medication
– Pregnancy (or post natal)
– Severe skin disorders
– Severe mental illness
– Spinal injuries
– Prone to fainting
– If you suffer from infectious deseases like hepatitis b or HIV

You must also have eaten about 2 hours prior to treatment (please inform tutor if you haven’t

– If there anything else we should know about your health, please let the tutor know.
– The same proceeding is required prior to treating your clients or during assignments

Fee                                                                                Return to Top ↑

2 year Chinese Herbal & Traditional Diagnosis Diploma Course

Cost: £2500 per Year (total £5000 over 2 years)

Total Contact hours: 180 (9 hours x 20 Contact Weekends)

Total Home study 728 (7 hours per week over 2 years)

Total Contact and Home Study Hours 908 (over 2 years)

Qualification:

Degree Level Chinese Herbal Medicine & Traditional Diagnosis Diploma

The cost of the optional 3rd year is £1500 this gives you access to any weekends

contact acusoc@yahoo.co.uk or

Call Paul Robin to join this course 0773 4668402

After successfully completing your course there is a £30 certification charge

https://www.ccmlondon.com/ccm_certification.php

Membership to the Acupuncture Society is available to course attendees
(upon paying the annual membership fee of £100)

http://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/application-form.php

(Please note that course fees are non-refundable)

Fees are directly payable by chq’s made out to your course tutor account

CCM cannot accept payment on behalf of each individual tutor

Tutor                                                                            Return to Top ↑

Paul Robin FAcS MPCHMMCAA

Head of the College of Chinese Medicine TCM faculty Chairman of the Acupuncture Society

Paul Robin has been teaching and practicing Traditional Chinese medicine for over 20 years. He was trained in the Fook Sang style by Dr Ac Bernard Kai Lam Lee (who was a TCM specialist brought over from China by the British Acupuncture Association) and qualified in 1987. Paul was Dr Lees full time apprentice and assistant for 9 years during which time he conducted research and lectured at the Fook Sang courses held at Imperial College and was President of the Fook Sang Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Practitioners Association.

In 1994 Paul founded the College of Chinese Medicine and some years later founded the Acupuncture Society in order to establish Chinese style Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine in the UK.

Paul specializes in Spinal, Traditional and Chinese Medical Style Deep Needling Acupuncture, Traditional Chinese Diagnosis and complex Chinese Herbal formulations.

He represents the Acupuncture Society in the Acupuncture Stakeholders Group which is working with leading members of the profession toward the future regulation of Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine and preparing for the professions inclusion into the NHS.

Paul lectures at the College of Chinese Medicine and is also a specialist TCM consultant at the Clinic of the College of Chinese Medicine in Harley Street.

———————————————————————————————————–

Annie Jenkins MPCHM MAcS IHHT ASK DIP

Annie Jenkins is qualified in Acupuncture and Chinese Herbs and other complementary therapies and has over 20 years experience.

It was while practising massage and reflexology that Annie became interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and the benefits they gave. She then trained for 7 years at the International College of Oriental Medicine, College of Chinese Medicine, London, and is a member of the Acupuncture Society. Annie keeps up to date by attending many seminars throughout the year.

Annie uses traditional Chinese acupuncture incorporating Five Elements, Yin Yang philosophy. The diagnostic process consists of pulse, face, and tongue plus a full case history.

Annie’s experience in different branches of complementary therapies gives her an insight into helping patients to improve their quality of life.

Annie is a Teacher of Acupuncture at the College of Chinese Medicine weekend course in London as well as a teacher of Kinesiology Foundation Courses in London, Sussex and Kent.

—————————————————————————————————————–

Frequently Asked Questions

Question

Please can you explain the difference between the four main courses you teach at The College of Chinese Medicine ?

Answer

Combined Acupuncture Herbal & TCM Diagnosis Course:

The main course lasts two years and you are taught Acupuncture, TCM Diagnosis and Chinese Herbal Medicine. This course is taught on weekends, 10 weekends in the first year and another 10 in the second year, one weekend a month.
With this course there is an additional option to attend a student teaching clinic once a week, on Wednesdays  and Thursdays.
On successful completion of the course you are awarded your degree level diploma qualification and can then apply for membership of the Acupuncture Society https://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk , get insurance and legally work as a practitioner.
This two year course costs £2500 per year, so it is £5000 for the whole course.  There is an additional small charge for attending the Wednesdays or Thursdays in the student teaching clinic (this can be added to the weekend course to make it full time).  There is also a 3 year option which covers advanced techniques and Tuina.
This course can either be done on regular Wednesdays in Kentish Town (weekday course with Paul Brecher) or the weekend course with Paul Robin in Central London.  There is also a course on one Monday and Tuesday per month in Edinburgh.

Acupuncture and TCM diagnosis Course:

This is exactly the same as Course One except you do not study Chinese Herbal Medicine.

Clinical Wednesday course:

This is called the apprenticeship course, it is exactly the same content as Course One but it is not taught on weekends, it is taught only on the Wednesday Teaching clinic in Lancaster Gate and is also a 2 year course.

Chinese Herbal and TCM Diagnosis Course:

This is exactly the same as Course Three except you do not study Acupuncture.

With all these four courses if the student has completed the training and passed all the exams they will be awarded with their qualification and can then apply for membership of the Acupuncture Society and commence work as a practitioner. However if they have done two years of training and their standard is still below what is required they will be asked to attend further training until they are at the required level of competence.

Question

Do I have to wait until September to start one of the four courses described above ?

Answer

No, you can join at any time of the year as lessons are modular.

Question

What is the process for joining the course ?

Answer

Please fill out the online application form on the course page and send an email to:

For the weekend course Paul Robin acusoc@yahoo.co.uk

Question

Once I have been qualified can I practice in the NHS ?

Answer

At present any qualified provider (which includes our graduates) can practice Acupuncture within the NHS, provided that the Doctors Running the practice agree and are prepared to recommend you. Most graduates of our courses practice in health centers, sports centers, in private clinics, in their own business premises or home clinics. Insurance is available for graduates of our College. Our graduates are entitled to join the Acupuncture Society which is a leading professional body.

Question

Once I have been qualified at your College I can practice acupuncture anywhere in the UK but can I practice anywhere in the world ?

Answer

Every country has its own criteria, for example in some countries you must be a Doctor first to be able to practice acupuncture. In some other countries you may have to take an additional exam to prove that you are at a suitable level of competence. Please contact the embassy of the country you are intending to practice in to find out what their requirements are. Generally Eu law allows those who can legally practice in one member state to be able to practice in an other, but to be sure you would need to check with the appropriate officials in that country.

Question

If I train at your college will I be able to practice once government regulation comes into effect ?

Answer

Back in 2011 it was decided by the government that there in not going to be regulation of the Acupuncture profession. A written Ministerial Statement (16th February 2011) from The Secretary of State for Health says that acupuncture in the UK is going to remain self regulating as it is now.

Question

What is the difference between your College and a University degree course ?

Answer

We are a practical training College, our courses are Degree level Diplomas accredited by the Acupuncture Society rather than a university.
On completion enable you to be able to practice acupuncture with a high level of professional expertise, competence and confidence. Many University degree courses are often philosophical, theoretical, academic, and generally not practical. Some have been under subscribed and have closed their courses due to lack of student numbers.  We also run Diploma and CPD courses.

 At University you spend the majority of your time writing essays and reading books, attending peripheral subjects and discussing complex philosophical theories with limited practical experience. At our College you spend the majority of your time learning useful acupuncture techniques and applying them right from the start. Our ethos is to install confidence and to teach practical theories which lead to effective clinical treatment.

University degree courses teach many acupuncture points, which in reality are not often used as they may be in over vulnerable anatomical locations or over embarrassing areas, some of these also may not work very well.
At our college we focus on points which are actually commonly used in clinical practice. These points are the ones which are safe, easy to access and most effective. Most Universities in China and UK have too many students in the class which is why they need to concentrate on Academic study.
Acupuncture is a practical clinical skill which has been traditional taught for many centuries and the skills have been handed down from master to pupil. This is the preferred method of our College and classes are kept small and practical to achieve this.

Chinese herbal medicine has been recently taught in Universities to promote the use of patent remedies which are now restricted by EU law. At our college we have always taught individual herb knowledge. Herbs which are non toxic, cheap, easy to obtain, legal, effective and in common use in clinical practice, moreover we focus to teach the students the ability to formulate their own formulas tailor made to the patients according to TCM and western diagnosis. These formulas are regularly modified to ensure that they are safe and not presenting unwanted side effects. Treatments made in this way are not subject to EU restrictions as they are made up by a qualified practitioner and not sold as a herbal product. Our college has always been teaching in this way and we disagree with the use of patent remedies.

As we use modern and direct methods of teaching and because both herbal medicines and acupuncture share the same TCM and western theory, we can train you to be a practitioner of both subjects in two years. We do however offer the option of an extra year for those who wish to develop their practical skills further in clinical environment.

On a University degree course you may not have much experience with actually doing acupuncture, at our college you will be doing acupuncture in nearly every lesson.
Many students who have done Uni course know a lot about interesting but non relevant subjects such as: the history of China, the Chinese language, Chinese philosophy and complex abstract theories from ancient manuscripts that are not actually used in practical acupuncture. Many of these do not translate well into English and only serve to mystify Chinese medicine and confuse students
At our College students are trained how to construct an acupuncture and herbal formula from diagnosing the patient through the Pulse, Face, Tongue, eye , also using western concept and symptoms, they are trained in how to acupuncture the client with the correct length needles inserted to the correct depth at the correct angle to achieve the desired healing result. We teach many advanced methods such as acupuncture of the spine and formulas that combine both re enforcing and reducing acupuncture simultaneously. These advanced practical skills are generally not taught at Uni , but are taught at our college as our college ethos encourages this.

Question

Do you do five elements acupuncture ? I have heard of some other colleges offering courses in five elements acupuncture are you a five elements college ?

Answer

There are many principles in acupuncture,  5 elements,  blood, jing and qi,  yin and yang,  8 diagnostic principles,  hollow and solid organs, 12 meridians and 8 extra meridians, syndromes etc. At our college we teach all the above and much more, they are all important components of acupuncture, it would not make sense to prioritise one over the others as they all are equally important parts of the whole. However we teach these theories from a practical point of view not as only as abstract philosophies.

Question

You say your course is practical not philosophical, what does this actually mean ?

Answer

Other colleges and universities will teach that a certain acupuncture point should be used because it is in a certain category:

It is a mother point

It is a son point

It is an element point wood/fire/earth/metal/water

It is on a meridian which relates to an element wood/fire/earth/metal/water

It is a spring/stream/river/sea point

It is a xi cleft point

It is a yuan source point

It is a luo connecting point

It is a ghost point

It is a window to heaven point

etc

At our college we teach that for a certain condition points should be chosen because of their actual medical effect:

This point clears inflammation

This point brings down temperature

This point strengthens the respiratory system

This point strengthens the digestive system

This point strengthens the immune system

This point relaxes the piriformis muscle to reduce sciatica

This point treats myasthenia (muscle weakness)

This point regulates the cardiac nerve

This point clears migraine

This point is for insomnia
All this is formulated with the patients constitution, and medical conditions in mind

Question

You say your course teaches Chinese acupuncture, what is the difference between Chinese and English acupuncture ?

Answer

Western acupuncture generally only uses a very few needles, maybe four or five pairs of point will be used in one treatment which are generally formulated on five element principles to balance qi or are musculoskeletal based. In Chinese acupuncture we use as many needles as is necessary to treat the patient who may often have multiple conditions.

*Please note that this degree level diploma course is accredited by the acupuncture society and not by a university

https://www.acupuncturesociety.org.uk/accredited_courses.php

Application FormApplication Form                                                Return to Top ↑

Please submit this form and the course tutor will respond to your email to inform you of whether you have been accepted. If you have any queries about this course or other course options please contact
Paul Robin acusoc@yahoo.co.ukcall 07734668402

Acupuncture SocietyAcupuncture Society membership                Return to Top ↑

Successful graduates from this course can apply for membership of the Acupuncture Society are entitled to use the abbreviations MAcS TCM after their names the society can also arrange professional indemnity insurance at a very competitive members preferential rate

all members must be insured and log 15 hours of CPD per year (8 hours courses/seminars/workshops and 7 hours home study/research)

Acupuncture Society Application Form

if they join the Society and adhere to its code of ethics rules and regulations and supply copies of their insurance.

Acupuncture Society members are exempted from Local Authority Licensing in many areas including Greater London please check with your local authority.

The annual membership to the Acupuncture Society is £100

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