Programme summary for BSc (Hons) Herbal Medicine
Programme accredited by
the National Institute of Medical Herbalists
Herbal Medicine is the use of plant remedies in the prevention and treatment of disease. It is one of the oldest forms of medicine known and from a world perspective is still the most common form of medicine practised today.
Professional herbal medicine as practised by skilled and well-trained practitioners requires knowledge not only of traditional remedies and practices but also study of the plant and medical sciences such as anatomy and physiology, pathology, clinical medicine, botany, materia medica and pharmacology which forms a fundamental part of this programme. Students are introduced to the concepts, history and philosophies of herbal medicine and to the current scientific evidence base supporting the safety and effectiveness of herbal medicine treatment.
This programme descended from the original pioneers of herbal education, the College of Phytotherapy whose founder the late Hein Zeylstra had a profound influence on the modern practice of herbal medicine in the U.K.Our programme is fully accredited by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists to whom graduates may apply for membership.
The programme is delivered in a blended mode with a combination of home learning with on-line support and campus delivery for the clinical training at the Stratford Centre for Herbal Medicine. This makes it an ideal choice for people with busy lives and other commitments who require the flexibility to study at times to suit their lifestyles. See what one of our Herbal Medicine graduates thought of her study in the School of Health, Sport and Bioscience.
Placement opportunities in Ghana are currently being negotiated.
About the programme
Herbal Medicine can be described as a rational approach that is based upon a combination of understanding the scientific evidence base for herbal medicine. From a global perspective herbal medicine is still the most common form of medicine practised today. The programme prepares you for employment in the field and includes sufficient clinical practice for eligibility as a Member of the Institute of Medical Herbalists.
CRB Check
This programme involves working closely with children and/or vulnerable adults. Applicants are therefore subject to a satisfactory Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) Enhanced Disclosure check. If you have any queries regarding this procedure, please contact Lucy Watson on +44 (0) 20 8223 6271 or l.watson@uel.ac.uk.
Programme structure
The programme prepares you for a career in herbal medicine as a professional, independent medical herbalist. Upon successful completion you will possess the requisite knowledge, skills and confidence to either set up your own, or join existing, clinics. You can also pursue careers in teaching, research, the manufacturing and quality control of herbal products or work in related fields such as food and pharmaceuticals where the knowledge of herbal medicine is applicable.
Career opportunities
The ultimate aim of the Single Honours degree scheme is to prepare students for a career in herbal medicine as professional independent Medical Herbalists. Upon successful completion of the scheme graduates will possess the requisite knowledge, skills and confidence to either set up their own, or join existing clinics.
Students from either the single or combined programmes will be able to pursue careers in teaching, research, the manufacturing and quality control of herbal products or work in related fields such as food and pharmaceuticals where the knowledge of herbal medicine is applicable.
Support
The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with the University support systems.
- In your first year, you are allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will be able to contact your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general.
- Module leaders and the Programme Leader also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
- As your first point of contact the Herbal Medicine programme has a dedicated administrator who will personally deal with any administrative enquiries and will direct any other enquiries to the relevant staff members.
- The school of Health and Bioscience has a Helpdesk where you can also obtain advice on how to get the right help.
- Clinical training sessions provide a forum for discussion not only with peers but students from other complementary medicine programmes. The clinic has a reception desk which will deal with all bookings for clinical hours and a clinical supervisor who will deal with any enquiries related to your clinical studies.
- Your student handbook provides contact details for all staff involved in student support.
- Lecture and study guides, mark summaries, on-line enrolment and registration and much more are now available via UEL Direct/Plus online links.
- All students are provided with access to e-mail and a range of on-line support activities including computer training and literature searching.
- Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled activities arranged to support your studies like special induction days to ensure for example that you are familiar with the library services or use of UELPlus or more specialised aspects such as presentations from the NIMH, our professional accrediting body.
Support for students on a University level includes:
- Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
- Careers advice and information – Counselling and Advice for practical problems
- Student services
- Language tuition
- Dyslexia support
- Accommodation advice
Admission
- 240 UCAS tariff points or equivalent
including A2 level in human biology, biology or chemistry. Students should also have a minimum of grade C at GCSE, or equivalent, in English Language, Mathematics and at least 1 science subject. We also accept Access to Science, Advanced GNVQ in Science at merit grade, BTEC National Diploma in Science with a minimum of 6 units at merit grade or higher and specialised access courses such as ‘Discovering Herbal Medicine’.
Applicants with overseas or alternative qualifications are considered on an individual basis.
Students may be admitted through Accreditation of Experiential learning (AEL) or Accreditation of Certificated Learning (ACL) processes.
In the case of applicants whose first language is not English, then IELTS 7.0 (or equivalent) is required. International qualifications will be checked for appropriate matriculation to UK Higher Education undergraduate programmes.
Before enrolment all applicants will be required to undergo a CRB check.
l applicants must have access to a computer with internet access (preferably broadband) and MS Office or Office compatible software.
