Acupuncture is part of the wider system of TCM that includes herbs, massage, therapeutic massage and movement systems such as Tai Chi and Qi Gong.  The popularity of Acupuncture has grown steadily in the UK and legislation for the profession is expected in the near future.  This programme prepares students to practise as an Acupuncturist and conforms to the standards and codes set by The British Acupuncture Council.  Students will focus on the main theories of both traditional Chinese medicine (TCM) and western systems of anatomy, physiology and pathology and will take part in the debates that track the development and application of Acupuncture in the west and its integration into mainstream healthcare.  This includes debates surrounding the evidence base for Acupuncture, the nature of the relationship between practitioner and patient and the concept of ‘Qi’, central to the practice and understanding of Acupuncture.

Clinical training forms a considerable part of the programme and students develop their skills through clinical supervision in the UEL Centre for Chinese Medicine, the school’s clinical training facility, offering subsidised treatment to members of the local community.

Students are also taught remedial massage and Tuina (Chinese massage), Qi Gong and we offer an introduction to Chinese Language and Cultural Studies. A successful Acupuncturist understands the importance of developing strong interpersonal skills and awareness in order to respond to the often challenging situation that can arise in practice. This programme will assist the student in developing these skills and will further provide the knowledge required to set up, market and run a successful business. Individual interests can be pursued through a final year research project and there is also an opportunity to undertake a fully credited placement in Nanjing, China between years 1 and 2 of the degree.

This is a three year full-time degree programme but can be studied part time if desired, taking a minimum of 4 modules per year.

Level one is designed to introduce you to the concepts, philosophies and history that form the basis of Chinese medicine and to consider the practice of Acupuncture in the West. There is plenty of opportunity to debate and think through the issues regarding the integration of complementary medicine into mainstream healthcare and you are provided with a strong foundation in the study of human physiology, pathology and anatomy, crucial in learning to locate acupuncture points. We also ensure you are prepared and equipped for academic study with a useful study skills module. Your clinical training begins with observation, paying particular attention to acupuncture point location and diagnostic methods in traditional Chinese medicine (TCM).

Level two continues the process of your development of skills as a practitioner with further clinical training where you will learn needling and the other key techniques, such as moxibustion and plum blossom needling, Tuina and remedial massage. These skills are underpinned by the study of the physiological systems of the body and applied pathology that enables you to grasp ‘what goes wrong’. Your understanding of TCM deepens and you complete the learning of Acupuncture points.

Level three completes the transformation from student to professional practitioner. Students are expected to be able to take responsibility for the full acupuncture consultation and treatment. Further understanding of TCM pathology, techniques such as Ear acupuncture and application of acupuncture for addictions are taught. You will explore the complexities of the therapeutic relationship and develop strategies for dealing with the challenges that arise in practice as an Acupuncturist. An individual research project will enable students to pursue a chosen topic and the module ‘Health in East London’, enables you to understand some of the health problems in our community and provides a chance to investigate where and how Acupuncture could make a difference. A module in Entrepreneurial skills will provide you with the business acumen to set up your own Acupuncture Clinic.

The main method of educational delivery is through lectures, seminars and workshops, case study workshops and supervised clinical training within the UEL Centre for Chinese Medicine.

Placement: Nanjing University for Traditional Medicine, PR China

Students are assessed in practical and theory. In most modules 50% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including practical workshops, clinical checklists, essays, oral presentations etc.) and 50%,(35% in modules with continuous clinical assessment) from unseen written theory examination at the end of the semester.

• Level 1 (Year 1) modules introduce you to the standards and types of assessment used at UEL.
• Your final Honours grade uses marks from Level 2 and Level 3 modules only. Your Level 1 modules prepare you to do your best in these later years.
• Clinical skills are assessed through clinical checklist assessments, case history portfolios, journals, clinical exams including the Final Clinical Exam at Level 3.

Clinical Placement Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine. Up to 80 hours (Clinical Practice 2 BS3080, 2-4 weeks during August/September of Year 2.

• Project work is an essential component of an Honours degree programme and one that most students enjoy.
• Small projects and group work exercises feature throughout the programme including: Group Presentation: Causative disease process, (western) compared with Chinese view (level 1) and Healthy Lifestyle Promotion in Traditional Chinese Medicine, Production of Business Plan (level 3) and Specialist interest research project..

• On completion students will be eligible for membership of the British Acupuncture Council
• Learn basic Swedish and Tuina Massage skills
• Effective careers advice/setting up a business and support available.
• Extensive personal and structured peer support throughout the programme.

• Developing your knowledge and understanding of traditional Chinese medicine.
• Learning to become an Acupuncturist and gaining entry to the professional body and community of professional Acupuncturists.
• Understanding how working as an Acupuncturist is enhanced by study and reflection at many levels: anatomy, physiology, Chinese physiology and pathology, Chinese diagnostic techniques that include tongue and pulse techniques.
• Improving your scientific skills of logical argument and analysis.
• Challenging aspects of conventional scientific and material ideals whilst questioning the assumptions made within Chinese medicine.
• Beginning the process of ongoing reflection and self development necessary to become an effective practitioner that extends beyond this programme.
• Working with others and helping them as an Acupuncturist, to improve their health.

• If you enjoy reading about and already have an interest in Chinese Medicine and debates regarding complementary medicine.
• If you enjoy helping people with their problems and listening to people
• TV programmes on medical/therapeutic practice.
• Reading or hearing about research and/ or medicine (do you already enjoy TV documentaries like Horizon or Equinox, radio discussion programmes, New Scientist articles?).
• Exploring how an all round approach that includes exercise and diet can improve health and prevent illness.
• The challenge of increasing not just your knowledge of facts, but also your understanding of how different cultures understand health and illness, sometimes in ways that are at odds with our ideas
• Learning new hands-on practical skills such as massage and locating acupuncture points.
• Working in groups trying out and exchanging ideas, solving problems and dilemmas through discussion and debate.
• Being able to study quietly and individually away from formal staff-led sessions.

• To develop and extend your horizons in the understanding of health and illness
• The chance of learning clinically relevant skills
• The chance to experience working in a busy hospital of Traditional Chinese Medicine in China
• The chance of learning at your own pace.
• To be able to carry out your own final year individual research project.

The ultimate aim of the degree scheme is to prepare students for a career in Acupuncture. Upon successful completion of the scheme graduates should possess the requisite knowledge, skills and confidence either to set up their own or join existing clinics.

The programme will enable you to pursue further training in complementary medicine, teaching or research in this developing field.

The School of Health and Bioscience provides immediate contact with University support systems.

• In your first year, you are allocated a Personal Tutor (a member of staff familiar with your degree). You will see your Tutor at regular intervals to discuss progress and life in general.
• There is a system of ‘peer’ support for new students from students at level 2 and 3. A series of meetings and social functions are held throughout the year.
• A system of student supervision in clinic is in place.
• Programme leaders and module leaders also give support on academic matters, and advice about other specialist help available through the University.
• The School also has a Help Desk to provide administrative assistance and advise how to get the right help.
• Lecture and practical files, quizzes, mark summaries and much more is now available for several modules via UEL UELPlus online links.

Throughout the programme you will find a number of scheduled support activities devoted to specific aspects e.g. how to write your project report, or more general aspects such as further post graduate opportunities and information on becoming a member of the British Acupuncture council and Continuing Professional Development.

Support for students on a University level includes:

• Libraries and Learning Resource Centres
• Childcare for students with children aged 21/2 years to 5 years.
• Careers advice and information · Counselling and Advice for practical problems
• Health Centre with a nurse regularly on duty.
• Language tuition
• Dyslexia support
• Accommodation

• Opportunities to experience the different aspects of running an Acupuncture clinic.
• You have also the right to be members of the University of East London Students' Union and on request to access such facilities, services, and functions as the Union makes available.
• Accredited clinical placement in Nanjing, China.
• Highly skilled team of professional practitioners and specialist staff.
• Multiplex cinema, theatre, supermarkets, high street shops, restaurants, cafes and pubs a few minutes walk away in Stratford - a major site of new development in East London.
• Central London only 20 minutes away by underground, and extensive transport links with all parts of London