Medical Herbalism, one of the primary complementary approaches to medicine in the U.K., encompasses the use of plant extracts for treatment and prevention of disease within a complete holistic framework of healing. One of the basic principles of herbal medicine is that all constituents in the whole plant extract work collectively to achieve therapeutic efficacy. Treatment with herbs aims to facilitate healing by influencing or stimulating the body’s own innate healing capacities in a manner that is safe and effective. Since they often work to support or influence balance in a particular body system, herbs can be considered to act as homeostatic agents.

The practice of herbal medicine is an ancient tradition. Herbal medicines have been used since earliest times to treat illnesses and restore good health, and today, herbalism still remains the most widely practised form of medicine worldwide. This programme of study prepares students to practice as Medical Herbalists and conforms to the standards and codes laid down by the National Institute of Medical Herbalists first established in 1864. Herbalism is both an art and a science. The modern medical herbalist is a highly-qualified practitioner, with knowledge not only of traditional remedies and practices, but also the latest discoveries of scientific research.

This is a programme of guided home-based study and on-campus learning. Clinical training however forms a large component of the programme and students develop and integrate their skills through clinical supervision in the UEL Centre for Complementary Medicine, the school’s clinical training facility. With the exception of the clinical practice modules (approximately 25% of the programme) 85% of students study time will be used for independent home study. This leaves 15% of mandatory contact time used for lectures and seminars. For the clinical component you will be expected to complete 100 hours of clinical training at each of levels 1 and 2 and 300 hours at level 3. The programme can be studied in either full- or part-time mode and it is possible to transfer between the two. Some students for instance elect to move to part time mode at level 3 to spread the clinical training hours across two years.

Statutory regulation of the Herbal Medicine Profession is ongoing. Students will be encouraged to be proactive in following the consultations and debates relating to professional regulation and other relevant issues such as the Reform of Section 12(1) of the 1968 Medicines Act. In their final year students will be supported by the Royal Docks Business School at UEL who will provide prospective practitioners with the knowledge and help to set up and run a successful Herbal Practice.

The Herbal Medicine programme at UEL has been developed from the prestigious programme previously offered by The College of Phytotherapy. It is one of several programmes now being offered by UEL under the umbrella of Complementary Medicine. Whilst retaining the culture and identity of the individual professions one of the key recommendations for the future of CAM (Complementary and Alternative Medicine) is the promotion of interdisciplinary working. Our clinical training facility, ‘The UEL Centre for Complementary Medicine’, offers consultations in herbal medicine, Acupuncture and Swedish massage to the local community at highly subsidised fees. In recognition of the future need for integrated healthcare, we will be developing specialist clinics for the treatment of specific conditions which will encompass a range of therapeutic approaches giving students the satisfaction and experience of working with students from other complementary medicine programmes and with our colleagues from the NHS.

Herbal medicine is a key area of research in the School of Health and Bioscience offering students exciting research possibilities at all levels. Individual research interests at undergraduate level can be pursued through final year research projects. PhD opportunities are also available.

This is a three year full time degree delivered by guided home-based study and on-campus learning. Students can however study at a slower pace if desired particularly since there is a large component of clinical training that requires attendance at UEL.

• Level 1 is designedto introduce students to the concepts, history and philosophies of herbal medicine and identify its role in contemporary healthcare. Students learn basic anatomy and physiology, an essential requisite of any branch of medicine. Botany and phytomedicines provides an introduction to the plant sciences which along with biochemistry and phytochemistry provide a basis for the study of material medica, pharmacology and work in clinic. The introduction to herbal medicine provides background knowledge of the historical and current practice of herbal medicine and introduces the student to research via the evidence base associated with herbal medicine, providing an understanding of the different types of research and how to critically evaluate the evidence. This is combined with a useful study skills module to ensure students are prepared and equipped for academic study. Clinical practice at level 1 is mainly observation introducing the student to taking case histories, communication skills and the basic techniques/skills required for clinical diagnosis.
• Level 2 continues the development of essential skills for clinical practice and the medical sciences. Herbal Materia Medica provides the basis for clinical practice 2, 3 and 4 and herbal therapeutics. Pharmacology provides an understanding of the commonly prescribed orthodox drugs and their actions/interactions essential for safe practice and also covers the phytopharmacology of the main groups of active plant constituents. In clinical practice 2 students will be reinforcing their academic knowledge in the application of their clinical skills for example, applying the differential diagnosis of symptoms and signs to physical examination. Integration of the different aspects of knowledge gained during level 2 will be gradually applied in clinical training at level 3.
• Level 3 consolidates the competencies already achieved to produce a competent, safe practitioner. By clinical practice 4 students are expected to be able to take responsibility for a full herbal medicine consultation and treatment plan. At this level clinical practice modules are supplemented by Herbal Therapeutics which covers the complexities of herbal prescriptions and treatment plans together with a Nutrition module which provides prospective practitioners with important information relating to the use of nutritional supplements and nutraceuticals, nutritional assessment and the links between diet and health/disease. You will explore contemporary issues in terms of medical ethics and mandatory legal considerations applied to the practice of herbal medicine and have the opportunity to utilise the help offered by UEL’s Royal Docks Business School to set up a practice. In the final year students will have the opportunity to pursue a chosen subject through an individual research project.

Students are assessed in practical and theory. In most units 30-50% of the module mark is derived from coursework during the semester (this can take a variety of forms including essays, data analysis, oral presentations and laboratory work etc.) and 50-70% from unseen written theory examination at the end of the semester.

• Level 1 (Year1) 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 optimise your performance.
• Clinical practice is assessed through continuous assessment, viva voce, case history portfolios, practical examinations including the Final Clinical Examination at level 3.

• Clinical training is only available for students following the BSc Herbal Medicine programme.
• Your clinical practice hours can be booked on a flexible basis
• A minimum of 500 hours clinical hours must be completed in order to complete this programme. The majority of these hours must be completed in the UEL Centre for Complementary Medicine. This is to ensure continuity of both training and assessment. You may however, take up to 200 hours at other Herbal Medicine Training facilities approved by UEL/NIMH to enable you to receive a varied clinical training and make objective comparisons of practitioners different approaches to treatment. A list of approved clinics, with contact details, will be supplied to all students

Project work is an essential component of an Honours degree programme and one that most students enjoy. Small projects and group work exercises are featured throughout the programme, culminating in an independent research project at level 3

• National Institute of Medical Herbalists accredited programme
• Sound clinical as well as academic training
• Extensive personal and general support throughout the programme
• Effective careers advice/setting up a business and guidance available

• Developing your knowledge and understanding of Herbal Medicine and complementary medicine.
• Learning to be a Medical Herbalist and gaining entry to a professional body and community of professional Medical Herbalists.
• Understanding how your skills as a Herbalist can be enhanced by study at degree level that covers a diverse range of subjects: anatomy, physiology, biochemistry, botany, pharmacognosy, nutrition and pharmacology.
• Learning clinical skills and their application to the practice of Herbal Medicine.
• Understanding how phytotherapy differentiates from common pharmaceutical remedies and the concept of holistic healthcare.
• Improving your scientific skills of logical argument and analysis.
• Working with patients, and as a Medical Herbalist helping them to improve their health.

• Reading about and already have an interest in Herbal Medicine and complementary medicine generally.
• Helping people with their problems and listening to them.
• TV programmes on medicine/complementary medicine.
• Reading or hearing about research and/ or medicine (do you already enjoy TV documentaries like Horizon or Discovery Health, radio discussion and science programmes, New Scientist articles and health page articles like HealthMail?)
• Expanding your knowledge on herbal remedies and how they work.
• The challenge of increasing not just your knowledge of facts but your understanding of how scientific evidence can be used effectively to improve herbal practice.
• Researching and experimenting with new healthcare products.
• Working in the lab carrying out scientific procedures and experiments with precision.
• Working in groups trying out and exchanging ideas and problem solving through discussion and debate.
• Being able to study quietly and individually on your own away from formal staff-led sessions.

• To develop your understanding of health and disease
• The chance to learn clinically relevant skills
• The chance to learn at your own pace
• The opportunity of still taking a degree in Herbal Medicine without having to live near an accredited University
• To be able to carry out your own final year individual research project.

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.

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

• The new UEL Complementary Medicine clinic located in the Universities prestigious Clinical Education Centre.
• Central London only 20 minutes away by underground, and extensive transport links with all parts of London.
• 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.
• You have 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.
• Stratford is at the centre of an area undergoing exciting development for the forthcoming Olympics.