Chinese Herbal Medicine - Prospectus 2021-22 MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine
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Chinese Herbal Medicine Prospectus 2021-22 MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine
Moving forward
Covid 19 and the 2021 MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine
Herbs Clinic Supervisor Cheng Hao Zhou
“Since the Covid-19 lockdown we have swiftly moved our teaching clinic
online, which has enabled us to continue to treat our patients, and
ensure that our students continue with their clinical practice. Despite
clinical and technical challenges, we have established a well-run online
clinic. With the tools online learning provides we have found that our students experience
greater input of case discussion of comparisons of treatment strategies. The balance of
classroom material and practice reality is enhanced and we will continue to offer students
some online clinical practice in our course starting in 2021.”
Current herbs student Pavlinka Peters
“As a response to the global pandemic NCA was swift to react and move
the herbs course and student clinic online. Nothing was going to stop
our learning process! This also provided an alternative way of working
for us as a practitioner. Thank you NCA for all that you do!”
None of us know how this pandemic
is going to continue to affect us.
However, as our 2021 MSc/PGDip in
Chinese Herbal Medicine course will
run mostly online (and having the
option to run the herbs clinic online)
we have a clear plan of how we will
teach our students, and we know this
works.
2
Find out more
Online evening Q&A and
Chinese Herbal Medicine Presentation Events 7- 8:30pm
Join our staff, students and graduates online for an
Prospectus 2021-22 evening of discovery about what it’s like to study
herbs at the NCA! We use the video conference
platform Zoom.
MSc/PGDip in Chinese herbal medicine
Wednesday 10th February
Wednesday 5th May
Contents
Introduction 4 Book our introductory event
About the Northern College of Acupuncture 6
Accreditation and regulation 8
Students’ stories 9 Talk to us
About Chinese herbal medicine 10 We are always happy to talk to our prospective
Why study Chinese herbal medicine at the NCA? 12 students.
Call Denise or Pam on +44 (0) 1904 343309
MSc/PGDip in Chinese herbal medicine - overview 14 or email: enquiries@nca.ac.uk
Year one 17
Year two 20
Year three 22
Watch our 2019 students’ graduation video
Students’ stories 24
Fitting in the herbs course with your life and your practice 26
Support for our students 28
The teaching team and staff biographies 30
How the College is run 31
College facilities and useful information 32
Entry requirements 34
Fees, funding and student loans 36
Applying for the course 38
How to find us 40 Watch Video
3
Course introduction a practitioner and for some students will also prepare you
for future activity in specialist fields or in Chinese medicine
from Course Director Eileen Gibbon education or research.
The workload is significant, and the course makes demands
Hello, I welcome on you in terms of self-knowledge, relating to others and
your interest in our professional development. In equipping you to become a
MSc/PGDip Course practising herbalist, this course will stretch you and deepen
in Chinese Herbal your understanding of Chinese medicine theory which we
Medicine. know acupuncturists find exciting and enriching.
Whether you opt We recognise the challenges and dedication required of you
for the MSc or in obtaining the knowledge to become a confident, highly
PGDip pathway, this competent and qualified practitioner and will make every
course offers you effort to support and enable you in achieving this goal.
the opportunity to You will find that the College has a wide range of facilities
combine studying as well as friendly, well-qualified staff who are here to help
to become a you get the most out of your time with us. We want to make
practitioner of sure that your College experience is happy, fulfilling and
Chinese Herbal successful.
Medicine, qualified to take your place within the professional
community, along with studying at postgraduate level, taking Eileen Gibbon
your understanding of Chinese medicine to a deep level Course Director
along the way and affording the opportunity to develop your
research skills. The course comes with its own challenges
– not least significant study hours in order to meet the
professional body accreditation requirements and to
ensure the opportunity to embed your growing theoretical
knowledge within the setting of clinical practice. The depth
of the course ensures that you have the opportunity to
become confident to practice. You will be able to explore
and question the course material in order to develop your
understanding of the traditions of Chinese Herbal Medicine
and should you choose the MSc option, you will be able to
further develop a specialist area of interest at the Research
Project stage. This depth of learning will serve you well as
4
College introduction Osteopathy (UCO), who now validate all our courses. We are
pleased to be working closely with colleagues who understand
from Principal Richard Blackwell our subject areas and who share our focus on educating clinical
practitioners, and we anticipate much fruitful collaboration.
It goes without saying One of the changes we made while having our herbs course
that 2020 has been validated by UCO was to create an option for applicants to
an exceptional and choose to enrol for a two year postgraduate diploma (PGDip)
challenging year and, in Chinese herbal medicine, in addition to the option to enrol
as for so many people, for the three year MSc. The PGDip may appeal to you if you
the Covid-19 pandemic are not intending to apply for a postgraduate loan, and not
has led us to do more interested in undertaking a research project. On the other
online than ever before. hand, if you intend to apply for a loan and/or you value the
Here at the NCA we chance to engage in research into an area that particularly
already had years of interests you, you should choose the MSc. Whether you
experience of providing choose the PGDip or the MSc, you will still qualify after two
e-learning as part of all years to practise Chinese Herbal Medicine and join the Register
our courses, as well as running three MScs for practitioners of Chinese Herbal Medicine, with MSc students going on to
which are entirely online courses. This experience helped complete their research project in the third year.
us to successfully and swiftly transfer more of our teaching The clinical practice of Chinese herbal medicine is built on a
online, with live online classes replacing attendance in the highly sophisticated body of knowledge. To practise Chinese
classroom, and in addition we also worked out how to run our herbal medicine confidently and effectively you need to
herbs clinic online. We have learned from this experience that develop an in-depth understanding and the ability to think
our herbs students really like online classes. They value the flexibly and creatively about clinical challenges. In the process
saving of time and cost through not having to travel so much you will find that you develop overall as a practitioner, and
to York, and they find their learning from the online classes that all your patients benefit as a result. I am very proud of the
is at least as good as being present in the classroom, and high standards of teaching and learning on this course, and I
sometimes better. This has encouraged us to take the plunge encourage you to study the details of the course and read the
and offer our herbs course starting in 2021 with nearly all student and graduate comments in this prospectus to get a feel
the classes online, and the chance to attend some clinic days for this. I hope you will be inspired to join the herbs course here
online as well. We hope this will make it more practical for at the NCA.
acupuncturists to enhance their practice by studying Chinese
herbal medicine. Richard Blackwell
The other big development for the NCA in 2020 was the College Principal
formation of a new partnership with the University College of
5
The Northern College of Acupuncture York
York is an exciting city and a great place to study! It has a lot to offer including
plenty of accommodation, shopping, restaurants, coffee bars, cinemas and all the
amenities you would expect. Step out of our front door and you are right in the
heart of the historic centre.
The College
Established in 1988 (we celebrated our 30 years anniversary in 2018) the Northern College
of Acupuncture is an independent teaching College as well as a registered educational
charity. Since the early days the College has gone from strength to strength and we now
educate acupuncturists, practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine, nutrition practitioners and
complementary therapists. Our thriving and well respected teaching clinic offers acupuncture,
Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional advice to the local community.
Pioneering
We are proud to be pioneers in our industry! We were the first teaching institution of any kind
in the UK to offer a University degree in acupuncture, the first to offer a University degree in
Chinese herbal medicine, and the first to achieve professional accreditation for our acupuncture
courses, Chinese herbal medicine and nutritional therapy courses.
Read more about the College
Research focussed
The College has a strong focus on promoting research activity. As well as our MSc programmes,
in 1990 we also established our research wing the Foundation for Research into Traditional
Chinese Medicine (FRTCM), having foreseen the need to carry out robust research into the
value of these therapies. The Foundation was originally established as a separate charity and later
incorporated into the College (in 2011). We run outcomes research in our teaching clinics and
collaborate on larger clinical research studies with regional Universities.
Read more about the FRTCM
6
Take a virtual tour of the College
Our building
Beloved by staff, students, graduates and patients the College and clinics are housed in an elegant Georgian town
house with sweeping staircases, high ceilings and airy rooms. It was adapted to our purpose by the York Conservation
Trust in 2000 and houses both the College and the teaching clinics.
We have three large teaching rooms, an extensively stocked library, IT
facilities, kitchen facilities, a small outside area and a car park for the clinic.
The ground floor clinic has treatment rooms, reception and a waiting area, Aberdeen
and there are staff offices and more treatment rooms on the top floors.
Easy to get to Glasgow
Edinburgh
Newcastle
York is on the main East coast train line that links London with Edinburgh
York
and there are excellent links by rail to every major city in the country. We
are about a 5 minute walk from the station.
Manchester
Peterborough
How to find us London
7
Accreditation and Regulation
Accreditation The Register of
This course is accredited by the EHTPA. This applies equally Chinese Herbal
to the PGDip and the first two years of the MSc option. Medicine (RCHM)
The RCHM is the lead professional body in the UK for
practitioners of Chinese herbal medicine and has about 300
European Herbal & members. One of its key roles is to regulate the practice
Traditional Medicine of Chinese herbal medicine. The RCHM also promotes
Practitioners Association the value of herbal medicine to the public and provides
(EHTPA) excellent CPD opportunities for its members. Students
The EHTPA is the umbrella organisation that unites many are required to join the RCHM at the beginning of their
practitioners of Western, Chinese, Ayurvedic and Tibetan training in Chinese herbal medicine, (membership is free
herbal medicine. The Association is responsible for ensuring to students), and will receive a free copy of the excellent
high educational standards, and it also accredits courses RCHM journal and access to the members’ section of the
in herbal medicine, against a set of requirements and a RCHM website. Once you have successfully completed the
common core curriculum for all herbalists. course you will be eligible to apply for entry to the register.
Find out more about the EHTPA Find out more about the RCHM
Regulation
University College of
As is the case with acupuncture, there is voluntarily Osteopathy (UCO)
regulation of herbal medicine in the UK. The lead
The College is partnered with the
professional body for practitioners of Chinese herbal
University College of Osteopathy (UCO), which validates
medicine is the RCHM - Register of Chinese Herbal
the MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine. Students
Medicine. As well as fulfilling this role, the RCHM has
starting this course in 2021 will receive their award from
established an approved suppliers scheme to give
UCO on successful completion of their course.
assurance to both members and the public that we have
sound arrangements for supply of safe, authentic herbs.
Find out more about the UCO
The RCHM is one of the practitioner associations that
together comprise the EHTPA, which sets requirements for
accreditation of herbal education.
8
Students’ stories
If you’re a qualified acupuncturist and feel like you’re treading water, that you want to offer your patients something
different, or simply want to learn more and stand out from the crowd – then studying ‘Herbs’ at the Northern College of
Acupuncture is the perfect way to progress your career.
Siobhan Palmer student 2019-20: “I see the with acupuncture, but it hasn’t cleared up.
ability to dispense What do I love about the course?
herbs as the extra
1 The knowledgeable and helpful teaching staff –
push some of my
but that doesn’t really cover how brilliant they
patients need in
are!
this area, and many
2 The complexity of herbs – what they can
others.
do, their actions in different meridians, their
I graduated in
different natures and how did the Chinese find
acupuncture from the
out all this?
NCA in 2012. Having
3 The small student group – of intelligent
learnt so much
thoughtful people. Being with them makes me
and feeling like my
a better person.
brain was fizzing, I
needed to bed in my 4 That it is at the NCA which is friendly, full of
acupuncture learning lovely people and only an hour’s drive from my
before starting on learning herbs! However, the home.
natural world has fascinated me since I was a child I know potential students can have concerns over
and I started looking for herb courses in 2018 as I the memory needed: My experience has been that
was ready to start learning again. in the beginning the Chinese words jumbled into
I run my home practice in a small market town one confusing mass, but as the first term passed, the
where I see 30 patients a week for a whole variety herbs separated themselves in my head and started
of health issues and one of the reasons I wanted to to stick. By the end of the first year, I could indicate
study Chinese herbal medicine is because I have the category to which they belong, and started to
several patients with psoriasis who have improved understand the building of a formula.”
9
About Chinese herbal medicine
What is Chinese herbal medicine? As in acupuncture, there is an art
to the creation of a balanced (and
Chinese herbal medicine, which goes back 3,000 years,
elegant) herbal formula which matches
is one of the great herbal systems in world medicine. It
the patient’s disharmonies, and this is
has continually developed to respond to changing clinical
one of the pleasures of practice.
conditions and more recently has been sustained and
enhanced by research into every aspect of how it is used. is a great deal of evidence available for Chinese herbal
For centuries Chinese herbal medicine has had a great medicine, including case histories and clinical outcome
influence on the theory and practice of medicine in the East studies undertaken in China and elsewhere in the Far East.
and it still forms a major part of healthcare in China where it Examples of recent research in the West include studies
is provided in state hospitals alongside Western medicine. of the treatment of endometriosis, eczema, irritable bowel
More recently it has grown in popularity in the West. syndrome and infertility.
Practising Chinese herbal medicine More info on the RCHM website
Like acupuncture, herbal medicine treats disease conditions
by focusing on the individual. The art of the herbalist is to
produce an individual formula, often derived from classical
What about the use of endangered
formulae and tailored to the patient’s individual needs. As
species?
in acupuncture there is an art to the creation of a balanced
(and elegant) formulae which matches the patient’s The RCHM co-operates closely with the public and
disharmonies, and this is one of the pleasures of practice. regulatory agencies and provides its members with detailed
information on endangered species to prevent any use of
What can herbs do? endangered species in the UK. The vast array of substances
in the Chinese ‘materia medica’ means that substitutes are
Herbal formulae can clear pathogenic factors, nourish
always available.
deficiencies, move stagnation, harmonise the qi and calm
the shen. They are extremely valuable in the treatment of
acute conditions, and equally valuable for the chronic and
complex conditions we see so much of in the West. For
acupuncturists, the addition of herbal treatment to nourish
Blood and Yin, to clear Phlegm and Damp, to move Blood
Stasis or stop bleeding can be enormously helpful. There
10Haven’t there been adverse effects from
Chinese herbal medicines?
Most Chinese herbal medicines are extremely safe and
have a balanced effect. However, a small number of herbs
are powerful and have to be used carefully by fully trained
practitioners. Potential problems can be avoided by using
RCHM approved suppliers and keeping up to date with current
advice from the RCHM. Educating practitioners in safe practice
is a key feature of our course.
Will my patients take the herbs?
Most patients soon adapt to taking herbs as part of their
treatment. Many of them say that the more their condition
improves, the better the herbs taste! For patients unable to
prepare or take loose herbs, you can prescribe powders or
capsules instead.
Is it true that EU legislation made it
difficult for herbalists to practise?
EU legislation, which continues to apply unless the government
changes it, made it impossible to prescribe pre-prepared (i.e.
manufactured) herbal medicines unless these were licensed
for use within the EU (there are exceptions for some herbal
remedies – mostly in the western herbal medicine tradition
– that have been in long-established use over many years).
However, a range of pre-prepared (‘patent’) formulas are now
available from some herbal suppliers as food supplements.
Qualified herbalists would, in any case, naturally prefer to
prescribe individually tailored prescriptions and there is no
impediment to herbalists formulating their own prescriptions
from single herbs, or powders.
11Why study Chinese herbal
medicine at the NCA?
Why is Chinese herbal medicine great
Now I am qualified I feel I have for your practice?
more in my repertoire and greater • You will be able to help patients more effectively by
confidence as a practitioner. combining more than one Chinese medicine discipline.
In turn this generates another income stream from your
practice.
• Herbs make treatments more effective by providing daily
support for your patients, and they are the treatment of
Hanya Chlala (herbs graduate): “I decided
choice for many long-term, deep-seated conditions such
to study herbs as I realised that it would further
as phlegm, blood stagnation and yin deficiency.
and refine my diagnostic abilities,
as well as being able to treat areas • A combination of acupuncture and herbs increases
where perhaps acupuncture is efficacy for patients with a wide range of difficult
less effective, e.g. nourishing conditions.
Blood. Now I am qualified I feel
I have more in my repertoire Why now?
and greater confidence as a • There is increasing interest, from both the public and
practitioner. Adding herbs to other healthcare professionals, in the potential of herbal
my practice has enabled me to medicine for treating the complex chronic conditions
address more complex cases, which are so common in the modern world.
and offers the option of a daily treatment. • You will also be even more effective, with your deeper
The teachers at the NCA were brilliant and understanding and ability to modify treatment to suit each
inspirational and very generous in imparting individual case.
information. They had many years of experience
and so I didn’t feel as though they were just Why study at the Northern College
reading from Materia Medica. Studying Chinese of Acupuncture?
herbal medicine has made me review my cases in • The Northern College of Acupuncture has been
greater depth and read research papers around educating acupuncturists in Chinese herbal medicine
my areas of interest.” for over 27 years and we are proud of our reputation
12• Additional online learning resources support the
streamed classes and clinical teaching, making learning
the basics easier. For example, you can revisit the online
material on core herbs as much as you like.
• There are online discussion forums where you can
discuss issues with fellow students and tutors.
• The assessments are carefully designed to help you
develop as a practitioner – rather than just a student.
• You will gain essential hands-on experience in our
teaching clinic, under the supervision of Cheng Hao Zhou
and Eileen Gibbon.
• Exams are ‘open book’ in style. This approach closely
for excellent teaching in a friendly and supportive replicates practice, so develops a way of working that will
environment. be useful to you in the future. Students have told us that
this is a good way to learn, as well as being less stressful
• Our established teaching team includes many
than traditional exams. We are interested in helping
experienced practitioners who are all passionate about
you to develop an effective way of working (rather than
their subject.
purely testing your short term memory).
• You will also be taught by eminent guest tutors who are
• On successful completion of two years of study you will
experts in their fields.
be awarded a PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine and be
• The College is situated in the historic city of York which
eligible to apply to join the Register for Chinese Herbal
has excellent rail and road links.
Medicine (RCHM) and start practising.
Why is this such a great course? • You also have the opportunity to spend additional days
in the teaching clinic following completion of the course.
• This is a full and thorough course which will prepare you
We know new practitioners sometimes feel the need of
to practise Chinese herbal medicine confidently and
this and we are committed to supporting you as you go
effectively.
into practice.
• Our course is designed to give you the foundations of
Students who are on the MSc pathway will continue into a
knowledge and skills you need to become an excellent
third year in which they will undertake a Research project.
practitioner of Chinese herbal medicine and to make the
study of herbs truly interesting and engaging.
• An introductory weekend at College is followed by 18
Sundays of online teaching, enabling you to maintain your
acupuncture practice and other commitments.
13MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine
- overview
An absolutely fascinating, well taught and well Our MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal
supported course. The teaching has been at a Medicine
very high standard and I feel very privileged to Our Chinese herbal medicine course is designed to make
have been taught by such knowledgeable and the study of Chinese herbal medicine truly interesting and
experienced practitioners/lecturers/researchers. engaging. It is an integrated course where from the outset
you will learn key herbs, simple formulae containing them,
and the patterns they address. By studying the herbs,
formulae and conditions together you learn to “speak the
language” and make clinical sense right from the start. The
course also integrates study of plant science and herbal
research into your study of herbs and formulae, giving
these subjects a clear clinical relevance. Online classes are
interleaved with work on real case studies, and discussions
on various aspects of herbal medicine. This infuses the
theory with real life clinical application, illustrating the
Summary
practical use of herbs and the integration of herbal treatment
Year three with acupuncture practice.
Year one Year two
(MSc only)
1 teaching 1 teaching Home study
weekend in weekend in with online
College and 18 College and 18 support
Sundays online Sundays online sessions
Herbs and Managing Diseases Research Project
Formulae and Conditions (60 credits)
(20 credits) (40 credits)
Chinese Herbal Herbs Clinic 2
Medicine in (20 credits)
Context 20 weekdays in
(20 credits) clinic
(up to 6 online)
Herbs Clinic 1
(20 credits)
9 weekdays in
clinic
(up to 3 online)
14Our teaching clinic
Close integration between online classrooms and clinic is built Izzy Cherry (Herbs Graduate): “I decided to
into the curriculum. From Year 1 you will be experiencing add Chinese herbal medicine to my
the realities of herbal practice, in our teaching clinic, which practice as I felt there were certain
serves the local community. A wide spectrum of patients and conditions I was not satisfied with
conditions are treated. You will treat about four patients per the results given by acupuncture
day, providing a range of clinical experience, and keeping time alone - dermatology was the main
for case discussion. You will work under the supervision of area. I chose NCA as it had a good
herbs clinic supervisor Cheng Hao Zhou and Eileen Gibbon reputation for giving a thorough baseline training
our Course Director, who both have well-deserved reputations without skipping too much by making it a 1 year
as excellent practitioners and teachers. During your two course. Two years is really the minimum time needed.
years our aim is for you to build a thorough understanding of The best part for me was reviewing and expanding
the practicalities of Chinese herbal medicine diagnosis and my TCM knowledge, diagnostics and then having
dispensing, enabling you to go into practice with confidence a whole new toolkit of herbs to work from, using
and finesse. this in the supervised clinic was very exciting! Since
graduation herbs has become a large part of my
The course structure and progression practice and I have now joined a wonderful CHM
This is a part-time course with online weekend classes on centre (Avicenna) full time, seeing a much wider
Sundays between October and June over two years for the range of conditions that I would have previously
taught part of the course. It consists of 40 days of teaching referred. I have gone on to have intensive mentoring
plus 29 days of clinical practice with additional online learning with Mazin Al-Khafaji including undertaking his
material. A new course begins every other year with the next Diploma in Dermatology and Chinese Medicine. My
course starting in October 2021. The course can largely be practice has now become fully integrated with herbal
fitted in to suit your own schedule. medicine, my skill set has grown, and my turnover of
patients has quickened as I am able to treat them with
Clinical teaching takes place on weekdays in the College clinic more efficiency and discharge them! I am delighted
- Wednesdays and occasional Tuesdays in Year 1 and Tuesday to have fallen in love with herbs and am excited about
and Wedensday in Year 1. Clinic days are scheduled well in gaining more experience with them over the years,
advance and student preferences are taken into account. and I am pleased that I chose NCA.”
It’s possible to attend a small proportion of clinic days online:
up to 3 in Year 1 and up to 6 in Year 2.
2021/22 Course dates
15MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine - overview continued...
Online Learning Check your computer is compatible
Most of your course is delivered online. Don’t worry if with our e-learning environment
you have not accessed this kind of learning before, you
will receive all the support and help you need to use our
Home study
online resources confidently. Much of the course will be
Home study supports the formal teaching. There is a
live-streamed, meaning the students and tutor will be online
requirement for a substantial amount of home study to
at the same time. Some other “e-learning” sessions have a
consolidate your assimilation of material covered on the
specific ‘live’ period of one to two weeks, during which you
course, as well as befits a course studied at Masters level
can complete the session at home, at a time that suits you.
and leading to a professional qualification. The exact amount
The tutor will be online periodically during ‘live’ periods to
necessary will vary between individuals, but we recommend
provide feedback and answer questions. All the online and
three hours of home study to each hour spent in class or
e-learning sessions remain available to watch, for revision
engaged in e-learning and one hour to every hour spent in
purposes, throughout the duration of the course. Students
clinic.
are required to have access to a computer which needs to
be compatible with our e-learning environment. Assessment
Assessment on our course encourages and supports your
learning, and is designed to ensure that you reach the
academic and professional standards required. Assessments
include written assignments, clinic worksheets, reflective
work, and open book exams. This approach closely
replicates practice, so develops a way of working that will
be useful to you in the future. Students have told us that this
is a good way to learn, as well as being less stressful than
traditional exams. The assessment of clinical work includes
an assessment of your ability to devise a suitable treatment
strategy and prescribe appropriately; your competence in
Herbs e-learning taster session dispensing techniques; and your overall management of
your patients’ care.
16MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine Year One
What our students have to say
The Chinese developed a fantastic about their first year
system over many thousands of
years and to aspire to approach
mastery of this wonderful medicine “A real gift
you need to study all of it. and joyous
experience.” “Clinic has been
excellent, and the clinic
Year One is an exciting time during which you will supervisor is an excellent
be introduced to the key herbs & formulae which tutor and incredibly
knowledgeable.”
will form the backbone of your practice. The herbs
are introduced via short e-learning segments which
“The most rewarding
have proved very popular with students as you can aspect of the first year
revisit these as often as you like and the engaging is that the knowledge
audio-visual style helps the information sink in. The of herbs and formulae
has really increased my
formulae are introduced in class where the constituent confidence in clinic.”
herbs are revisited alongside case examples which
make the material memorable. All of this comes alive
in clinic where you will experience the application to
real patients. We believe in the value of ‘learning by “A challenging and stimulating
doing’, so you will be ‘hands on’ in clinic – sharing the year and I am really looking
lead on patient consultations with other students and forward to year two. Really
taking part in discussion of the diagnosis and treatment enjoying my cohort and
strategy. Rest assured, though, that in Year One you spending time with like-
will have strong support and direction from the clinic minded practitioners.”
supervisor in deciding on the herbal prescription
actually given.
17MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine Year One
Herbs and Formulae - Year One • Basic principles of Chinese herbal medicine
This module covers a core set of classical formulae and • Classical and modern sources
the properties of their constituent herbs, along with the • Key treatment strategies and formulae including :
principles on which treatment is based (including the - Tonify Qi, Blood, Yin and Yang
root and manifestation of disease; normal and contrary
- Regulate Qi, invigorate Blood, harmonise
treatment; treating disease according to the season,
- Clear Damp (drain, dry and transform)
environment and individual) and the methods or strategies
(Sweating, Draining Downward, Harmonising, Warming, - Clear Heat (clear Damp Heat, clear Fire Toxins, cool
Clearing, Reducing, Tonifying - focussing on those which are Blood, drain Fire)
most applicable clinically). You will cover: - Resolve Phlegm
- Stop cough and wheezing
- Calm the Shen
- Stabilise and bind
- Extinguish Wind and stop tremors
- Release the Exterior
- Clear Wind (and Wind-Cold-Damp)
- Warm the Interior and expel Cold
- Food stagnation
- Exterior treatments (creams, washes, liniments and
medicated plasters)
At the end of the module you will be able
to design safe, effective and appropriate
individualised treatment plans suitable for
complex cases, based upon classical formulae and
the above principles and methods.
18Clinic - Year One
This module comprises your first experience of the clinical
practice of Chinese herbal medicine and includes 9 days
in the herbs teaching clinic. You will have the opportunity
to extend your clinical skills under close supervision –
including:
• Developing herbal treatment strategies
Chinese Herbal Medicine in Context - • Prescribing major classical formulae with modifications
Year One • Dispensing herbal medicines
This module gives you the opportunity to integrate your • Undertaking dispensary management
developing thinking on Chinese herbal medicine with the
You will also have the opportunity to reflect on incorporating
modern context within which it is practised, including the
developmental elements related to your learning on the
perspectives of biological and medical sciences. The content
herbs course within your personal development plan.
comprises:
At the end of the module you will be able
• Key aspects of plant science (with a focus on clinically
to formulate safe, appropriate prescriptions
relevant aspects such as potential herb/drug/food
based on classical formulae, modifying these
interactions)
as appropriate as treatment progresses, and
• The basics of modern nutrition demonstrate competency in dispensary
• Dispensing, quality assurance, and the legal framework skills and management.
for practice
• The opportunity to refresh your research skills in relation
to key safety aspects such as evaluating adverse events
reports
At the end of the module you will be able to bring
your knowledge base to bear on formulating
proposals for safe practice and quality assurance.
This knowledge base will also underpin your
ability to critically evaluate emerging research
and risk-benefit issues in relation to
Chinese herbal medicines.
19MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine Year Two
During Year Two you will encounter some additional
Banni Koviely (Graduate): herbs & formulae and also revisit the herbs and
“ I realised in my day to day work that there are formulae from Year One through the lens of a range
areas where acupuncture is not enough. Having of diseases and conditions, thereby deepening,
been treated with herbs myself I knew that
extending and embedding your knowledge and
they could be very beneficial and so
understanding of the application of Chinese herbal
I decided that it made a lot of sense
medicine. Once again, this comes alive in clinic where
for me to do the MSc so that I could
there is supervisor support throughout. You will
include herbs in the treatment that I
offered. I decided to go to the NCA
have the opportunity to increasingly take the lead in
because of its great reputation. The managing treatment, so you can develop confidence
way the course is run with sessions to practise independently.
once a month also fitted in well with my busy
life as a practitioner. This meant I could continue Managing Disease and Conditions -
working while I was studying. I was attracted by Year Two
the e-learning dimension of the course and my This module offers you the opportunity to refine and
expectations have been more than satisfied. I deepen your understanding of herbs and formulae. You will
find it great as it allows me to work at my own consider individualised treatments using Chinese herbal
pace. It has refined my diagnostic abilities and medicine for specific diseases and conditions and have the
in the future I will be able to treat cases where opportunity to integrate a theoretical approach with the
acupuncture alone is not adequate to get the complex and uncertain idiosyncrasies of clinical practice.
best results. I would recommend the NCA You will also have the opportunity to critique relevant clinical
course enthusiastically because it is very well and pharmacological research and to critically examine the
taught, the pace is good, the tutors very effective appropriate and creative application of classical and modern
and the on-line dimension allows me to learn at theories of Chinese herbal medicine to conditions and
my own pace. In addition, the clinical sessions diseases that are prevalent in the West including:
are extremely valuable. All in all, the course has
helped me to become a much better practitioner
and I’m looking forward to qualifying so that I
can put my new skills to use.”
20Major disease categories and conditions including:
• Gynaecological problems
• Infertility
• Respiratory problems
• Digestive disorders
• Cardiovascular conditions
• Mental / emotional disorders
• Endocrine disorders (diabetes & thyroid)
• Fluid and blood disorders
• Fatigue
• Headache & migraine
• Skin diseases
• Auto immune disease
• Paediatrics
Principles of management of less commonly seen
disease categories and conditions:
• Urinary conditions, including disorders of the prostate
Clinic 2 - Year Two
• Neurological disorders
This module includes 20 days in the herbs teaching clinic and
• Eye diseases offers you the opportunity to expand your range of clinical skills
Supportive treatment for: under supervision, including applying diagnostic and clinical
reasoning to formulate appropriate treatment strategies for
• Auto-immune conditions
complex cases and to prescribe individualised herbal formulae
• Cancer
tailored to the condition of the patient. You will have the
• Metabolic disorders opportunity to deepen your understanding and flexibility in
applying Chinese herbal medicine in practice.
At the end of the module you will be able to
draw on ancient and modern approaches to At the end of the module you will be able to
Chinese herbal medicine to devise appropriate establish safe and sustainable practice in the
herbal treatment strategies. You will also be able prescribing and dispensing of a comprehensive
to underpin this by using your research skills range of individualised formulae, including
to source and appraise information relevant to appraising and minimising the potential for herb-
whichever disease you are considering. drug interactions.
21MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine Year Three
Research Project Module Help to fund your Research Project
If you choose the MSc option, in Year Three you will We have a specific fund to assist with covering costs of
complete the Research Project Module (60 credits). This conducting research, such as costs of testing that you may
module provides you with the opportunity to develop incur during your research project and you can apply to us
the research skills required to design and conduct a for this assistance.
research project on a chosen topic, and then to organise
and complete either a literature review or a small-scale Publication of your findings
research project. It facilitates the development of a critical
We feel that it is important that all your hard work is
understanding of research within the field, as well as a sound
now recognised by your peers and the profession. Your
understanding of the principles of research design across
journal article will enable you to publish your findings in a
a broad spectrum. It enables you to integrate scientific and
professional or peer- reviewed journal. Our Research Project
academic rigour with the practical and clinical concerns of
Module Leader will help and advise you with this process.
the practitioner.
You will work with an allocated supervisor who will guide
you with the specific research method you have chosen and
Presenting your poster
you will join online taught and support sessions with other We also encourage you to attend research conferences to
NCA students writing their research projects. present your poster such as the NCA Research Conference,
ARRC, Camstrand etc.
For your Research Project you will write a proposal and
ethics submission and then produce a journal article and
poster ready for publication and presentation, supported by Afterwards
a summary and project notebook. On completion of your MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine
At successful completion of this module you will you will have made a special contribution to the field
have gained your MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine by expanding the current evidence base. Growing the
and made your unique contribution to the evidence base for Chinese herbal medicine is essential to the
evidence base. future of our profession. Our MSc students are making an
important contribution to ensuring that the public are well
informed about the impact of Chinese herbal medicine, and
to the development of clinical practice. Having achieved
an MSc, you will demonstrate to your colleagues, your
potential patients and the wider population that you have
special expertise in your area of research. You may ultimately
22wish to deepen your knowledge of this area in your wider
practice or consider progressing further to a higher degree Ruth Reffell (graduate): “I graduated
(PhD or professional doctorate). from the London College of
Our Masters students contribute to the profession in their Traditional Acupuncture and
many and varied research projects dissertations. Oriental Medicine in 2010, and
have been practising in various
settings since. I decided to study
Read abstracts from our herbal herbs as I believe it will be very
medicine dissertations
useful for my fertility patients,
and it’s also a good opportunity
to deepen my understanding and practice of
Chinese medicine. I chose the NCA as it offers
the most comprehensive and thorough training
Current Dissertation currently available in the country. I travel from
Manager Alison Talbot: London for course weekends and then stay over
“Once you have started your for clinic day on Mondays. College has organised
Research Project we offer a lot this for me to minimise my number of journeys,
of peer-based support both which is much appreciated. The teaching at
in the form of online teaching the NCA is first class; the staff are inspiring
sessions and also regular and very supportive. The small group size also
online drop-in sessions where enables tutors to be closely aware of individual
students can come together and talk about circumstances, which adds immeasurably to
their progress, challenges and experiences. the experience. The variety of assignments
In these sessions we give our students moral enrich the learning experience, and the shared
support, practical support, and a chance to learning with peers is fun, stimulating, and helps
share the work they are doing in their research. to reinforce knowledge and understanding.
They have proved to be a great way to keep in Chinese herbal medicine is a wonderful addition
touch with your cohort as well as for motivation to my acupuncture practice. As herbs provides
and accountability.” a ‘continuous’ treatment, I feel able to treat
patients more effectively and achieve results
more quickly than with acupuncture alone.”
23Students’ stories
What is it really like studying Chinese Herbal Medicine at the NCA?
Our current students, Sam Hamilton-Stent and Pavlinka Peters share their stories.
Palvinka Peters: “This course has provided What you are enjoying about the course?
me with a deeper understanding of the My study cohort is like a chamber orchestra, small
theories underpinning Traditional Chinese but filled to the brim with skilled acupuncturists
Medicine.” who are also Chinese herbs enthusiasts. It is
Why did you choose to study made up of students from at least three different
herbs at the NCA? acupuncture teaching faculties. Our lecturers
In 2016 I started to study an MSc in are enthusiastic about sharing their knowledge
Acupuncture at the NCA and I came with us, and there is always space for discussion
across Chinese herbal medicine and explanation. Our lecturers are happy to
early in my studies. As I was learning pause and clarify finer points of theory and pulse
the potential for acupuncture to interpretation when needed.
effectively treat many of conditions The student clinic is where it all comes alive!
it also became clear to me how crucial Chinese herbs The clinical supervision is of an extremely high
could be to my clinical practice. standard providing space for our personal growth
It was during my third year that I decided to enhance as practitioners and prescribers. The supervision
my clinical practice and provide more effective discussions always feel safe and nourishing.
treatment outcomes for patients by studying Chinese Personally, I feel I make big leaps forward on
herbs. Being already familiar with the NCA’s high my clinic days. Our supervision in the student
quality tuition, joining the herbs course at NCA was clinic is the most valuable time shared. We are
an easy decision. equipped with the skills to make sure our practice
is clinically safe and safely navigate the world of
Acupuncturists often study Chinese herbal medicine
potential drug-herb interactions.
at a later stage, once their acupuncture practice is
well established. However, for me it was crucial to My previous NCA acupuncture studies
continue with my studies straight away to get a more supported and strengthened my passion
rounded view of Traditional Chinese Medicine and for research. It is great to see the
to provide my patients with a better treatment offer Chinese herbs course sustain and feed
from the outset. this passion.
24Sam Hamilton Stent: “The NCA York is a particularly enjoyed getting to know the herbs; their
great college and the herbal tutors are, in characters, uses and combinations. We are always given
my opinion, some of the very best in the UK samples of raw herbs to keep and this helps our learning.
and I can recommend the course without The teaching is very thorough and at times challenging
reservation.” – we are encouraged and supported in thinking like
Why did you choose to study herbalists and given steer and guidance all the time.
herbs at the NCA? Our teachers are extremely fluent with TCM and CHM
It took me about 5 years all told to and they are genuine experts in their fields. Learning
commit to studying herbs; I had from them is really a joy and inspiration; there are no
looked at a number of different egos among our teachers, just expertise in the subject
colleges and curricula (including those area and in the teaching process itself. Our teachers
offered by herbs suppliers, as well as a want us to be successful and support us all the way with
course studying herbal medicine from feedback, help and encouragement.
lots of different traditions) so studying at the NCA was a The support is very hands-on at the beginning, but as we
very considered decision. begin to develop our knowledge and skills, we are given
Before attending the open event I had spoken to a more opportunity for independence. The teaching clinic
number of people who had studied there before and (which also comprises the herbal pharmacy) is where it
was reassured about the quality of the teaching. I all comes together clinically. We get a great selection of
attended the open day and was warmly met by the patients to work with and are supervised by our tutors
Course Director Eileen and Richard Blackwell and had with varying degrees of intensity depending on where
a wonderful day learning about the College, visiting we are in the course and our own personal learning.
the herbal pharmacy and having an interview. I found We can test theories and prescription ideas, and get the
the interview very thorough and informally rigorous. opportunity for immediate, expert feedback from the
I strongly felt that NCA were very committed to tutors, as well as follow individual patients over time to
Chinese medicine education (for example their Masters see the effectiveness of our treatments.
programmes) and to developing well rounded and By the end of the course we will have accrued
thoughtful practitioners. I live in Surrey so deciding to many hours of directly supervised practice in
study a practical course so many miles from home meant the clinic and this will ensure we’re confident
it had to have an extra-special pull and I needed to be and competent practitioners. I believe the
convinced that it was the right place for me. teaching clinic is the only one of its kind in
What you are enjoying about the course? the UK and for me, was a major reason why
I selected the NCA in York for my herbal
CHM is a very rich and comprehensive area of practice
training.
and this was apparent from our very first lectures. I have
25Fitting in the herbs course with
your life and your practice
How we help you to maintain a balance
It’s a great course. I am having • In 2021 classroom attendance has moved to mostly online
a great learning experience at a pace (Sundays).
that is feasible for someone who has
• Some of your clinic days are also online (up to 3 in Year
a busy life with work and family.
1 and 6 in Year 2), making this an even more achievable
Students studying on our MSc/PGDip in Chinese course for the busy practitioner.
Herbal Medicine have busy lives, and fitting the
See the 2021/22 course dates
course in around work, family and other commitments
is an important consideration. Our course is long
established, but it’s not static – our experienced
teaching team is continually developing the course to How will I be able to juggle studying alongside
classroom and other commitments?
ensure that it’s manageable for our students.
You can study flexibly and much of the learning about herbs
and formulae works well in small chunks of time, so you can
fit it into your home and clinic routine. You will also find that
some of your time with your patients benefits your studies
– you will naturally start to think about herbal approaches
appropriate to the patients you see for acupuncture, and this
will benefit your patients by informing your diagnosis and
choice of treatment principles and acupuncture points, while
also benefitting your herbs studies by allowing you to think
about applying your learning to real cases.
26What our graduates had to say about how they fit the course in with their lives
Jude Blair (graduate): “The e-learning makes Freya Sherlock (graduate): “I have found
for a flexible, 24-hour the addition of herbal
accessible ‘springboard’ prescriptions to my clinic
into further herb learning to be invaluable. Aside
and is also very useful for from the obvious benefit
revision purposes. Also the of herbal medicine to my
on-line discussion facility is patients, in addition I have
useful to keep contact with found that my training
peers.” in CHM has sharpened
my overall clinical skill
significantly. I now ‘think’
herbally first and foremost, even if I do not
always prescribe herbs. There is a diagnostic
rigour required to practise CHM with an
Valentina Profeta (graduate):
attention to symptom detail and nuance in
“I found the course easier to
pathology than can easily be overlooked
manage because the lectures
when practising acupuncture alone. CHM is
were generally spaced out
now the strength in my bow as a practitioner
leaving more time during the
and in many instances I would feel quite
week to study and work on the
compromised in my ability to successfully treat
assignments. I usually took one
patients without it. Travelling from Ireland to
day a week to study the herbs
attend the course as I did, the structure of the
and work on the assignments.
training at NCA made it possible for me to
I occasionally needed to work
embark on the training.”
on a weekend but the number
of assignments set is significantly less than that
required from other courses, therefore this course
is a lot more feasible than others and left more
time to study the herbs.”
27Support for our students The teaching and support
from the tutors is excellent.
Support during your training
We are committed to supporting you to NCA MSc graduate (and now
successfully complete the course. You will write lecturer) Phil Trubshaw: “I always
and maintain a personal development plan which reaffirm that studying Chinese Herbal
helps you to identify any support you may need Medicine at the NCA is the best thing I’ve
during your time with us and we will then set up ever done.
additional one-to-one input should you need it. I’ve found practising Chinese Herbal
This might include time with one of our learning Medicine has enhanced my practice
support tutors. There is also taught input on greatly. There are a number of local
the skills you need to enjoy your studies and to acupuncturists who refer patients to me for herbs, as
succeed in your assessments and, of course, well as those seeking herbs coming directly to me.
you will find your fellow students an important Combining herbs and acupuncture has enhanced
source of mutual support. Studying Chinese results and given me a new insight into the practice of
herbal medicine can be demanding but we will Chinese medicine as a whole.“
provide you with high levels of support and
encouragement.
28Assistance and support
for students with disability
We work hard to support and accommodate students with
disabilities. In recent years students have trained with us
who have had problems with fatigue, visual impairment and
chronic back problems.
More information about DSA
Support when you have qualified
Once you have successfully completed the first two years
Assistance and support you will be eligible to go on the Register of Chinese Herbal
for students with dyslexia Medicine (RCHM), which has a structured continuous
If you need to have a dyslexia assessment we will pay up professional development process including a mentoring
to £250, which is most of the cost of the assessment if you process for the early years in practice. Also, we offer our herbs
book this with our provider. You will not receive this as a graduates the opportunity of returning to spend some extra
separate payment, but it will be deducted from your course supervised days in our herbs clinic, which some find helpful
fees. Once you have had your assessment you may receive when first setting up in practice.
financial help that enables you to purchase learning aids such
as voice-recognition software. Some people also receive
funding for extra study help from a specialised dyslexia Talk to us
support tutor. We will support you during your studies, If you have any questions about disability or
particularly with access to one to one sessions with our dyslexia talk to Denise or Pam on
learning support tutors. Markers will make allowance for
+44 (0) 1904 343309
your dyslexia when marking your written assignments.
or email: enquiries@nca.ac.uk
Find out more about dyslexia
assessments
29Our teaching staff
The teachers were brilliant and inspirational.
They had many years of experience and so I
didn’t feel as though they were just reading
from Materia Medica.
One of our greatest assets here at the NCA is, undoubtedly,
our dedicated teaching faculty. Our herbs teaching team
is made up of experienced practitioners and teachers
who have a range of backgrounds and a huge wealth of
knowledge. They bring to their classes a range of different
perspectives on ancient and modern approaches to the
practice of Chinese herbal medicine, as well as enthusiasm
and passion for their subject. As well as teaching at the
College and working in their busy practices, our staff devote
time to learning more about education, to ensure the highest
of teaching standards, and somehow they also find time to
conduct research or develop areas of expertise. The College Cheng Hao Zhou (Clinic Supervisor)
is very much a community of learners and our dedicated “What I really enjoy about my role as Clinic
staff are at the heart of that community. Supervisor is the interaction with our students.
I also like working as part of an excellent and
Here is what our students have to say dedicated teaching team. Many tutors who teach
about the teaching staff: on the course are long term herbal practitioners
with a wide range of experience of research,
All the tutors are
teaching and clinical activity. The longevity
really dedicated,
The research tutor’s
helpful and willing to and stability of our team means that we have
teaching is brilliant.
share their expertise great depth of understanding of education and
and knowledge.
the preparation of our students for successful
practice and research.”
Clinic is excellent – Cheng
is an excellent tutor and
incredibly knowledgeable.
30You can also read
