Frequently Asked Questions
What is Chinese herbal medicine?
Chinese Herbal Medicine (‘CHM’) is the practice of prescribing combinations of medically active natural compounds based on the principles of Chinese medicine in order to treat or prevent illness.
What is the evidence for CHM’s effectiveness?
The evidence comes from many sources. CHM is a truly ancient practice: many of the herbal formulas we use in contemporary practice are between 1,000 - 2,000 years old and their efficacy has been demonstrated through hundreds of years of use and analysis. Recently the World Health Organisation has integrated Chinese medicine into the 11th volume of its International Classification of Diseases (ICD), and in March 2022 a WHO Expert Meeting on Evaluation of Traditional Chinese Medicine in the Treatment of COVID-19 concluded that, '“[t]here is encouraging evidence that early application of TCM [CHM] may result in better clinical outcomes for patients with mild-to-moderate COVID-19.”
Why Taiwan?
In our opinion, Taiwan’s unique system of CHM practice makes it particularly appropriate for students to learn. CHM is systematised and integrated directly into hospitals and primary care facilities. Taiwan also has a rigorous tradition of meticulous supply chain management and herbal processing, allowing for consistent, high-quality medicines. Taiwan is also engaged in high-quality, ongoing research in CHM from many angles; pharmacological, clinical, sociological and historical.
China Medical Hospital Taiwan has an excellent international reputation as being a centre for integrative medicine, where CHM is used to treat a vast array of medical conditions. Many thousands of patients are treated each year and the treatment results are recorded on Taiwan’s national database, a fantastic resource for herbal research and development.
As a place for students to study we have found Taiwan to be safe, friendly and easily accessible. Accommodation and living expenses are also far lower than those of the UK.
I have no background in Chinese medicine but I’m very interested in the course. Can I still apply?
This program is primarily designed for acupuncturists with a degree-level qualification in Chinese medicine, acupuncture, and Western medical sciences. If you do not have a background in Chinese medicine or an equivalent of Level 3 in Western medical sciences, we recommend taking a foundation course before enrolling in the Diploma in Chinese Medicine. However, applications are assessed on a case-by-case basis, so depending on your background and previous education, you may still be eligible for the course.
Overseas students are considered on an individual basis.
What is the course schedule like?
This part-time Diploma Course in Chinese Herbal Medicine spans over 22 months, combining onsite and online lectures with approximately 36 days of clinical training at our UK teaching clinic in central London.
In the first year, you will attend around 21 days of hybrid learning, which includes a mix of onsite and online lectures. These hybrid classes are scheduled on two weekends per month during term time, from 9:30 am to 6 pm. Additionally, online courses will be held throughout the term, typically from 9:30 am to 1 pm.
The second year of the program focuses primarily on clinical practice, offering approximately 30 days of clinical experience, where you will spend 240 hours working with real patients. Clinical hours are scheduled from 9 am to 6 pm.
If you prefer to extend your training over a longer period, you can take individual modules of the curriculum, starting with Materia Medica and Ethnopharmacy.
Expect to complete 1 to 5 hours of home study per contact hour, depending on the module.
How are students assessed?
We use varied authentic assessment methods that are relevant to the workplace as well as regular quizzes and mini-tests during lectures to help you take in and retain the information.
What are the tuition fees?
Course Fees: £7,500.00 total, payable in instalments.
This includes all tuition fees, practical workshops, site visits, clinical placements, educational fieldtrips and scheduled excursions
The course looks quite academic, will I be able to keep up?
Although the teachers are highly qualified in their respective fields and many are involved in research, the main objective of this course is to enable students to successfully treat patients who come to them with a wide range of symptoms and conditions. This is why the course has been developed with such a strong clinical element.
What happens if I miss some lectures or clinic days?
Although it is important for you to attend the lectures, if you are unwell or have unavoidable commitments, the lectures are all recorded so you will be able to catch up. If you miss any clinical, we have made sure that the course far exceeds the required EHTPA hours and so in all but exceptional cases you will still have enough hours to graduate. If for any reason you are off for an extended period you can catch up the following academic year at no extra cost.
Does the course focus on dried herbs or powder formulas?
You will learn about the traditional formulas that used loose dried herbs and you will be sent packs of herbs so that you can identify these herbs effectively. However, the majority of clinical will involve the prescription and dispensing of concentrated powder formulations. This is because powder formulations are extensively used in Taiwan and approved by the Taiwanese government due to their success in treating patients and their record of high quality and safety.
Where will I stay in Taiwan for post-graduate clinical work at China Medical University Hospital in Taiwan?
We have prepared a list of hotels and hostels close to the hospital that should suit all budgets and can help you to book these nearer the time.
How much spending money will I need for the post-graduate clinical work placement in Taiwan?
It depends partly on what you want to do in your free time but we envisage that accommodation and living expenses would be in the region of £600 for the 2 weeks.
Do the teachers and doctors in Taiwan speak English?
Most of the younger teachers and doctors speak very good English. For some of the older Doctors, who have vast experience, we will enlist the help of some of the CMU staff to help with translation.
Do you have any other questions? Please contact us directly.
Email us: info@uktatm.ac
Tel: +447393952721