A dual qualification, degree-level training in classical Chinese medicine
A three-year professional training that integrates acupuncture and Tuina from the very beginning, guiding students from no prior experience to confident, competent clinical practice.
KEY DIFFERENTIATORS
One in-person teaching day per week, with structured home study
Dual qualification in Acupuncture and Tuina – taught together as one integrated skillset
Rooted in classical Chinese medicine, focused on real clinical results
The course is based on the perspective taught by the Association for Traditional Studies. This approach is rooted in the classical texts of Chinese medicine as they have been passed down through generations of practitioners in China, with a strong emphasis on the realities of clinical practice and achieving tangible results for patients.
Central to this approach is the understanding that the primary objective of treatment is always to manipulate the patient’s Qi in order to restore health. This manipulation may be carried out by hand or by needle, but there is no separation between these skills. Hand techniques and needle techniques are expressions of the same underlying principles and are taught together throughout the course as two parts of a single whole.
Students maintain a regular Daoyin (Qi Gong) practice throughout the programme. This practice forms the foundation for developing the ability to tangibly feel and influence Qi, which is essential for effective clinical treatment.
The course is structured to allow students to balance deep training with real-life commitments.
Teaching follows a blended learning model combining online study with in-person practical training. Students attend one in-person teaching day per week, supported by preparatory online lectures and home study.
Theoretical concepts are delivered through pre-recorded online lectures featuring Andrew Nugent-Head. These lectures provide the classical framework of Chinese medicine that underpins all clinical work.
In-person teaching focuses on practical skill development, including anatomy, acupuncture point location, therapeutic relationship skills, appropriate Western Medicine, and the development of hand and needle techniques. These sessions are highly experiential, with students learning through guided practice and supervised application.
Students should expect to engage in regular home study in addition to in-person teaching, allowing time for reflection, integration and skills development.
In the first year, students develop a strong foundation in the fundamental concepts and skills of Chinese medicine. Teaching introduces theory and practical application side by side from the very beginning of the course.
Students learn body anatomy and the location of the 100 most commonly used acupuncture points. They are introduced to manipulating Qi in the patient through both hand and needle techniques from the outset.
A specific Daoyin (Qi Gong) practice is taught, which students are expected to practise two to three times per week.
Students can describe health and disease within the framework of Chinese medicine and competently apply foundational hand and needle techniques in practice.
In the second year, students build on their foundational knowledge by applying theory to clinical conditions commonly encountered in practice.
The syllabus is divided into Tangible Acupuncture for Internal Medicine and Tangible Acupuncture for Orthopaedic Injuries. Students learn structured treatment strategies and protocols designed to bring the patient’s system back into balance, practising extensively on one another.
An additional 100 acupuncture points are introduced, and students continue refining both hand and needle skills. Teaching on the therapeutic relationship begins in preparation for clinical work in Year 3.
The third year focuses on supervised clinical practice. Students treat patients in the student clinic at Yi Dao Clinic in West Hampstead, applying their knowledge in real-world clinical situations.
Students work with increasing independence, gaining confidence in their clinical judgement and developing the skills required to establish professional practice after graduation.
Clinical work is supported by taught days at Miller’s Way Project, focusing on in-depth study of health conditions, treatment approaches, and business skills.
Graduates are awarded a Licentiate in Acupuncture and a Certificate in Tuina and are prepared to set up and sustain their own clinical practice.
The Root and Branch acupuncture and Tuina course offers hands-on, tangible training to create effective and versatile practitioners. Our strong focus on developing traditional skills, rooted in the classical theories of Chinese medicine, make for a challenging but also very rewarding experience.
To successfully enrol on the course, we are looking for applicants with the following:
NB: students with previous qualifications in healthcare may be eligible for recognised prior learning. Please mention this on the application form, eligibility will be assessed on a case-by-case basis.
A basic DBS check needs to be submitted when accepting the offer of a place.
This course is suited to individuals who are drawn to a practical, skills-based approach to Chinese medicine.
In particular, it may suit those who:
The course is demanding and requires consistency over three years. It is not designed as a casual or purely academic course.
For year 1 and year 2, in-person days are Fridays at the Miller’s Way Project in Shepherd’s Bush. The days run 9.30am – 5.30pm. The majority of in-person days feature physical practicums, with students practising techniques with their hands and needles on each other. Students must be prepared to both give and receive treatments from and to both male and female students.
Students are expected to watch preparatory lectures before the in-person days as well as carry out independent home study, for a total of about 15-20 hours a week.
Finally, students are required to carry out a specific Daoyin practice at least twice a week. This practice provides the foundational skills needed to manipulate Qi with hands and needles.
Year 3 is the clinical year and will mostly take place at the student clinic within Yi Dao Clinic in West Hampstead, with 7 additional taught days at Miller’s Way Project on Fridays. For the clinical aspect, students will be split over several days, and, while we will do our best to take your day preference into account, we cannot guarantee which weekday individual students will be assigned to.
Students are assessed in a variety of ways throughout the course: continuous assessment, coursework and essays, and practical exams.
All assessments are graded on a pass/fail basis only, with a pass being the minimum standard necessary to be a safe and competent practitioner at the point of graduation. For students wishing to really excel, regular feedback is given throughout the course allowing them to keep developing deeper levels of skill and understanding.
The annual course fee is £7,500 per student, making a total of £22,500.
We offer the following payment options:
Application & Deposit
Applications are free of charge.
If you are offered a place, a £500 deposit is required to secure your enrolment. This deposit is deducted from your first payment.
1. Full Payment up front receives a 5% discount.
You can pay the full annual fee upfront via bank transfer and receive a 5% discount, reducing the total to £7,125.
After the £500 deposit, the remaining balance of £6,625 is payable before the course begins.
2. Termly Payment Schedule
After the £500 deposit, the annual fee can split across three termly payments, with the deposit applied to the first instalment:
Payments are due in advance of each term, with the first payment required before the course start date.
Detailed payment dates and term schedules will be provided upon enrolment. If you have any questions or would like to discuss your payment options, please get in touch.
Students should also budget an extra £300 or so for:
Further details will be provided upon enrolment.
Are you ready to commit to becoming a Chinese medicine practitioner and building a meaningful professional future?
This course requires dedication, consistent skill development and a willingness to learn and self-reflect. In return, it offers the opportunity to work ethically with patients, achieve real clinical outcomes, and enjoy a varied and satisfying professional life.
Before applying, please watch the sample lectures on this page to ensure the teaching format is right for you.
