Admissions Policy

Purpose of the admissions policy

The purpose of the College Admissions Policy is to ensure that the applicant:

• Has the academic abilities required to undertake a degree level course and graduate from the College
• Is willing to use acupuncture in accordance with the BAcC Code of Professional Conduct
• Has a desire to use acupuncture for the benefit of those in need
• Has understood the commitment required in order to study on a three-year vocational degree course
• Is able to make appropriate use of the course
• Has the necessary physical and psychological health to undertake the course.
  

 

Selection policy

When selecting students we look for evidence that the applicant:

• Will be willing to work in the acupuncture profession and to conform to its ethical and practice codes.
• Has a desire to assess and attend to the health needs of others.
• Will be willing to use the acquired skills and knowledge without prejudice in relation to race, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, political beliefs or social class.
• Has the ability to develop the necessary practical and treatment skills, including those involving patient rapport and appropriate behaviours.
• Has the ability to learn the necessary theoretical aspects of the course,
• Currently values his or her own health so that he or she may act as a good role model for patients.
• Has the time and resources to undertake the complete course of study.
• Is fluent in the English language. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (academic) is required for those for whom English is not their first language, with no single element score of less than 6 (or equivalent).
• Has the funds in place to pay for the course

 

Entry qualifications

Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of Kingston University and the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in the following ways:

Prospective students will be interviewed to assess their suitability for a career in acupuncture. Candidates must have the necessary requirements below and/or acceptable alternative qualifications of comparable standards. Two years’ experience of working with the general public in an appropriate context is preferred.

• Five grade 'C' GCSE passes, to include English and Mathematics and
• Two 'A' Level passes at E grade or above or
• A BTEC National Diploma or Advanced GNVQ at Level 3; or a minimum of 80 points at AVCE Double Award; or 2 passes at 'C' in Scottish Highers; or 6 passes at 'C' grade or above at higher level in Irish Learning Certificate
• General Studies will not normally be accepted as a qualifying subject
• Mature and overseas students considered on an individual basis usually with a degree from a British or overseas university or validated access course
• Fluency in the English language. If English is not the first language and secondary education has not been undertaken in English, level 6.5 (academic) IELTS certificate, with no element less than 6, will be required
• Other APEL credit accumulation
• All applicants will be expected to conform to the BAcC Fitness to Practise requirements
• Full disclosure of any criminal convictions including spent and outstanding
• Full disclosure of previous educational and professional experience

Entry is based on two cohorts of students per year, with a maximum of 38 students per intake.             

 

Application procedure

The College has an application procedure, which is as follows:

• Applicants fill in an application form which can be downloaded from the CICM website. An application fee of £50 can be paid online. In the case of an applicant not being accepted onto the course this deposit is refundable. 
• The registrar arranges an interview date.
• Applicants are interviewed by at least one experienced interviewer who makes a decision as to the candidate’s suitability.
• If the candidate does not fit the criteria and there are any doubts about her/his suitability, s/he is assessed by a second interviewer before a decision is made.
• Applicants are told if they have been offered a place no later than seven days after the interview.
• If applicants are offered a place and decide to accept they are asked to secure their place with a non-refundable deposit of £400, which can be paid online.
• Applicants who are not offered a place will be informed in writing within seven days. Suggested ways of increasing their eligibility will also normally be given in case they wish to reapply at a later date.
• If applicants are applying for a student loan, information about student finance is available on the CICM website and help will be given by the registrar if necessary.
• Two months before the course starts applicants will be invoiced for their fees which must be paid a month before the start date. Information about payment options are given on the College website.

Much of the enrolment process is carried out online and applicants need to have internet access.    

 

Alterations to the course

The College is committed to inform prospective students of any changes to the College programme made between the time of an offer of a place and full registration and to advise of any alternative options available in the circumstances.

 

Complaints

In the event of a complaint about the admissions procedure or the outcome of a selection, the complaint will follow the Student’s Grievance Procedure laid down by the College.

 

Appeals against the outcome of an application

We only consider appeals which are: i) against our final decision on an application; ii) made by the applicant in writing and received within twenty working days of the date of that decision and iii) made on the following grounds:

 

1. relevant and material information was not made available to us at the time of application, through no fault of the applicant; or

2. the way we dealt with the application differed significantly from our written policy and procedure.

 

Appeals are considered on the understanding that, should the appeal be upheld, any offer of a place will be either for the entry year originally applied for or the following year, at our discretion.

Appeals should be made in writing to the the Dean, who acknowledges the appeal within five working days, investigates and makes a decision,responding to the appellant within twenty working days of receipt. The appellant and any staff associated with the decision on the application may be asked to attend an appeal hearing meeting. The decision of the Dean is final and no further appeals will be considered.

 

Reviewing the policy

The admissions policy and procedure will be reviewed on a regular basis and whenever there is a change made to the admissions procedure.