About the Course

What is Acupuncture?
The power of acupuncture to restore the health of body and mind is increasingly recognised throughout the western world. Acupuncture has an extraordinary ability to change people’s lives.
Acupuncture works on a deep level to help patients recover their physical and mental harmony. Acupuncture is becoming ever more popular in the UK, and opportunities for both independent practice and within the NHS are growing all the time. Acupuncture is viewed very positively by the House of Lords Committee, the British Medical Association, and the World Health Organisation.
Why Study Acupuncture with The CNM?
The CNM Acupuncture Diploma Course provides high quality training that equips graduates to build highly successful practices. It is carefully structured so each study unit builds on the previous one, allowing students to develop their confidence and skills, and reach their full potential as professional Acupuncturists. Students are strongly encouraged to develop their own unique style of consultation and application.
Prerequisites
5 GCSEs or 2 A Levels, or equivalent academic and/or work experience.
If you are able to demonstrate previous study or work experience you may apply to gain exemptions from some units. Please contact us for more information and to see if you qualify for direct enrolment.
Level I (Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study, Acupuncture I)
Duration - 1 - 3 years
Biomedicine
Duration - 1 year
- Biomedical Sciences
- Medical terminology, cells, tissues, embryology
- Anatomy, physiology, pathology
- Clinical diagnostic, differential diagnosis
- Blood- urine analysis, examination methods
- Infectious Diseases, Red Flag symptoms
Naturopathy Study
Duration - 1 year
- Naturopathy
- TCM (Traditional Chinese Medicine) 1
- Chinese diagnostic, face, tongue, pulse, nail, abdominal diagnostics
- Naturopathic Nutrition
- First Aid Homeopathy
- Introduction to Herbal Medicine
- Naturopathy Clinics (Iridology)
- History of Iridology
- Technique of Examination
- Topography of the Iris
- Constitution, Disposition and Diathesis
- Pupil Phenomena
- Study of the signs
- Study of pigments
- Clinical application
Acupuncture year 1
Duration - 1 year
TCM Theory
This Unit gives an understanding of the basic concepts of Chinese medicine, including yin/ yang, qi, five elements, causes of illness (including diet, emotions, stress, climate). It gives a fresh and revealing insight into the forces which shape our lives.
Point Location 1
This Unit allows students to begin to locate acupuncture points with ease and confidence. At CNM we encourage students to “tune in” to the points, to feel the quality of energy in them. This helps refine the diagnosis. Students also learn key therapeutic functions of the points, and the profound effect each one has on the human person.
Practitioner Development and Ethics
This Unit helps students focus on setting up and maintain a thriving practice. It helps CNM graduates to build the support systems they need to reach their full potential as acupuncturists, and keeps them abreast of regulatory developments in the acupuncture world.
Level II (Naturopathic Principles and Acupuncture II)
Duration - 1 year
Naturopathic Principles
Duration - 1 year
- Naturopathy & Detoxification
- Bach Flower Therapy
- Tissue Salts
Acupuncture year 2
Duration - 1 year
Practical Techniques
As well as becoming confident in acupuncture, students learn other related techniques, such as moxibustion (burning a herb over certain points), vacuum cupping (to release toxins) and electro acupuncture.
TCM Pathology
In Chinese medicine there is a saying “one disease, many patterns”. This means that everyone who comes in is seen as an individual, with a unique pattern of imbalance. For any one disease, there are usually a number of different causes. For example, asthma may be due to a kidney weakness, a lung weakness, or “phlegm”. This Unit allows students to differentiate the causes of a wide variety of common diseases seen in clinic, including digestive problems, gynaecology, nervous system disorders, musculo – skeletal problems, breathing problems, and mental - emotional problems.
Point Location 2
This Unit refines and deepens the knowledge gained in “point location 1”. Students to locate acupuncture points with increasing ease and confidence, and gain the ability to select the right points for a variety of illnesses.
Clinical Observation
There is one unit of clinical observation, and three units of clinical practice, which together provide 400 hours of clinical experience. On completion of these hours, students should be confident to take control of treatments of a very wide range of disorders. The clinical observation unit is the start of the process, where students get the opportunity to see how acupuncture works, and the profound effects it can have on healing a wide variety of disorders
Practitioner Development and Ethics 2
Level III (Acupuncture III and Dissertation)
Duration - 1 year
Acupuncture year 3
Clinical practice one, two and three.
In these units, students will be guided step by step towards becoming effective acupuncturists. They will be given ever increasing levels of responsibility as they are ready, until they are ready to become fully autonomous practitioners, able to treat a wide variety of disorders with confidence.
Practitioner Development and Ethics 3
Research
This Unit will teach research methods, so students can identify best practice, and most effective techniques.
Dissertation
Students will be supported in writing a dissertation.
Summary of key subjects in the curriculum:
- Introduction
- Yin Yang theory
- Causes of diseases
- Five elements
- Eight Principals
- Meridians
- Pathology Diagnostic
- Differential Diagnostic
- Pulse Diagnostic
- Tongue Diagnostic
- Case taking and follow up
- Point location
- Needle techniques
- Cupping
- Moxabustion
- Bodywork techniques
- Qi Kung
- Respiratory System
- Urogenital System
- Digestive System
- Cardiovascular System
- Pain, Headaches
- Skin problems
- Practice management
Diploma
- Dip. Acupuncture
- Dip. Naturopathy
Study Programme and Locations
Options
- Full time, weekends, weekdays and evenings (London only)
- Part time, weekends (all colleges - London, Bristol, Brighton, Birmingham, Manchester, Edinburgh)
- At this time, Acupuncture is held in London and Bristol only
Intake Dates
Typically, students enrol for the Autumn (Oct) and Spring (Feb) semesters. However, since our Biomedicine and Naturopathy courses are built around a modular system, new students can join a course throughout the year.
Depending on your study schedule, the diploma courses can be completed in 3, 4 or 5 years.
Full time study
- Year 1: (Level 1) Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study and Acupuncture year 1
- Year 2: (Level 2) Naturopathic Principles and Acupuncture year 2
- Year 3: (Level 3) Acupuncture Year 3 and Dissertation
Part time study
- Year 1: (Level 1) Biomedicine
- Year 2: (Level 1) Naturopathy Study
- Year 3: (Level 1) Acupuncture year 1
- Year 4: (Level 2) Acupuncture year 2 and Naturopathic Principles
- Year 5: (Level 3) Acupuncture year 3 and Dissertation
Our course advisors are here to help you create a schedule that suits your needs - contact us for information.
Cost
Please contact our registration advisors for exact course pricing, discounts, and financing options.
Recognition
Acupuncture Training

Recognised by the ATCM (Association of Traditional Chinese Medicine).

The CNM has passed stage two accreditation with the BAAB. (British Acupuncture Accreditation Board) This allows graduates to join the BAcC (British Acupuncture Council)
Naturopathy Training

The Naturopathy training is recognised by the ANP (Association of Naturopathic Practitioners) in the UK. ANP is a member of the GNC (General Naturopathic Council) which regulates Naturopathy in the UK.
How to Apply
We advise you to first contact us and discuss your personal needs and goals. We can then assist you in tailoring a study schedule that suits your lifestyle and commitments. Our course advisors are knowledgable, friendly, and deal with students from all walks of life - please call us at +44 (0)1342 410 505, use our contact form, or email info@naturopathy-uk.com.
Admissions Contact
Lynne Ott
info@naturopathy-uk.com
+44 (0)1342 410 505
Unit 1, Bulrushes Farm
Coombe Hill Road
East Grinstead
West Sussex, RH19 4LZ
T: (+44) 1342 410 505
F: (+44) 1342 410 90
Continuing Study Options
Further Study with the CNM
Students who have completed the Biomedicine, Naturopathy Study, and Naturopathic Practical study Units may opt to study the other specialist diploma courses, Homeopathy, Herbal Medicine, and Naturopathic Nutrition.
Degrees
CNM has developed an alliance with Charles Sturt University (CSU) in New South Wales, Australia, which allows CNM students and graduates to enrol into the Bachelor of Health Science Degree (Complementary Medicine). The CSU Degree programme is a distance learning course which starts each February and can be completed in 2 or 3 years. CSU offers further opportunity for ongoing study to obtain a Master’s Degree, or a PH.D. in Complementary Medicine.
Charles Stuart University is Australia’s leading distance learning University, being responsible for the on-line education of over 28,000 students. CSU was awarded a "University of the Year" award in Australia, for its nationally recognised ability to reflect the needs of today’s society, and responsiveness to the need for life-long learning in a changing world.
Applications must be completed by the end of November; please contact us for more information. Students must have completed their CNM course before being issued with a CSU degree.
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