The course at the College consists of a total period of 3 years and 3 months, with each year comprising two semesters of 12-13 weeks each (please refer to course diagram). Each week usually consists of two days of lectures with a substantial amount of home study. With regard to clinic learning, in the first year, students are scheduled to attend observation clinics; during the second year students will participate in practical clinic sessions, and in the final year the student’s clinical experience is as a practitioner, with supervision and guidance. All clinical experience is available at our in-house College clinic; we are fortunate to have a thriving patient pool and be able to offer our students exposure to a wide variety of patient conditions.

For those who would find difficulty doing the course over the usual three years, there is the option of studying part-time, although this is not applicable to the final year because we feel it vital to keep the integrated theory and practical learning flowing regularly; the results of this continuum are seen in your treating. Please see the course diagram for clarification.

Each student is continually assessed by regular tests and projects throughout the year. A range of support mechanisms are available to students to help them progress on the course, including personal tutoring, buddy/mentor.

A maximum of 25 students are accepted each year. This ensures that each student receives as much individual help as he or she needs, particularly in the practical classes, which are normally divided into three or four groups.

Oriental medicine, as the curriculum illustrates, is a complex and complete system involving concepts that differ from the Western medical approach and a full understanding of this underlying theory is a prerequisite to the proper and effective practice of this discipline.

At ICOM we want to make our graduates the best practitioners possible. This means not just equipping you with the knowledge, understanding and skills of the academic and practical nature of acupuncture. It also means that we want to help you, as a person and practitioner, develop and learn continuously and effectively.