Questions that Acupuncture applicants often ask
We are now accepting applications for the 2019 Academic year which starts in October. So, I thought it would be useful to answer some of the questions that prospective applicants often ask.
The main thing people want to know is “Will I be a suitable Acupuncture student“?
If you have a keen interest in medicine and health and would like to work in a Caring profession, then that is a good start. We will then want to know why you are particularly interested in Traditional Chinese Medicine and Acupuncture?
The answers might be:
- I have a friend who is a TCM practitioner and Acupuncturist and they got me interested.
- I have been unwell and Acupuncture treatment really helped me so I know it works.
- I’ve read about Chinese Medicine and I like its Holistic approach.
- I work as a Health professional and would like to extend my range of Clinical options and heard good reports about Acupuncture and other TCM treatments.
“Do you accept students from other countries?”
We accept students from Ireland the UK and all parts of the EU. We also accept people from other countries provided the student will not require a Student Visa to study on our course.
Because all of our courses are part time and do NOT qualify for a student visa we are unable to accept any applicants from overseas countries where a Visa is required. If an applicant from such a country already has the right of abode and right to work or study in the EU we can accept their application.
Another common question is “Am I too old?” or “Am I too young to study with you?”
The answer to that is that we accept suitable people of any age, provided they are at least 21 years old when the course begins. Our courses are designed for adults who are wishing to either change profession or, if they already work in Acupuncture and TCM to gain a post-graduate qualification.
“What qualifications do I need to be a suitable Acupuncture Student?“
- You do not need to have prior qualifications in either TCM or Western Medicine.
- You must be able to show us that you have the capacity (not just the desire) to undertake an intensive course of part-time study over a three year period.
- Prior study on intensive or demanding courses will be an advantage, because you will be prepared and know a little of what to expect, but this is not a requirement.
“What qualities do I need?”
You need to be intelligent, not afraid of hard work and willing to work in a small group with other adults who have the same hopes and expectations as yourself. The course sets high standards and we accept students who are prepared to put in the necessary commitment to be successful in the academic, practical and interpersonal aspects of the course. It helps to be mature and well motivated and being kind and helpful to others are qualities that will help you to be a better practitioner.
You will be training to be a professional practitioner of Acupuncture TCM so many different skills need to be developed.
You can find out more about our Students and Graduates and the specific entry requirements via these links.
Finally, don’t forget that your application is just the first step. We interview all suitable applicants (or people who seem to be suitable) and during the interview and tour of the college and teaching clinic you will have a chance to discuss your suitability with a member of the teaching team.
We look forward to hearing from you.
Traditional Chinese Medicine and Longevity – Famous TCM Doctor dies at the age of 104
Professor Dr Deng Tietao of Guangzhou University of TCM in 2011
Dr Deng Tietao was a great friend and supporter of the Irish College of TCM. He died, earlier this month, at the age of 104, although as explained in his Wikipedia entry, this would be calculated a little differently in China. In the West, he would have been said to be nearly 103 at the time of his death.
We first met him in 2000 when he was already 85 years old. He came to teach us during one of the specialist Medical Qigong Courses that was being run exclusively for staff and graduates of the ICTCM.
Professor Deng was a kind, refined and enlightened man who understood the importance of being healthy on all levels – body, mind and spirit. He was a much published author of books on many aspects of Traditional Chinese Medicine and his seminal book on Chinese Medical Diagnostics has been published in English. When only in his 50s, his students published a book (in Chinese) as a sign of respect for his excellence as a medical practitioner and teacher, which outlined his regimen for a healthy life and longevity. This included his daily practice of one of the most famous traditional Qigong forms, called Baduanjin.
A very early illustration of the traditional Qigong form called Baduanjin
During the subsequent years we met him a number of times when he gave guest lectures to groups from our college and met the Director of the College Tom Shanahan to discuss the most important attributes of a Traditional Chinese Medical Practitioner. Both agreed that it was kindness to one’s patients.
The last time we met was in 2011 after he had been awarded the very highest award by the Chinese Government in 2009. He was named a “Master of National Medicine” of China, received a Lifetime Achievement Award from the China Society for Chinese Medicine and Pharmacology, and won the Guangdong Science and Technology Award (First Class).
Dr Deng, in his home in Guangzhou, with the President of the ICTCM, Tom Shanahan and the Registrar, Mary Plunkett
During our last meeting in 2011 he brushed a unique calligraphy for the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine showing that he gave his great support to our efforts to spread high-quality, authentic Acupuncture and TCM across Europe and the world. Further information can be found in our 2011 ICTCM news item.
News of his death was announced by the Guangzhou Daily on 10th January 2019. Their article gives an interesting extract from an interview with Dr Deng, who will be much missed by his friends, family and students.
Happy New Year 2019
Happy New Year card for 2019
Happy New Year to all our Students, Staff, Colleagues and Friends, from the Directors of the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine.
We hope that you had a peaceful festive season and wish you a happy, healthy and prosperous 2019.
Welcome to our new Acupuncture students
Acupuncture Clinic, Dublin 3
The Irish College of TCM in Dublin is pleased to welcome a new group of students to our Acupuncture Training programme. The new intake started their studies with us on 13th October.
No further applications can be accepted for this academic year.
If you are interested in changing career and wish to train to work as a self-employed practitioner of Acupuncture and Traditional Chinese Medicine, the information provided on our section on Acupuncture Training gives details of the course content and application procedures.
The next intake of students will be in October 2019.
Chinese Embassy in Ireland reception
The Director of the Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine, Tom Shanahan, and one of the college’s Clinical Supervisors Michal Niedzialkowski were pleased to attend an event hosted by the Chinese Embassy in Ireland, on 25th September 2018.
The ICTCM Director meeting the Chinese Ambassador to Ireland at a reception on 25 September 2018
The ICTCM has enjoyed many years of support and encouragement from the Chinese Embassy during its more than 35 years providing high quality training in Chinese Medicine in Ireland.
The photograph shows Tom Shanahan shaking hands with His Excellency Ambassador Dr Yue Xiaoyong.
Acupuncture Course October 2018 – there is still time to apply
Do you want to become an Acupuncturist?
The next Acupuncture Course, which is three years long, runs on a part time basis. This year’s course begins on the weekend of 13 and 14 October. There is still time to apply for this high quality training to become an Acupuncturist.
In the Acupuncture clinic
Classes are held in our college in Dublin, near the 3Arena. Transport links are good as there is easy access to the Port tunnel, Dublin Airport and motorway system. Thus, people from all parts of Ireland and the EU are able to reach the ICTCM relatively easily.
Students attend Acupuncture classes for approximately one weekend every 3 to 4 weeks and have homework to complete between the classes. You can see the Course schedule on the Acupuncture Training section of this website.
Being an Acupuncturist (also called “a practitioner of TCM, specialising in Acupuncture”) is a rewarding and satisfying career. You can contribute to the health and wellbeing of patients of all ages, and with a wide variety of different medical conditions.
If you would like to find out more, go directly to the Prospectus pack. It includes an application form and fee schedule, and the full syllabus is also available.
Qigong for Health 2019
Qigong for Health 2019
Senior citizens practising a form of Qigong for Health
Qigong for Health weekend workshops, are run by the ICTCM (Irish College of Traditional Chinese Medicine) 2 or 3 times each year. No further weekends will be held in 2018.
The ICTCM are leaders in the field of Qigong for Health and in the field of Medical Qigong. Our staff trained with Qigong Masters in China for many years.
The Qigong Booking Form is available here. This is for reference only. Once a further weekend has been organised the new booking form will be available here.
Introduction to Health Promoting Qigong
Qigong Calligraphy by ICTCM founder Tom Shanahan
The course information is as follows:
Date: T.B.A. – Spring/early Summer 2019
Time: 10.00 to 4.30 each day
Fee: €200*
*Earlybird discount is sometimes available.
Information about the Qigong class
This is a two day introduction to Qigong for Health and Wellbeing, held in our centrally-located College in Dublin 3. Students are taught a set of simple movements, breathing exercises and relaxation/meditation techniques which they can practise on their own at home and you are encouraged to develop a regular daily routine of Qigong practice.
The pace of the classes is easy and the atmosphere is relaxed.
These weekend courses are suitable for all adults, including those who are
- physically fit and in prime health
- generally healthy but under stress
- hoping and wishing to improve their health, fitness and mental/emotional well-being.
- advised by their Acupuncturist to take up some Qigong practice to enhance or support the effect of TCM treatment.
You do not need any prior knowledge of Qigong, Chinese Medicine, Fitness Exercise, Martial Arts or meditation. Everyone can gain benefit from Qigong practice and can progress to a stage that is suitable for them.
The weekend is suitable for adults and no interview is needed.
Find out more about Qigong
To find out more about the health benefits of regular Qigong practice go to the Qigong page of our new website.
Book now as these Qigong for Health weekends tend to fill up quickly.
ICTCM.ie gets a new look
Our Website
Pulse Diagnosis in the Clinic
The ICTCM was one of the first independent colleges in Ireland to get a website. So many years ago!
Now we are in the process, yet again, of updating the look of our site to make it more user-friendly for those using mobile devices.
We want it to be easy for you to find out about the courses we offer.
These include:
- Profession Acupuncture Training and
- Postgraduate programmes.
News and Current Events
Irish College of TCM – Summer and Early Autumn 2018
The current 1st and 2nd year Licentiate in TCM students have just completed their end of year exams and we wish them a good break over the summer period.
Successful students will commence the Teaching Clinic on 22nd September 2018.
The Certificate in Medical Qigong (Cert.MQG) Group 1 students have only one final assessment day to complete. This will take place in mid-September, after which they will be qualified as MQG practitioners.
The Certificate in MQG (Group 2) students will complete Module One on the first weekend of September.
Diploma in Herbal Medicine – students are reminded that the next session is running from 7 to 9 September 2018.
The photo shows previous students learning to dispense herbal medicine prescriptions.
Autumn dates for an Introductory and a Follow-up Qigong workshop are currently being planned and will be announced shortly.
For details of these programmes see www.ICTCM.ie
Acupuncture and TCM in Ireland
The Irish College of TCM’s main part time undergraduate level programme of Professional Acupuncture Training is called the Licentiate in TCM.
Students from any background (including a non-medical one) can train to become an Acupuncturist and can, on graduation from this part-time, 3 year programme, setup in practice as a qualified and insured TCM Professional.
Acupuncture and TCM are at the forefront of Alternative approaches to health and illness, focusing as they do, not only on treating and curing current illness but also on disease prevention and health enhancement and public demand for well-qualified, fully insured practitioners is high.
We welcome students from Ireland, the UK and across Europe to study Acupuncture TCM with us and are currently accepting applications for this programme:
Licentiate in Acupuncture TCM (October 2018) – part time undergraduate level training.
The Licentiate in TCM application pack has recently been updated.
Details of the course can be seen by clicking the name above.
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