BACHELOR OF HEALTH SCIENCE MAJOR IN CHINESE MEDICINE
(ACUPUNCTURE AND HERBAL MEDICINE)
Special Offer:
Enrolling now for the 10 February 2025 intake. Scholarships are available: conditions apply.
For further information on scholarships please enquire for details.
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Approved Delivery Modes:
Face to Face and Blended Learning
Other Information:
Chinese Medicine, the origins of which go back thousands of years, is a primary healthcare system that works holistically to maintain or restore balance, harmony and order in our bodies. Chinese Medicine philosophy is based on the Yin/Yang principle of balancing and harmonising conditions within the body. Balanced and free-flowing Qi (energy) results in health, while stagnant or imbalanced Qi leads to disease. It is therefore, important that we humans, follow the universal laws of nature to achieve total harmony and health.
This four-year Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) Degree covers both Acupuncture and Chinese Herbal Medicine, is approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority (NZQA) and recognised nationally and internationally. It follows a full-time study 4-year pathway over a period of 144 teaching weeks and comprises a total of 480 credits spread between Levels 5, 6 and 7 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF). Students who successfully complete 3 years out of our 4 years Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Chinese Medicine are conferred with the Bachelor of Health Science Degree in Acupuncture and are eligible to become Accident Compensation Corporation’s (ACC) registered acupuncturists.
The aim of the Bachelor of Health Science (Chinese Medicine) Degree is to produce graduates who exercise a range of capabilities that enable them to practice their discipline safely and effectively within New Zealand’s cultural, healthcare and regulatory contexts. Graduates employ the principles of reflective practice, making use of the relevant techniques and resources to manage, advise and contribute to the care of patients with a range of health problems. Graduates will be aware of the limitations of their scope of practice, will contribute to the wider healthcare community in New Zealand and will be able to effectively manage their own professional and personal development.
Our three-year Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) Degree (which is a part of our Bachelor of Health Science – Chinese Medicine Degree) is also approved by the New Zealand Qualifications Authority and recognised nationally and internationally. It follows a full-time 3-year pathway over a period of 108 teaching weeks and comprises a total of 360 credits spread between Levels 5, 6 and 7 on the National Qualifications Framework (NQF).
Acupuncture in New Zealand has been recently accepted as a respected and widely used healing modality and the aim of the Bachelor of Health Science (Acupuncture) Degree is to enable students to become highly skilled practitioners of traditional Acupuncture with the highest professional standards. At NZCCM, we endeavour to combine ancient fundamentals and traditional practices with recent refinements in authentic Chinese Medicine and adapt these to Western Medical Models using modern teaching methodologies.
Graduate Profile
Graduates of this qualification:
- Employ a comprehensive understanding of the theory and application of Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture, and of the traditional and contemporary uses of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Tuina to contribute to the diagnosis, treatment and management of a range of patients and conditions.
- Provide appropriate care and management to a range of patients, including advice on lifestyle and health maintenance, as effective members within the healthcare community in New Zealand.
- Practise within the legislative framework that applies to healthcare in New Zealand, ensuring that the rights of patients and their families are respected.
- Understand and identify contraindications and limitations to the application of Acupuncture, Herbal Medicine and Tuina.
- Analyse and interpret a range of patient health issues from the perspective of Western Medical Science and where necessary, incorporate this into their care plans or appropriately refer patients to other health practitioners.
- Employ strong and clear communication skills with patients and their carers, including obtaining informed consent prior to commencing treatment.
- Make and maintain appropriate patient records.
- Understand the principles and practice of small business management and of working in or setting up and maintaining a small practice.
Demonstrate commitment and capability to engage in reflective practice and lifelong learning.
Entry Requirements – Domestic Students
Students intending to apply for our Degree Programmes must possess the personal and professional qualities required to become competent and ethical healthcare providers. Completion of an interview process will enable us to ensure that there is a match between our learners, their employment and future goals and our programmes. All students will be required to complete a health declaration.
NCEA University Entrance Standard
Candidates must have:
NCEA Level 3
3 subjects at Level 3, made up of 14 credits each, in three UE approved subjects.
Literacy
10 credits at Level 2 or above, made up of 5 credits each in reading and writing.
Numeracy
10 credits at Level 1 or above, made up of achievement standards available through a range of subjects, or unit standards which are a package of 3 numeracy unit standards (26623, 26626 and 26627 all required).
Cambridge International Examinations
Candidates must have:
A minimum of 120 points on the UCAS Tariff at A or AS level from any syllabus groups from those available in New Zealand which are broadly equivalent to those in the approved list of subjects for NCEA with a minimum grade of D in at least three different syllabus groups (excluding Thinking Skills);
A minimum D Pass in IGCSE or GCSE Mathematics or any Mathematics passed at AS Level;
A minimum E Pass in any one of AS English Language, Language and Literature in English or Literature in English.
Other Qualifications
May be deemed equivalent to the University Entrance Standard either on their own or in combination with NCEA (as specified by the New Zealand Universities Vice Chancellor’s Committee).
Special Admission and Mature Entry
Persons over the age of 20 years, who are New Zealand or Australian Citizens or Permanent Residents may enrol without having obtained University Entrance at the decision of the Programme Management Committee (PMC).
Applicants who do not meet all the entry requirements should contact NZCCM to explore their options. Subject to the NZCCM Board’s statutory powers to decline enrolment, a person may enrol for the first year of the Bachelor of Health Science Programme if the Programme Management Committee is of the opinion that the applicant could undertake the programme with reasonable prospects of success and meets the English Language Requirement.
Discretionary Entrance
The Discretionary Entrance Regulations provide a route to University Study for students who have not continued secondary education beyond Year 12. Key points in the regulations are as follows:
The regulations apply only to New Zealand or Australian Citizens and Permanent Residents under 20 years of age.
Applicants must have a minimum of 14 credits in an approved subject at Level 2 towards NCEA and have met the literacy and numeracy standards required for University Entrance.
A reference from a School Principal or other suitable person is required and an interview will be conducted.
Students who have undertaken Year 13 study beyond 1 June in any year are ineligible to apply in the same year but may be considered for mid-year admission in the following year.
Additional Admission Requirements
Domestic students must demonstrate they have the English Language Competency to successfully undertake a Level 7 Health Science Programme. An applicant whose first language is not English shall produce evidence to show that they have English Language competency at least equivalent to the New Zealand University Entrance requirements and of a level of proficiency and capability to enable them to be successful in their studies,
OR
Students must provide evidence of full-time academic study within a New Zealand School for a period of 2 years and evidence that they have completed a minimum of the University Entrance English Requirement at NCEA Level 2.
NZCCM welcomes students who intend to graduate as practitioners of Chinese Medicine and our support services are intended to assist students with any health or disability issues on a path towards confident, independent professional practice. Any such issues must be clearly stated on the Enrolment Form/Health Declaration and will be discussed during the interview, allowing NZCCM to consider whether appropriate support can be provided, and the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to meet professional requirements and practice independently on completion of the programme
Applicants are also required to declare all criminal or pending criminal convictions with their enrolment.
Entry Requirements – International Students
International Students intending to apply for our Degree Programmes must possess the personal and professional qualities required to become competent and ethical healthcare providers. Completion of an interview process will enable us to ensure that there is a match between our learners, their employment and future goals and our programmes. All students will be required to complete a health declaration.
Prospective International Students must:
Be 18 years or older
Show English Language Competency to a minimum of 6.0 overall with no band lower than 5.5 on the IELTS academic test or equivalent (any other NZQA recognised international test) with test results being current, obtained from one test and taken within 2 years of the application date OR
Have successfully completed the New Zealand Certificate in English Language Level 4 OR
Provide evidence of full-time study within a New Zealand School for a period of two years and have completed a minimum of NCEA Level 2 (the UE English requirement) OR
Provide evidence of successfully completing two years tertiary study in a New Zealand Degree or Diploma at Level 5 or above.
Complete all immigration requirements and have a valid student visa.
Submit evidence of appropriate medical and travel insurance.
Special Admission and Mature Entry
Applicants who are over 20 years of age and do not meet all the entry requirements should contact NZCCM to explore their options. Subject to the NZCCM Academic Board’s statutory powers to decline enrolment, a person may enrol for the first year of the Bachelor of Health Science Programme if the Programme Management Committee is of the opinion that the applicant could undertake the programme with reasonable prospects of success and meets the English Language Entry Requirement.
Additional Admission Requirements
NZCCM welcomes students who intend to graduate as practitioners of Chinese Medicine and our support services are intended to assist students with any health or disability issues on a path towards confident, independent professional practice. Any such issues must be clearly stated on the Enrolment Form/Health Declaration and will be discussed during the interview, allowing NZCCM to consider whether appropriate support can be provided, and the likelihood of the applicant’s ability to meet professional requirements and practice independently on completion of the programme
Applicants are also required to declare all criminal or pending criminal convictions with their enrolment.
Employment Outcomes
On successful completion of either qualification, graduates can:
- Be self-employed in Chinese Medicine or Acupuncture Clinics
- Be an Acupuncturist or a Chinese Medicine Practitioner in an established Chinese Medicine Clinic or multi-disciplinary Clinic
Further Study
A Master’s Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine and/or Acupuncture
Post Graduate Qualifications in either discipline
