Acupuncture professional training
Traditional Chinese Acupuncture as a Profession
Become a Professional Acupuncturist with our Expert Acupuncture Training Programme
Begin your journey towards a rewarding career in complementary healthcare with our Professional Acupuncture Training Programme. Designed to fit around work and study commitments, the course offers flexible learning options combined with practical, hands-on training. You’ll learn from master lecturers, many of whom lead prestigious Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) programmes across the UK.
Programme Highlights:
- Expert Faculty: Learn from master medical lecturers with extensive clinical and academic expertise in traditional Acupuncture and Chinese Medicine.
- Skills-Based Training: Emphasis on hands-on practice means that you’ll graduate with the competence to work independently and deliver high-quality care.
- Accredited Qualification: Our acupuncture programme is professionally accredited in Ireland and the UK, preparing you for registration as a practicing Acupuncture Practitioner.
- World Health Organization (WHO) Standards: Our curriculum meets and exceeds WHO standards for Professional Acupuncture Training, ensuring you develop the skills and confidence to provide safe, effective, and holistic treatments.
Our graduates go on to successful careers in healthcare, practicing throughout Ireland, the EU, UK, and many globally. Whether you’re beginning a new career or building on existing experience, our acupuncture course prepares you to make a positive impact in delivering both preventative and holistic healthcare through Traditional Chinese Acupuncture.
Continue to work as you learn Acupuncture
With years of experience delivering blended, interactive learning, we’ve developed a comprehensive blend of in-class and live streamed online training. Our programme emphasises practical skills and clinical training as core elements of the curriculum. We utilise a unique, tailored online learning platform that connects seamlessly to classroom and clinical skills training sessions. Students at our acupuncture college consistently express appreciation for the flexibility and effectiveness of this approach.
Nanjing University of China and acupuncture foundation ireland
As part of a joint agreement with our partner university, the prestigious Nanjing University of Traditional Chinese Medicine, the Acupuncture Foundation Ireland has been working with NJUCM for many years. We have hosted many delegates from NJUCM over the years and have reciprocated on many occasions. Our joint academic and clinical agreements have been agreed since the late eighties and have been updated and revised regularly. Progressive agreements widening cooperation between both institutions have been signed in 1992, 1994, 1998, 2004, 2011 and 2017.
Practice management, professional ethics and best practice are taught to prepare students for professional practice. Professional codes of ethics and best practice are adhered to. Practice management and building a professional practice are taught. There is ongoing student support and mentoring, which continues into the first practice year.
AFI Acupuncture Professional Training Syllabus
Year 1
The acupuncture course integrates core Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theories, which form the basis for acupuncture and treatment planning. It combines a range of learning methods to support new students in understanding TCM principles and their practical applications. Recognising that graduates will work in healthcare and treat medical conditions, the programme introduces practical and clinical skills from the first year. These skills are developed continuously throughout the course. The first two years blend theoretical knowledge with hands-on training, leading into a third year focused on clinical practice within the student clinic.
The elements of TCM theory and clinical skills that students cover includes but is not limited to:
- Introduction to TCM Theory
- History of Chinese Medicine
- TCM Channel Theory
- The theory of Yin & Yang
- Five Elements Theory
- Vital substances
- Qi, Blood and Body Fluids
- Skills Introduction & Practical
- Causes of Disease
- Pathogenic Factors
- Progress of Disease
- Levels and Stages
- TCM management of common clinical conditions
- The theories of Zang Fu organs and patterns
- Intro to Classical Diagnosis (4 methods)
- Pulse and Tongue Diagnosis
- Principles of treatment
- Ethics and practice
- Introduction to research and evidence based practice
- TCM Diagnosis & case study analysis
- Channel review
Biomedical Sciences – Anatomy, physiology, pathology and pharmacology of all body systems.: Musculoskeletal, Nervous, Cardiovascular, Respiratory, Digestive, Urinary, Reproductive. Dermatological, Gastrointestinal, Lymphatic, Immune.
Practical Competencies – Basic acupuncture techniques, Channel palpation, hand hygiene, point location. Safe needling: depth, duration, manipulation, and withdrawal.
Year 2
TCM Management of common clinical conditions
- TCM diagnosis and treatment planning and strategies, Pattern identification and syndrome differentiation for the following conditions.
- Respiratory, Cardiovascular, Digestive, Musculoskeletal, Dermatological, Endocrine, Emotional Disorders. Gynaecological, Male disorders, Auto immune disorders.
- Case presentation and discussion, Class-based clinical observations on class patients and case study development.
- Continuous practice of learned skills.
Point Location continued
- Advanced point location and categories all remaining channels.
Practical Competencies – Expanded techniques
- Moxibustion (direct/indirect), heat, cupping, electrical stimulation.
- First aid, health & safety.
2nd year clinical research
- Research evidence based treatments.
Professional Practice
- Ethics, patient boundaries, limits of practice.
- Patient Counselling and referral skills.
- Enhancing communication with medical professionals.
Year 3 – Advanced Practice and Professional Development
Advanced Clinical Theory
Clinical Practice & Case Management. all 3rd year sessions in the student clinic
- Supervised patient treatments, students bring patients to the student clinic case discussion and supervised treatments.
- Treatment demonstrations, observation, assist, participate and treat patients.
- Follow up treatments.
Year 3 Research Continued
- Clinical research.
- Patient treatments.
Ethics & Practice Management
- Preparing for professional practice.
- Confidentiality, consent, data protection.
- Record-keeping, insurance, risk management.
- Business skills – Practice setup, third-party reimbursement, continuing professional development.
Certification & Professional Registration
On successful completion of the full programme, students are eligible to apply for registration with professional acupuncture bodies in Ireland, Northern Ireland, and the UK. Certification demonstrates clinical competence, ethical practice, and theoretical knowledge aligned with professional standards.
For more information on application requirements or to schedule a one to one discussion, please email info@acupuncturefoundation.com
Applications for acupuncture training with Acupuncture Foundation Ireland, an established acupuncture college, are accepted from Irish, UK, EU, and overseas international students who are eligible to study in Ireland.
We accept student transfers and acknowledge prior learning in the 2nd and 3rd year phases of our accredited acupuncture course, subject to our terms and conditions.
Online Application Form
Please complete the Application Form if you wish to join or find out more about our Acupuncture programme. We can then arrange for a one to one discussion with one of our team to answer all your queries about our college and training.
Online Contact Form
If you wish to request our course brochure, have any questions about our college or any of the courses we offer, you can let us know below. Our course brochures include all the details of the course that you are interested in, including fee information.