Page 1 of 5 COLLEGE OF INTEGRATED CHINESE MEDICINE ADMISSIONS POLICY Purpose of the admissions policy The purpose of the College Admissions Policy is to ensure that the applicant: Has the academic abilities required to undertake a degree level course and graduate from the College Is willing to use acupuncture in accordance with the BAcC Code of Professional Conduct Has a desire to use acupuncture for the benefit of those in need Has understood the commitment required in order to study on a three-year vocational degree course Is able to make appropriate use of the course Has the necessary physical and psychological health to undertake the course. Selection policy When selecting students we look for evidence that the applicant: Will be willing to work in the acupuncture profession and to conform to its ethical and practice codes. Has a desire to assess and attend to the health needs of others. Will be willing to use the acquired skills and knowledge without prejudice in relation to race, age, sexual orientation, gender, religion, disability, political beliefs or social class. Has the ability to develop the necessary practical and treatment skills, including those involving patient rapport and appropriate behaviours. Has the ability to learn the necessary theoretical aspects of the course, Currently values his or her own health so that he or she may act as a good role model for patients. Has the time and resources to undertake the complete course of study. Is fluent in the English language. A minimum IELTS score of 6.5 (academic) is required for those for whom English is not their first language, with no single element score of less than 6 (or equivalent). Has the funds in place to pay for the course Entry qualifications Candidates must satisfy the general admissions requirements of Kingston University and the College of Integrated Chinese Medicine in the following ways: Prospective students will be interviewed to assess their suitability for a career in acupuncture. Candidates must have the necessary requirements below and/or acceptable alternative qualifications of comparable standards. Two years experience of working with the general public in an appropriate context is preferred. Five grade 'C' GCSE passes or better, which should include English and Mathematics and preferably Biology or Combined Science
Page 2 of 5 Two 'A' Level passes or two 6-unit awards at a minimum of 80 points each at A-level An appropriate BTEC National Diploma including merit and distinction passes or Advanced GNVQ at Level 3; or a minimum of 80 points at AVCE Double Award; or 2 passes at 'C' in Scottish Highers; or 6 passes at 'C' grade or above at higher level in Irish Learning Certificate General Studies will not normally be accepted as a qualifying subject Mature and overseas students considered on an individual basis usually with a degree from a British or overseas university or validated access course Other APEL credit accumulation All applicants will be expected to conform to the BAcC Fitness to Practise requirements Full disclosure of any criminal convictions including spent and outstanding Full disclosure of previous educational and professional experience Entry is based on two cohorts of students per year, with a maximum of 38 students per intake. Application procedure The College has an application procedure, which is as follows: Applicants fill in an application form which can be downloaded from the CICM website. An application fee of 50 can be paid online. In the case of an applicant not being accepted onto the course this deposit is refundable. The registrar arranges an interview date. Applicants are interviewed by at least one experienced interviewer who makes a decision as to the candidate s suitability. If the candidate does not fit the criteria and there are any doubts about her/his suitability, s/he is assessed by a second interviewer before a decision is made. Applicants are told if they have been offered a place no later than seven days after the interview. If applicants are offered a place and decide to accept they are asked to secure their place with a nonrefundable deposit of 400, which can be paid online. Applicants who are not offered a place will be informed in writing within seven days. Suggested ways of increasing their eligibility will also normally be given in case they wish to reapply at a later date. If applicants are applying for a student loan, information about student finance is available on the CICM website and help will be given by the registrar if necessary. Two months before the course starts applicants will be invoiced for their fees which must be paid a month before the start date. Information about payment options are given on the College website. Much of the enrolment process is carried out online and applicants need to have internet access. Alterations to the course The College is committed to inform prospective students of any changes to the College programme made between the time of an offer of a place and full registration and to advise of any alternative options available in the circumstances.
Page 3 of 5 Complaints In the event of a complaint about the admissions procedure or the outcome of a selection, see appendix I Admission Appeals and Complaints: Policy and Procedures. Reviewing the policy The admissions policy and procedure will be reviewed on a regular basis and whenever there is a change made to the admissions procedure.
Page 4 of 5 APPENDIX I ADMISSIONS APPEALS AND COMPLAINTS: POLICY AND PROCEDURES CICM is committed to ensuring that all decisions on admissions are fair, transparent and conducted according to our agreed policies and procedures and to this end the College has adopted the following appeals and complaints policy. No applicant shall be prejudiced or disadvantaged by using this policy. This policy and these procedures form a part of the College s Admissions Policy. 1.0 Appeals 1.1 An appeal is defined as a request for reconsideration of a decision to reject an application. The College will not normally alter a rejection decision but should a rejected applicant consider that either: The College has not adhered to its own policies or procedures or is in breach of any national policies or relevant legal requirements: or- There is evidence of bias or prejudice against the applicant Then he or she is entitled to ask for a review of the decision to reject. 2.0 Complaints 2.1 A complaint may be about: the administration of an application or perception that a College procedure or relevant legal requirement has not been correctly implemented or adhered to when dealing with an application. 3.0 Procedure 3.1 An applicant wishing to lodge an appeal or to complain should do so, in writing, to the College Registrar. Complaints or appeals will only be considered from the applicant and not from any third party. An applicant wishing to lodge an appeal should do so within 21 days of the date of the email informing him or her of the decision on his or her application. An applicant wishing to make a complaint should do so within 21 days of the matter concerning the complaint. 3.2 If an appeal or complaint is lodged, the College Dean will contact the applicant to acknowledge receipt of the appeal or complaint. The College will endeavour to deal with any appeal or complaint in a timely manner. The applicant will be kept informed of the progress of his or her appeal or complaint if the period of investigation is likely to exceed 30 working days.
Page 5 of 5 3.3 The Dean will investigate the circumstances of the appeal or complaint consulting relevant staff. In certain circumstances the results of the investigation may be passed to Joint Principal - Education for a ruling. 3.4 During the course of the investigation, the applicant may be asked to provide further information on, or clarification of, any points made in his or her initial correspondence. 4.0 Outcomes 4.1 Appeals Should the investigation establish that a decision to reject was made in breach of any University policy or procedure or of any national policy or law or if there is evidence of bias or prejudice against the applicant, the application will be reconsidered. Should the reconsideration result in a decision to admit the applicant (subject to any conditions being met), but at such a time in the cycle that the original entry point is not possible, a suitable alternative entry point will be offered. 4.2 Should the investigation determine that the original decision be upheld, the applicant will be informed accordingly with a statement as to why the appeal has been rejected. 4.3 Complaints The investigation of a complaint will result in either the complaint being rejected or upheld wholly or in part. Should a complaint be rejected, the applicant will be informed accordingly with a statement as to why the complaint has been rejected. 4.4 If the investigation determines that the complaint be upheld in whole or in part, an apology will be issued to the applicant. Should the findings suggest that changes to procedures or policies are appropriate, this will be stated in any correspondence to the applicant. 5.0 Further consideration 5.1 Should an applicant be dissatisfied with the outcome of an appeal or complaint, he or she should write to the Joint Principal - Education stating the reasons for his or her dissatisfaction and the outcome he or she was seeking. The Joint Principal - Education in conjunction with a member of the Governing Body will investigate the appeal or complaint. 5.2 The decision of the Joint Principal - Education and the member of the Governing Body is final. Once this decision has been communicated to the applicant, no further correspondence will be entered into regarding this application.