Acupuncture course
This vocational training course in acupuncture prepares students for their career as acupuncturists at a professional level. Students are introduced to the classical methods of TCM as well as the modern developments of TCM.
Become a professional acupuncturist
Every lesson weekend includes both theory and practice. In addition to the teacher contact hours, you will work together with fellow students in study groups and do internships in a clinic. On top of that, you can sign up for 10 practical days per year under supervision.
During these two years of the acupuncture course, the number of apprenticeship hours will gradually be increased to help you practise independently in your future TCM career.
“After your graduation, you are ready to practice the profession of acupuncturist independently”
Meet your teachers
Below is a brief introduction of our teachers. On the page Teachers and internship supervisors you will find an extensive introduction of all the teaching team .
Dan Tan
Alex Eftime
Huijun Shen
Jidong Wu
Mei Xing
Ricardo Rodeia
Practical information about the Acupunction course
Lesson program
Subjects of the 1st year Acupuncture course
During first year, the focus will be on the meridians and acupuncture points as well on needling techniques.
- History of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
- Introduction to meridian systems
- Theories of the “Specific Acupuncture Points”
- Essential knowledge of meridians and acupuncture points including fourteen meridian pathways; location, functions and clinical indications of commonly used acupuncture points
- Acupuncture needling techniques
- Moxibustion and Cupping
- Ear-, Scalp-, Electro Acupuncture
- Basic acupuncture point combinations
Subjects of the 2nd year Acupuncture course
In the second year, the emphasis is laid on analyzing and treating diverse and common syndromes seen in clinical practice. Besides theoretical knowledge, case studies and demo patients will be discussed in class as well. Students are required to write a thesis before completion of their final year.
- General introduction to Acupuncture therapeutics and principles
- Acupuncture treatments for a wide range of clinical conditions, such as mental-emotional conditions, neurological conditions, musculoskeletal & painful conditions, genitourinary conditions, gynaecological conditions, skin conditions and paediatric conditions etc.
- ‘Walk steadily over the bridge’: from class to clinic
Class schedule
Time 10.00 – 17.00 hr.Acupuncture 1st year (A group)
2025
- September: 13+14
- October: 4+5
- November: 8+9
- December: 6+7
2026
- January: 10+11
- February: 7+8 (Midterm Exam)
- March: 14+15
- April: 11+12
- May: 2+3; 30+31
- July: Final Exam
Acupuncture 1st year (B group)
2025
- September: 20+21
- October: 11+12
- November: 15+16
- December: 13+14
2026
- January: 17+18
- February: 14+15 (Midterm Exam)
- March: 21+22
- April: 18+19
- May: 9+10
- June: 6+7
- July: Final Exam
Acupuncture 1st year (A group)
2025
- September: 13+14
- October: 4+5
- November: 8+9
- December: 6+7
2026
- January: 10+11
- February: 7+8 (Midterm Exam)
- March: 14+15
- April: 11+12
- May: 2+3; 30+31
- July: Final Exam
Acupuncture 1st year (B group)
2025
- September: 20+21
- October: 11+12
- November: 15+16
- December: 13+14
2026
- January: 17+18
- February: 14+15 (Midterm Exam)
- March: 21+22
- April: 18+19
- May: 9+10
- June: 6+7
- July: Final Exam
Practice and Internship
After completing the Foundations of Chinese Medicine, during every lecture weekend of the first and second year Acupuncture practice is done in addition to the theory. Getting to know the course of the meridians, locating points and learning to apply needling techniques, moxa and cupping, are mostly trained in the first year. In the second year, the emphasis is mainly on case analyses, diagnosing and live treating of patients. All this is done in class as well as in smaller groups under the supervision of the teachers.
In addition to classes, students attend a number of hours of internship in acupuncture clinics. This is possible both internally at Shenzhou and externally. The total number of hours of clinical internship is 280 hours.
Study requirements
- E-learning
- Homework
- Study group (practice and/or theory)
- Clinical apprenticeship
- Portfolio assignments particulars for each specific course
Accreditation
All our English TCM-programs have been fully accredited by the independent accreditation organisation SNRO with 200 EC according to the newest higher professional education standards (HBO).
Together with our SNRO accredited Western Medicine course this leads to a total of 240 EC. This enables our graduates to operate at a similar level as HBO bachelor graduates in the Dutch health care system as well as being able to give VAT-free health treatments.
Study material and study books
Students have to purchase a number of books and for Western Medicine, a mandatory reader. Extended syllabi will be distributed during the course via the student platform.
Below, some of the mandatory study books are listed. After registration you will receive the list with all the required books.
Please do not purchase any books from this list before your registration is completed. After you have registered, our study coordinators will provide you with the most up-to-date information, including editions and ISBN numbers.
- A Manual of Acupuncture, Peter Deadman
- The practice of Chinese Medicine, Giovanni Maciocia
- The Practical Application of Acupuncture and Moxibustion (syllabi), Shenzhou Open University of TCM
