Complementary Therapies - BSc (Hons)
With 95% overall student satisfaction in the 2012 National student survey, no other undergraduate programme in the UK offers students the opportunity to study at degree level and to gain three professional qualifications, at the highest level, in massage (MTI); aromatherapy (IFPA), and reflexology (AoR).
Course Content
The programme builds on recommendations by the House of Lords Report (2000) which emphasizes the importance of evidence-based training for complementary therapists.
Part time students on this programme will study modules from Levels 4 to 6 over a minimum of five and a maximum of ten years.
Students will learn to combine complementary and conventional approaches to health care. The training provided in the skills of holistic massage, reflexology and clinical aromatherapy is supported by the biological and behavioural sciences and the development of research skills.
As a student on this programme you will also develop your business skills, benefit from a work placement and, as part of a team, run a student clinic.
For those students initally undertaking the foundation year (Year 0), please refer to the following course entry: Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences.
Year One:
This provides foundation skills and knowledge by developing a range of holistic massage skills and techniques to a professional standard. Reflexology is also introduced in the first year. The body work therapies are supported by biomedical learning in anatomy, physiology and nutrition. You will familiarise yourself with other types of complementary and alternative therapies and examine the importance of issues such as regulation and evidence-based medicine. Qualitative research methods will be introduced.
Year Two:
You will learn the skills of aromatherapy and complete your training in reflexology both to a professional standard. The biomedical theme will continue by developing your understanding of patho-physiology and mechanisms of disease. You will further develop your communication and listening skills. You will also develop skills in quantitative research methods including the use of statistical software, and learn about the use of audit. The business module will enable you to develop your business skills.
Year Three:
In your final year, you will undertake a work placement in a health or social care setting and participate in the running of a student clinic open to the general public. You will continue to develop your body work skills; increase your knowledge of the differential diagnosis of common diseases and examine the influence of psychological and sociological factors on health. Each student undertakes a research project which makes a major contribution to their degree classification.
An integrated approach to health care is emphasised throughout the programme and students will be expected to communicate effectively and therapeutically with clients; understand the importance of communicating with other health care providers; and be able to evaluate which clients need to be referred to other health professionals for further investigation
For further information, please click here. (Microsoft Word Document)
Career Potential
Most of our graduates are working in private practice as self-employed practitioners, who have set up their own businesses, for example:
- Cinnabar Health (Newport)
- Hi Therapies (Bournemouth)
- Therapese Cardiff.
- Cotswold Therapies (Gloucestershire)
One of our graduates works as a therapist at Craig Y Parc special school. Several of our graduates have gained therapeutic positions at Velindre Cancer hospital in Cardiff, at the George Thomas Hospice and at the Marie Curie Hospice at Holme Tower, Penarth.
Other graduates have pursued careers in the management of the complementary therapy provision at hospices or in the community, for example, at The Hospice of the Valleys in Ebbw Vale, at George Thomas Hospice in Cardiff, and at the George Eliot hospital and Mary Ann Evans hospice in Nuneaton.
Employability
The programme helps to prepare students for employment in a number of ways:
Real-life experiences are provided through work placements and in clinics. Students complete their basic professional training during the first two years of the programme, during this period they develop their skills in the teaching clinics. In their final year, the students are qualified practitioners and take responsibility for running the Complementary Therapies Clinic which is open to the general public at a subsidised rate.
Final year students also spend time on work placement. Currently we are working with several organisations in the local community including schools for children with special needs, day centres for adults with disabilities, drug intervention programmes, and palliative care organisations. The student evaluations of their work placements reflect the importance of this experience, and feedback from the host organisations demonstrates how valuable the service users have found this provision.
Students are also prepared for future employment by the business module which is a part of the programme run by the Cardiff School of Management at Cardiff Metropolitan University. Some of our students have continued to receive business advice and support after graduation.
The programme also lays a foundation for a career as a researcher. Some of our graduates have acquired the skills and the motivation necessary to continue their education through post-graduate studies in research (e.g. MPhil/PhD).
Entry Requirements
Applicants wishing to enter the three year degree without undertaking the foundation course should have five GCSE passes incl. English, Maths and Science plus one of the following:
- 240 points from at least 2 A Levels / Scottish Advanced Highers to include grades CC, one to be in Biology
- QCF BTEC Extended Diploma 240 points in Science subject preferably Biological Science
- 240 points within the Irish Leaving Certificate at Highers to include Science preferably Biological Science (C2 minimum grade considered)
- Pass Access with 45 credits at Level 3 to include 15 Merits in a Biological Science
- 240 points from the Welsh Baccalaureate to include grades CC at A Level or equivalent within a Science subject preferably a Biological Science, Core considered as 3rd subject
- Qualifications equivalent to the above
Or ’Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’
If your qualification isn't listed above, please refer to the UCAS website.
If you do not meet the above entry requirements, the ‘Foundation leading to BSc Health Sciences’ is available one year full-time and will provide you with a relevant qualification that will allow you to progress to this BSc upon successful completion. For further information about the Foundation course, please click here.
Candidates with relevant work experience e.g. in health or social care but without the above qualifications are considered on an individual basis. Evidence of academic study in the past five years is normally required.
Entry onto this course is also subject to a satisfactory criminal records bureau (CRB) check. More details about criminal records procedures can be found at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/dbs.
Key Facts
Accredited by:
The Massage Training Institute
The Association of Reflexologists
The International Federation of Professional Aromatherapists
UCAS Code(s):
This course offers the following pathways of study and the relevant UCAS Code, shown below, should be used on your application form:
Certificate in Complementary Therapies (CertHE): B301
Diploma in Complementary Therapies (DipHE): B302
BSc (Hons) Complementary Therapies: B390
BSc (Hons) Complementary Therapies (inc. Foundation): B300
*We do not consider deferred applications for this programme.
Campus: Llandaff
School: Cardiff School of Health Sciences
Course Length:
B301: One year full-time
B302: Two years full-time
B390: Three years full-time
B300: Four years full-time (inc. Foundation)
Also available part-time over a minimum of five years. Contact the programme leader for more information.
Assessment:
Clinical competence is assessed by examination theory and practical skills and through the use of reflective treatment logs. Knowledge of the biomedical and behavioural sciences is assessed through examination, written assignments and presentations. Research skills are examined through case studies, written reports and a research dissertation.
How to Apply:
Applications for this course should be made online to UCAS at http://www.ucas.com/
For further information please visit our How to Apply pages at www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/howtoapply.
International Applicants:
Before making an application, international students (those outside of the EU), should contact the International Office at Cardiff Met to discuss the necessary procedures in relation to studying with us. For further information visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/international
Selection Procedure:
Selection is normally based on the receipt of a completed UCAS application and interview.
Tuition Fees and Financial Support:
For up to date information on tuition fees and the financial support that may be available please refer to www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/fees.
Bursaries & Scholarships:
The university also offers a bursary and scholarship scheme to help students whilst at university. To see if you are eligible, visit www.cardiffmet.ac.uk/scholarships.