MSc/PGDip in Chinese Herbal Medicine - Year Three
Research Project Module
If you choose the MSc option, in Year Three you will complete the Research Project Module (60 credits). This module provides you with the opportunity to develop the research skills required to design and conduct a research project on a chosen topic, and then to organise and complete either a literature review or a small-scale research project. It facilitates the development of a critical understanding of research within the field, as well as a sound understanding of the principles of research design across a broad spectrum. It enables you to integrate scientific and academic rigour with the practical and clinical concerns of the practitioner. This module is taught at level 7.
You will work with an allocated supervisor who will guide you with the specific research method you have chosen and you will join online taught and support sessions with other NCA students writing their research projects.
For your Research Project you will write a proposal and ethics submission and then produce a journal article and poster ready for publication and presentation, supported by a summary and project notebook.
At successful completion of this module you will have gained your MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine and made your unique contribution to the evidence base.
Help to fund your Research Project
We have a specific fund to assist with covering costs of conducting research, such as costs of testing, that you may incur during your research project and you can apply to us for this assistance.
Publication of your findings
We feel that it is important that all your hard work is now recognised by your peers and the profession. Your journal article will enable you to publish your findings in a professional or peer- reviewed journal. Our Research Project Module Leader will help and advise you with this process.
Presenting your poster
We also encourage you to attend research conferences to present your poster such as the NCA Research Conference, ARRC, Camstrand etc.
Afterwards
On completion of your MSc in Chinese Herbal Medicine you will have made a special contribution to the field by expanding the current evidence base. Growing the evidence base for Chinese herbal medicine is essential to the future of our profession. Our MSc students are making an important contribution to ensuring that the public are well informed about the impact of Chinese herbal medicine, and to the development of clinical practice. Having achieved an MSc, you will demonstrate to your colleagues, your potential patients and the wider population that you have special expertise in your area of research. You may ultimately wish to deepen your knowledge of this area in your wider practice or consider progressing further to a higher degree (PhD or professional doctorate).
Our Masters students contribute to the profession in their many and varied research projects/dissertations.
Read abstracts from our herbal medicine dissertations
Ruth Reffell (graduate):
"I graduated from the London College of Traditional Acupuncture and Oriental Medicine in 2010 and have been practising in various settings since. I decided to study herbs as I believed it will be very useful for my fertility patients, and it was also a good opportunity to deepen my understanding and practice of Chinese medicine. I chose the NCA as it offered the most comprehensive and thorough training currently available in the country The teaching at the NCA was first class; the staff are inspiring and very supportive. The small group size also enables tutors to be closely aware of individual circumstances, which adds immeasurably to the experience. The variety of assignments enrich the learning experience, and the shared learning with peers is fun, stimulating, and helps to reinforce knowledge and understanding. Chinese herbal medicine is a wonderful addition to my acupuncture practice. As herbs provides a ‘continuous’ treatment, I feel able to treat patients more effectively and achieve results more quickly than with acupuncture alone."
