Northern College of Acupuncture Access and Participation Statement 2025
Introduction
1) This statement sets out NCA’s is commitment to widening participation and access to higher education. We have a proven track record, of successfully providing the highest quality education and promoting high standards of practice in the science and art of acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine and nutrition for the protection and benefit of the public.
2) The College’s objective is to offer access to a university education that meets a student’s needs and to will support all our students to enable them to achieve the best possible learning outcomes.
Access
3) The College’s programmes encourage and support access to higher education through a wide variety of modes of study and flexible provision including distance, and ‘blended’, learning.
4) In addition, one of the College’s charitable objectives is to provide education in and treatment with acupuncture, traditional Chinese medicine, nutrition at preferential charges for members of the public regardless of race, class, religion, gender, sexual orientation or disability, where members of the public would otherwise be deprived of education and/or treatment by reason of financial hardship.
Equality and Inclusion
5) The College complies fully with the Equality Act 2010 in the recruitment of students and is committed to inclusive learning and teaching.
6) The College respects individual choices and we strive to create an inclusive, flexible and supportive environment which recognises the diversity of every individual. The college Equal Opportunities policy defines the general policy of the Northern College of Acupuncture with regard to equal opportunities and to describe the organisational structure which exists for the maintenance, monitoring and pursuit of equal opportunities.
7) Data on our students and equality of opportunity can be found here.
Admission of Students
8) The College welcomes applications from everyone and our mission is to ensure that our services are accessible to all within the bounds of compatible with the provision of safe and effective treatment.
9) This objective is reinforced in our Equal Opportunities policy, which can be viewed here.
10) We are continually evolving to provide support to applicants from their first enquiry through the application process and during enrolment.
11) Our admission policies follow the guiding principles for admissions, recruitment and widening access as set out in the UK Quality Code for Higher Education
Participation
12) Many of our students are able to benefit from higher education as a result of the College’s flexible provision encompassing entry requirements, pace of progression and a blended delivery and learning approach.
13) The College has experience in ensuring inclusive participation and accessibility for all students, for example adjusting active participation to meet students’ particular needs.
Support for Students
14) An extensive support network is provided through the College’s pastoral provision to enable students with a diverse range of needs to fulfil their academic potential. This provision includes individual support plans, soft skills support, study skills tutor, personal tutors and an external counselling provision.
15) The College works with local families to enable our students to access accommodation at a reasonable cost.
16) Students have the opportunity to participate in the development and review of student-related policies through representation on the appropriate committees.
Success
17) The positive feedback received from our students, past and present, indicates the College’s success in providing a quality learning experience to students who would not traditionally enter higher education.
Future Direction
18) We are actively working to broaden the range and delivery modes for our programmes to make them more accessible to students and take advantage of technological advancements. Additionally, we will continue to offer an open and inclusive learning and research-enabling environment to all students who wish to study for a degree at NCA.
Review and Publication of this Statement
19) The Access and Participation Statement has been reviewed by the College’s academic bodies and approved by the Board of Trustees. It is reviewed annually and/or when required to ensure the content remains up to date. It is available on the University’s website here.
Statement drafted January 2025
