Are you intrigued by the ancient art of acupuncture but find yourself strapped for time in today’s fast-paced world? Imagine if you could immerse yourself in the wisdom of acupuncture and unlock its transformative power within a few short weeks or even days.
Well, stop imagining! In this article, I will show you the 15 shortest acupuncture courses in the United Kingdom.
Most of these courses are online and self-paced, allowing you to fit learning into your busy schedule. From introductory workshops to comprehensive foundation courses, each offering promises an enriching experience that blends theory with hands-on practice.
Whether you are a beginner, or a professional looking to improve your craft, there is something for you. Enough talking — let me find you a course! I will use my experience in the online learning industry to research and tell you the courses that fit you.
Before I continue, if you do not mind the length and location of the course, you can check out the article on 10 Best Acupuncturist Courses Online and Offline.
Here are the 15 Shortest Acupuncture Courses for Anyone in the UK
2-Day Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Workshop
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it lasts for 2 days.
- Course fee: it will cost you £250 per day.
- Course delivery mode: it is an on-site course.
- Course provider: it is a course by the Asanté Academy of Chinese Medicine.
The 2-Day Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Workshop focuses on facial acupuncture treatments. The course involves hands-on practice on facial treatments, including acupuncture and massage.
The first day is a general introduction to facial acupuncture, including its benefits and contraindications. It also includes an introduction to supplies and essential oils, massage techniques, and hands-on practice in facial acupuncture.
On the second and final day, you will delve into an overview of facial acupuncture protocol and guidelines. You will receive a certificate of completion at the end of the course.
I consider this course one of the best for practical learning. However, it does not have an online option.
For more information about the course, see 2-Day Facial Rejuvenation Acupuncture Workshop.
The Healing and Acupuncture College (HAC) Course
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it will take you 8–10 months to complete it.
- Course fee: the total cost is £4,695.
- Course delivery mode: it is a hybrid course.
- Course provider: it is a course prepared by The Healing and Acupuncture College.
The Healing and Acupuncture College offers one of the best acupuncture courses in the UK. The HAC course is a fast-track course that prepares you for a career in acupuncture.
In this course, you will complete a total of 8 online modules. After each module, you must attend the practical weekend once a month.
The online learning resources include videos, directed reading, assignments, and evaluations. During the weekend sessions, you will gain practical skills such as point location and needling, diagnosis, clinical work, and self-development.
From my research on the testimonials from past students, two things stood out: the course is practical, and the learning materials are comprehensive. The certification you receive at the end of the course is enough to practice legally in the UK.
Acupuncture Course for Beginners
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it is a self-paced course you can complete in 15 months.
- Course fee: module 1 costs £900 while module 2 costs £2,400.
- Course delivery mode: it is an on-site course.
- Course provider: this course is offered by Body Harmonics.
This acupuncture course consists of 2 compulsory modules and a third optional module. Module 1 lasts for 11 days. It is compulsory for beginners who do not have TCM or medical qualifications.
In this first module, you will study through the medium of Tui Na. Tui Na operates with a similar Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM) theory as acupuncture.
Module 2 is a 22-day training. It consists of morning and afternoon sessions. The morning session covers all the relevant TCM theory, while the afternoon involves supervised clinical practice.
Once you gain certification from this program, you can obtain membership and insurance from the Acupuncture-Acutherapy Council AcuC. If you are a beginner, I recommend you take this course.
For more information about the course, see Acupuncture Course for Beginners.
Certificate in Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes 120 hours to complete (4 hours per week over a duration of 30 weeks).
- Course fee: it costs £2,880.
- Course delivery mode: it is an on-site course.
- Course provider: it is a course offered by the Confucius Institute for Traditional Chinese Medicine.
Certificate in Acupuncture is a 120‐hour foundational course in the theory and practice of acupuncture. The training emphasizes holistic care over symptom-focused approaches.
In this course, you will learn about essential examination, diagnosis, and treatment methods rooted in Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM).
The course offers training at the individual level and in small group formats. This flexible approach ensures personalized attention and effective learning opportunities for all participants.
For more information about the course, see Acupuncture Training.
Reflexology, Aromatherapy and Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it is an 11-hour self-paced course.
- Course fee: it costs £30.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course packaged by the Academy for Health and Fitness.
Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Acupuncture is a CPD-certified course consisting of 4 parts. In the training, you will gain expertise in three complementary therapies.
You will also learn the art of crafting soothing and revitalizing essential oil blends in aromatherapy.
The course is entirely online, with interactive lessons and voice-over audio. Another advantage of the course is the lifetime access to the course materials.
For more information about the course, see Online Reflexology, Aromatherapy, and Acupuncture.
Diploma in Acupuncture Pain Management with Reflexology and Aromatherapy
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it lasts for 5 hours.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Learn Drive.
In this course, you will learn about concepts and practices in acupuncture, especially in pain management. You will learn about Qi, Meridians, and Yin and Yang.
You will also understand how acupuncture harmonizes the body, spirit, and mind. Other essential topics in the course include the impact of acupuncture on mental health.
The course is CPDQE-accredited. It prepares you for higher-level courses, including a Level 4 Diploma in Advanced TCM Acupuncture.
For more information about the course, see Diploma in Acupuncture Pain Management with Reflexology & Aromatherapy.
Acupuncture Level 3 Advanced Diploma
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes a minimum of 24 hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £12.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Learning Idol.
The Acupuncture Level 3 Advanced Diploma provides a comprehensive exploration of both practical and theoretical dimensions of acupuncture. With a strong focus on hands-on learning, you gain confidence enough to apply acupuncture techniques in real-life situations.
This advanced diploma program fosters accessibility and engagement, ensuring that you can fully immerse yourself in the study and practice of acupuncture.
Whether you are a beginner in acupuncture or looking to upskill, you can take this course. It provides the necessary foundation for much deeper studies.
However, basic knowledge about acupuncture will help you grasp the course content faster. So, I recommend you digest basic information about acupuncture before enrolling.
For more information about the course, see Online Acupuncture Level 5 Advanced Diploma.
The World of Acupuncture Unveiled
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes 125 hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £279.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Study Hub.
This course is simply mind-blowing. Of all the courses I researched, this one stood out for me.
The World of Acupuncture Unveiled is a CPD-accredited course consisting of 25 courses packaged in 1. As the name suggests, the course explores acupuncture from basic to advanced level.
You will learn about several techniques in acupuncture. You will also understand the concepts of mind, yoga, and meditation.
The course includes lessons on Anatomy and Physiology. These subjects aid your practice in acupuncture.
You can take this certificate course as a student, recent graduate, job seeker, or someone seeking expertise.
For more information about the course, see The World of Acupuncture Unveiled.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it will take you 1.6 hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £12.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is provided by Learndrive.
Acupuncture for Pain Relief is a course that teaches you the fundamentals of acupuncture therapy. It can be challenging to identify acupressure points.
In this course, you will learn how to identify acupressure points and meridians for pain relief. You will also gain the confidence to apply acupuncture in pain management on your own.
The course consists of 11 sections and 16 lessons. I like how straight-to-the-point each of the lessons was.
For more information about the course, see Online Acupuncture for Pain Relief – CPD Certified Course.
Oplex Careers Acupuncture Course
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes 60 recommended hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £24.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Oplex Careers.
This acupuncture course offered by Oplex Careers offers you the opportunity to gain a Level 3 CPD in acupuncture. It consists of 12 modules which you must complete before taking the exams.
In this course, you will develop your skills in acupuncture by first learning to identify acupoints accurately. You will also learn how to diagnose according to the TCM system.
Once you complete the course, you will receive your certificate in PDF. However, you can apply for a hard copy certificate for £9.99.
One of the advantages of this course is the full tutor support included in the course. They will help you find your feet in acupuncture as a career.
For more information about the course, see Acupuncture Course | Oplex Careers.
Acupuncture Essentials
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it will take you 28 hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £23.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Course Line.
Acupuncture Essentials offers a complete package of three thorough courses. These courses provide the fundamental skills and knowledge necessary to succeed in Acupuncture and related fields.
The course suits you whether as a beginner or an experienced learner. You will explore several acupuncture strategies, from basic to advanced.
One feature I like most about this course is its use of case studies in lectures. You will also get to the hands-on projects that will give you the maximum learning experience.
Once you complete the modules, you will take multiple-choice examination questions. A verifiable certificate that will demonstrate your skills is available afterward.
For more information about the course, see Online Acupuncture Essentials Course.
Medical Acupuncture Certification
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: information on the duration was not disclosed.
- Course fee: it costs £75.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by Online Courses Learning.
The Medical Acupuncture Certification course is an online course that will enable you to develop essential professional skills for advancing your acupuncture techniques. In this course, you will learn about acupuncture application, treatment principles, diagnosis, and therapeutic approaches for curing various conditions.
The course provides essential knowledge about medical acupuncture, beginning from its origins. You will also receive guidance in pursuing a career path in acupuncture.
This course offers lifetime access to the course materials. You receive a CPD certification upon completion of the course.
For more information about the course, see Medical Acupuncture Certification.
Five-element Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes 2 years to complete.
- Course fee: I did not find any information on the course fee.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a Yellow Path course.
Five-element acupuncture is a course that will help you understand how the balance of the five elements affects human health. These elements include water, earth, fire, metal, and wood.
According to the practice of acupuncture, any shift in the balance of these elements results in symptoms. In this course, you will learn how to diagnose the cause of the imbalance in people with ill health.
Once you understand the cause, you can then affect the flow of energy across the acupuncture points.
You can access the entire curriculum online. However, you must attend the in-person classes at the institution’s central London training site monthly.
Five Element Acupuncture Theory
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it will take you 20–30 hours to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £350.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course by the International College of Acupuncture.
Five Element Acupuncture Theory is a course that will broaden your knowledge of the science of acupuncture. The course consists of 5 sections.
In the first section, you learn the essence of the five elements: water, earth, fire, metal, and wood. You will understand how the balance of these elements is essential for health and wellness.
The second section contains information on the function of the organs regarded as the “12 officials”. You can find several courses to learn more about body organs through our article about 11 free online medical courses for high school students. The third section delves into the clinical implications of treatments and the use of points.
The fourth section talks about the five elemental associations of color, sound, odor, and emotions. The final section deals with foods for the five elements and officials.
Although this course is rich, the certificate you receive is not enough to become a five-element acupuncturist. However, it is a good start.
For more information about the course, see Five Element Acupuncture Training UK.
Facial Enhancement Acupuncture
Here is an overview of the course:
- Course duration: it takes 30 hours of study to complete.
- Course fee: it costs £295.
- Course delivery mode: it is an online course.
- Course provider: it is a course packaged by Acupuncture Courses Online.
Facial Enhancement Acupuncture is a course consisting of 8 lessons and 16 videos. The tutor is Paul Adkins.
From my research about him, I discovered that he is a household name in facial acupuncture. He has written two books on the subject and trained several others.
In this course, you will start with learning the basics, including the essential equipment needed for facial acupuncture. The last part of the course describes deeper topics such as facial massage and finish.
Other topics include needling the jaw, treating the neck, and working on wrinkles, among others.
Before you can enroll in this course, you must have one of the following certifications:
- TCM Acupuncturist
- Five Element Acupuncturist
- Eastern Acupuncture Training
- Western Medical Acupuncture BMAS/AACP
- Auricular Diploma Qualification
For more information about the course, see Facial Enhancement Acupuncture.
FAQs on Shortest Acupuncture Courses UK
What Qualifications Do I Need to Be an Acupuncturist in the UK?
You must obtain an acupuncture degree approved by the British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB).
Can You Practice Acupuncture Without a License in the UK?
There are no statutory regulations for acupuncture in many parts of the UK. However, you may require a license to practice in places like Greater London.
Conclusion
I have shown you 15 short acupuncture courses in the UK. These courses provide concentrated training in the theory and practice of acupuncture.
Many of the courses are online, while some require in-person classes alongside the online curriculum. However, what most of them have in common is their self-paced nature. This makes it easier to incorporate learning into your busy schedule.
I hope you have found the one best suited for you. Happy learning!
Recommended Articles
- 10 Best Free Online Medical Courses with Certificates in UK
- Best 4-Week Medical Certificate Programs For You
- Picking the Best 4-week Online Course For Medical Coding and Billing
- 6 Free Online Medical Courses with Certificates
- 10 Best Accredited Medical Billing and Coding Schools in California
- 8 Best 2-week CNA Classes Online Free in US