Which course should I choose?
The courses on the recognised list have fulfilled a number of institutional and educational criteria. These courses are involved in regular development and review activities with us and with each other. Although we are happy to recommend any of these courses as satisfying the standards we require, each course has an individual ‘flavour’.
We encourage you to contact the courses which appeal to you, browse their websites and obtain prospectuses. Most course providers are happy for you to come and visit them and some hold open days for prospective students, so you could talk to students as well as staff. Don’t be afraid to ask questions – it is important that you select a course which feels right for you and suits your way of learning.
You are also welcome to call our Education Office on 01803 840 187.
How can I find our more about the courses?
You can contact each individual course for a prospectus and through their websites which you can access easily through the links on our recognised list. Once you have looked through this initial information, you will probably think of plenty of questions to ask when you contact the course provider.
For example, questions about the course:
- How many students are in the classes?
- How will the teaching and learning be structured?
- Will there be a variety of approaches to learning – lectures, small groups, academic, experiential, self-directed, collaborative?
- What kinds of support are offered to students – e.g. locally based tutorials, pastoral support, counselling, buddy systems etc.?
- What kind of resources are there to support learning? (library, Information and Communication Technology?)
- Will there be opportunities for clinical observation with a range of homeopaths and/or other practitioners?
- What are the arrangements for students gaining direct, supported clinical experience?
- What guiding principles of the course distinguish it from others?
- What methods of assessment are used (examinations, presentations, portfolios etc.) and what kind of qualification do they lead to?
- How much emphasis is there on practitioner development, including self-reflection, ethics, boundaries, business skills etc.?
- Has the course established any networks for support in practice after qualification?
And questions about the college:
- How long has the course or the college been running?
- How long have the current members of staff been working there and what are their qualifications and experience?
- How are students’ interests represented in the course management?
- When are the fees due and can I pay in instalments? Will I be asked to pay more than one year’s fees in advance?
- Do the stated fees include everything or will there be additional charges (e.g. for supervision of clinical work)?
- If I leave before the end of a year, will any of my fees be refunded?
- How clear is the complaints procedure?
- How stable is the course in financial terms? (Look at numbers of students, fees, overheads etc. Is the institution public, privately-owned or registered as a company or a co-operative? What insurances are in place?)
- Is the institution supported by funding other than the course fees?
- What contingency plans are in place to safeguard students’ education in the event of changes of circumstances, for the college or the student?
Will I be a Registered Homeopath when I have finished the course?
If you qualify from a listed course which is fully recognised at the time of your completion, you will be immediately eligible to apply for registration with the Society of Homeopaths (see our Registration section). This will include the provision of support through continued professional development.
Why isn’t …. on your recognised courses list?
Participation in our recognition procedure is voluntary, so not all courses choose to apply.
What are the employment opportunities in homeopathy?
The vast majority of professional homeopaths in this country are self-employed in their own private practices. Some work independently, whilst others work in homeopathy centres or multi-disciplinary clinics. There are a few posts available working with charities and national schemes.
Can I join the register if I haven’t attended a recognised course?
Yes. We have an Individual Route to registration which is a process of accreditation of prior (experiential) learning as an alternative pathway to our recognised course route. Call Georgie at our Education Office on 01803 840187 for further details of this scheme.
What is the difference between classical and practical homeopathy courses?
The terms ‘classical’ and ‘practical’ can be misleading, as they mean different things to different people. Like the Society’s registration process, our course recognition process encourages diversity whilst supporting high standards. We believe a good education will enable students to become familiar with a variety of approaches, critically evaluate them and rationalise their own ways of working.
Do you provide funding for studies?
No but some students have obtained grants or loans independently to support their studies.
Are there any home-study courses?
There are, but currently all of our recognised courses are mainly attendance based. However some of our recognised courses have alternative pathways based on distance learning for the first one or two years.
Are there any post-qualification courses?
Some of our recognised courses do provide additional post-qualification courses, and you will see other courses advertised in our Journal and Newsletter. Some universities run Masters courses in alternative medicine.
If you have any further general questions about education in homeopathy, please contact Georgie Freemantle.
The Society of Homeopaths Education Office
Room No DS014, Dartington Space, Dartington Hall, Totnes, Devon TQ9 6EN
Tel. 01803 840 187
Email: georgie_freemantle@homeopathy-soh.org