FAQ’s
Cph Most Frequently Asked Questions:
01) What is the difference between registration, recognition and accreditation & who recognises CPH?
02) Are you considering degree status?
03) What if I want to get a degree & be a homeopath?
04) Do students receive written course material?
05) Should ‘class’ size matter when choosing a course?
08) If my circumstances change can I move between courses?
09) Are there extra costs involved?
10) Can I join this course if I don’t have a computer?
11) Are there any grants available?
• Click here to find out How to Apply
01 ) What is the difference between registration, recognition and accreditation & who recognises CPH?
1a) Registration is the term used to describe the status of individual homeopaths. There are a number of voluntary registers run by professional bodies representing homeopaths. The main ones of these are:
• The Alliance of Registered Homeopaths (ARH)
• The Homeopathic Medical Association (HMA)
• The Society of Homeopaths (SoH)
• Plus at least five more
At some time in the future there may be a single register and an accrediting system for homeopathic colleges, but there is no agreement between the professional bodies as yet.
1b) Accreditation relates to the status of training providers. Homeopathy is currently an unregulated therapy in the UK and there is no national accreditation system for homeopathic qualifications or course providers.
The Society of Homeopaths (which is only one of a number of professional bodies) have run a voluntary recognition programme for course providers that is purely devised as a route of entry to their register and as such does not apply to any other register. It is now to all intents and purposes defunct. CPH withdrew from this scheme at the end of 2008 in order to seek professional independent accreditation from an independent government recognised body.
In January 2009 CPH became the only homeopathic college to achieve accreditation by the British Accreditation Council for Independent Further and Higher Education until 2013.
In January 2010 we were the first and only homeopathic college to be validated as an assessment centre for the Vocational Training Charitable Trust (VTCT) – an independent OfQual registered body.
In addition we were the first (of only two) colleges to be recognised by the UKBA as a Tier 4 sponsor which is an independent accreditation system recognised by the Government that meets the criteria for acceptance of students from overseas.
In August 2010 the Homeopathic Course Providers Forum (HCPF) is launching a voluntary Quality Assurance Validation Scheme for its members and CPH will be one of the first to meet the criteria for recognition by this scheme.
1c ) So who recognises CPH? – CPH is recognised by all the professional bodies representing homeopaths. We strongly encourage our students to belong to a professional body, initially as student members and then on graduation as full members of the body of their choice.
02 ) Are you considering degree status? – No –There is no intention for the profession to become degree entry so treat with caution any claims that it will. The evidence is that degree level courses are too academic and detract from the vocational nature of becoming a working homeopath and have a very high dropout rate. CPH provides a vocational training and is designed for students who want to be competent and confident to run their own successful practices. There is now only one college currently offering a degree as all the others have closed their doors in 2009.
04 ) Do student receive written course material? CPH prides itself on providing the best course material in the UK as this allows our students to concentrate on developing the skills necessary to become competent and confident practitioners, and have a complete set of accessible reference material that will support them throughout their working lives. (Many colleges do not provide decent written course material. All the evidence shows that students who have to take notes only get about 3 – 7% of the information and some of that is often misunderstood!).
05 ) Should ‘class’ size matter when choosing a course? – We believe in ‘quality’ rather than ‘’quantity’. Our experience is that large class sizes/ lecture hall approach and trying to get the maximum number of bums on seats does not work for students, particularly in the first year. We restrict our class size to 20 maximum as this allows us to get to know our students, gives them time to ask questions, get to know each other and gain a good understanding of basic principles that are essential as building blocks for the rest of the course. Students transferring from other colleges often have to repeat a year because they did not gain a good enough grounding to keep up with our students.
06 ) How will I be assessed? – CPH operates a process of continual assessment. The bulk of this is through casework, and all our graduate cases are externally marked. Students also develop their own materia medica and therapeutics manuals. This means that the standard of our students’ work is second to none.
07 ) Are there any exams? – No, CPH uses continuous assessment and students have to have to meet these requirements before they can progress onto the next year.
08 ) If my circumstances change can I move between courses? – Yes, under certain circumstances and at appropriate times – this is because we run one course provided in different ways. All the courses run the same structured, integrated program.
09 ) Are there extra costs involved? – There are no extra charges for internal clinic days. External clinics/supervision and/or sitting-in time are an extra cost in Years Two, Three and Four since these are not within the College control. External tutorials are offered by a number of independent Homeopaths in and around London and students are encouraged to try these. These tutorials vary in cost from free to £20+ depending on duration and the individual who is giving the tutorial.
10) Can I join this course if I don’t have a computer? – Yes you can, but we encourage students to become pc proficient as it is an essential skill for running a small business. We use the website to post teaching materials ahead of each weekend and communicate as much as possible by email. Being able to surf the Web gives you access to a vast alternative and complementary library of information and increasingly sophisticated homeopathic programmes. (Students without a pc can make use of the Resource Centre’s pc and we will help them gain the confidence to become computer literate).
11) Are there any grants available? -We do not provide bursaries or subsidise places. A very few students get local authority discretionary grants, or funding from other charitable organisations in their area. Depending on circumstances some people may be able to claim tax subsidies and small grants. However CPH is a registered course provider and Professional and Career Development Loans are available.
‘Professional and Career Development Loans are commercial bank loans that can be used to help pay for work related learning. You can borrow between £300 and £10,000 to help support the cost of up to two years of learning (or three years if it includes one year’s relevant unpaid practical work). The Government will pay the interest on the loan while you are learning and for one month afterwards. You will then need to start repaying the loan as you would any other commercial loans product. The loan can be used to pay course fees or other costs such as travel and living expenses. You can also use the loan to supplement other forms of support
such as grants or bursaries.
As the Professional and Career Development Loan is a commercial loan product, you should make sure you have investigated all the funding options that may be open to you to ensure you take an informed decision about whether the Loan is right for you.
For further information on financial assistance to support your learning, please visit www.direct.gov.uk/adultlearning or contact Next Step on 0800 100 900.
Cph’s learning provider registration number is: 10080.
Depending on circumstances some people may be able to claim tax subsidies and small grants.
12) What about clinics? – A unique part of CPH is that our students all start clinical practice early in the course as we believe that in order to learn homeopathy you need to apply it. We expect students to be taking live cases as soon as possible (under supervision).
13) Can I visit the college? – Yes.
• Call Tessa on 020 8445 6123 and arrange to speak to the Course Director
• Book Your place to attend a Discovery Day (recommended if you are UK/London based)
• Arrange a Personal Career consultation by appointment (at the college, or by phone or email)
• Arrange to sit in on classes (by appointment)
