Apply To Traditional Chinese Medicine Courses
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Table of Contents
1. What Is Traditional Chinese Medicine (TCM)?
TCM is considered an ancient and alternative way of treating diseases and illnesses.
The system is based on various approaches, which include herbal medicine, acupuncture, cupping therapy, Tui Na (chinese massage), dietary therapy and qigong and taichi exercises to enhance general health.
The aim of these treatments and therapies is to restore the balance and well-being of the body’s constitution.
Why It Matters To The World?
There is a reason why Traditional Chinese Medicine survived for thousands of years:
- TCM is a holistic approach to treatment, meaning it focuses on treating the whole person rather than just the symptoms of a disease. Instead of targeting a single illness or body part, TCM considers the balance of the body, mind, and environment to promote overall health and well-being.
- TCM uses many combinations of natural treatments that are non-invasive and even advocates exercises such as qigong and tai chi that have been shown to reduce the pain in the lower back and boost psychological and physical health.
- The TCM industry is also a multi-billion dollar space, especially in Asian countries. Many large businesses exists because of medicinal product sales and many food outlets incorporate herbal ingredients into their servings. Research in TCM is ongoing to improve the potency of the treatments without side effects.
Hear first hand from Yi Yan and her journey into the Traditional Chinese Medicine career:
2. Where To Study Traditional Chinese Medicine Courses In Malaysia?
Here are our recommendations of top universities to study Traditional Chinese Medicine courses in Malaysia.
| University | Course |
| 1. Xiamen University Malaysia | Bachelor of Medicine in Traditional Chinese Medicine (Honours) |
| 2. IMU University | Bachelor of Science (Hons) Chinese Medicine |
| 3. Southern University College | Bachelor of Traditional Chinese Medicine (Hons) |
| 4. UTAR | Bachelor of Chinese Medicine (Hons) |
3. Traditional Chinese Medicine Course Pathways & Entry Requirements
There is only one pathway towards a Traditional Chinese Medicine qualification.
Pathway: SPM/O-Levels ➔ Pre-University/Foundation ➔ Traditional Chinese Medicine Degree
As an SPM / O-Level leaver, the entry requirement is 5 credits including Bahasa Melayu, English and two Science Subjects to enter Pre-U or Foundation, if you want to study Traditional Chinese Medicine.
A Pre-University course or Foundation in Science typically takes 1 to 2 years to complete and will qualify you to enter into a Degree in Traditional Chinese Medicine.
A Traditional Chinese Medicine Degree will take 5 years to complete. Here are the general requirements to enter with qualifications from popular pre-university courses or a foundation course:
| Qualifications | General Requirements |
| A-Level | 2D |
| AUSMAT/SACE | ATAR 70 |
| CIMP | 70% |
| STPM | 2C / CGPA 2.50 |
| UEC | 5B |
| Foundation | CGPA 2.50 |
Note: Actual minimum requirements will differ between different universities. Generally, these qualifications also require you to have taken at least 2 subjects in Biology, Chemistry, and/or Physics and achieved the minimum results.
In total, this pathway generally takes 6 years to complete.
4. Accreditations For Traditional Chinese Medicine In Malaysia
Graduates of accredited Chiropractic courses can register with:
- Council on Chiropractic Education Australasia (CCEA)
- Association of Chiropractic Colleges (ACC)
- Malaysian Association of Chiropractors (MAC)
These associations ensure that the standard of education and practice is high. However, unlike medical doctors, chiropractors in Malaysia are not registered under the Malaysian Medical Council but practice under the guidelines of the Traditional and Complementary Medicine (T&CM) Act by the Ministry of Health.
5. What You Learn In A Traditional Chinese Medicine Course
These are subjects you will learn from institutions offering Traditional Chinese Medicine courses:
- Acupuncture Meridians and Acupoints
- Anatomy and Physiology
- Basics of TCM
- Biochemistry
- Chinese Materia Medica
- Chinese Medical Prescriptions
- Chinese Medicine Practice
- Communicable Diseases
- Emperor’s Canon of Internal Medicine
- General Pathology
- Herbal Formulae
- Internal Medicine of TCM
- Pediatrics of Traditional Chinese Medicine
- Professional, Ethical and Legal Issues
- Science of Acupuncture and Moxibustion
- Science of Prescriptions
- Sun Zi’s Art of War and Business Strategies
- Technique of TCM “Tui-Na”
- Therapeutics of TCM “Tui-Na”
- Treatise on Exogenous Febrile Disease
- Treatise on Seasonal Febrile Disease
- Western Emergency Medicine
- Western Medicine Diagnostics
How Can Uni Enrol Help?
Uni Enrol’s experienced counsellors help you compare the pros and cons of studying a Traditional Chinese Medicine Course at different universities and different locations.
6. Why Should I Study Traditional Chinese Medicine?
Pursuing a Traditional Chinese Medicine Course offers numerous benefits. Here are some of them.
- Integrating Ancient Wisdom to Modern Healthcare – Traditional Chinese Medicine has existed for thousands of years and is still a valid form of treatment. There are many people who have a preference for TCM treatments over western medicine.
- Personal Development by Understanding Natural Laws – A Traditional Chinese Medicine Course will help you understand the Tao. In other words, you can realize how the human body resonates with nature.
- Improving Self-Care Practices – The understanding you get from your Traditional Chinese Medicine Course can help you improve your overall health. For example, you will understand better self-care routines to follow and sustain good health, for you and the people around you.
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7. RIASEC Compatibility To A Traditional Chinese Medicine Course
The John Holland Theory of Career Choice states that in choosing a career, people will choose one similar to their personality to ensure job satisfaction, job performance, and career success. The test generates 6 different personality types:
- Realistic (R)
- Investigative (I)
- Artistic (A)
- Social (S)
- Enterprising (E)
- Conventional (C)
With the RIASEC Test, the 6 personalities can generate up to 720 combination possibilities to provide career compatibility. You can try the test yourself here.
If you have these personality traits that stands out the most, you may consider a Traditional Chinese Medicine Course.
INVESTIGATIVE
- If you are an investigative individual, you will rely on theoretical knowledge before you act. You enjoy observation and analysis and use data and science-backed learning to solve problems.
REALISTIC
- Anyone with a realistic profile would be intrigued in the practice of TCM as it does not only involve prescription but also hands-on with treatments such as acupuncture and cupping.
SOCIAL
- Being a healthcare provider, you will inevitably need to interact with people, and if this brings you joy and comes naturally to you, this path should be considered. You also make an impact with patients and promote overall health and wellbeing.
8. Career Opportunities For Traditional Chinese Medicine
Traditional Chinese Medicine can be applied into many areas you may not have thought of:
| Areas of Opportunity | Types of Roles |
| Clinical Practice & Healthcare (Most Common Path) | TCM Practitioner, Acupuncturist, TCM Herbalist, TCM Dermatologist, Pediatric TCM Practitioner |
| Integrative & Holistic Health | Integrative Medicine Specialist, TCM Wellness Consultant, Mind-Body Therapist |
| Research & Academia | TCM Researcher, University Lecturer / Professor, Author & Speaker |
| Herbal Medicine & Natural Products | Herbal Medicine Manufacturer, TCM Product Developer, TCM Retail Specialist |
| Rehabilitation & Specialized Therapy | TCM Sports Therapist, Rehabilitation Specialist, TCM Geriatric Specialist |
| Regulatory & Public Health | TCM Policy Advisor, TCM Quality Control & Safety Expert, Public Health Practitioner |
| Entrepreneurship & Self-Employment | TCM Clinic Owner, Online TCM Consultant, Health & Wellness Influencer |
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About the Author:
Ken Hoong is the co-founder of Uni Enrol and a contributing writer. Drawing on his close work with Uni Enrol’s counsellors, he brings keen insight into Malaysia’s evolving private higher education landscape and the shifting preferences of students in learning and career choices.
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