BAAB-accredited programmes are delivered at degree level or degree- equivalent Level 6 in England, Wales and Northern Ireland and Level 10 in Scotland.
Across healthcare education, Level 6 is recognised as the threshold where practitioners are prepared for autonomous practice. It ensures that graduates are not simply trained in techniques, but educated to understand underlying principles, assess patients safely, and adapt treatment responsibly in real clinical settings.
Our standards, your education, rooted in quality
The depth and breath of training required within accredited programmes represents the point at which students are rooted in professional-level thinking:
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critical analysis
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clinical reasoning
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reflective practice
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the ability to make safe, informed decisions in complex patient care situations
Both the educational expectations and the programme standards are essential for protecting the public and ensuring professional accountability.
Programme standards
Our Standards of Education and Training for Acupuncture Programmes (SETAPs) form the underpinning framework for acupuncture educational programmes seeking accreditation. Our standards ensure courses provide consistent, high-quality training that prepares students for safe and competent clinical practice. Our six standards cover:
Standard 1 Level of qualification required for Accreditation
Standard 2 Programme admissions
Standard 3 Programme management and resources
Standard 4 Curriculum
Standard 5 Clinical practice
Standard 6 Assessments
The standards require programmes to deliver a curriculum that integrates traditional acupuncture theory with biomedical sciences, supported by structured academic learning and extensive supervised clinical practice. Courses must demonstrate that students develop the necessary clinical competencies, including safe diagnosis, treatment planning, and effective use of acupuncture techniques.
A strong emphasis is placed on clinical training, with requirements for significant supervised practice hours, appropriate assessment of competence, and safe learning environments. Programmes must also ensure robust systems for student assessment, quality assurance, and ongoing curriculum development.
In addition, BAAB standards require clear governance structures within training institutions, including staff qualifications, academic oversight, and processes to maintain educational quality and consistency.
Educational expectations
To meet standard 4, programmes must demonstrate that they meet the curriculum standards set out within the BAcC's Educational Standards.
These standards set out the educational expectations across six areas:
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practice context
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diagnosis and treatment
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communication and interaction
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safety,
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professional development,
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business management
These ensure that graduates can take patient histories, make diagnoses using traditional acupuncture theory, and deliver safe and effective treatment. They must communicate clearly with patients and other healthcare professionals and obtain informed consent.
The standards place strong emphasis on clinical safety, including hygiene, infection control, safe needling, risk management, and safeguarding.
Practitioners must also engage in ongoing professional development through reflection and Continuing Professional Development (CPD).
Finally, graduates must be able to manage a responsible clinical practice, including record keeping, legal and ethical compliance, and professional accountability.
To find out more about how courses demonstrate their ongoing commitment to these standards follow this link to how we accredit page.