Browse answers below to some of the most commonly asked questions we receive about the programme. Click on a question to read the answer.
If you still have a question to ask of us, don’t hesitate to get in touch using the contact form provided and we’ll be delighted to help.
Is COFEA Right for Me?
What is COFEA?
The College of Five Element Acupuncture (COFEA) is an acupuncture college based in Dublin, Ireland. It teaches Classical Five Element Acupuncture and offers a three-year, part-time programme leading to the Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic. Ac.).
What does COFEA teach?
COFEA teaches the theory and practice of Classical Five Element Acupuncture. The curriculum follows the oral tradition and uses a spiral, non-linear approach in which material is revisited in greater depth as students become more competent.
What makes COFEA different from other acupuncture colleges?
It is the only college in Ireland offering training in Five Element Acupuncture leading to the internationally recognised Licentiate in Acupuncture qualification. The programme focuses on this tradition in depth rather than presenting several styles at a surface level.
Who is the course designed for?
The course is for people who want to become professional acupuncturists, whether they are adding to existing skills, retraining in healthcare, moving away from a current career, or choosing acupuncture after experiencing or seeing the benefits of treatment.
Do I need previous specialist training?
No. Previous specialist training is not required. Students are taught what they need to know to become professional acupuncturists.
What qualities does COFEA look for in applicants?
At interview, applicants should demonstrate commitment to the subject, the ability to study at higher-education level, and a willingness to do what it takes to help people in this way.
What questions should I ask myself before applying?
Ask whether you want to do something you are passionate about, whether you have a genuine desire to help others, whether you are interested in how a human being works, whether you are prepared to see people as whole and unique – body, mind and spirit – and whether you want to become expert in a long-established system of medicine.
Can I study at COFEA if I work full time or have family commitments?
Yes. the course is structured on a part-time basis to allow students to continue working and/or meeting family commitments.
Is COFEA suitable for international students?
Yes. The programme welcomes national and international participants and helps students from across the globe settle into the routine of studying in Ireland.
What Is Five Element Acupuncture?
What is Five Element Acupuncture?
Five Element Acupuncture treats each person as unique on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level. Treatment is therefore unique to each person rather than based only on a symptom or diagnosis.
Why does COFEA emphasise the whole person?
Each person is unique physically, emotionally, mentally and spiritually, and treatment is tailored to that individual.
What does COFEA mean by body, mind and spirit?
The programme includes study of the levels of energy – body, mind and spirit – and the significance of symptoms. Students also learn how to address the needs of the body, mind and spirit in treatment planning.
Does the course compare Five Element Acupuncture with other acupuncture traditions?
Yes. The programme includes the history and philosophy of acupuncture and reviews how differing traditions evolved, including Dao, Yin-Yang and Traditional Chinese Medicine, before going on to Five Element theory and practice.
What Five Element laws and theories are studied?
Students study the natural laws within the Five Element tradition, including the Laws and Cycles of the Five Elements, the Law of Mother and Child, the Law of Cure, the Law of Midday and Midnight, and Organ/Meridian Theory.
Does the programme cover specialised treatment patterns?
Yes. The curriculum covers specialised treatment patterns and point groupings, including Windows of the Sky, Possession and the use of Internal and External Dragons, Aggressive Energy, Husband/Wife imbalances, Seas and Oceans, Akabanis, and Entry-Exit Blocks.
Why are the senses important in Five Element diagnosis?
The training guides students in using and respecting the laws of nature and places emphasis on reawakening and developing natural diagnostic skills: the ability to see, hear, ask and feel.
What diagnostic indicators are taught?
Traditional diagnosis includes the diagnostic indicators of colour, sound, emotion and odour. Students also study case histories, the causative factor, the level of disease and physical examination.
How Is the Three-Year Programme Structured?
How long does the programme take?
The programme runs part-time over three years.
What qualification is awarded at graduation?
On graduation, students are awarded the Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic. Ac.).
How are Years 1 and 2 scheduled?
The current course structure uses in-person classes once a month for Years 1 and 2, with classes running from Friday to Sunday. Then, there are 2 online Sessions taking place twice a month between in – person classes to support and enhance your learning.
What are the in-person class times?
In-person class times are listed as 9:00am to 5:30pm, with an hour for lunch and breaks during the day.
Are there online classes?
Yes. Between each in-person session, there are two live online classes, each lasting two hours, held in the evenings to supplement the in-person classes.
What happens in Year 3?
Year 3 is the clinical year. Students treat patients under supervision through weekly in-person visits for six months, followed by four monthly visits to finish.
Is there a published course timetable?
Yes. The Year 1 timetable for 2026/27 includes ten in-person sessions from September 2026 through June 2027 and two online sessions between each in-person session.
Does the college reserve the right to change classes?
Yes. COFEA Ireland reserves the right to cancel or reschedule classes.
How Much Study Time Is Required?
How much work is required outside college hours?
Students need to devote approximately 10 hours per week to study outside class hours.
What does directed study include?
Directed study includes the theory and practice of Five Element Acupuncture, pulse taking, point location, other relevant clinical skills, writing organised class notes and keeping a seasons diary.
Can students study together?
Yes. Students may meet in groups to satisfy the directed study requirement, subject to any applicable public health recommendations.
Is outside study only book learning?
No. Outside work includes activities such as keeping a seasons diary, learning point location and taking the pulse, not just sitting down and learning from a book.
How many course hours are listed by COFEA?
The programme includes 656 class hours, 408 supervised clinical hours and 2,260 directed study hours.
| Year | Class Hours | Supervised Clinical Hours | Directed Study |
| Year 1 | 307 | 24 | 780 |
| Year 2 | 307 | 48 | 780 |
| Year 3 | 42 | 336 | 700 |
| Total | 656 | 408 | 2,260 |
What Will I Learn?
What are the main areas of programme content?
The programme content includes Five Element Acupuncture theory, history and philosophy; point location and application; traditional diagnosis; supervised clinical practice; treatment planning; patient/practice management and ethics; pulse diagnosis; Western Medicine; and personal and professional development.
Will I learn point location?
Yes. Students are taught how to locate acupuncture points on the twelve meridians and on the Conception and Governor Vessels.
What types of acupuncture points are covered?
Students learn about source, junction, horary, tonification and sedation points, element points, entry and exit points, associated effect points, alarm points and first aid points.
Is surface anatomy included?
Yes. point location requires a good knowledge of surface anatomy and that surface anatomy is taught as an integral part of point location.
Will I learn the actions of points and combinations?
Yes. The course teaches the actions of points and combinations.
What is traditional diagnosis?
Traditional diagnosis is described as the study of the factors essential to make the correct diagnosis in Five Element Acupuncture. It includes awakening students’ natural abilities to see, hear, ask and feel, using the diagnostic indicators of colour, sound, emotion and odour.
Will I learn to take case histories?
Yes. Taking case histories is listed as part of traditional diagnosis, along with assessing the causative factor and level of disease and performing physical examination.
Will I learn treatment planning?
Yes. Students develop principles and priorities for planning treatment, translating a traditional diagnosis into an effective treatment plan, addressing body, mind and spirit needs, exploring treatment methods, evaluating treatment and determining future treatments.
Will I learn pulse diagnosis?
Yes. The course provides thorough training in pulse taking of the twelve meridians, including their strengths and qualities and what pulses can tell practitioners about a patient’s current and previous health status.
Will I learn needle technique?
Yes. Supervised clinical practice includes needle technique, along with pulse readings, diagnosis, point location, treatment planning, rapport skills, touch and physical examination skills.
How Does Clinical Training Work?
When do students begin treating patients?
Year 3 is the clinical year, when students treat patients under supervision.
What is supervised clinical practice?
Supervised clinical practice involves students being supervised while developing their skills in a clinical setting with patients.
What does clinical supervision include?
Supervision covers pulse readings and diagnosis, point location, treatment planning, needle technique, rapport skills, touch and physical examination skills.
How many supervised clinical hours are included?
Students complete 24 supervised clinical hours in Year 1, 48 in Year 2 and 336 in Year 3, for a total of 408 supervised clinical hours.
Does the programme include a student clinic?
Yes. Discounted treatments are available in the Student Clinic, and Year 3 includes clinical work with patients under supervision.
Why is patient safety emphasised?
Five Element Acupuncture is taught as a safe system of medicine. Students learn in a safe environment that puts patient safety first.
How does COFEA help students move from classroom learning to patient care?
The programme builds from theory and practical skills into supervised clinical practice. Students learn diagnosis, point location, treatment planning, rapport skills, pulse taking, needle technique and physical examination before and during supervised work with patients.
What Professional Skills Will I Develop?
Does the course include patient rapport skills?
Yes. Practitioner/patient rapport skills are specifically listed within the traditional diagnosis section and supervised clinical practice section.
Are communication skills taught?
Yes. Patient/practice management and ethics includes communication skills, trust, confidentiality, listening and counselling.
Does the course include practice management?
Yes. Patient and practice management includes patient homework, appropriate referrals, finances, advertising, public service, and the standards required by the Codes of Ethics and Safe Practice.
Are ethics part of the course?
Yes. Ethics are included in patient/practice management, along with the college’s Codes of Ethics and Safe Practice.
Does the course include personal development?
Yes. Self-reflective and self-observational awareness are part of students’ personal and professional development throughout the three years.
Why does COFEA emphasise self-observation?
Mastery of this healing art requires an understanding of ourselves first. Diagnosing through colour, sound, odour and emotion requires practitioners to leave themselves outside the treatment room so they can truly experience the patient.
What personal development practices are mentioned?
Trainer State and Roots and Branches 5 Element Qi Gong, among other techniques, are taught to enhance students’ self-understanding.
How Does COFEA Teach?
Who teaches at COFEA?
The faculty are practitioners and teachers of Five Element Acupuncture who love practising this system of medicine and welcome as many student questions as needed.
What is COFEA’s teaching approach?
The curriculum follows the oral tradition of Classical Five Element Acupuncture and uses a spiral, non-linear system of learning associated with Eastern approaches to teaching.
What does spiral learning mean at COFEA?
Many modules are cumulative. Material presented in the first term may be revisited later in greater depth, giving students repeated opportunities to become more comfortable and proficient.
What is the aim of COFEA’s training?
The aim is to develop skilled diagnosticians and practitioners, not merely agile test-takers.
Does COFEA encourage questions?
Yes. Students are welcome to ask as many questions as they need to.
What kinds of experience do faculty members have?
Faculty biographies describe teachers who are practising Five Element acupuncturists, members of professional organisations, graduates of acupuncture colleges in Ireland and abroad, and experienced teachers. The Western Medicine teacher is a medical doctor and registered specialist.
Who is the Principal of COFEA?
John Littleton is a Five Element Acupuncturist, Teacher and Principal of the College. Declan Rothwell is a Five-Element Acupuncturist, Teacher and President of the College.
What Western Medicine Is Included?
Is Western Medicine included in the course?
Yes. The major clinical aspects of Western Medicine are covered.
What Western Medicine topics are covered?
The course covers investigations and diagnosis, epidemiology, major causes of ill health including socio-economic factors, medical terminology, pharmacology, physiology, pathology and red flags.
Which body systems are included?
Western medical studies cover the circulatory, lymphatic, respiratory, uro-genital, dermatological, autoimmune, digestive, musculoskeletal, endocrine, nervous system and mental health areas, along with red flags in these areas.
Who teaches Western Medicine?
Dr Edgar Mocanu, MD, teaches Western Medicine. He is a registered specialist in Obstetrics and Gynaecology and a Royal College of Obstetricians and Gynaecologists-certified subspecialist in Reproductive Medicine and Surgery.
What Qualification and Recognition Will I Have?
What qualification do students receive at the end of the course?
Graduates are granted the internationally recognised Licentiate in Acupuncture (Lic. Ac.).
Where does the qualification enable graduates to practise?
The qualification enables graduates to practise in Ireland, the UK, the Netherlands and other countries throughout the world. Students should confirm whether the qualification meets the requirements in their country of residence.
Is the course recognised by a professional organisation?
Yes. the core curriculum meets the membership standards of the Acupuncture Council of Ireland (ACI), the largest acupuncture professional organisation in Ireland.
Can graduates apply to join the Acupuncture Council of Ireland?
Yes. Upon completion of the course, graduates are eligible to apply for membership of the ACI.
Why does ACI membership matter?
ACI membership allows patients to claim refunds from their health insurer for the cost of attending a graduate’s practice, among other benefits.
What is ETCMA?
The Acupuncture Council of Ireland is a member of the leading European acupuncture body, the ETCMA.
What about students who want to practise in the United States?
Students from the United States may need to pass additional exams to practise there. The course provides a solid foundation for those exams, and graduates from the United States and other countries have completed this process.
What Does It Cost and How Do I Apply?
What are the fees for the three years?
Tuition is EUR 4,500 for Year 1, EUR 4,750 for Year 2 and EUR 4,950 for Year 3, for a total of EUR 14,200.
| Year | Tuition Fee |
| Year 1 | EUR 4,500 |
| Year 2 | EUR 4,750 |
| Year 3 | EUR 4,950 |
| Total | EUR 14,200 |
Are payment options available?
Yes. Three payment options are available: pay 50% of the Year 1 fee before the course starts and the remaining 50% later in the course; pay the full Year 1 fee before the course starts and receive a EUR 200 discount; or pay 50% before the course starts and the remaining 50% by monthly standing order through June 2027.
How do I apply online?
Applicants can apply online by providing their personal details through the application form.
Can I apply using an offline form?
Yes. Applicants can download an offline application form, type into it or print and complete it, then scan or photograph it and send it to COFEA with a passport photo and accompanying documents.
How does COFEA handle personal information?
All information and personal data provided are treated as confidential in accordance with the General Data Protection Regulation and data protection legislation.
What is the closing date for applications?
Individual circumstances can be accommodated where possible. Prospective students should contact the college for more information.
Are latecomers considered?
Late applicants will be considered, please contact the College as soon as possible.
Where Is COFEA and How Can I Learn More?
Where is COFEA located?
COFEA is located at 6/8 Vernon Avenue, Clontarf, Dublin D03 T6C0, Ireland.
How close is the teaching location to Dublin City Centre?
The teaching location as conveniently located in Dublin, 20 minutes by car, train or bus from Dublin City Centre.
How close is COFEA to Dublin International Airport?
The teaching location is approximately 20 minutes from Dublin International Airport.
Is accommodation available nearby?
Competitively priced accommodation is available in the local area.
Does COFEA offer introductory events?
A free one-hour ‘Introduction to Acupuncture Studies’ online event gives prospective students an opportunity to learn about the system of medicine.
Is there a prospectus?
Yes. A prospectus is available to download.
How can I contact COFEA?
Telephone: +353 1 833 0865. Email: info@cofea.ie.
Download the COFEA prospectus
Summary of Course Hours
Year One
307
Class Hours
24
Supervised Clinical Hours
331
Total For Year
780
Directed Study
Year Two
307
Class Hours
48
Supervised Clinical Hours
355
Total For Year
780
Directed Study
Year Three
42
Class Hours
336
Supervised Clinical Hours
378
Total For Year
700
Directed Study
Total
656
Class Hours
408
Supervised Clinical Hours
1064
Total For Year
2260
Directed Study
Programme Content:
Classical Five Element Acupuncture
Theory/History/Philosophy and Different Acupuncture Traditions. The course involves the study of the history and philosophy of acupuncture and how the differing traditions of acupuncture evolved. The Dao/Yin – Yang/Traditional Chinese Medicine will all be reviewed.
The course then goes on to provide training in the theory and practice of the natural laws that are part of this particular tradition of Acupuncture – Laws and Cycles of the Five Elements/Law of Mother and Child/Law of Cure/Law of Midday & Midnight/ Organ/Meridian Theory.
Levels of Energy: Body, Mind, and Spirit; Significance of Symptoms.
Balancing of Energy; Specialized Treatment Patterns and Groupings of Points, including Windows of the Sky, Possession, and the use of Internal and External Dragons, Aggressive Energy, Husband/Wife Imbalances, Seas and Oceans, Akabanis, Entry-Exit Blocks.
Energy Transfers; Internal and External Causes of Disease.
Point location and application
The students will be taught how to locate the acupuncture points on the twelve Meridians, and the Conception and Governor Vessels. They will learn about the types of points – Source, Junction, Horary, Tonification and Sedation Points, Element Points, Entry and Exit Points, Associated Effect Points, Alarm Points, First Aid Points.
How each person is unique on a physical, emotional, mental and spiritual level and how this will therefore determine a treatment unique to each person.
Actions of Points and Combinations will be taught.
This requires that the student will have a good knowledge of surface anatomy. Surface anatomy will be taught as an integral part of point location.
Traditional Diagnosis
This is the study of the factors that are essential to make the correct diagnosis in Classical Five Element Acupuncture.
This includes awakening the Students’ Natural Abilities to See, to Hear, to Ask, and to Feel, using the Diagnostic Indicators of Color, Sound, Emotion, and Odor.
Taking Case Histories; Assessing the Causative Factor and Level of Disease; Physical Examination.
Practitioner/Patient Rapport Skills.
Supervised Clinical Practice
This involves the students being supervised while developing their skills in a clinical setting with patients.
This will include supervision of pulse readings and diagnosis; point location; treatment planning; needle technique; rapport skills; touch and physical examination skills.
Treatment Planning
We will help the student develop appropriate principles and priorities in how to plan a treatment.
How to translate a Traditional Diagnosis into an effective Treatment Plan.
How to address the Needs of the Body/Mind and Spirit.
Exploring the differing methods of Treatment.
How to evaluate treatment and determining Future Treatments.
Patient/Practice Management and Ethics
The student will learn about communication skills; Trust; Confidentiality.
Listening and Counselling, Patient Homework, Appropriate Referrals, Finances, Advertising; Public Service; and the standards required of them by the College’s Codes of Ethics and Safe Practice.
Pulse Diagnosis
The course provides a thorough training in pulse taking of the twelve meridians their strengths and qualities. This is a deeper study of how and what pulses can tell us about the patient’s current and previous health status.
Western Medicine
The major clinical aspects of Western Medicine will be covered. This includes investigations and diagnosis/epidemiology/the major causes of ill health including socio-economic factors; medical terminology; pharmacology; physiology and pathology; red flags;
We will cover the main systems of the body – circulatory/lymphatic/respiratory/uro-genital/dermatology/auto-immune/digestive/muscle-skeletal/ endocrine/nervous system/mental health and the red flags in these areas.
Personal and Professional Development
The course emphasizes a self-reflective and self-observational awareness in the students’ personal and professional development throughout the three years.
We will help the students understand that mastery of this healing art requires an understanding of ourselves first. Diagnosing through colour, sound, odour, and emotion will require the student to leave themselves outside the room so that they can truly experience the patient.
In so doing. the student will develop themselves as an Instrument of Nature. Trainer State and Roots and Branches 5 Element Qi Gong™ (among many other techniques) will be taught to enhance the student’s self-understanding.
