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DIRECT ACCESS COURSE INFORMATION (READ THIS PAGE FIRST)

Direct Access Course Information

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welcome

direct access course

2024 - 2025

WELCOME

Year 1 is a foundation course for introducing herbal medicine to students who have neither studied herbs, nor science at level 3. An overview of Year 1 is given in the Y1 course specification here. The DA course specifications are here for comparison.

In some cases, students who have accredited prior learning in the sciences, or have previous herbal training may enter into Year 2 if they take the Direct Access (DA) course.

Some students will also be required to attend the Summer School if they have no previous herbal medicine making experience.

All Direct Access students attend the Year 2 Crossover Day (date to be confirmed) to be inducted into clinic and meet the cohort.

The DA course is designed to ensure that the required level of herbal knowledge is obtained to place students on an equal par with their cohort entering Year 2. 

It also ensures a foundation of safe herbal knowledge to start attending the practitioner clinics.

HEAD OF DIRECT ACCESS

DR KIM WALKER
Researcher, Author & Medical Herbalist

Kim Walker is the Head of the Direct Access course. She is the point of contact for general course queries and feedback.

Find out more about Kim: Kim Walker Research + Handmade Apothecary

Welcome! Thank you for choosing Betonica to embark upon your herbal journey. I am so pleased to support you on the first stages of your path, and hope we will know each other for many years to come. Please reach out if you have any questions.

— KIM WALKER, BETONICA DIRECTOR, HEAD OF DIRECT ACCESS & HEAD OF YEAR 1

YOU WILL NEED TO COMPLETE THE FOLLOWING

The modules requiring completion, and the overall deadline is discussed confirmed in your acceptance email.

A bespoke module package is selected at interview from the following subjects on a case-by-case basis, depending on previous experience. Access to these is through the course materials section of your main page.

  • Materia Medica

  • Botany 

  • Herbal Medicine & The Law

  • Chemistry & Herbal Constituents

  • Anatomy & Physiology

All subjects assigned have an equal weighting and each must be passed (40% pass rate). All assignments must be submitted.

First steps: Read through your subject pages and materials, make a plan of action to complete your revision and assignments.

Assignments are set either as written work, submitted to Turnitin or Quizzes, accessed through Classmarker. More info on these below.

    • Understanding Plagiarism

    • Understanding Referencing

    • Academic Integrity & use of AI

      > These video lectures are linked further down the page

  • Some DA students may be advised to attend Summer School (please book asap as spaces are limited). You will be informed if you need to attend.

    BOOK YOUR SPOT

    • Date to be confirmed

      Plagiarism & Referencing class + how to use a mark scheme + Q&A (optional refresher)

    • Please put the upcoming Year 2 Seminar dates in your diary: