CCA Celebrates BAAB Reaccreditation with 10 Commendations

We are absolutely delighted to share that the City College of Acupuncture has successfully completed its BAAB reaccreditation process, receiving 10 commendations from the visiting panel. This is a proud and celebratory moment for our entire team, our students and our wider CCA community, and we wanted to take a moment to share what these commendations mean to us and why they matter.

What is BAAB Accreditation?

The British Acupuncture Accreditation Board (BAAB) is the independent body responsible for accrediting acupuncture training programmes in the UK. Accreditation by BAAB is the gold standard in acupuncture education, assuring students, patients and the wider public that a college meets the highest standards of teaching, clinical training and professional development. As London's only BAAB-accredited acupuncture college, maintaining this status is something we take enormously seriously.

Reaccreditation involves a rigorous and thorough review of every aspect of our programme, from our teaching materials and assessment processes to our clinical standards and student support mechanisms. Receiving not just reaccreditation but 10 commendations is a testament to the dedication and hard work of our entire team.

Our 10 Commendations

1. Excellent paperwork and online resources

The visiting panel commended the quality of our module learning guides and the breadth of our online resources, noting how effectively they support both students and staff. At CCA we invest considerable time and care in ensuring that our learning materials are clear, comprehensive and genuinely useful, and it is wonderful to have that recognised.

2. Integration of theory and practice

One of the cornerstones of our teaching philosophy is the belief that theory and practice are inseparable. The panel commended the way in which we weave these two strands together throughout the programme, ensuring that students are always able to see the clinical relevance of what they are learning in the classroom.

3. Early introduction of needling

We are proud to introduce our students to needling as early as week ten of their studies. The panel commended this approach, recognising that early hands-on clinical experience is one of the most effective ways to build confidence, skill and a deep understanding of the medicine. We believe that practising acupuncturists are made in the clinic, not just the classroom.

4. Continuous enhancement through evaluation

The panel commended the extent to which both staff and students evaluate every aspect of our programme delivery, and the way in which this evaluation drives continuous improvement. At CCA we are never complacent. We are always asking how we can do better, and the voices of our students and staff are central to that process.

5. Appointment of a clinical auditor

In our commitment to clinical excellence and patient safety, we appointed a clinical auditor to enhance and strengthen the clinical components of our programme. The panel recognised this as an example of looking beyond the course itself for best practice, and we are proud to have taken this proactive step in the interests of our students and their future patients.

6. Business principles throughout the course

We firmly believe that a great acupuncturist also needs to be a confident and capable practitioner in business. The panel commended the strength of the business principles running throughout our programme, which equip our graduates with the transferable skills they need to build and sustain successful independent practices from the moment they graduate.

7. Inviting prospective students to observe the clinic

We have long believed that the best way for prospective students to understand what studying at CCA really means is to see it for themselves. By inviting prospective students to observe our teaching clinic, we give them a genuine and transparent picture of the course and how it is delivered. The panel commended this approach, and we are proud that it reflects our commitment to openness and integrity.

8. Induction and support for new staff

Our teaching team is the heart of CCA, and we take the induction and ongoing support of new staff, and staff moving into new roles, very seriously. The panel commended our approach to staff development, recognising that a well-supported teaching team is fundamental to delivering an outstanding student experience.

9. Listening to students and keeping them informed

At CCA, student voices matter. The panel commended the extent to which we listen to our students, act on their feedback with speed and care, and maintain excellent mechanisms for keeping them informed. We are proud of the culture of openness and mutual respect that exists between our students and staff, and we are committed to maintaining it.

10. Openness, collegiality and empowering leadership

Perhaps the commendation that means the most to us is the recognition of the openness and collegiality of our entire staff team, and the empowering culture of leadership that underpins it. At CCA we believe that great education flourishes in an environment of trust, collaboration and mutual support, and it is deeply meaningful to have that culture recognised and celebrated by the panel.

What This Means for Our Students

These commendations are not just a reflection of our past, they are a commitment to our future. Every student who joins CCA can be confident that they are choosing a college that holds itself to the highest standards, listens to its community, invests in its teaching team and never stops striving to be better.

We are proud to be London's only BAAB-accredited acupuncture college, and we are proud of every student, graduate and member of staff who has been part of the CCA journey.

Join Us

If you are thinking about studying acupuncture, we would love to welcome you to CCA. Come and observe our teaching clinic, attend one of our Open Evenings, or simply get in touch. We would be delighted to tell you more about what makes CCA the place to study acupuncture in London.

📍 Visit us at www.citycollegeofacupuncture.com