1- Year Foundation Course in Homeopathy

Applications are open for September 2023

Face-to-face classes have resumed in Cork and Dublin. ***  However, classes are also recorded and Zoom is available as an option in the unlikely event that you can’t make the live class on the day. 

Start Your Journey To Becoming A Professional Homeopath or Learn a Valuable, Life-Changing Skill to Help Support the Health of Your Loved Ones.

The demand for Professionally Trained Homeopaths is growing. More and more people are looking for natural alternatives to healthcare and general well-being. The Irish School of Homeopathy has been training professional Homeopaths for over 30 years and is one of the longest-established providers of Homeopathic training worldwide.

Our 1-Year Foundation Course is designed as a comprehensive Homeopathy training course, suitable for those who have a deep and keen interest in holistic health.

The course is ideal for anyone looking for more in-depth information and practical skills in the use of Homeopathy, for themselves and their families. 

Our 1-Year Foundation Course in Homeopathy is a detailed and structured course, with an extensive syllabus designed to give you all the information and skills you need to confidently use Homeopathy in a range of circumstances.

While our 1-Year Foundation course is a stand-alone course, it is essentially the first year of our 4-Year Professional Homeopathy course, so at the end of year one, you will have the opportunity to continue your studies with us and enter Year 2 of our 4-year professional Homeopathy Practitioner course.  (more student feedback at the end of the page)

The 1-Year foundation course syllabus covers everything from Homeopathic Philosophy and Methodology, Materia Medica, Anatomy and Physiology to Nutrition, Personal Development and a Foundation in Counselling Skills. (more details on the course syllabus below).

The Foundation Year is for those who:

• Wish to empower themselves to take responsibility for their own health and the health of their loved ones.
• Have a deep interest in holistic health and lifestyle.
• Are at a transitional stage of their lives and looking towards a more sustainable and life-affirming career where they can help others.
• Have often seen and experienced the benefits of Homeopathy first hand and want to learn how to use Homeopathy themselves, properly.
• They are often interested in the Professional Course but would like to try one year first before making a bigger commitment.

NOTE: We welcome students for whom English is not their first language. Any concerns about this can be discussed during the informal interview on receipt of the online application.

Almost all of our students are adult learners each with different personal, professional, educational, cultural and family backgrounds. Many have a very busy day to day lives juggling various commitments, family and careers and the course is designed with this in mind.

Required Learning Prior To Commencing Year 1 

Prior to embarking on our 1-Year Foundation course,  you are required to complete our 1-Day Introduction to Homeopathy Workshop. This is to ensure all foundation year participants have a similar level of understanding and knowledge to facilitate swift and accurate learning. If you haven’t completed this already, don’t worry we can discuss this with you. Many students will also have completed our Home Prescriber’s Course although this is not essential.

When you embark on our 1-Year Foundation course, you will learn alongside students pursuing the four-year practitioner course and you will benefit from all of the added support provided i.e. tutorials, library, study groups and more.

Course Term

11 study weekends from September to June, with home study work and assignments.
Course start dates are listed below for  Dublin, however, the final enrolment date is October to accommodate last-minute applications.

Class Size,  Format and Tutors

Class numbers are small in order to allow for a good learning experience for everyone. Classes are face-to-face in person live classes. Face-to-face classes make up 80% of the year and seats are arranged informally in a semi-circle. This allows for good tutor/student interaction and there is always time for questions and discussion.

We have a wide variety of tutors from both Ireland and overseas. All of our tutors are professional Homeopaths in daily practice with many years of experience. They have different areas of expertise which is reflected in the year programme.

School venue in Cork – Bru Columbanus, Wilton, Cork.

School Venue Dublin – Griffith College, South Circular Road, Dublin 8, D08 V04N

Regional Tutorial Groups with Homeopathic Mentor

Our school is unique in providing student group tutorials all over Ireland as a support in the first and second year of the programme. The classes are sub-divided into regional study groups and these groups meet weekly and are a forum for Homeopathic study and mutual support.

These meetings are regional and meet by arrangement with each other and can be morning or evening for 90 minutes. Once a month the group is facilitated by a tutor appointed by the school. The tutor’s role is to support, encourage, answer questions and help deepen the learning process for students.

Your Class Year Tutor


Each year is assigned their own class tutor. The tutor is there to help and support students throughout the school year. The tutor organises and co-ordinates the study groups, gives feedback on homework, deals with day to day questions and in general provides feedback and support. The tutor gets to know each student very well and is available for contact by phone or email to provide support and advice as necessary.

Assignments and Assessments

Student evaluation is based on continual assessment and there is no end of year examinations. The student will present monthly assignments, case studies and an end of year project. The School respects individual learning style and encourages creativity in assignments. The programme given to students at the start of the year will show all of the assignments and homework for the year. This means that students can plan their study time and work on projects over a period of time.

Time Commitment

The amount of time required for study and the completion of assignments is approximately 10 -14 hours per week. This will vary from person to person, however, this is a realistic estimate based on feedback from students and is very achievable with a little forward planning.

Course Completion

On successful completion of the One Year Foundation Course students will be awarded a certificate. They may also join the Professional Homeopathy Practitioner Course if they wish and in fact over 90% of Foundation Course students do this.

Course Content

* The following section contains some terminology specific to Homeopathy which is explained in detail during our Introductory 1-Day Homeopathy Workshop.

Topic: Homeopathic Philosophy & Methodology

Aims
To provide for students an appreciation of the principles and theories associated with Homeopathic prescribing.To introduce students to the concept of acute illness and acute prescribing.

Syllabus Areas

• Concepts of health and disease
• Dynamism – the Concept of Vital Force
• The Concept of Similars
• The direction of cure – Hering’s Law
• The individualisation of patient and remedies
• Susceptibility of patients to disease
• Totality of symptoms
• Hierarchy of symptoms
• The single remedy
• The minimum dose and ‘potentisation’
• Use of Homeopathic Repertory
• Case analysis in acute disease
• Overview of acute and chronic prescribing
• Case-taking skills in acute illness

Topic: Homeopathic Materia Medica

Aims
To facilitate an understanding and a practical application of the main remedies used in acute Homeopathic prescribing.

Syllabus Areas

Knowledge of approximately 50 of the commonly used acute remedies with respect to

• Information pertaining to Homeopathic ‘provings’
• Aetiology of the remedy picture
• Mental/emotional characteristics
• Symptom overview including general and particular symptoms
• The leading characteristics of the remedy – keynotes
• Case studies and video cases demonstrating use of the remedy
• Comparative Materia-Medica
• Introduction to use of remedies in chronic prescribing

Topic: Foundation in Counselling Skills & Personal Development

Aims
To provide students with basic listening/counselling skills as relevant to the therapeutic relationship between Homeopath and patient. To introduce students to the ethical issues involved in Homeopathic practice. To introduce students to self-reflection and self-reflective practice.

Syllabus Areas

• Introduction to counselling in a Homeopathic setting
• Basic listening skills
• Introduction to ethics
• Confidentiality
• Boundaries
• Role-playing and feedback
• Psychotherapeutic and Homeopathic models of personality
• Working effectively with others
• Life stages
• Handling of emotions
• Empathy
• Requirements of the first interview
• Sources of referral for patients
• Legal requirements under GDPR/Tusla
• Feedback
• Reflective practice

Topic: Human Sciences – Anatomy & Physiology

Aims
To provide a reference body of knowledge of human anatomy and physiology, on which to base safe and competent Homeopathic practice.

Syllabus Areas

• Introduction to the structure and function of the body
• Cells and tissues
• Organ systems of the body
• Holistic health models
• The digestive system
• Nutrition and metabolism
• Homoeostasis
• The respiratory system
• The genito-urinary system
• Body-mind interaction
• The endocrine system
• The integumentary system and body membranes
• The circulatory system and immunity
• Experiential mind/body integration

Topic: Nutrition

Aims
To help participants develop a healthy attitude to food and nutrition. To become conscious of what and how we eat and how that affects us. To understand the balance of nutrients in the body: deficiency, excess and allergic reaction to particular nutrients. To recognise how being aware and conscious of our nutrition can help us take responsibility for our health in a deeper and more general way.

Syllabus Areas

• Introduction to nutrition and Homeopathic treatment
Food groups
• Diets
• Minerals and Vitamins
• Lifestyle and environment
Human energy system
• Detoxification
• Disorders
Diagnostic tests
• Allergies
• Tissue salts
• Adjunctive therapy
• Digestive system and absorption of nutrients
• The bulk nutrients: Water, Carbohydrates, Protein, Fat.

Course Application Procedure 

To apply for our 1-Year Foundation Course in Homeopathy, please use our online application form available by clicking HERE. When we receive a completed application form we will be in touch with you to arrange an interview call with you at a time that suits your schedule.  Interviews commence April each year with final interviews occurring early in September.

Course Investment 

Fee per annum: €3,000 (€3,120 if paying in instalments)
Instalment rate €120 booking fee plus 12 monthly instalments of €250. This fee includes all the above modules; Continuous Assessments; Counselling Modules; Anatomy & Physiology; Mid-term personal interviews; and Regional monthly tutorials.

 

Student Feedback on completion of  Year 1 Foundation Course in Homeopathy 

“ Whatever you do, begin it now!…”

I simply could not have imagined how interesting it would be. The First Year is almost over & has passed incredibly fast, Homeopathy is a new lens to the world.

My initial interest & understanding in acutes was just the tip of the iceberg, it is now a way of life, & a change in perspective.

The tutors are excellent, our class is great & there is also group work which is really helpful for the assignments. Whatever you do, begin it now!

– Sylvia, Offaly

“ Deciding to do this course was one of the best decisions I have ever made for myself…”

Homeopathy is something that I can pour my heart and soul into. What you give, it gives back. Even after the first year, it has already had a profound positive impact on my life. The School is wonderful. Each lecturing Homeopath is a jewel of knowledge and the support and guidance given is outstanding.

– Zoe.G, Dublin

” I actually cannot wait to start Year 2  …”

I initially attended a 1-day Introduction to Homeopathy workshop with the Irish School of Homeopathy, which allowed me to dip my toe into the sea of Homeopathy and allow me to experience the power of acute remedies for ailments such as coughs and colds and how to use them for myself and my son.

Well, I just wanted more knowledge and upon reflection I signed up to the 4 year course.

The year flies by, the first few week-ends are all about settling you in, and allowing you the chance to get your head around the homework and acquaint your yourselves with the lecturers, who all bring a wealth of knowledge and understanding about Homeopathy to the table.

Giving up your week-end is a big ask of anyone, especially if you have a family but there was not one week-end that my mind was not blown away by the different remedies and by the way the teachers delivered the subjects.

You will meet a great group of people and your study group becomes a resource and a good support where you can bounce ideas off each other.

I actually cannot wait to start Year 2, and would highly recommend the Irish School of Homeopathy to anyone wishing to pursue a career or training in Homeopathy.

– Karen. L, Kilda

“ My 1st year of the 4-year course has been nothing short of amazing…”

I was quite nervous to start – it meant adding study, reading and homework time to full-time job, three kids, a busy house and a sport I love.
I hadn’t envisaged that I would love it so much that I wanted to do all these things. Good planning is essential of course, but the longer the year went on, the more calm things got.

Even though I am making the journey to Dublin from Galway once a month, I take this as time for myself and don’t see it as stressful.

I feel now a quiet confidence to prescribe for acutes, always supported by my amazing study group and tutor. I can’t wait for second year to start to continue this journey to myself.

– Stepanie.J, Galway

 

“ A life changing experience on so many levels …”

The two biggest ones for me are meeting new people who are like-minded and learning new things about myself.

I have found a home away from home. I look forward to each class weekend. All lessons are interesting and I leave with new knowledge that brings me one step closer to being a qualified homeopath.

– Roisin.C, Dublin 

“ Year One has been absolutely amazing…”

I did the one day course in the school a few years ago.I thought I learned much over those couple of hours but it left me wanting to know more so I signed up for the Home Prescriber Course which was absolutely fantastic, and opened my mind slightly to new ways of thinking, but yet I still felt I needed more.

After some good consideration I decided to try the Professional Course and I do not regret it. Year One has been absolutely amazing.I met some great Homeopaths and learned so so much.

After each weekend at school I go home filling nearly enlightened and can’t wait for another weekend. It is a challenge and you do need to dedicate time, but you are doing it with and open heart as everything you read, you watch, you learn about is nothing but relevant to you.

You are surrounded by likeminded people. And I do believe that once we graduate we will be making this world a bit better place.

– Ada.K, Dublin

“I am now hooked and will be continuing the course next year…”

I have been an avid user of Homeopathy for a few years but had a keen interest in learning more about it so I signed up to the 1-day introductory workshop with the Irish School of Homeopathy in September 2018.

I really enjoyed the day and began thinking hard as to whether I could make the commitment to do the course for 4 years as I had a lot going on.

I spoke with Gerry who recommended to just think about doing first year and then review after that.

Needless to say, I am now hooked and will be continuing the course next year.

In my experience, the more you learn about Homeopathy, the more you want to learn.

The tutorial groups are very beneficial, we have 5 students in our group all from different parts of the country. We are in contact each week and the encouragement and support offered by the group hugely benefits us all.

The assignments take some time, however there is a very supportive learning environment in ISH which appealed to me as a mature student. Now, I am looking forward to continuing and hopefully completing the course.

– Valerie – Leitrim