Bridging course - Frequently Asked Questions (FAQ)
If you are a qualified reflexologist who is unable to get membership to the Association of Reflexologists, we may be able to offer a bridging course to enable you to satisfy the AoR's membership requirements.
Bridging courses need to be tailored to individual needs, therefore there is no standard bridging course.
- What is a bridging course?
- How do I decide whether I need a bridging course?
- How does the Bridging Course differ to the Practitioner Course?
- Is a bridging course an easy shortcut to becoming a qualified AoR reflexologist?
- What qualification does the Bridging Course result in?
- What assessments are required?
- How many teaching hours will I need?
- How long is the Bridging Course?
- How much does a bridging course cost?
- Do I need Student Membership of the Association of Reflexologists (AoR)?
- Having passed the bridging course, is there any further training I will need to do?
- When does the Bridging Course start?
- How do I apply to do the Bridging Course?
What is a bridging course?
Bridging courses are for qualified reflexologists who are unable to get membership to the Association of Reflexologists.
Applicants for full membership to the AoR need to have achieved the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology.
A bridging course takes into account any relevant previous learning or assessment that meets ABC Awards' standards and fills any training gaps. Bridging can allow for the student to spend less time training or to carry out fewer assessments so long as they have demonstrated to the Centre that they have the knowledge required and have assessed work that meets ABC Awards' standards.
You may be eligible to go through the Confirmation of Professional Standards (CPS) process instead of a Bridging Course (see How do I decide whether I need a bridging course? below) if your original training is relatively close to ABC standards with:
- 100 contact hours,
- a minimum duration of 9 months, and
- an external theory exam
The CPS process is handled by the Training & Education department at the AoR.
A typical example of someone who may need a bridging course is a reflexologist who has achieved the VTCT Diploma in Reflexology. This course does not meet the above criteria because there is no external exam. However, if a VTCT qualified application is of an exceptionally high standard the Centre may refer that candidate to the AoR to be considered for the CPS process rather than the bridging process. The final decision on the recommendation will be made by the AoR at its discretion.
How do I decide whether I need a bridging course?
Your initial point of contact would be the Training & Education department at the AoR.
If you find you need to complete a bridging course please contact us and, together with you, we will determine what would be involved as each course is tailored to individual requirements. See below.
How does the Bridging Course differ to the Practitioner Course?
- A bridging course is only open to qualified reflexologists who have not got the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology. If you do not have a practitioner's qualification you will have to do the full practitioner course.
- The Bath Reflexology Centre invites bridging students to attend on the teaching days for the Practitioner Course. However, bridging students are only charged for those teaching hours covering subjects that their original training may not have covered to ABC / AoR standard.
- Bridging students may be required to carry out fewer assessments than a student with no previous training.
- Bridging courses need to be tailored to individual needs, therefore there is no standard bridging course.
Is a bridging course an easy shortcut to becoming a qualified AoR reflexologist?
No, because you will need to have taken two reflexology courses. This is likely to be longer and more expensive in total.
A bridging course recognises where students are already meeting standards due to the training and assessment they have already received.
What qualification does the Bridging Course result in?
On passing the Bridging Course you receive the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology, as do students taking the Practitioner course.
What assessments are required?
Bridging students need to pass the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology course. They need to pass all assessment components of the course including the theory exam. If they have previously completed assessments that meet ABC standards then these can be counted towards the qualification.
| Case studies | A minimum of 3 Case Studies, meeting ABC standards, comprising of a total of 30 treatments. The Bath Reflexology Centre can evaluate whether your previous case studies meet ABC standards. You will be asked to do further work on them to bring them up to standard or, if they are clearly below standard you may be asked to write them again or start some new case studies. This decision is at the Centre's discretion. |
| Evidence of reflexology treatments | Evidence of completion of a minimum of 60 reflexology treatments. These will be the treatments covered in the case studies and the practical assessment. |
| Practical assessment | 1 supervised clinical reflexology practical session |
| Theory examination | You will need to pass the ABC Level 3 Diploma in Reflexology theory exam, this is the same exam as for the Practitioner course. |
How many teaching hours will I need?
A minimum of 40 hours teaching is required, with a total contact teaching time (including your previous course) of a minimum of 100 hours. Exactly how many hours teaching is needed will depend on your training requirements.
If on initial assessment it is clear to the Centre that the student's knowledge in all areas is insufficient then the student will be required to attend all the lessons. If having marked some case studies or other set work it is clear that the student's knowledge is not as comprehensive or deep as was originally thought then the tutor may ask the student to attend further sessions. From the outset, the student's progress is monitored and the attendance that is agreed at the start may need to be revised.
How long is the Bridging Course?
The bridging course must be at least 3 months duration. The total contact teaching (including your previous course) must be a minimum of 9 months. Again, there is no fixed duration as this will depend on your training requirements.
How much does a bridging course cost?
Again, because of the individual nature of a bridging course there is no fixed price but an hourly rate of £10 is charged. The number of teaching hours required is fully dependent on your training requirements.
Do I need Student Membership of the Association of Reflexologists (AoR)?
Yes. Bridging students need to become student members of the AoR as do students on the Practitioner course. After you have passed the qualification you can upgrade to full membership free of charge until the student membership expires, you will then need to pay to renew your full membership. Student membership lasts for 15 months.
Having passed the Bridging Course, is there any further training I will need to do?
A First Aid Certificate is also required for full AoR membership purposes. This is to be attained outside of the minimum 40 hours contact teaching. We may be able to arrange a First Aid course for you.
When does the Bridging Course start?
There is no set Bridging Course so we can arrange a course to start at a mutually convenient time. If you are considering doing a bridging course please contact us even if you are not fully decided so that we can advise you on possible starting dates. We will not pressure you into making a decision.
How do I apply to do the Bridging Course?
Please contact us if you are interested in doing a bridging course.