Traditional and complementary medicine and therapy
A field of study in health and welfare
Vocational or degree?Both routes3 in 10 train through vocational routes in the EU: 262,000 finished vocational training and 527,000 higher education in this field (2024). Figures for the wider field.Eurostat
Do graduates use it?81% in a matching jobof health and welfare graduates with a degree in the EU work in a job that matches what they studied. After vocational training: 73%.All health and welfare fields · Eurostat 2024
Do they find work?87% in workof people who finished higher education in the last 1 to 3 years in the EU (2025). Vocational training: 80%. General upper secondary only: 67%.All fields · Eurostat
What you'd learn
PhytotherapyAcupuncture methodsHomeopathyEtiopathyEnergy therapyHydrotherapyHomeopathy remediesSophrologyTai chiTypes of essential oilsTraditional Chinese medicineReiki+ 10 more
The knowledge areas ESCO files under this field, those most needed by jobs first. Actual programmes vary by school and country.
Where it can lead
6 jobs use what this field teaches.
| Job | Prospects | Pay | Usual study | AI exposure |
|---|---|---|---|---|
| Herbal therapist | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Complementary therapist | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Aromatherapist | Good | Well above average | Degree | Low |
| Sophrologist | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Shiatsu practitioner | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
| Physiotherapy assistant | Good | About average | Post-secondary | Very low |
Jobs that need the knowledge this field teaches (ESCO), closest match first. This is not a record of where graduates actually end up: no EU-wide data says that per field.
Where to study
946 institutions in the EU offer health and welfare bachelor's degrees. Pick a country at the top of the page to see where to study and the official course finders.