Lincoln College University Centre is celebrating the success of alumna, Ellen Shuttelton, whose academic journey highlights the powerful progression routes available to students in health and clinical disciplines.
Elle graduated in 2024 from the BSc (Hons) Clinical Herbalism course at Lincoln College University Centre and has since gone on to achieve a Master of Science in Clinical Neurology at the The Institute for Translational Neuroscience (SITRAN) at University of Sheffield - an outstanding accomplishment that reflects both academic excellence and professional dedication.
Elle credits the 500 hours of supervised clinical practice embedded within the BSc (Hons) Clinical Herbalism course as a key factor in her success at master’s level. She explains that this hands-on experience gave her a significant advantage over peers who entered postgraduate study without a clinical background, particularly in applying theory to real-world patient contexts and developing confidence in clinical reasoning.
“The clinical hours really set me up for my master’s,” Elle says. “I already understood patient care, case histories, and professional practice, which made a huge difference.”
She also speaks highly of the support she received from Lincoln College University Centre during her undergraduate studies.
Following a dyslexia assessment that was suggested by one of her tutors and arranged through the College, Elle accessed tailored learning support, Disabled Student Allowance funding, which allowed her access to OpenEd who are specialist support service who offer 1:1 in person sessions at home, all of which helped her thrive academically.
“That support changed everything for me,” she notes. “It meant I could focus on learning and progressing, rather than struggling in silence. I can’t begin to say how thankful I am for the support of Lincoln College staff and my specialist 1:1 support Helen at OpenEd for their continued support."
A distinctive strength of Elle’s education has been her position in both traditional herbal medicine and conventional neuroscience. She highlights the advantage of having “a foot in both camps,” allowing her to contribute meaningfully to integrated healthcare practice, where evidence-based herbal medicine can sit alongside mainstream clinical approaches.
During her studies, Elle also benefited from the course’s National institute of Medical Herbalists (NIMH) accredited status, which allows graduates to legally access and use Schedule 20 herbs under the Medicines Act - herbs that are not permitted for use without appropriate professional accreditation. She describes this as a vital aspect of safe, regulated clinical practice.
Alongside her academic achievements, Elle has developed a small private patient base, applying her herbal and clinical knowledge in practice. Her academic interests continue to bridge disciplines: her master’s research explored neurodegeneration and the therapeutic potential of rosemary.
While at Sitran. Elle held an honorary NHS role where she evaluated the Sheffield Functional Neurological service and gave recommendations for the development of an integrated care pathway which has been her goal for a number of years. She recently delivered a presentation to students on the scientific benefits of herbal medicine in relation to stress and neurological health.
Her current focus is on functional neurological disorder (FND), an area she is continuing to research and work in clinically.
After completing her MSc, Elle celebrated this milestone by travelling for three months in Australia, returning refreshed and inspired for the next stage of her career as a Clinical Herbalist specialising in neurological conditions.
Elle’s journey is a powerful example of how students at Lincoln College University Centre can progress into clinical practice, postgraduate study, or both. Her story demonstrates how a strong vocational foundation, combined with academic rigor and student support, can open doors to advanced study and meaningful careers in healthcare.
The team here at the Lincoln College University Centre are proud of Elle’s achievements and look forward to seeing her continued impact in the field of integrated and neurological healthcare.
Learn more about studying BSc (Hons) Clinical Herbalism course at Lincoln College University Centre.
