Program Overview

Osteopathy BOst Degree

Introduction to our Osteopathy degree

Prepare for independent osteopathic practice with our Osteopathy BOst degree at The London School of Osteopathy. It's accessible whether you're new to healthcare, or you wish to enhance your current career.

Osteopathy offers an exciting career where you’ll be able to use a variety of therapeutic approaches and interventions to meet the needs of patients.

The primary aim of this course is to provide structured learning opportunities to enable you to become a safe, capable, reflective osteopathic practitioner who is committed to ethical, evidence-based practice and lifelong learning.

The LSO courses are well established and are constantly updated to reflect advances in the profession. They contain exactly what you need to become an independent practicing osteopath. Your journey will incorporate basic and applied sciences, including anatomy, physiology, pathology, pharmacology, philosophy, psychology, and sociology.

You'll initially be enrolled on the Osteopathy MOst and confirm whether you wish to qualify with a MOst or BOst in your final year of studies.

Course Options

• 3.5 years full-time
• 5 years part-time

Key Facts

• Study options: 3.5 years
• Start dates: September
• Location: The London School of Osteopathy
• Entry: UCAS code: B309
• Fee (UK and EU students):
  • £9,250 UK students starting 2023/24 (Years 1-3)
  • £4,625 UK students starting 2023/24 (Year 4)

Teaching and Assessment

Year 1

• Modules are subject to change and availability.
• Assessment requirements drive student motivation, effort, and commitment in any course but especially those with a professional focus. The LSO assessment programme provides a balance between formative and summative assessment items reflecting the need to provide students with feedback about their grasp and eventual mastery of necessary theoretical knowledge, attitudinal aspects of professionalism, and practical skills.
• A wide range of forms of assessment are used throughout the programme to support the variety of learning outcomes to be measured (and also reflecting different strengths and learning styles within the student community). Continuous assessment in practical classes is used both formatively and summatively in the early stages of the course.
• Practical exams and vivas are held every year, with real patients involved in the final exams (as required by the GOsC). Video assignments, critiques, case studies, presentations, and portfolio activities all add to the body of evidence for student progression and achievement.
• A research project is planned, conducted, written up, and submitted in the final stages of the course.
• A total of 1,200 hours of clinic exposure enable experiential learning to bring the theoretical class-based sessions to life. Competence-based tasks are embedded throughout this journey.
• Core modules:
  • Osteopathy I
  • Osteopathy II
  • Anatomy and Physiology - Neuromusculoskeletal
  • Anatomy and Physiology - Visceral
  • Anatomy and Physiology - Head and Neck

Year 2

• Modules are subject to change and availability.
• Assessment requirements drive student motivation, effort, and commitment in any course but especially those with a professional focus. The LSO assessment programme provides a balance between formative and summative assessment items reflecting the need to provide students with feedback about their grasp and eventual mastery of necessary theoretical knowledge, attitudinal aspects of professionalism, and practical skills.
• A wide range of forms of assessment are used throughout the programme to support the variety of learning outcomes to be measured (and also reflecting different strengths and learning styles within the student community). Continuous assessment in practical classes is used both formatively and summatively in the early stages of the course.
• Practical exams and vivas are held every year, with real patients involved in the final exams (as required by the GOsC). Video assignments, critiques, case studies, presentations, and portfolio activities all add to the body of evidence for student progression and achievement.
• A research project is planned, conducted, written up, and submitted in the final stages of the course.
• A total of 1,200 hours of clinic exposure enable experiential learning to bring the theoretical class-based sessions to life. Competence-based tasks are embedded throughout this journey.
• Core modules:
  • Osteopathy III
  • Anatomy and Physiology - Neurology
  • Clinical Pathology
  • Professional Studies I

Year 3

• Modules are subject to change and availability.
• Assessment requirements drive student motivation, effort, and commitment in any course but especially those with a professional focus. The LSO assessment programme provides a balance between formative and summative assessment items reflecting the need to provide students with feedback about their grasp and eventual mastery of necessary theoretical knowledge, attitudinal aspects of professionalism, and practical skills.
• A wide range of forms of assessment are used throughout the programme to support the variety of learning outcomes to be measured (and also reflecting different strengths and learning styles within the student community). Continuous assessment in practical classes is used both formatively and summatively in the early stages of the course.
• Practical exams and vivas are held every year, with real patients involved in the final exams (as required by the GOsC). Video assignments, critiques, case studies, presentations, and portfolio activities all add to the body of evidence for student progression and achievement.
• A research project is planned, conducted, written up, and submitted in the final stages of the course.
• A total of 1,200 hours of clinic exposure enable experiential learning to bring the theoretical class-based sessions to life. Competence-based tasks are embedded throughout this journey.
• Core modules:
  • Differential Diagnosis
  • Research Studies
  • Portfolio
  • Osteopathy IV
  • Professional Studies II

Year 4

• Modules are subject to change and availability.
• Assessment requirements drive student motivation, effort, and commitment in any course but especially those with a professional focus. The LSO assessment programme provides a balance between formative and summative assessment items reflecting the need to provide students with feedback about their grasp and eventual mastery of necessary theoretical knowledge, attitudinal aspects of professionalism, and practical skills.
• A wide range of forms of assessment are used throughout the programme to support the variety of learning outcomes to be measured (and also reflecting different strengths and learning styles within the student community). Continuous assessment in practical classes is used both formatively and summatively in the early stages of the course.
• Practical exams and vivas are held every year, with real patients involved in the final exams (as required by the GOsC). Video assignments, critiques, case studies, presentations, and portfolio activities all add to the body of evidence for student progression and achievement.
• A research project is planned, conducted, written up, and submitted in the final stages of the course.
• A total of 1,200 hours of clinic exposure enable experiential learning to bring the theoretical class-based sessions to life. Competence-based tasks are embedded throughout this journey.
• Core modules:
  • Osteopathy V
  • Professional Studies III

Entry Requirements

• Those wishing to enter the course will require: UCAS Points 104 from 2, preferably 3, A-Levels with one being a science subject (e.g. Chemistry, Physics, Biology, Psychology), and GCSE's to include English and Maths grade C minimum.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and whose professional or academic qualifications were not taught and assessed in English will be required to demonstrate the University standard of English language (IELTS) at Level 6.5 (including written English academic test) prior to commencement on the course.
• In addition to the above, applicants must demonstrate aptitude in learning practical skills and conduct themselves in a manner commensurate with a healthcare practitioner. They must be willing to undergo an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check, and be in a state of health which will not preclude them working with members of the public.

Fees and Paying for University

Tuition Fees and Student Loans for UK Students (2023/24) - Years 1-3

• £9,250 UK students starting 2023/24 (Years 1-3)

Tuition Fees and Student Loans for UK Students (2023/24) - Year 4

• £4,625 UK students starting 2023/24 (Year 4)

Living Costs

• Living at university: The overall cost of university can vary depending on where you’re studying and which course you’re taking. However, some of the main costs you’ll want to think about include accommodation, bills, internet, mobile phone and calls, travel, food and drink, socialising and going out, and study materials.
• As a very general guide, living costs at university can range from around £7,000–£9,000 per year. They may be lower if you're living at home.

Facilities

• Specialist facilities: As a student at London School of Osteopathy, you'll have access to five large teaching rooms with treatment plinths you can use during and outside of timetabled sessions, several smaller rooms for tutorials and small group work, a dedicated clinic with eight treatment rooms, where you'll treat patients under the supervision of qualified osteopaths, membership of the Institute of Osteopathy, extensive IT and library resources, and support, should you need it, with study skills, careers advice, health and wellbeing, and more.

Accreditation

• General Osteopathic Council: London School of Osteopathy courses are accredited by the General Osteopathic Council and, by successfully completing your course, you'll be able to apply to join the GOsC register. Legally, only registered practitioners may practice osteopathy in the UK.

Careers - What can you do with an Osteopathy degree?

• London School of Osteopathy courses are accredited by the General Osteopathic Council and, by successfully completing your course, you'll be able to apply to join the GOsC register. Legally, only registered practitioners may practice osteopathy in the UK.
• Our degree courses prepare you to become fully-fledged, general osteopathic practitioners in just four years (or six years by part-time study). However, there are many facets of osteopathy that you may choose to develop further as your career progresses. Examples include specialising in working with children or the elderly, or in sports and rehabilitation. Other career opportunities include teaching and research.
• Most graduates choose to become self-employed, and value the flexibility this affords them in terms of working patterns, and work-life balance. Earnings vary, with associates averaging £35,000, and approximately 10% of osteopaths earning over £100,000 (figures from the Institute of Osteopathy 2014 Census).