Program Overview

Become an Osteopath

Osteopathy is a system of diagnosis and treatment for a wide range of medical conditions. It works with the structure and function of the body and is based on the principle that the well-being of an individual depends on the skeleton, muscles, ligaments, and connective tissues functioning smoothly together.

What does an osteopath do?

To an osteopath, for your body to work well, its structure must also work well. So osteopaths work to restore your body to a state of balance, where possible without the use of drugs or surgery. Osteopaths use touch, physical manipulation, stretching, and massage to increase the mobility of joints, to relieve muscle tension, to enhance the blood and nerve supply to tissues, and to help your body's own healing mechanisms. They may also provide advice on posture and exercise to aid recovery, promote health, and prevent symptoms recurring.

What can I do with an osteopathy qualification?

You can set up your own practice as soon as you graduate and run your own business, you can work as an associate part-time working for someone else whilst you build up your practice, this usually happens. You could go onto the graduate Physician's Associate course in Swansea which takes a further two years, or you could go onto a graduate Medicine course for a further four years. Osteopaths in England can work in the NHS as osteopaths, more and more jobs are becoming available within the NHS as Osteopaths or First Contact Practitioners.

What qualifications do I need to be an osteopath?

You need 3 A levels, one of which must be A level (or equivalent) in P.E or Biology, the other 2 A levels can be in any subjects. The Welsh Baccalaureate is also accepted. For a full and comprehensive breakdown of our entry requirements, you will be able to find these on our course page.

Is osteopathy the same as chiropractic?

No, they are different branches of manual therapy, but they are not the same.

• Technique Used

  Osteopaths diagnose their clients using various techniques such as palpation, touch, and observation. Once they have identified the problem areas, they use massage to release and ease muscles, and articulation to move your joints through their natural range of motion. Chiropractic treatment, on the other hand, uses hand-held devices and various types of body scan to identify problem areas. Some of the techniques used by chiropractors include high-velocity thrusts to the spine, stretching muscles in different directions, and loosening stiff joints to increase range of motion. However, both treatment methods may use gentle or forceful techniques based on the needs of each patient.

• Health Condition and Symptoms

  Chiropractors focus on specific treatments and manipulative techniques based on the alignment of the spine. They treat joint and muscle pains, pinched nerves, lower back pains, and other issues within the nervous system. Chiropractic treatment holds the belief that adjusting the vertebrae of the spine helps to relieve pain and other symptoms affecting the central nervous system. Osteopathy aims to treat the body as a whole and thus solves a broader range of problems compared to chiropractic treatment.

• Duration of Treatment

  Chiropractic treatment is relatively short since it involves a specific adjustment based on the current symptoms of a patient. Treatment may last 10-20 minutes and patients may be seen twice a week. Osteopathic sessions may last 30 minutes and patients are usually seen once a week. The difference in duration of treatment occurs as a result of the diagnostic procedures and method of treatment used in both practices.

Our Student Stories

Megan Nicole Wickham

"I chose to study at Swansea University as it offered the course I wanted to study. It was not only one of the few Universities that offered Osteopathy, but it was also ranked first in the UK for complimentary medicine.

I was required to do a foundation year at The College, Swansea University, where I then integrated into the Osteopathy programme. Having this option available meant I was able to pursue the course I wanted to, despite not meeting all the undergraduate entry requirements at the point I finished my schooling. The lifestyle Swansea offers also made pursuing Osteopathy at Swansea University attractive."

Find out more about Megan's Story

Where could an Osteopathy degree at Swansea take me?

Your salary is determined by the number of patients you see, and whether you set up your own practice or join an already established practice as an associate partner, but you can expect an average starting salary of around £25,000.

How many years of study does it take to become an osteopath?

Four years full-time study. You can find out more about the modules and how the course is taught on our Osteopathy, MOst course page.

What problems does an osteopath treat?

Osteopaths' patients include the young, older people, manual workers, office professionals, pregnant women, children, and sportspeople. Patients seek treatment for a wide variety of conditions, including back pain, changes to posture in pregnancy, postural problems caused by driving or work strain, the pain of arthritis, and minor sports injuries.

What do osteopaths get paid?

In the first year £25,000, this can then rise to £35,000 - £40,000 within 3 years. 10% of osteopaths earn more than £100,000, especially if you run multiple practices.

Osteopathy student Rinal's top tips

Our Osteopathy student, Rinal, shares her top tips to prospective students looking to study Osteopathy at Swansea University...

"The process of applying to University can be daunting! However, one thing I have learned from my experience is that the people at Swansea University are very friendly. The Osteopathy teaching staff are so helpful and will always be there if you need help.

Also, enjoy the stunning beaches Swansea has to offer!"

Want to know more?

We have so much more we want to share with you, why not explore our Osteopathy course page.

Osteopathy, MOst (Hons)

Approved by the General Osteopathic Council, this course enables you to register to apply for practice on graduation. Our state-of-the-art facilities in the School of Health and Social Care include a multi-disciplinary osteopathic clinic at the award-winning Health and Wellbeing Academy.

We have an excellent reputation, being ranked 1st in the UK for Complementary Medicine (Complete University Guide, 2024).