Formed in 1917 by John Martin Littlejohn, a former student of Andrew Taylor Still, the founder of osteopathy, the UCO has grown from a small school delivering basic professional training to a internationally-renowned provider of osteopathic education and research.
1917
The British School of Osteopathy (BSO) is founded by John Martin Littlejohn, a student of osteopathy’s founder Andrew Taylor Still.
1925
The first cohort of osteopathic students graduates from BSO.
1930-1980
BSO relocates multiple times within London, settling at Suffolk Street.
1984
HRH The Princess Royal becomes the Patron of BSO, attending every graduation ceremony since.
1993
BSc course is validated by Open University Validation Services (OUVS).
1997 – 1998
BSO moves to its current location on Borough High Street, London and HRH officially opens the new BSO building.
2000
BSO gains recognised qualification status from the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
2004
Government funding is secured through a partnership with the University of Bedfordshire.
2008
A new clinic opens on Southwark Bridge Road, London.
2016
BSO becomes Europe’s only osteopathic education provider with degree-awarding powers and receives funding directly from government.
2017
The institution celebrates its centenary with a reception at St James’s Palace.
BSO is renamed the University College of Osteopathy (UCO), with HRH as Chancellor.
2024
UCO merges with HSU, becoming part of the Health Sciences University family as the UCO School of Osteopathy.
Today, UCO graduates represent about 41% of practicing osteopaths in the UK, playing key roles in professional leadership and healthcare.
Latest News
This November we celebrated the achievements of UCO School of Osteopathy graduates at London's Bridge Theatre.
