Our History

First Exciting Milestones

We have been offering validated degree courses in chiropractic since 1988. In 1990, our twenty-fifth anniversary year, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, became our Patron and in 1992 we became the first school to be accredited by the newly formed European Council on Chiropractic Education.

In 1997, we offered our first undergraduate and postgraduate Masters courses, validated by the University of Portsmouth and accredited by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) in 2000.

In 2005, we partnered with Bournemouth University as our new validating partner and began to expand our education provision into the related fields of medical ultrasound and clinical exercise science.

In 2009, we opened a new purpose-built teaching clinic with 33 treatment rooms. In 2015 we installed our open, upright MRI scanner: one of only seven in the UK.

Attaining Degree Awarding Powers

We gained Taught Degree Awarding Powers in 2017, registering with the Office for Students as a higher education provider in 2018. We began to further diversify our provision in health sciences in response to workforce gaps identified in allied health and related disciplines.

We now deliver undergraduate courses in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography, sport rehabilitation, exercise and health science, psychology, and counselling and mental health. We offer pre-registration Masters courses in physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and sport rehabilitation and therapy.

We also offer postgraduate courses in medical imaging, chiropractic and sport and exercise rehabilitation.

Integrated Rehabilitation Centre

In the heart of the coronavirus pandemic, we acquired a new 1.1 acre site opposite the main campus building in June 2020 to support our expansion plans. HSU was also awarded £2.7m funding by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) in September 2020 towards the building of a new Integrated Rehabilitation Centre facility.

This facility opened in October 2022 and offers patients high quality care, delivered by our dedicated multidisciplinary clinical team. We also offer postgraduate courses in medical imaging, chiropractic and sport and exercise rehabilitation.

Centre for Workforce and Systems Innovation

In 2023, we launched our Centre for Workforce and Systems Innovation, which seeks to address workforce challenges through innovative approaches, evidence-based policies, and effective implementation strategies; ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes working in meaningful partnership with our stakeholders.

In September 2023, we received the results of our first submission to the Knowledge Exchange Framework. We have been carrying out specialist research with a focus on musculoskeletal care, spinal biomechanics, and patient-reported outcomes for many years. HSU hosts the largest critical mass of research-active chiropractors and chiropractic-focused researchers in the UK and the second-largest in Europe.

Health Sciences University

In August 2024, following a lengthy period of consultation and receipt of relevant approvals, AECC University College changed its name to Health Sciences University (HSU). This represents a significant milestone in our institutional journey as we proudly carry this new prestigious title.

Our mission to create a healthier society through education, research and clinical care is as relevant and pertinent today as it was when we started our journey as the first chiropractic training provider in Europe. This new name reflects our broadened scope, depth and level of ambition. We deliver a wide range of subjects that will make a positive contribution to the health of society, like allied health, sport and exercise, rehabilitation and social science disciplines.

University College of Osteopathy joins Health Sciences University

As of 1 August 2024, the UCO School of Osteopathy is one of a number of schools to proudly sit within Health Sciences University.

The partnership has brought together two highly respected health science institutions to create a unique inter-disciplinary environment for education, clinical practice and research across a wide range of allied health and related disciplines.

The new combined institution will continue to offer a wide breadth of health sciences provision across our existing sites in Bournemouth and Central London: UCO will continue to offer its courses in Osteopathy in London under the title ‘UCO School of Osteopathy’ and will be joined by a newly formed Health Business School. The AECC School of Chiropractic and the School of Health and Rehabilitation Sciences will continue to run their wide range of courses in allied health and related disciplines at HSU’s Parkwood and Garnet Campuses in Bournemouth.