Overview
This full-time undergraduate programme equips students with the underpinning knowledge, hands-on experience and multidisciplinary teamwork needed to be a competent osteopath, and will enable graduating students to apply to the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) for registration and begin professional practice.
Over the duration of the course you will spend extensive time in the UCO Clinic in accordance with GOsC and Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) requirements. This will include opportunities to work with particular patient groups through our specialist and community clinics. Clinical education starts from the first year with observation of osteopathic practice, and as your knowledge and skills develop you will have increasing responsibility for the decision making and treatment before you manage your own patients in the final two years. You will be supported by experienced clinical faculty members who are all practising osteopaths.
You will also have the opportunity to develop a variety of skills that will be needed as a fully-qualified osteopath working in primary health care, including the ability critically to assess research, journal papers, lectures and presentations to inform the best possible care for your patients.
Course Details
How the course is structured
The M.Ost full-time programme is structured as a ‘spiral curriculum’, with students revisiting the same topics throughout the degree, with the subject matter increasing in complexity and reinforcing previous learning.
The course is divided into four phases:
- Level 4 – Novice, where you begin to develop a sound foundation for being an osteopath and primary care practitioner. You will acquire basic knowledge and skills; understand the patient in context and how they are able to adapt to challenges in their environment; grasp the conceptual basis of osteopathy; and appreciate the challenges associated with being an osteopath.
- Level 5 – Advanced Beginner, where your knowledge and skills are further developed, consolidated and integrated to provide a secure basis for your developing clinical work.
- Level 6 – Competent, where you focus on integrating a range of new and previously acquired knowledge and skills in order to understand how the person functions holistically.
- Level 7 (Masters Level) – Proficient, where you are given the opportunity to take your clinical skills to a much deeper level.
You will complete a number of units at each year of study focusing on five key areas: Professionalism, The Functioning Human, Patient Care, Research and Enquiry, Being an Osteopath.
A detailed overview of the course structure, including the level and credit weighting of each unit as you progress through the course, can be found in the Course Information Form available to download from this page.
How you will be assessed
The course is assessed through both summative and formative assessments including:
- Presentations
- Reflective essays
- Online assessments
- Development of a learning portfolio
- Case studies
- Practical and clinical examinations
More information can be found in the Course Information Form available to download from this page.
Unit Breakdown
Full-time (4 Years)
Year 1 
Year 1
(Level 4)
(120 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (30 Credits)
- Functioning Human (40 Credits)
- Patient Care (30 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
Year 2
Year 2
(Level 5)
(120 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (30 Credits)
- Functioning Human (30 Credits)
- Patient Care (30 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
Year 3
Year 3
(Level 6)
(120 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (30 Credits)
- Functioning Human (30 Credits)
- Patient Care (30 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
Year 4
Year 4
(Level 7)
(120 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (60 Credits)
- Professionalism (20 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (40 Credits)
Part-time (5 Years)
Year 1
Year 1
(Level 4)
(100 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (10 Credits)
- Functioning Human (40 Credits)
- Patient Care (30 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
Year 2
Year 2
(Level 4/5)
(110 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (20 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
- Functioning Human (30 Credits)
- Patient Care (30 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
Year 3
Year 3
(Level 5/6)
(90 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (30 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (20 Credits)
- Functioning Human (15 Credits)
- Patient Care (15 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
Year 4
Year 4
(Level 6/7)
(80 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (30 Credits)
- Functioning Human (15 Credits)
- Patient Care (15 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (10 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
Year 5
Year 5
(Level 7)
(100 Credits)
Units
- Being an Osteopath (60 Credits)
- Professionalism (10 Credits)
- Research & Enquiry (30 Credits)
Entry Requirements
What grades do I need?
If you’re applying from the UK or Ireland:
112 UCAS points, equivalent to 3 A-Levels at grades BBC or a BTEC Level 3 Diploma at DMM. We also welcome other qualifications including Access to HE Diplomas, T-Levels and International Baccalaureates. These should include Biology and/or a subject with relevant human biology and science content. Accepted subjects may include Biology, Human Biology, Health, Health Sciences, Applied Science, Health and Social Care, Sports Science, Physical Education and Psychology.
We welcome applicants from all backgrounds and understand not everyone has the same opportunities in life and that this can have an impact on your educational achievement. We consider each applicant on their individual strengths and merits and can make contextual offers for students who demonstrate potential at interview. Applicants will be invited to attend an informal interview (either in-person or virtual) whether they will have chance to discuss their suitability for the course with a member of the course team.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.
Osteopaths who are registered to practice in the UK must do so in accordance with the Osteopathic Practice Standards, published by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC).
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, see our latest policies.
International Students
International Students
If your qualification is not listed here, please read our International Entry Requirements or get in touch with our Admissions team.
Please note:
To be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English.
For further information on English language requirements, please read our English language requirements. More information on permission to study in the UK can be found on our Visas and Immigration page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
Tuition Fees
Full-time:
UK/ROI/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,250 per year
International – £13,300 per year
Part-time:
UK/ROI/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £6,935 per year
International – £10,700 per year
Please note:
These fees are for the 2024-25 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
Additional course costs
Your tuition fees will cover the cost of all mandatory elements of your course. There are additional course related costs are not included in the tuition fees. So you will need to budget for them when you plan your spending.
For further fees guidance for all students at Health Sciences University whether full time or part time please refer to our Tuition fees policy.
Visit our student finance pages for more information on:
- Additional Costs
- Fees and funding
- Scholarships and Bursaries
- Student finance resources
Note:
For students to be eligible for funding from Student Finance England, they must be studying on an eligible course at a provider registered with the Office for Students (OfS). Health Sciences University is registered with the OfS. View the register and search for Health Sciences University.
Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
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