University College of Osteopathy joins Health Sciences University

We are delighted to announce that the University College of Osteopathy has joined Health Sciences University (formerly AECC University College).

As of 1 August 2024, the UCO School of Osteopathy will be one of a number schools to proudly sit within Health Sciences University (HSU).

The partnership will bring 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.

Professor Lesley Haig, Vice-Chancellor of Health Sciences University commented: “Bringing the University College of Osteopathy into our family represents a significant milestone for both specialist institutions. As we strengthen our combined offer as a leading health sciences university, we’re looking forward to playing our part in training and developing NHS and healthcare professions at every level, and being a responsive and effective system partner both in Dorset and London.”

Existing and future students of the newly formed HSU will continue to receive the same exceptional standard of training which has become synonymous with AECC UC and UCO brands and will also benefit from a growing and diverse student community, new enrichment and collaboration opportunities and enhancements to the learning environment.

Sharon Potter, former Acting Vice-Chancellor of the UCO said: “This partnership embodies a vision of interdisciplinary cooperation and a commitment to fostering innovation and excellence in healthcare education. It brings together two specialist institutions into one entity to create an institution which will lead the way in health sciences.”

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 AECC UC’s Parkwood and Garnet Campuses in Bournemouth.

As a first phase in this process, two additional postgraduate courses will be run from the London campus: an MSc Sports Rehabilitation & Therapy, and an MSc in Sports & Exercise Psychology and nine additional undergraduate courses with a Foundation Year will be delivered alongside Osteopathic provision in London from 2024.