Studying at Keele University
The launch of the College's osteopathic programme at Keele University in 2005 represented a major development on a number of fronts. Four years later, this is still the only part-time undergraduate training programme available in the northern half of the country, and it has opened the opportunity for a career in osteopathy to a whole range of people who might otherwise have been excluded. The campus is about one hour's drive from major population centres such as Birmingham, Manchester, Liverpool, Telford, Derby, Shrewsbury and North Wales.
Apart from the convenient geographic location and the beautiful rural setting - 600 acres of landscaped parkland, fields, woodlands and lakes - Keele University is an ideal collaborative partner for the College of Osteopaths. Teaching and research standards here have been rated by the Government as one of the highest. The University has a strong portfolio of similar health-related professional training programmes such as medicine, nursing, midwifery, clinical psychology, pharmacy and physiotherapy, and so there are excellent resources and a wide pool of expertise. For example, in every year of their studies, students of the osteopathy programme spend time in the School of Medicine's state-of-the-art Anatomy Suite where they study 3D anatomy by working on human cadavers and dissected specimens, all under the expert supervision of the Director of Anatomy. There is a brand new Health Library too, with access to every text in print, whether on site or via a home computer - a service for which all osteopathy students are registered users. The University is committed to supporting mature, part-time and distance learners, and has won awards for its work on the 'Widening Participation' agenda.
Keele University is known for the rich cultural, social and sporting life open to students who have the time to get involved. The Student Union offers entertainment on campus every night of the week, and there are also cafés, restaurants, a bookshop, bank and excellent student support services. A very practical bonus is that car parking at the weekends is free of charge and there is plenty of space within one minute of the MacKay Building where most of the lectures take place. There is also good quality overnight accommodation, at a very reasonable cost, available for osteopathy students who wish to reduce their weekend journeys.
For more information about the College's osteopathic programme at Keele University, please visit the Keele University website.