Osteopathy Programme

The course is a modular programme, comprised of three levels of study; Levels 4, 5, and 6, each level becoming successively more academically challenging. There are, broadly speaking, four strands of modules extending over the levels. These strands are ‘Hands-on’ modules, clinical modules, academic modules and professional modules.

Programme delivery is varied and includes on-line lectures, face-to-face lectures, workshops, self-directed home study and clinic-based learning.

In addition to the acdemic teaching which takes place at weekends, students have to complete 1000 clinical hours and see 50 New Patients over the course of the programme (4 to 4.5 years).  Clinical hours are obtained by attending the College Teaching Clinics (Borehamwood or Stoke-on-Trent).  The Clinics are open Monday to Friday and alternative Saturdays and students can opt to complete 8 or 12 hour shifts, depending on the opening times of the clinics.

The programme can be completed in 4 years, however there is an option to use the first semester (September to January) of year 5, to complete the final clinical module (CO(3)), making the programme approximately 4.5 years in length.

Download and view a simplified diagram outlining the modules, levels of study and exit awards here: Programme Map, BOst (Hons) Derby

Details of the way the programme is assessed can be found here: BOst (Hons) Assessments and should be viewed alongside the Programme Map above.

The Programme Specification B.Ost (Hons) is a detailed document about the programme.

The College of Osteopaths is committed to and experienced in, enabling adult learners to achieving a degree in osteopathy. The diverse skills, knowledge and experience of applicants with non-traditional backgrounds will therefore be considered. The minimum entry requirements below are therefore given as guidance only. Other skills and experience not detailed below, that may be appropriate, can be discussed at the interview stage:

5 GCSE subjects grades A-C including Maths and English and 2 Advanced level qualifications or vocational equivalents (preferably in science subjects) or,

A BTEC National Diploma in relevant subject or a degree awarded by a British University or,

An Access to H.E. Certificate or Diploma or relevant Open University modules

The College also recognises equivalent international qualifications such as the International Baccalaureate, and degrees from other disciplines.

The programme is delivered in English.  Applicants whose first language is not English will be required to produce evidence of proficiency in written and spoken English to Level 7 using the IELTS scale.  Please note that IELTS are only valid for 2 academic years.  If you have a different qualifications, from other countries, as evidence of English Language proficiency, please supply these with your application.

The fee for the first year of the programme (Year 1) for Academic Year 2024/25 will be £7,035.

In addition to the tuition fee of £7,035, students are expected to pay insurance on an annual basis.  The College sources this insurance from the Institute of Osteopathy (iO).  The insurance for Academic Year 2024/25 is likely to be £35.00 (based on the previous year’s fee).

Tuition Fees are reviewed every year.

The tuition fee advertised to you by the College is the amount payable for the first year of your Programme.  If your Programme is more than one academic year in length, the Tuition Fees payable for the second and subsequent years may increase each year by the value of UK inflation (RPI) but in any event by not more than 5%.

Most undergraduate part-time students studying their first degree will be eligible to apply for Student Finance which is the student support package offered by the Government.  If students are eligible for Student Finance then they will receive a fee loan amount of £4,500 – the remaining tuition fee will then need to be paid by the student in full or four instalments throughout the academuc year.

For information on how to apply and application deadlines please visit the relevant Student Finance website: https://www.gov.uk/apply-for-student-finance

We try to be transparent as possible with the additional costs that will arise during the programme.  These can be found here: Additional Costs

Self-Funding Payment Options:

This is an example of how payment for fees can be made for those who are self-funding.

1. Payment in Full

2. Four equal installments.

If you wish to discuss finance issues as part of your research into whether this course is right for you please email us: admissions@collegeofosteopaths.ac.uk  Please also view the Credit Control Policy

The programme is designed to ensure that you meet the learning outcomes essential to graduate as an Osteopath and apply for registration with the General Osteopathic Council.

The following information outlines some of the ways we will deliver the ‘Learning Outcomes’ and Osteopathic Practice Standards and aims to help you understand what you can expect from the course. The information also outlines some of the expectations that the College has of you, as a learner, on a programme which leads to a professional qualification.  You can download this information here “What to expect”

General:

•  Flexibility and adaptability are important aspects of part-time study.
• Study will be by a blended approach, consisting of onsite, in-person sessions and online virtual sessions.
• Lecturers and college staff are ‘guides’ who will facilitate your learning journey. You must be prepared to be proactive in your learning and manage your own study schedule.

Home Study:

Lectures only account for a small proportion of your learning time. A 20-credit module will equate to approximately 200 hours of study. Some of these hours will be in-class learning or online virtual learning and the remainder will be home study.

It is expected that you will complete between 1-2 hours of home study per day.

Face to Face Lectures:

Please come prepared for your lectures. Bring with you any requested notes and make sure you have completed any pre-lecture reading. Electronic devices are allowed in class.

Punctuality, preparation and participation are key to success.

Zoom and/or Teams Lectures:

Try to ensure as far as possible that the session will not be overheard and that you have the privacy in place to engage with the lecture.

Please ensure you have a suitable workspace set up at home, preferably in a quiet area where you are less likely to be disturbed.

Check you have a suitable internet connection. You may need to use an internet booster or ethernet cable.

Remember the same etiquette and mutual respect applies online as it would in the classroom. For more information on participating in Zoom and/or Teams lectures, please take a look at the Online Teaching Policy

Practical Sessions:

All practical work is carried out in a safe space and everyone’s dignity is upheld at all times.

• Students will be expected to undress in the classroom. Although colleagues and lecturers will be respectful, please be aware that there will not be any specific changing areas or screens.
• All students will be expected to participate as models unless there is a specific medical reason for having to sit out of a particular session.
• Practical sessions will involve locating relevant landmarks and tissues on all members of the class, including all genders. For all examinations and techniques, students will need to act as both the practitioner and the patient. Close person to person contact is an essential element of Osteopathy.
• As we are working on each other, excellent hygiene is expected.
• During a practical session, students are divided into pairs and the pairs are expected to alternate so students can work on different body types.
• Please wear suitable underwear that covers intimate areas but that still enables your fellow students to carry out a thorough assessment.  Comfy clothing that is easy to remove would be sensible to wear between the practical sessions.
• For the majority of examinations and techniques, female students will need to undress to bra (can be a sports bra) and shorts (mid-thigh). Males should not wear boxer shorts.
• Remember, students have to fulfil both roles, observe and be observed, practice and be practiced on.

Virtual Clinic:

The College’s virtual clinic is designed to help students develop personal and interpersonal (clinician and patient) skills in the professional practice of osteopathy. The clinical scenarios presented during each session of the clinic support students in acquiring and expanding clinical skills and integrating it with the academic knowledge presented at teaching weekends.

The Virtual Clinic is in addition to scheduled weekend teaching and generally takes place in the evenings.  Hours attained by attending the virtual clinic go towards your overall clinic hours for Year 1.

Teaching Clinic (in-person):

There will be a (virtual) clinic induction prior to attendance at one of the teaching clinics. However, you should note:

• Attendance at the teaching clinic is in addition to the scheduled weekend teaching and takes place during the week with the option for alternative Saturday attendance when a teaching weekend is not running.
• That there are no individual changing areas for students. Students can use individual clinic rooms to get changed at the start and end of the day.
• Students work on patients of all ages, different gender identities, ethnicities, who have various cultural or religious beliefs, and body types. You will also be supervised by a male or female clinic tutor.
• Practising treatment techniques, physical examination, etc. and participation in clinical workshops may mean that you need to undress and are demonstrated or practised on by clinical tutors or students of either gender.
• Whilst we value the experience that people may have gained in other therapeutic disciplines, treatment given in clinic will be Osteopathic.
• Students cannot be treated in the teaching clinics. If you require Osteopathic treatment you will need to select an Osteopath from the GOsC register.

Assessments:

There are a number of different assessments during the duration of the degree programme.  These range from presentations to written exams to essays to practical assessments.  These assessments may take place at a teaching weekend, in the evening, or during the week.  Clinical assessments generally take place during the week when the Clinics are open.  This means that you may have to take additional time away from your employment to attend these assessments. All assessment dates will however be provided at the start of term so you are able to plan ahead.

To conclude:

Please remember that whilst the Osteopathy programme with the College of Osteopaths is a part-time course, it is a degree course and will be hard work. Students are expected to do a significant amount of self-study and prepare effectively for teaching weekends.

We aim however to create a fun and engaging learning environment and will fully support you in your journey from student to Osteopath.

Once you have decided that The College of Osteopaths is where you would like to study please complete an application form and return it to us as soon as possible.  At our virtual open day there is often the opportunity to arrange an interview.

You can complete your application form online here

Here are the proposed teaching weekend dates for:

September 2024 Entry

Qualified osteopaths adhere to practice standards set out by the General Osteopathic Council. Our course will help you to build on skills you already have and develop new skills required to meet these standards. If you are interested in looking at the areas in which osteopathic practice standards are focused you can view them on the General Osteopathic Council website here

This part-time osteopathy programme is designed primarily for mature learners wishing to re-train whilst they continue in an existing job or work around family commitments. The programme aims to lead directly to professional registration and in to the world of work as an employed or self-employed osteopath.

Osteopathy

Osteopathy is a safe and effective form of prevention, diagnosis and treatment of a wide range of health problems. It uses manual therapy, exercise and advice, to promote the optimum environment for health, based on the individual needs of the patient.

Working life

Most osteopaths work as self-employed primary care practitioners in private practice, able to diagnosis and treat a wide range of health issues, although there are opportunities to work within the NHS and in secondary care.

They have expertise in the musculoskeletal system and its relationship to other systems of the body in the promotion of good health.

Osteopaths provide a package of care that includes a varied range of interventions specific to each patient, including:

• manual therapy techniques
• physical therapy (rehabilitation and exercise prescription)
• health advice and
• self-management guidance

Who would I work with?

Osteopaths are trained to work with patients of all ages. They are skilled at identifying a wide range of health conditions, and will refer to other healthcare professionals to achieve the best outcomes for the patient. A significant number of osteopaths work in private healthcare, working closely with other healthcare specialists.

Currently, the vast majority of osteopaths are self-employed although there are increasingly opportunities for osteopaths to work in the NHS in multidisciplinary musculoskeletal units, where they may work as part of a team including acupuncturists, physiotherapists, podiatrists and psychotherapists.

Other roles Osteopaths could apply for within the NHS are:

MSK Therapist (Band 5), Senior MSK Clinician, Rehab Therapy Clinician, Pain Clinician, Orthopedic Team Lead, MSK & Rheumatology Clinician, Clinician in Occ Health, Sports Therapy MSL Clinician and First Contact Practitioner

Attractions and challenges of the role

Osteopaths are able to spend substantially more time with patients than most professionals in primary care, and many osteopaths value this opportunity to provide more comprehensive treatment.

Most osteopaths work for themselves, which attracts many people to the profession and allows for flexibility in how the role is undertaken and less restrictive career progression, but does come with the challenges associated with self-employment.

‘Osteopath’ is a protected title by law. All osteopaths must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council to be able to practise in the UK.

The Institute of Osteopathy (iO) has some detailed information about why you should choose osteopathy as a career.

All Student Terms & Conditions can be found at the link below:

Policies and Procedures – University of Derby Students

For existing students or those returning from a Break in Studies, please choose your original Year of Entry to access the Terms & Conditions you signed when accepting your Offer Place.

For September 2024 Entry, the relevant T&Cs are available here.

As recommended by the Competition Marketing Authority (CMA) the College wishes to specifically draw your attention at the pre-contract stage (ie before you make a decision about joining us) around the provision which allow us to make changes to the programme.  This information can be found in Section 10 of the Student Terms & Conditions and is also available here.