Overview
This dynamic, full-time, postgraduate programme is designed for qualified chiropractors, sports therapists, physiotherapists, and medical practitioners who want to take their expertise to the next level. It equips participants with the required clinical competence profile for registration with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and empowers clinicians to seamlessly integrate osteopathy into their existing healthcare practice—whether in sports therapy, chiropractic, physiotherapy, or medicine.
Course Details
Unlock your potential as an autonomous osteopathic practitioner with a course designed to elevate your expertise and transform your clinical practice. This programme gives you the opportunity to develop the competences required for independent osteopathic practice, while building on your existing strengths in musculoskeletal care.
You’ll learn in a dynamic, student-centred environment that fosters critical thinking and practical application. Through immersive training, you’ll integrate advanced clinical knowledge with osteopathic evaluation and treatment skills—anchored in a deep understanding of osteopathic philosophy and principles.
Expect to refine your diagnostic precision, enhance your manual therapeutic techniques, and develop a sophisticated approach to patient care. You’ll explore the intricate relationship between structure, function, and dysfunction, enabling you to deliver truly integrated osteopathic solutions for complex clinical presentations.
Take the next step in your professional journey—expand your scope, deepen your expertise, and join a community committed to excellence in osteopathic care.
How you will be assessed
The course is assessed through both summative and formative assessments including practical and clinical examinations; critical essays; peer reviews; presentations and written exams. The course will build upon your knowledge and skills of evidence-based practice and research to complete a small-scale research project at the end of the course.
Newly acquired professional capabilities will be developed and consolidated in a supervised student-centred clinical education setting at one of UCO School of Osteopathy’s teaching clinics.
The course starts with an intensive summer school over the month of August, prior to a September start. Students will then be required to attend at least three days per week for lectures and clinical attendance, with a long summer break between Years 1 and 2.
Unit Breakdown
Full-time (2 Years)
The Functioning Human 
This unit builds on the knowledge and skills you’ve gained through professional training and clinical experience, taking them to a deeper level. You will explore and critically analyse dysfunction and disease through the lens of structure and function, applying this understanding directly to osteopathic practice. The focus is on developing a sophisticated appreciation of the interconnectedness of anatomy, physiology, and pathology, and how these relationships shape clinical conditions and patient presentations commonly encountered in osteopathy.
Research & Enquiry 1
Develop the research expertise that sets you apart as a reflective, evidence-informed practitioner. This unit equips you with the essential skills to locate, appraise, and apply research effectively, while guiding you through the process of planning and designing a research project tailored to your professional interests. You will transform newly acquired knowledge into action by creating a viable, relevant research proposal within your chosen area of osteopathic practice. By the end of this unit, you’ll be able plan and outline a rationale for a piece of primary research or secondary data analysis, which is relevant to osteopathic practice.
Being an Osteopath 1
Step into the heart of osteopathic practice with a unit designed to build confidence and competence in patient care. This unit introduces you to the core skills of osteopathic evaluation and patient management, ensuring you can critically apply these principles in real clinical contexts. Under the guidance of experienced clinical staff, you’ll develop a strong understanding of professionalism and its vital role in osteopathy, while refining your ability to deliver safe, effective, and patient-centred care.
Research & Enquiry 2
This unit will enable you to build upon your current competence profile and attain a high level of independently managed academic work which demonstrates your ability to analyse and synthesise new and/or existing data.
This unit will enable you to consolidate as autonomous, critically aware, reflective osteopaths to enhance your skills in evaluating the nature and strength of current evidence underpinning osteopathy. You will complete the research project which you developed in the unit ‘Research and Enquiry 1’.
Being an Osteopath 2
In this unit you will gain the confidence and clinical judgment that define an exceptional osteopath. You will learn to navigate the complexity and uncertainty of real-world osteopathic practice, developing the ability to make sound, reasoned professional decisions in collaboration with your patients—and always in their best interests. Through guided experience and reflective learning, you’ll evolve into a safe, autonomous practitioner, equipped to handle diverse clinical scenarios with confidence, integrity, and patient-centred care.
Facilitates
The ‘Functioning Human’ and ‘Research and Enquiry’ units will be delivered at our London Campus at 275 Borough High Street, London SE1 1JE.
The ‘Being an Osteopath’ units are clinically focussed and will be delivered primarily at the UCO School of Osteopathy Clinic at 98-118 Southwark Bridge Road, London SE1 0BQ. You may also have the exciting opportunity to attend some of UCO School of Osteopathy community clinics as part of your studies. The range and location of current community clinics are listed below, although these may be subject to change:
Ian Charleston Day Centre, Royal Free Hospital, Pond Street, London NW3 2QG
1st Place Children & Parents’ Centre, 12 Chumleigh Street, London SE5 0RN
Staff
Course Leader
Rachel Ives
Course Leader (MSc Pre-Registration Osteopathy and Access to Higher Education Diploma)
Rachel is a registered Osteopath and has worked in osteopathic education for many years as a lecturer, clinic tutor and senior manager. She has also taught science in secondary schools.
Full bio
Interim Head of School, UCO School of Osteopathy
Senior Lecturer
ScOst, BSc(Hons)Ost, PGCertACE - Unit Leader for Professionalism, UCO School of Osteopathy
Entry Requirements
How to Apply
Please use the Apply Now button to make an application for this course through our online application system.
We value life and work experience, and we welcome applications from candidates from a range of professions and backgrounds. We assess each application on its individual merits. If you are unsure if you meet the entry requirements, please contact us for an informal chat with the course leader, Rachel Ives – Rachel.Ives@hsu.ac.uk
What grades do I need?
Normally a first or second class (2:1 or 2:2) BSc (Hons) degree in a relevant health science-based subject. Examples of relevant subjects include medicine, nursing, occupational health, international osteopathic qualifications, physiotherapy, chiropractic, sports therapy or rehabilitation. Other, relevant, degrees can be considered on an individual basis.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
Applicants will undergo an interview, and all students will be required to complete an enhanced DBS registration check at the point of registration in line with HSU’s Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Policy & Procedure. If you’re not sure about anything listed here, please contact the course leader, Rachel Ives, who will be happy to answer any questions – Rachel.Ives@hsu.ac.uk
International Students
International Students
Applicants will be required to provide evidence of having achieved IELTS level 7.0 or equivalent.
Additional Information
There are numerous benefits to studying at Health Sciences University. With a long-standing reputation for excellence in health sciences education, we offer a wealth of experience and expertise. Our students enjoy access to state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and exceptional learning environments.
You will be part of a close-knit osteopathic community located within a bustling, vibrant area of London. Students and staff from around the world come together, creating a welcoming and supportive environment from day one. Our students receive plenty of support from our dedicated, specialist staff, ensuring everyone feels valued. On campus, you’ll have the opportunity to connect with like-minded individuals, all passionate about teaching, studying, or researching health sciences.
The course will enable you to apply for registration with the General Osteopathic Council and practise as an autonomous osteopathic practitioner within the UK. This course will enable you to maintain your existing professional role whilst further enhancing your competence profile as a specialist primarily in musculoskeletal care. To this end, you will develop the knowledge and skills required to integrate osteopathy with your existing area of clinical practice.
The Master of Science (MSc) in Osteopathy (pre-registration) has ‘Recognised Qualification’ (RQ) status with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). As an approved course provider, all students who successfully graduate from the UCO School of Osteopathy’s MSc course are eligible to apply for registration, however the final decision rests with the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Further information about the GOsC and their policies can be found at www.osteopathy.org.uk.
You will be supported by the Course Leader, Unit Leaders and the programme teaching team. HSU also has a dedicated Student Support team who are on hand to provide advice and guidance on a range of issues, including learning and welfare, budgeting and finance, disability and dyslexia, pastoral care, bereavement and personal issues, as well as counselling.
Tuition Fees
Tuition Fees 2026/27
Full-time:
UK/ROI/Channel Islands and Isle of Man students – £9,790
International – £17,684
These fees are for the 2026/27 academic year only and may be subject to an increase in subsequent years of study. Any future increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy which can be accessed on our Study Money Matters page
Additional course costs
There may be additional costs you need to budget for in order to get the maximum benefit from your time at HSU.
More information on the Additional Costs page
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.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at Health Sciences University.
This November we celebrated the achievements of UCO School of Osteopathy graduates at London's Bridge Theatre.
Find us
Health Sciences University
Bournemouth Campus
Parkwood Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2DF
Health Sciences University
London Campus
275 Borough High Street,
London
SE1 1JE