BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine

Professional Recognition

The European School of Osteopathy (ESO) is an experienced and well-established osteopathic school with a reputation for high-quality education, regulated by the Office for Students.

Our degree programme is fully accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) with ‘recognised qualification’ status in accordance with the Osteopaths Act 1993.

On successful completion of an accredited degree course, graduates may apply for registration with the General Osteopathic Council, the UK regulator for the profession, and then start practising as an Osteopath straight away.

Osteopathic legislation does vary from country to country, so if you are looking to practice outside of the UK you will need to check the specific regulations of the country in which you wish to practice. You can find out more on the GOsC website.

About Osteopathy

Osteopaths in the UK are regulated by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) and are recognised as an allied health profession by the NHS. Osteopathy uses manual therapy and a range of non-invasive techniques to provide pain relief. Osteopaths are trained to treat musculoskeletal issues, from back pain and neck problems to issues with the joints and muscles. It is a treatment that uses manual and physical therapy to reduce pain and improve the body's function.

Osteopathy can help alleviate pain with a range of conditions and concerns from sporting injuries, postural problems, hip and joint aches to digestive problems, migraines and rheumatic pain. The focus of osteopathic treatment is to handle the root cause of the symptoms, to reduce pain and discomfort and improve overall wellbeing. The benefits of Osteopathy include improved mobility, increased energy levels, a reduction in stress and muscle tension, and a positive impact on mood.

Study Location

The three-year full-time BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine is available at the European School of Osteopathy (ESO) in Kent.

Course Content

The curriculum involves problem-based learning, case-based scenarios and research over three years of full-time study. The teaching clinic sits alongside practical skills classes, lectures, tutorials and online learning resources, which aims to develop clinical reasoning, student reflection and self-directed learning. Throughout the degree, students engage with evidence-based medicine and learn to evaluate and appraise evidence critically.

View an indicative timetable for the BSc Osteopathic Medicine here.

Please note the BCNO Group is committed to ensuring that courses run as advertised; however, if a minimum number of students is not reached, courses may be changed, rescheduled, or cancelled. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. In most cases, the approval of courses usually lasts for five years, from the point of validation until the point of periodic review of the course. During this period, a course may be modified to enhance provision and ensure that it is compliant with accreditation bodies or partners to meet quality standards. As part of this process current students will be consulted on any proposed change and current and prospective students will be notified of any change.

You can view the full programme specification here.

Assessments

Assessments incorporates coursework, presentations, group work, reflective accounts, ISCE (integrated standard clinical exam), and clinical assessments either as individual students or group work.

Entry Requirements

A-level 112 UCAS points, typically BBC, to include at least one science subject*

BTEC National Diploma/QCF Extended Diploma DDM in health, science or sports related subject

Access to Higher Education 18 Level 3 credits at merit or above in science or health-related subject

Welsh Baccalaureate BBC including a science subject*

Scottish Qualifications Authority BBBBC including a science subject*

Irish Leaving Certificate H33334 including a science subject*

International Baccalaureate 32 points to include 5 points in 2 science subjects. If overseas and not studying English within the International Baccalaureate, you must have an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) score of 6.5 overall with a score of 5.5 in all other elements.

Applicants must also have GSCE in English and Maths at level 4 (or equivalent)

Other qualifications We accept a range of other UK, European and International qualifications that could be considered equivalent to the above list.  For further information or to check if your qualifications meet our entry requirements, please contact our friendly Admissions team here.

*usually biology but will also consider chemistry, physical education, sports science, psychology, mathematics. General studies are not accepted.

English language If English is not your first language, you must have an acceptable IELTS score of 6.5 in total with a minimum of 5.5 in all four components (reading, writing, speaking, and listening). 

For further information and a list of approved English test providers click here.

If you have completed a qualification in a majority speaking English country that is equivalent to a UK degree, it is possible this may exempt you from the above requirement.

As part of the conditions of entry, applicants will also be required to complete a health declaration and DBS/criminal records check if choosing to study with us.

Bridging Course

For those students who need a refresher in biochemistry and human biology, we offer a free two-week online course in early September, ahead of starting the degree mid-September. This is useful for students who have not covered one of the subject areas or for those who have studied these subjects but some time ago. The course has proved invaluable to students and is a very useful introduction to the main degree course.

For information about this course click here. 

Course Fees

Eligible ESO students may apply for a Student Loan and a Maintenance Grant to cover their tuition fees and their living costs.  Click here to find out more:

 Click here for more information

Please note you will not be able to apply for your Student Loan until about March 2026 and you can only apply if you are holding at least one offer.

If you already have a degree, you will not be eligible for government funding.

2026 entry:

Home students: £9,250 per annum
EU/International students: £11,000 per annum

Students are able to pay for fees termly (term 1: £3250, term 2: £3000, term 3: £3000 for home students or term 1: £4000, term 2: £4000, term 3: £3000 for EU/International students). 

In addition to the annual course tuition fees, there are further requirements and costs for students on the BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine degree.

Additional Costs:

• Enhanced DBS check – £64.20
• Clinic coat – approx. £25
• Clinic equipment – approx. £200 for complete kit
• Massage oil  – approx. £10
• Flexible spine – approx. £50
• First aid course (approx. £35 in Year 2)
• Graduation ceremony – approx. £60. Guest tickets are £15 each

All costs above are indicative

Awarding Institution

The University of Plymouth is the awarding institution for the BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine and MSc Osteopathic Medicine in partnership with the European School of Osteopathy.

How to Apply

Our friendly Admissions team is happy to provide guidance and help with any questions you have about the application process. You can contact them directly at ESO Admissions. You may also like to register for one of open days or organise a time convenient to you to visit us. Click here for more information.

Step 1: Apply

Apply online through UCAS at www.ucas.com. The application codes can be found below:-

ESO Institution code: B81
BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine Course Code: B100

UCAS will electronically send your application to us for consideration. Applicants are encouraged to submit their application by 14th January 2026 (for September 2026 entry). We may accept applications until 30th June (subject to availability). 

Step 2: Application Review

Applications are considered individually and with flexibility. When considering your application, we look at the content of your personal statement, as well as your academic profile and reference. Decisions are based on grades (achieved or predicted), personal statements and references. For UCAS guidance on your personal statement please follow this link, and for UCAS guidance on your references, please follow this link.

Successful applicants will be invited to attend an interview via Microsoft Teams (interview times are flexible and can be arranged to fit in with you).

You can find more details about the  relevant selection criteria and Admissions Policy here.

Step 3: Interview

The interview will last approximately 30 minutes and is fairly informal. Normally, there will be 2 people interviewing you. Interviews are also an opportunity for you to ask us questions.

At interview, we will want to know why you want to be an osteopath and what skills you think you have that may be relevant. We may also ask about any work experience you have gained. We may ask you questions about the content of your personal statement.

We may ask you to provide documentary evidence of the qualifications you have listed on your UCAS form – either prior or following the interview.

Step 4: Decisions and Offers

Usually, interview outcomes are conveyed to you via UCAS within 4 weeks of your interview.

Successful applicants will receive a formal offer email following their interview, detailing either a conditional offer or an unconditional offer of acceptance. An unconditional offer means you do not have to do anything before you start the course. If you receive a conditional offer then the offer conditions have to be met before the end of August. Offer conditions are usually linked to qualification, so we may ask that you obtain specific grades in qualifications such as A-Levels, BTEC qualification or the Baccalaureate. You can either accept or decline the offer through UCAS and they will give you a date by which you have to make your decision.

Step 5: Offer accepted

Congratulations – you have just taken the first step towards your exciting career as an osteopath.

From around June you will be given further information about accommodation and starting the course.

International Students

Osteopathic legislation does vary from country to country, so if you are looking to practice outside of the UK you will need to check the specific regulations of the country you wish to practice in. You can find out more on the GOsC website.

International students coming to the UK with a Student visa must be able to support themselves for the entire length of their stay in the UK; this includes fees and living expenses. To check how to apply for a Student visa click here.

If you need a Student visa, you are strongly advised to read the information provided on the UK Government website, via the links below.

• Information for prospective students
• Applying for a Student Visa 
• Guidance for studying in the UK (UKCISA)
• Check if you need a UK visa
• Knowledge of English
• Tuberculosis tests for visa applicants
• Immigration health surcharge

All nationals from outside of Europe coming to live in the UK for longer than six months will be required to pay a health surcharge.

The ESO welcomes students from all over the world.  Click here to see if you need a visa: Check if you need a UK visa - GOV.UK

If you do, the ESO will guide and support you through the visa application process once your offer is confirmed.  To see what is involved:

Student visa : Your course - GOV.UK

Or contact the ESO Admissions Department if you have any questions about applying for a UK Study visa.

Please note the BCNO Group is committed to ensuring that courses run as advertised; however, if a minimum number of students is not reached, courses may be changed, rescheduled, or cancelled. Students will be notified of any changes as soon as possible. In most cases, the approval of courses usually lasts for five years, from the point of validation until the point of periodic review of the course. During this period, a course may be modified to enhance provision and ensure that it is compliant with accreditation bodies or partners to meet quality standards. As part of this process current students will be consulted on any proposed change and current and prospective students will be notified of any change.