Integrated Master of Osteopathy Degree  

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 function of the body.

Osteopathy can help alleviate pain with a range of conditions and concerns including sporting injuries, postural problems, and hip or 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 your overall wellbeing. The benefits of osteopathy include improved mobility, a regular and more restful sleep pattern, increased energy levels, a reduction in stress and muscle tension, and a positive impact on your mood.

Please contact our Admissions team before applying This degree course is open to Year 2 or Year 3 direct entrants who have successfully completed our APL process. As such, it is not suitable for school leavers.

Our four year full-time integrated Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) undergraduate degree offers a wide-ranging and inspiring undergraduate degree programme. It is designed to prepare graduates to be safe, competent healthcare practitioners, able to support a wide range of patients and a variety of conditions. Graduates will be ready to begin their career in practice and to embrace new opportunities evolving within the profession.

The M.Ost undergraduate degree integrates theoretical knowledge and practical skills with the exceptional clinical experience gained within our dedicated clinic settings. Our electives and flexible study options provide opportunities to gain experience in areas of special interest prior to graduating. Students have access to extensive resources and expert knowledge, to ensure a broad osteopathic and naturopathic education.

Successful students will graduate with a Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost), validated by the University of Plymouth. The Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) degree is fully accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) with ‘recognised qualification’ status in accordance with the Osteopaths Act 1993. Our rigorous validation process is in place to ensure all educational standards are met for a Level 7 degree qualification.

For information about our three year degree programme, the BSc(Hons) Osteopathic Medicine, please click here.

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.

The Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) degree is validated by our partner university, University of Plymouth, and is fully accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) with ‘recognised qualification’ status in accordance with the Osteopaths Act 1993.

On successful completion of this osteopathy degree course, graduates may apply for registration with the General Osteopathic Council, the UK regulator for the profession and obtain a Diploma in Naturopathy from General Council and Register of Naturopaths  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 you wish to practice in. You can find out more on the GOsC website.

The Integrated Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) is available at at the European School of Osteopathy (Kent) and the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (London).

Please note: This degree course is open to Year 2 or Year 3 entrants who have completed our APL process - please contact our Admissions team before applying.

The Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) degree is validated by our partner university, University of Plymouth, and is fully accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) with ‘recognised qualification’ status in accordance with the Osteopaths Act 1993.

The curriculum involves problem-based learning, case-based scenarios and research over four years of full-time study. The teaching clinic sits alongside practical skills classes, lectures, tutorials, online learning resources, which aims to develop clinical reasoning, student reflection and self-directed learning. Throughout the four years, students engage with evidence-based medicine and learn to evaluate and appraise evidence critically. The M.Ost builds on the students clinical experience with Complex Case Management. Due to the unique nature of the Osteopathic profession, students at Level 7 are taught business and practice management skills allowing the graduate the choice on how they will develop their careers as independent practitioners.

For more information about module content, assessment and delivery please click here.

The Master of Osteopathy programme specification can be found 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.

The M.Ost is delivered Monday to Friday between the hours of 9am and 5/6pm, with extended evening clinic hours in Years 3 and 4. Students are generally timetabled to attend online/in person lectures, practical classes or clinic up to 5 days each week.

The academic year is 36 weeks in duration, extending to 38 weeks in Year 2, 43 weeks in Year 3 and 38 weeks in Year 4 to incorporate essential clinical experience. Reading weeks are scheduled for mid-term to allow students to consolidate their learning and to attend clinic as necessary.

The Clinic remains open during holiday periods, inclusive of reading weeks, and Year 3 and Year 4 students are scheduled to attend sessions over a given number of weeks between the academic terms. Please note that in the third year, students spend approximately nine hours a week in Clinic for six weeks of the holiday period (one week in December, two weeks in April and three weeks in the summer holidays). Please note that in the fourth year, students spend approximately twenty four hours a week in Clinic for three weeks of the holiday period (one week in December and two weeks in April). Year 2 students spend part of the summer holidays in Clinic, as part of the transition period from Year 2 to Year 3. Year 1 and Year 2 students observe in the teaching clinic during scheduled hours throughout the academic year. Students spend over 1000 hours in clinic during their osteopathic training, experiencing around fifty new patient interactions.

In total the programme amounts to 480 UK academic credits totalling 4800 hours, including time allocated for completion of a research dissertation between Years 3 and 4 and guided independent study.  Coupled to this is the life simulated learning gained through clinical educational.

M.Ost Year 1 – example timetable

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

Please contact our Admissions team before applying.

From 2025, the M.Ost degree programme is open only to Year 2 or Year 3 direct entrants who have studied in a related field (for example, a Physiotherapy or Sports Science degree) and who have successfully completed our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process.

If you would like to be considered for APL, please see our handy PDF guide for more information.

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.

For those students who need a refresher in biochemistry and human biology, we offer a free two week online course, ahead of starting the main degree course. 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. 

Applicants who have studied in a related field (such as Physiotherapy or Sports Science degree) may be eligible to join us in Year 2 or 3 via our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process.

If you would like to be considered for APL, please see our handy PDF guide for more information.

UK applicants, studying at university level for the first time, can apply for a loan from the UK Government to cover the cost of tuition fees (subject to entry requirements and eligibility). Click here for more information.

2025 entry:

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

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

In addition to the annual course tuition fees, there are further requirements and costs for students on the Masters in Osteopathy course.

Additional Costs:

• Enhanced DBS check – £51.20 (from April 2024)
• 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

The University of Plymouth is the awarding institution for the Master of Osteopathy in partnership with the British College of Osteopathic Medicine and European School of Osteopathy.

The MOst degree is not recruiting into Year 1. If you have studied in a related field and are interested in direct entry to Year 2 or Year 3, please contact our Admissions team.

From 2025, the M.Ost degree programme is open only to Year 2 or Year 3 direct entrants who have studied in a related field (such as Physiotherapy or Sports Science degree) and who have successfully completed our Accreditation of Prior Learning (APL) process.

For the application process, please see our PDF guide.

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.

If you have an UNCONDITIONAL place with us and you have decided to accept the offer, please email the BCOM Admissions Team with your full name and UCAS ID number to request your Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies (CAS). A CAS is a very important electronic document that you will need to request before you can apply for your student 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.

"I chose to study at the ESO because, having visited the school on an open day, I loved the campus and the feel of the place. The course is also very broad and teaches a lot of techniques that are often not taught at undergraduate level. Although it is a small school, the student association organises events at the campus every term which are good fun. Maidstone also has plenty of nice pubs where you play pool or darts with friends, and clubs if you prefer going out dancing."

Anna, ESO student

"After having a conversation with a local Osteopath who studied at the ESO, I came to an open day. I was really impressed by the community-like atmosphere and varied curriculum."

Andrew, ESO graduate

Anisha Joshi, Osteopath to the stars, and who also regularly appears on This Morning. She and her sister Reena (also a BCOM graduate) own and run three Osteopathic Clinics.

Takunda Pswarayi, a recent graduate, who works for Bucks Osteopathy, has lectured at BCOM and works to promote Osteopathy as a career.

Jon McSwiney, specialises in sports and was part of the 2022 Birmingham Commonwealth Games team and part of the 2012 London Olympic games medical team.

Nadia Alibhai is an Osteopath and the Director and Principal Osteopath of Back 2 Well-being, a multi-disciplinary healthcare clinic based in London, who also regulary appears on This Morning.