Osteopathy

This advanced four-year initial degree in Osteopathy will give you the knowledge, skills, and experience you need to become a registered osteopath, qualified to diagnose and treat a wide range of health issues through manual therapy, tailored exercises, rehabilitation, and advice.

You will gain a thorough understanding of anatomy, physiology, pathology and the psychology of pain, together with excellent clinical examination techniques, combining in-depth academic work with extensive practical clinical skills.

This programme is approved by the General Osteopathic Council, enabling you to register to apply for practice upon graduation.

We have an excellent reputation, being ranked 1st in the UK for Health Professions (Guardian University Guide, 2026).

The state-of-the-art facilities in the School of Health and Social Care include a multi-disciplinary osteopathic clinic at the award-winning Health and Wellbeing Academy staffed by associate staff members who are qualified, practising osteopaths. This gives you a safe, supervised environment to build your skills and confidence as you put your theoretical knowledge into practice.

You will also study modules on business development if you are planning to set up your own practice.

You will learn in dedicated teaching spaces across our Singleton Campus. Much of your practical and skills-based learning takes place in the Glyndwr and Grove buildings, home to a purpose-built practice suite equipped with treatment plinths, anatomical models and clinical examination equipment. You will also spend time in the Medical School’s anatomical lab to deepen your understanding of structure and function.

Your clinical placement is based at the Health and Wellbeing Academy (HWA), our fully accessible onsite clinic in Singleton Park. This is where you will work with real patients in a supportive, supervised setting. In your first year, you will begin with clinic observation before gradually taking on more responsibility. Across the four-year programme, you will complete at least 1,000 hours of clinical practice, supported by timetabled clinic sessions. You will be allocated to a clinic group before each academic year begins.

Practical osteopathic skills are taught in a large, well-equipped practice space with access to IT equipment and whiteboards, supporting both taught sessions and independent learning. A dedicated breakout room nearby gives you space to practise techniques, review feedback and study with your peers.

Teaching is delivered by lecturers from across the University in areas such as medical ethics and law, health psychology, business law and marketing. Guest speakers also contribute specialist insight, broadening your understanding of professional practice and developing your transferable skills.

At the HWA, clinic tutors manage the osteopathy clinic and provide close supervision and mentoring throughout your placement. They oversee all patient care and ensure your practice meets the Osteopathic Practice Standards, helping you grow into a confident, capable practitioner.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Osteopathic Skills; Anatomy and Physiology; Personal and Professional Development.

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Pathophysiology and Therapeutics; Introduction to Evidence Based Practice; Clinical Biomechanics and Imaging; Introduction to Business Management for Health Care; Applied Psychology and Sociology for Health Care.

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Continuing Personal and Professional Development; Developing Business Management Skills; Applying Evidence Based Practice; Osteopathic Skills.

In Year 4, you will typically study areas including: Autonomous Osteopathic Practice; Personal and Professional Development Portfolio; Dissertation - M.Ost Osteopathy.

Throughout your Osteopathy degree, you will build up your clinical practice hours to a minimum of 1,200 to enable you to register with the General Osteopathic Council.

Your learning will be assessed through written exams, course work and practical exams known as Objective Structured Practical Examinations, which have interactive elements.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• General Osteopathic Council