If you enjoy working with a diverse range of people, interested in health and wellbeing, and want a rewarding, fulfilling career, working as an osteopath could be the ideal career for you. Osteopaths can earn from £45 - £130 per hour (based on results from an Institute of Osteopathy census). Osteopathy involves helping patients of all ages and backgrounds, from older patients and children to pregnant women and athletes. Osteopaths are an Allied Health Profession, recognised by the NHS as being key to transforming people’s health, care, and wellbeing. Training to be an Osteopath is just the start of a hugely rewarding journey.
If becoming an Osteopath is something you’re considering, whether you’re at the start of your higher education journey or you want to retrain later in life, here’s how to qualify for this enjoyable career.
How to Become an Osteopath
There are several ways to qualify depending on your situation. At the BCNO Group, you can either apply for a 3 year full time BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine or a 4 year full time modified attendance BSc (Hons) Osteopathy.
There are other options for people who already have a relevant degree and want to retrain. If you want a career in Osteopathy then studying with the BCNO Group is the perfect place to start your journey.
Once qualified you must register with the General Osteopathic Council or GOsC in order to be able to practice in the UK. It is actually a criminal offence for anyone to claim or imply they are an Osteopath unless they are registered.
What Do Osteopaths Do?
Osteopaths are qualified health care professionals who assess, diagnose and treat health issues. They conduct full medical case histories and use clinical examinations to make diagnoses. They assess the patient’s overall health to identify the root cause of the issue and agree individual management plans that may include manual therapy (hands -on treatment) exercise, health and lifestyle advice. Osteopaths can use a variety of hands-on treatment methods to reduce pain and improve mobility. These may include soft tissue massage to relax tense muscles, mobilisation of joints, and manipulation to improve mobility in restricted areas of the body, such as the spine.
Osteopathy is about treating the whole person and not just the site of the pain. Practitioners see a wide range of people, from sports people to expectant mothers, children, keeping older people active and mobile, and those overcoming injury. With further training Osteopaths can treat animals as well as people
Osteopaths work with and refer to other healthcare professionals – GPs, consultants, physiotherapists, midwives and others. Once qualified and working, you will build great professional networks and lifelong colleagues. You can work independently by setting up your own private osteopathy practice, or as a member of therapy clinic or within the NHS.
The osteopathy profession is regulated by the General Osteopathic Council, and Osteopaths continue their professional development throughout their career.
What Qualities Do I Need to Become an Osteopath?
The key qualities and traits that are needed to work as an Osteopath include:
- Interest in people and how the body works
- Ability to work by yourself and be independent
- Ability to work with others
- A scientific enquiring mind
- Curiosity and creativity
- Maturity
- Independence and individuality
- Integrity and ability to take responsibility
What Qualifications Do I Need To Become An Osteopath?
To be eligible to study for BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine qualification or BSc (Hons) Osteopathy you will need 112 UCAS points, which may include BTEC courses, Higher National Diplomas, Science foundation courses in science or health, Baccalaureates, or Scottish Highers, in addition to biology.
Mature students with previous degrees (2:1 or above) or other educational pathways will be considered on an individual basis depending on previous qualifications.
International students who possess A level equivalent qualifications are eligible to apply. Where necessary the applicant must possess a ‘Use of English Qualification’ at an IELTS level >6.5 or equivalent.
What will I learn?
When you study a BSc (Hons) Osteopathic Medicine or BSc(Hons) Osteopathy at BCOM or the ESO, you will learn about:
- Anatomy, physiology, health, and disease
- Clinical and diagnostic skills
- Psychology and human behaviour
- Concepts and philosophy of osteopathy
- Research skills and evidence informed practice
You will spend around 1000 hours in the teaching clinic, seeing and treating patients as part of your degree. You will have skilled, hands-on, and practical expertise so that you are fully trained to work as soon as you graduate.
The Quality Assurance Agency (QAA) produces subject-specific benchmark statements for all UK higher education providers; these show the nature of study, academic standards and understanding graduates might reasonably be expected to have at the end of their studies. You can find a link to the QAA Benchmark Statement for Osteopathy here.
Changing Careers to Become an Osteopath
If you want to retrain from another career to become an Osteopath, it can be beneficial to get some paid or voluntary experience with a qualified person or in a clinic before you apply for your course. This will enable you to gain the skills and qualities needed to be successful in your training.
Practicing as an Osteopath
Our osteopathy degree courses require you to undertake over 1,000 hours of supervised clinical training, in addition to subject training in physiology, pathology, biomechanics, pharmacology, and anatomy. Once you have completed your course and registered with the GOsC, you’ll be fully qualified and able to practice.
Career Timeline towards becoming an Osteopath
School
Pre-college, speak with your tutor to create an academic plan. The following are intended to provide a guide to offer levels to study osteopathy at BCOM and ESO:
GCSE
5 x GCSEs including a minimum grade C in English, Maths and Science or a minimum Grade 4 (standard pass) in these subjects as well as:
GCE A-Levels
Grades BBC from 3 x A-levels to include 2 science subjects (we accept Biology, Physical Education, Psychology, Sport Science as sciences). General Studies is not accepted.
or
BTEC
Grades: DDM – Must be Health, Science or Sports related and include relevant science modules.
or
Scottish Highers
112 UCAS points overall to include 2 science subjects grades BB at Higher Level.
or
Welsh Baccalaureate
112 UCAS points overall to include 2 A-levels grades BB in science subjects (as above).
or
International Baccalaureate
Acceptable with a minimum overall score of 32 points to include 5 points in 2 science subjects.
Students who lack recent or relevant science subject knowledge may be asked to undertake an additional online course as a condition of entry.
This is a good time to develop your time management and study skills to prepare you for the future. Consider speaking to a local osteopathic practice to see if you can shadow an osteopath.
University
The first two years of the degree will be pre-clinical study to provide a foundational knowledge of anatomy, medical diagnosis and physiology. The remainder of the course take a practical, problem-based approach, using clinical studies and examples. At BCOM and ESO you will have 1,000 hours of clinical training, a requirement for registration with the General Osteopathic Council.
Career Stats for Qualified Osteopaths (data from 2021 iO Census)
- 50% of people who Qualified in Osteopathy in the UK since 2000 were people coming from another career
- 9 out of 10 people work on a self employed basis
- The average income for Osteopaths is from £45- £180 per hour and 11% of Osteopaths earn in excess of £100,000 (based on results from 2021 Institute of Osteopathy census)
- Higher incomes are often seen in practices and situations where more patients are seen as opposed to higher consultation prices