There are now around 4,000 registered osteopaths working in the UK, and in late summer, the seven major osteopathic teaching schools will release another group of eager graduates into the profession.
Last year, a total of 251 osteopathic students graduated from the schools; 87 of which gained a Bachelor of Osteopathy from the Largest and oldest osteopathic school, the British School of Osteopathy (BSO), currently based in London’s, Borough High Street.
In addition to this number, 33 students gained an MSc in Paediatric Osteopathy from the BSO, and 25 students from the European School of Osteopathy gained Post Graduate Diploma’s in Animal Osteopathy.
With the rising popularity of complementary alternative medicine, Osteopathy is fast becoming a popular degree choice, and with this there has also been a rise in the number of teaching institutions and a reduction in the cost of training. Many of the osteopathic training institutions have linked with major universities and have subsequently gained government funding, reducing the cost of studying osteopathy from around £6000 per year to around £1,200 per year.
Osteopathy is a difficult degree course; rated as one of the top five hardest degree courses, alongside medical studies and architecture. However, once qualified, osteopathy offers an enjoyable yet challenging career.
To learn more about osteopathy and becoming an osteopathic, contact the General Osteopathic council.
The content of this page is informed by feedback from osteopathic practitioners in Scotland and also osteopaths in the Manchester area. Further input was received from clinics in Edinburgh and a practitioner in Glasgow. Finally a contribution was made by practices in Nottingham.