Entry requirements
Specific entry requirements * Medical certification of fitness to undertake osteopathic practice. * Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) clearance. * Applicants whose first language is not English must demonstrate that their level of English is appropriate for study at postgraduate level, This level is outlined in the Oxford Brookes University postgraduate regulations. Bachelor of Osteopathy (Honours), BOst (Hons) requirements * Minimum of 5 passes at GCSE, to include English, Maths and a science subject at grade C, and * 3 A2-levels at grade B or above in three subjects. Must include a biological science (biology or human biology). 2 AS-levels can be offered in lieu of a non-biological A2-level. A2-level in General Studies is excluded. Alternative academic qualifications to A2-levels are considered. Typical offers * BBB at A2-levels: must include Biology/Human Biology; or * BB at A2-level (must include Biology/Human Biology) plus BB at AS-level; or * Advanced GNVQ : modules with a distinction profile plus A2-level grade B; or * further non-overlapping GNVQ modules also with a distinction profile; or * VCE double award (12 units) in Science, grade BB with non-overlapping A2-level grade B; or * VCE double award (12 units) in Health and Social Care at BB with Biology based A2-level grade B; or * BTEC national diplomas, HNC and HND providing Biology is a core subject - distinction profile in final year; or * Scottish Highers: minimum of 5 subjects (including Biology, Maths and English) passed in one sitting. * Irish Leaving Certificate 5 subjects at honours level. Biology must be included and an A/B profile is expected; or * International Baccalaureate 6 approved subjects with 3 at higher level and 3 at subsidiary level. A total of 32 points is expected, with at least 16 points at higher level and with no less than 4 points in any one subject - Biology must be included at higher level; or * European Baccalaureate 9 approved subjects with a minimum score of 7 in each subject. Biology must be included. Students wishing to undertake the Master in Osteopathy course (MOst) need to fulfil the following criteria: * successful completion of all Year 2 BOst compulsory modules with an average of 60% or above * a desire to undertake an enhanced undergraduate course of study leading to a master’s qualification and to eligibility for registration as an osteopath * an understanding of the required academic and professional workload required for successful completion of the MOst course * entry onto this course is only available to those students who have successfully completed Years 1 and 2 of the BOst full-time course.
Course description
MOst
All students who successfully complete the course will be eligible to register as osteopaths with the General Osteopathic Council.
Accredited by GOsC. Oxford Brookes University was the first to be awarded Recognised Qualification status for its part-time programme in Osteopathy delivered in-house within a university. The School's new full-time BOst and MOst programmes have also been awarded RQ status.
Note: entry to the MOst course is currently open only to those students who have successfully completed years 1 and 2 of the BOst (Hons) full-time course with an average of 60% or above in all Year 2 BOst (Hons) compulsory modules. Direct entry may be an option in the future.
Osteopathy is an established and recognised system of diagnosis and treatment that places emphasis on the structural integrity of the body. It recognises that much of the pain and disability we suffer stems from abnormalities in the structure of the body, resulting in disturbed function.
The basic premise of osteopathy is that the body is capable of healing itself, given the appropriate environment, both within the body and externally. It shares many aspects of conventional medical assessment and diagnosis. In addition, osteopaths assess their patients from a mechanical, functional and postural perspective.
The manual systems of treatment used are tailored to the needs of the individual. Osteopathic techniques aim to ensure that there is adequate flow of blood to all tissues and organ systems, to remove strains and tensions within the muscles, and promote good movement through joint complexes.
Oxford Brookes University is an ideal place for UK, EU or international students to study osteopathy full-time, because it offers many well-established health care courses which can support and enrich your learning experience. We aim to produce high-quality graduates, who are not only skilful osteopaths, but who also possess sound academic abilities, which will enable them to develop their own practice and the profession as a whole.
You will be supported by staff who will encourage and challenge the development of your academic and professional practice. In addition to the support mechanisms we have within the School, Oxford Brookes also offers a range of other student support schemes such as Upgrade (academic skills development support). There is also a dedicated Student Disability Service, which provides support for students with disabilities including sensory and mobility impairments, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties.
We will encourage you to become an active and independent learner and to have a critical approach to practice. To achieve this you will experience a range of teaching and learning methods, including:
* learning packages
* lectures
* practicals
* tutorials
* problem-based learning, using scenarios drawn from practice.
During your clinical education, you will be fully immersed in the complexities of contemporary practice and exposed to a range of different clinical tutor osteopaths, in order to broaden and challenge your developing experience in our purpose-built clinics in Oxford, Swindon and elsewhere.
Course content
This modular undergraduate full-time osteopathy course takes four years to complete.
Within its structure two alternative degree awards are possible, both leading to eligibility to apply for statutory registration as an osteopath. These are the Bachelor of Osteopathy (Honours), BOst (Hons), and the Master of Osteopathy, MOst.
The MOst is an option designed for those who wish to achieve an enhanced competence profile in osteopathic research and within specific specialist areas of osteopathic clinical practice such as sports care or obstetrics and paediatrics.
The taught part of the course for the BOst (Hons) award runs in Semesters 1 and 2 over each of the four years. You will be able to gain your practical clinical experience in the University’s osteopathic clinics in Oxford, Swindon and elsewhere throughout the academic year.
BOst (Hons) / MOst
Years 1 and 2 equip you with the necessary knowledge, skills and understanding in the basic sciences, including osteopathic philosophy and basic techniques, in preparation for clinical practice. You will be required to have achieved 100 hours of clinic based learning in Year 1, and 150 hours of clinic based learning in Year 2.
MOst only
Years 3 and 4
The MOst course builds on the knowledge, skills and understanding in the basic sciences, including osteopathic philosophy and basic techniques, developed during the initial two years of the BOst (Hons) course. The MOst course provides for a progressive development of your knowledge, skills and understanding of osteopathic practice. In addition to the development of an appropriate competence profile for autonomous practice, students graduating from this MOst course are expected to have developed greater capabilities in dealing with clinical uncertainty, research methodology and specialist osteopathic practice.
Clinical teaching experience in the two years of the MOst course is provided via a total of 750 hours of supervised clinical education at the University’s clinics in Oxford, Swindon and elsewhere. In addition to a broad range of clinical experience in typical areas of osteopathic practice, students in this advanced undergraduate programme have an opportunity to critically explore osteopathic practice in a variety of clinical contexts, such as obstetric, paediatric and sports care.
Note: unfortunately there is no opportunity to transfer to the part-time BSc (Hons) course or to elect to study part-time within the BOst (Hons) / MOst courses.
The following modules are compulsory for all students on the advanced MOst course:
* Osteopathic Evaluation and Patient Management (single module)
* Osteopathic Clinical Placement 1 (quadruple module)
* Osteopathic Clinical Practice 3 (single module)
* Advanced Research Design (single module)
* Partnerships in Practice (single module)
* Advanced Osteopathic Evaluation and Patient Management (single module)
* Managing Clinical Uncertainty (single module)
* Advanced Osteopathic Clinical Placement (quadruple module)
* Advanced Osteopathic Clinical Practice (single module)
* Dissertation (triple module).
In addition you must take one acceptable M level module from the following:
* Developing Personal and Organisational Learning (single module)
* Managing Finance in Health and Social Care (single module)
* Ethics in Health and Social Care (single module).
Teaching, learning and assessment
Assessment methods are chosen according to their relevance to the aims and content of the individual units of the courses. These include written and practical formative assessments to monitor and advance progress. Formal examinations are held at the end of each semester; these may take the form of essays, seminar presentations or clinical competence assessments.
Quality
RQ status was awarded to the course by the Privy Council on the recommendation of the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC) for the purposes of Sections 14 and 15 of the Osteopaths Act 1993. This was an important achievement for the School and the courses, as Oxford Brookes University became the first university to deliver osteopathic undergraduate education in-house. This formally recognised the substantial investment of the University and in particular the School of Health and Social Care, in successfully establishing osteopathy as part of its multi and interdisciplinary portfolio. Under the terms of the RQ status, all students who successfully complete either the part-time or full-time Osteopathic programmes will be eligible to register as osteopaths with the GOsC.
Research Development
The School has a number of both promising and senior, experienced researchers working in established areas including Substance Misuse, Rehabilitation and Movement Science and Supportive Cancer Care. Research into the effects of Osteopathy is also an emerging area, supported by dedicated resources and researchers working in rehabilitation and movement science.
Over the past few years, the School’s researchers have won external research and consultancy contracts worth over £1.5 million, including grants, fellowships and studentships for NHS staff. Our research staff collaborate with researchers from other Schools in Oxford Brookes University, with researchers from the Institute of Health Sciences at Oxford University, and with research teams from many other UK and international centres.
