The British School of Osteopathy

The BSO is the largest and the oldest osteopathic school in the UK, founded in 1917 to provide undergraduate and postgraduate osteopathy training. The BSO holds Recognised Qualification (RQ) status from the statutory regulatory body for osteopathy in the UK, the General Osteopathic Council.

 

Background and History

The BSO was founded in 1915, but was not incorporated until 1917 due to the First World War. The School received charitable status in 1963. The BSO is dedicated to educating osteopaths, treating patients and pursuing osteopathic research. In 2010 the BSO was shortlisted for the Charity of the Year Award (income £1 million+) in the "Charity Times" awards.

Location and Accessibility

The BSO teaching centre is situated near the South Bank, a ten minute walk from London Bridge station and a twenty minute walk from Waterloo station. The nearest underground station (Borough) is just across the road from the teaching centre, and connects to the underground network via the Northern line (City branch). Southwark tube station (Jubilee line) and Elephant and Castle tube station (Bakerloo line) are within easy walking distance of the teaching centre and the clinical centre.

Buses - the 23, 35, 40, 343, 133 and C10 buses run along Borough High Street. Alight at Borough tube station and cross the road to the teaching centre.

Tube - the nearest tube station is Borough, on the Northern line (City branch). Cross the road from the station and turn right and the teaching centre is a few minutes away. Parking - the teaching centre has a small car park at the rear (accessed via Trinity Street), but please note that the School is inside the congestion charging zone.

Walking from London Bridge - use the exit marked Borough High Street and turn left. It is about a ten minute walk along Borough High Street to the teaching centre, past Borough tube station on your right.

Walking from Elephant Castle - from the roundabout turn down Newington Causeway. This road turns into Borough High Street, and it is about a 5-10 minute walk until you come to the teaching centre on your right.

What's on Offer

The British School of Osteopathy has a course to suit everyone interested in manual therapy including access courses, undergraduate and postgraduate degrees.

Entry Requirements

The usual academic requirements for our M.Ost degree programmes are: 5 GCSEs at grades A-C including mathematics and English language 3 A levels to include biology and one other science, which can include chemistry, physics, psychology, PE or a sports A level with a high scientific content. A typical offer is: BBC with a B grade in Biology. The M.Ost is an undergraduate qualification and there is no expectation that you will have a degree already, although a number of mature students do have high level qualifications. All applications are considered individually taking into account certificated evidence of Key Skills and a range of other qualifications.

Private Accommodation

The British School of Osteopathy doesn't offer any student accommodation. Please contact the main reception who may be able to provide you with a list of house shares and accommodation options.

The British School of Osteopathy offers a number of courses that provide roots into the profession: Access to Higher Education Diploma, MSc Osteopathy (pre-registration) and a Masters of Osteopathy. The Master of Osteopathy (M.Ost) degree is validated by the University of Bedfordshire and accredited by the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC), the statutory body which regulates the osteopathic profession. M.Ost graduates are entitled to apply to register with the GOsC, a legal requirement in order to practise as an osteopath in the UK.

Tuition Fees

M.Ost (full-time)

Home/EU students beginning: £9,000

Overseas students, all years: £10,000

Financial Support

Through the School's partnership arrangement with the University of Bedfordshire the M.Ost programme receives government funding and eligible 'home/EU' students are entitled to apply for student loans to cover tuition fees and living costs.

Academic Facilities

The British School of Osteopathy has the largest osteopathic library in Europe with over 10,000 books. The School invests over £20,000 a year to keep the library up-to-date. The library also houses a large collection of books related to other medical and health sciences such as: Medical ethics, Practitioner-patient relations, Professional education and Research methods and Statistics.  

The key tools for osteopathic diagnosis include listening to the patient's history, examining muscles and joints and observing movements. X -rays, scans and other clinical investigations are also used if required. A wide range of gentle, non-invasive manual techniques such as deep tissue massage, joint articulation and manipulation are applied therapeutically.