Osteopathy - 2012 entry

Course content

This modular osteopathy course is taken over four years (starting with BOst) and leads to eligibility to apply for statutory registration as an osteopath.

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. The dedicated Practice Education Unit (PEU) will assist you in allocating and administering your practical clinical experience in the university’s osteopathic clinics in Oxford, Swindon and elsewhere throughout the year.

Slideshow featuring osteopathic consultations for children

BOst (Hons)

Years 1-2 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 50 hours of clinic-based learning in Year 1, and 100 hours of clinic-based learning in Year 2.

MOst

Years 3-4 of the course build 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) programme. 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 is provided via a total of 850 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 have an opportunity to critically explore osteopathic practice in a variety of clinical contexts, such as obstetric, paediatric and sports care.

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 the following acceptable M Level module from the following:

• Managing Finance in Health and Social Care (single module).

Please note: as courses are reviewed regularly, the list of modules may vary from that shown here.

Faculty

Faculty of Health and Life Sciences

Department

Department of Sport and Health Sciences

Course length

Full-time: 4 years

Teaching location

Headington Campus, Marston Road / Ferndale Campus, Swindon

Start date

September 2012

UCAS code

B310 BOst/OS

Entry requirements

Entry to the MOst course is currently open only to those students who have successfully completed years 1 and 2 of the BOst (Hons) course with at least 60% or above in each Year 2 BOst (Hons) compulsory modules. The BOst (Hons) is open to international students.

• Medical certification of fitness to undertake osteopathic practise.
• A Criminal Records Bureau (CRB) check will be made.

BOst (Hons) requirements:

• Minimum of 5 passes at GCSE, to include English, Maths and a science subject at grade C
• 3 A-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 A-level (must include Biology/Human Biology); or
• BB at A-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; or
• 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.

You will also need to demonstrate an understanding of the academic and professional workload required for successful completion of the MOst course.

Scholarships and funding

For general sources of financial support, see:

• funding for students from the UK and EU
• funding for students from outside the EU

Why Oxford is a great place to study Osteopathy

As a student in Oxford you'll be at the heart of the UK's most successful economic region and in a centre for leading industries which provides you with a host of learning opportunities.

Because Oxford is one of the world's great academic cities, it is a key centre of debate, with conferences, seminars and forums taking place across education, science, the arts and many other subjects.

In addition to our own excellent libraries and resource centres, our postgraduate students have access to the world-renowned Bodleian Library, the Bodleian Law Library and the Radcliffe Science Library.

Support for students studying Osteopathy

All our courses adopt a student-centred approach to teaching and learning and are strongly focused on encouraging you to attain your full potential as lifelong learners.

There is a range of support mechanisms for students, such as academic advisers, who will facilitate your academic development, and student support co-ordinators, who provide a drop-in service for queries about any aspect of student life, covering both academic and personal welfare.

The university’s support services include Upgrade, which provides advice on study skills such as planning and writing essays, assignments and dissertations, research, or preparing for an exam. They also give advice on statistics and maths. There is a dedicated Student Disability and Dyslexia Service, which provides support for students with disabilities including sensory and mobility impairments, dyslexia and other specific learning difficulties, mental health problems and medical conditions. Here, staff offer advice and support on a range of issues, including physical access, funding, alternative assessment arrangements and liaison with teaching staff to ensure that they are aware of your requirements.

EU/International students

As a new EU or international student you will join the Academic and Cultural Orientation Programme, which has been set up to enable you to make a smooth transition into study at the university. Within the sessions, you will explore the culture of the university, which will assist you in developing the appropriate academic skills required for your programme of study. The university also provides a comprehensive range of support networks and services to EU/international students. For more information, go to www.brookes.ac.uk/international/support

How Brookes supports postgraduate students

Supporting your learning

From academic advisers and support co-ordinators to specialist subject librarians and other learning support staff, we want to ensure that you get the best out of your studies.

Personal support services

We want your time at Brookes to be as enjoyable and successful as possible. That's why we provide all the facilities you need to be relaxed, happy and healthy throughout your studies.

Research excellence

We have a number of both promising and experienced researchers working in established areas including cancer care, children and families, drugs and alcohol, physical rehabilitation and enablement and interprofessional education & collaborative practice. Over the past few years, these researchers have won external research and consultancy contracts including grants, fellowships and studentships for NHS staff. Our research staff collaborate with researchers from across Oxford Brookes University and from the Institute of Health Sciences at Oxford University, and with research teams from many other UK and international centres.

Our academic staff have extensive experience of NHS and general management at both senior and director level. They also have a significant record of research and publications on the topics of management and leadership. The currency of the course is also assured by the lecturers' close involvement in the health and social care sector and their movement between that sector and education.

We are very pleased with the results received in the 2008 Research Assessment Exercise (RAE). 70% of our research in Allied Health Professions and Studies was rated as being of international significance in the assessment of research, of which 10% was rated as world-leading. The university has been careful to nurture emerging research strengths, and the international standing achieved by subjects Allied to Health demonstrates significant progress since 2001.

For more details about our research portfolio, go to our website