5 Tips for Applying to Study Osteopathy
3rd February 2020
The London School of Osteopathy have put together five top tips for those thinking of applying to an osteopathy undergraduate course. These tips apply whether you apply to the LSO or one of the other places that offer osteopathy degrees.
- Understand what an osteopathy degree course involves. As an osteopathy student you will spend at least 1000 hours in the clinic. At the London School of Osteopathy, your time in the clinic starts from your first year of studies. Being prepared to undertake practical study as well as written study is essential if you are to both enjoy and succeed in your studies
- Tell us why you’d like to become an osteopath. What interests / excites you about a career as an osteopath? What makes osteopathy stand out to you as opposed to an Allied Health Profession such as physiotherapist or chiropractor?
- Tell us about any relevant experience you have. This isn’t simply down to ‘A’ Levels or BTEC qualifications, we are also interested in hearing about relevant practical experience you have. Tell us about any other interests, activities or life experiences that may be relevant to studying for an osteopathy degree.
- Unlike many other Allied Health Professions, the majority of osteopaths work in private practice with many working independently. As an osteopath, you are a primary care practitioner and will be responsible for diagnosing and making decisions about your patients’ care. Providing examples of how you can work independently and manage your time will help support your application.
- An interview for a place at the LSO isn’t meant to be a test of your knowledge. Instead it’s an opportunity for you to add context and depth to the information you have given in your application, and to try and establish if you are attitudinally suited to becoming an osteopath. There are no ‘right’ or ‘wrong’ answers.
The Institute of Osteopathy and the General Osteopathic Council websites are good sources of information for gaining more information about the profession and an osteopath’s role within the healthcare professions.
https://www.osteopathy.org.uk/home/
A full list of Osteopathy Course providers can be found here https://www.iseethedifference.co.uk/course-finder/?subject=Osteopathy When considering applying for an osteopathy degree we suggest trying to visit the colleges to see which institution appeals most to you. Most institutions offer open days during the year.
