Career Suggestion

Osteopath

Osteopaths use hands-on techniques such as massage and stretching to help people manage pain or tension in their muscles and joints.

Average salary (a year)

£0.0 to £0.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

30.0 to 40.0 variable

You could work

in your own business managing your own hours

You can get into this job through a university course or professional development training.

University

To become an osteopath, you'll need to complete a degree or postgraduate master's award approved by the General Osteopathic Council .

Full time courses usually take between 3 and 4 years and include:

  • anatomy
  • physiology
  • biomechanics
  • pharmacology
  • nutrition

Entry requirements

You'll usually need:

  • 5 GCSEs at grades 9 to 4 (A* to C), or equivalent, including English, maths and science

  • 2 or 3 A levels, or equivalent, including a science, for a degree

  • a degree in a relevant subject for postgraduate study

More Information

  • equivalent entry requirements|https://www.gov.uk/what-different-qualification-levels-mean/list-of-qualification-levels
  • student finance for fees and living costs|https://www.gov.uk/student-finance
  • university courses and entry requirements|https://www.ucas.com/

Volunteering

Volunteering in the NHS is a good way to get work experience in healthcare. This can be helpful when you apply for jobs or training.

Other Routes

If you're already medically qualified, for example as a doctor or physiotherapist, you might be able to do a shortened postgraduate training programme to become an osteopath.

More Information

Registrations

you must be registered with the General Osteopathic Council to work as an osteopath

Career Tips

You would be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values would apply in your work.

Further Information

You can learn more about a career in osteopathy from the General Osteopathic Council and Health Careers .

Skills and knowledge

You'll need:

  • knowledge of medicine and dentistry
  • the ability to work well with your hands
  • sensitivity and understanding
  • to enjoy working with other people
  • physical skills like movement, coordination, dexterity and grace
  • excellent verbal communication skills
  • patience and the ability to remain calm in stressful situations
  • customer service skills
  • to be able to use a computer and the main software packages confidently

Restrictions and Requirements

You'll need to:

Before you can register with the General Osteopathic Council, you'll need to give health and personal character references.

Day-to-day tasks

As an osteopath, you could:

  • speak with clients about their health and medical history
  • examine clients' posture and how they move, paying attention to their muscles, bones and joints
  • plan a course of treatment
  • use gentle physical techniques like stretching, movement and massage
  • provide clients with strategies to help relieve joint and muscle pain
  • give clients exercises to do at home, and advise on lifestyle and diet
  • keep track of progress and the effectiveness of treatments

Working environment

You could work in an NHS or private hospital, in a therapy clinic, at a client's home or from home.

With experience, you could:

  • specialise in a particular area, such as sports injury rehabilitation
  • set up your your own osteopathy practice
  • do further training and move into teaching osteopathy students
  • work in osteopathic research

Related careers

Back to course details