Career Suggestion

Osteopath

Osteopaths massage, move and stretch clients' muscles and joints to improve wellbeing or help with a health issue.

Average salary (a year)

£0.0 to £0.0 (starter to experienced)

Typical hours (a week)

37.0 to 39.0 variable

You could work

in your own business managing your own hours

How to become

Explore the different ways to get into this role.

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

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

Courses usually take 4 years full time, or you might be able to study part time over 5 years.

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

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/

You'll find it helpful to get some work experience in healthcare with an osteopath before you apply for a course.

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

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

When applying for courses and jobs, you'll be expected to have an understanding of how the NHS values apply in your work.

You can find out more about becoming an osteopath from the General Osteopathic Council and Health Careers .

You'll need:

You'll need to:

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

As an osteopath you could:

ask clients about their health and medical history
look at their posture and how they walk, paying attention to their muscles, bones and joints
use X-rays to help with your diagnosis and plan a course of treatment
use gentle techniques like stretching, movement and massage
give clients advice on exercises to do at home, lifestyle and diet

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:

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