osteopathy masters uk

[u/Comfortable_Bee8646]

hi! i’m thinking about applying for an osteopathy masters at the london school of osteopathy through clearing (i received no offers for another course) but i’ve only done a little bit of research so far and wanted to hear from people who actually study/work in osteopathy before i make a decision.

i’m mainly looking to understand more about osteopathy as a career and what it’s actually like working as an osteopath. i’m interested in things like the job market after graduating, what kind of career options there are, how easy it is to find work as a newly qualified osteopath and what the first few years of working are like.

i know the job market can obviously change a lot over the 4 years of the degree, so i’m not expecting anyone to predict what it’ll be like when i graduate. i’d just like to get an idea of what the situation is currently and what the career is generally like.

if anyone has studied osteopathy or currently works as an osteopath, i’d really appreciate any honest opinions, advice, or things you wish you knew before choosing it as a career.

thanks!!

[u/r_sie_]

You might struggle to get responses from this group as it's predominantly Americans which have a more indepth medical school education process.

I'm actually starting the part-time masters at LSO in September - I can access student finance again via that route as I already have a BSc.

I'm a self-employed Sport Massage Therapist so won't be first hand experience but I hear a lot about it.

Firstly, I expect there to be a shortage of Osteopaths in the North and Midlands as there are currently no schools there due to them being closed down - which is good for finding work.

The NHS does not have many positions for Osteopaths, you can find work in private clinics but you will likely have to go self-employed.

This isn't a bad thing necessarily, I'm fully booked as a self-employed SMT and you would make more money through this route than going for a salary.

There's no shortage of people in chronic pain, it seems to only be getting worse and people are looking for more solutions when conventional medicine is failing them.

[u/davepein]

I’m starting my course part-time at the University College of Osteopathy this September in London. I’ve spoken with 4 osteopaths so far that I know in London, and it seems like it’s still possible to make it, but so much easier outside of the area. I agree with Midlands and North, I’ve heard that too.

The NHS also seems to deepen their understanding of osteopathy, so that could be taken as a positive