10 reasons to study osteopathy
A career in healthcare can be incredibly rewarding. Studying for a degree is a big investment in your future, so how do you make sure you pick the right path for you?
Find out more about a degree in osteopathy.
Got a question or ready to apply? Contact us on 020 7089 5316 or admissions@uco.ac.uk.
Here are 10 reasons why osteopathy should be top of your list.
- Make a real difference to people. For the majority of people working in healthcare, their key motivation is their desire to help others. Osteopaths do this every day, working with their patients to aid recovery from injury, help them manage long-term conditions, and to improve their overall wellbeing and quality of life.
- Earn good money. Osteopaths have great earning potential and what you earn is largely up to you, based on where and how often you want to work, how much work you put in, what patients you want to see and what rates you decide to charge.
The average income for an osteopath in the UK is £43,420, with 5% earning in excess of £100K (Institute of Osteopathy 2021 census)
- Benefit from high employability rates. Once qualified and registered with the General Osteopathic Council, graduate osteopaths can begin their professional careers straight away. Many receive multiple job offers before they even graduate, while others choose to set up a business on their own or with fellow graduates, and some choose to take their skills to begin careers in other parts of the world.
90% of graduate osteopaths are in employment or further study compared to a national average of 79% (Graduate Outcomes, 2017-18)
- Join an allied health profession. Osteopathy is an allied health profession recognised and respected by the NHS. It is also gaining an increasing profile around the world, and the Osteopathic International Alliance (OIA) has official relations status with the World Health Organisation.
- Be part of a regulated form of healthcare. Like other heathcare professions, in the UK osteopaths must be registered with the profession's regulatory body, the General Osteopathic Council (GOsC). Osteopaths must undertake regular professional development and comply with professional standards, so the general public can have confidence in the treatment they provide.
- Specialise in exciting areas. While lots of osteopaths work with a wide variety of patients, some choose to specialise. Specialists may focus on work with young patients, professional sports people, patients with specific chronic conditions or even animals. Your career can evolve with time and change direction with your interests.
- Have time to care. Osteopaths are fortunate to have the luxury of time with their patients. Most will see patients one-to-one, with standard appointments lasting around 30-45 minutes. And as most patients self-refer, patients can access osteopathy as, when and for as long as it is beneficial to them.
- Treat patients as individuals. The key to osteopathy is the importance of treating the patient as an individual and not just the injury or condition. Osteopaths spend time getting to know their patients so that they can understand their unique set of circumstances and other factors which may be playing a part in their conditions. Osteopaths then use this knowledge to deliver a bespoke treatment plan which may include manual therapy, exercise and lifestyle changes in partnership with the patient.
- Enjoy career freedom. The majority of osteopaths are self-employed, offering the ultimate freedom to dictate their own hours and to shape their career around other commitments and interests. Whether you’re employed by a practice or are your own boss, as an osteopath you can create a pattern of working to suit you, and you’ll never have to be ‘on call’ or do long shifts (unless you really want to).
Osteopaths work on average 30 hours per week (Institute of Osteopathy 2021 census)
- Travel the world. With the exception of the US, UK qualified osteopaths can practice in countries all over the world, subject to local regulations, including most of Europe, Australia and South America.
Find out more about a degree in osteopathy.
Got a question or ready to apply? Contact us on 020 7089 5316 or admissions@uco.ac.uk.