Frequently Asked Questions
What are the questions you need to ask when making a choice about the school you want to go to:
What does the London School of Osteopathy Offer?
Qualification: Bsc (Hons) Leading to Professional Registration
When is the course provided?
Alternate weekends over 5 years following standard academic terms (October to July with a block week in September)
Whereis the London School of Osteopathy?
56- 60 Nelson Street, London, E1 2DE
How is the course provided?
Lectures, tutorials, demonstrations, practical classes Home study: a recommended 15 hours a week of private study Clinical training: attendance increases over the 5 years (in addition to weekend lectures, starting with 50 hours in total over the first year, increasing to approximately 2 days a week for final year students.
Who to?
The course is ideally suited to mature students who desire to change their career path. The profession of osteopathy benefits from the influx of practitioners from diverse backgrounds and the LSO aims to promote osteopathic education to people from diverse backgrounds. Students are able to work while studying.
Does the London School of Osteopathy have Recognised Qualification (RQ) accreditation from the General Osteopath Council (GosC)?
The LSO has Recognised Qualification (RQ) status and was accredited in the first wave of osteopathic education providers. In fact, at the time, the LSO was the only fully part-time school to be successful.
Has the school's degree been validated by a university?
The London School of Osteopathy offers a BSc Hons Osteopathy degree validated by the University of Brighton (UoB). The LSO has offered a degree program since 1993.
Is the school based at one site?
The LSO has its clinic, lecture rooms and supporting administrative staff at one site in White Chapel. We believe that having both clinic and classes on one site along with the supporting administration is the most effective way of providing our program.
Is there a busy clinic present at the school?
Yes, the LSO has a very busy outpatients clinic, mainly due to its location and the volume and diversity of patients from the local community. Current students are best suited to answer your questions as they treat patients regularly.
What is the ethos of the school?
The LSO provides a friendly environment where the relationship between students and staff is informal but professional. (but more of this later.)
Does the school offer value for money?
Always look at the resources provided by the school. Much of students' fees go towards having up to date equipment and good facilities. The LSO is proud of its clinic as your clinical training is important and complements your academic education. At the LSO all funds whether from the students or fees from patients are reinvested into the school to enhance its resources.
Is the school independent with its own full autonomy?
This is a very important question as a school may be answerable to other agencies. The London School of Osteopathy is a charity and has a Board of Trustees. Although the course at the LSO is validated by the University of Brighton students belong to the LSO and it has full control over the osteopathic education being provided.
Are there opportunities for further education, continuing professional development and carrying out research at the school?
Preliminary discussions have commenced with the UoB towards collaborating in running a post-graduate MSc program. We hope to carry this further in the year ahead.
Should you look at other schools even though you may have decided that the London School of Osteopathy is the school for you?
The London School of Osteopathy encourages prospective students to look at the other schools to compare the different `flavours' present in osteopathic education. We believe that the student must make an informed choice and come to us because they are 100% convinced of the education they will receive at the LSO.
And finally, what are the job prospects like for graduates from the London School of Osteopathy?
LSO graduates are mature, highly motivated and very well equipped for practice life. The evidence suggests that in comparison with graduates from other schools, LSO students are more successful in both finding positions and establishing their own practices. This is because the unique ethos of the LSO encourages independence and motivation within a friendly and enabling environment. It is for this reason that LSO graduates are often the osteopaths of choice.
The London School of Osteopathy prides itself in its speciality of providing an informal and relaxed environment in this enabling way of training osteopaths.
Graduates' and students' learning experiences
Faced with a choice of completing our degrees away from home, in Dublin, five colleagues and myself decided to commit to the LSO because of the flexible part-time basis of the course. The mature nature of the student base also helped in making the correct decision. The quality of lecturing and the balanced view of osteopathy that we have been exposed to, has been excellent. - Mike Monaghan.
I am an osteopath with 35 years experience in both the private and NHS sectors and have been associated with the LSO for many years. I not only recommend potential students but also employ graduates from the school. While employed, students gain experience of the world, which helps in developing empathy with their patients.- Peter Jarvis.
I work as an osteopath and physiotherapist in the NHS. After qualifying as a physiotherapist, in 1987, undertaking an MSc in manipulative therapy in 1995, I graduated in 2000 from the LSO. I loved every minute of my time at the LSO and I found that osteopathy greatly enhanced my clinical hands-on skills. I am now employed in a part management position within an acute NHS Trust. The LSO provided me with a supportive and friendly learning environment, which I thoroughly enjoyed! - Janet Fowler.
Being a professional musician, for me the course is ideal. The way it is structured enables me to work and study and I think it is good that we get straight into the clinic in the 1st Year. I also like mixing with students with very different backgrounds and experiences. - Michael Pickering.
I am 36 and run a small business involved in cleaning and maintenance, at heights. It is all weathers and can be dangerous. I have enjoyed it but the years are catching up on me. While being treated by an osteopath for my back pain I mentioned the pins and needles in my hands. She then examined me and I observed that, "I thought osteopaths only fixed backs". She quickly put me straight and explained some of the principles and practices of osteopathy. My interest grew and library books gave some useful addresses in the back. I was accepted onto other courses but decided on the LSO because it was friendly and informal and they welcome people regardless of their background. - Steve Marshall.
I have been a Clinic Supervisor and Lecturer at the LSO, since 2000. Having been qualified for over 20 years (from another school), I now form part of the decision making process at the LSO. I find the student centred approach at the LSO, enlightening. Teaching mature students from varied backgrounds has been challenging and yet a very enjoyable experience! - Simon Browning.
Having driven a black cab around the streets of London for a number of years, I was very pleased to have been accepted on the course at the LSO. My 'knowledge' examinations came in very handy when it came to structuring my study patterns while still working. I continued to work (full time until the third year), raise a family, study and socialise in the five years that it took to become an osteopath. I qualified from the LSO in 2001. - Steve Turner