The UCO School of Osteopathy,[4] formerly the University College of Osteopathy (UCO) and the British School of Osteopathy (BSO), is a school of osteopathy in the United Kingdom.[5] Incorporated in 1917,[6] the school has recognised qualification status from the General Osteopathic Council, and was granted degree awarding powers in October 2015. It was given University College status in September 2017[3] and is an exempt charity.[citation needed] In August 2024, the University College of Osteopathy was merged into Health Sciences University and UCO became UCO School of Osteopathy.[4]
UCO was founded as the British School of Osteopathy (BSO) in 1915 by John Martin Littlejohn, an osteopath[6] and former student of Andrew Taylor Still.[7] However, it was not incorporated until 1917 due to the First World War.[6][8] It had its first class of osteopathic students graduate in 1925. Between 1930 and 1980, the school relocated within London several times, before opening at Suffolk Street.[7]
After Littlejohn's death in 1947, the school's direction was shaped by several people including Clem Middleton and Margot Gore.[9] The school received charity status in 1963. In 1984, Princess Anne became the institution's Patron and served as the Chancellor in 2018.[10] In 1993, BSc courses at the school were validated by the Open University Validation Services. It moved to its location on Borough High Street in London in 1997 and 1998.[7]
New granted powers (2000-2017)
In 2000, it gained recognized qualification status from the General Osteopathic Council.[7] In 2004, it was both the oldest and largest osteopathic school in the UK. It delivered a four-year degree course (B.Ost) including anatomy, physiology and pathology. Its outpatient clinic was the oldest osteopathic outpatient clinic in Europe, and had 37,000 appointments a year.[5] That year, it partnered with the University of Bedfordshire and secured government funding.[7] It opened a new clinic on Southwark Bridge Road in London in 2008.[7]
The institution was granted degree awarding powers in October 2015. It was given University College status in September 2017 from the UK Privy Council, at which point it held Recognised Qualification (RQ) status from the General Osteopathic Council.[3] In 2017, BSO was renamed the University College of Osteopathy.[7]
Recent developments (2018-2025)
In August 2024, the University College of Osteopathy was merged into Health Sciences University (formerly AECC University College). Sharon Potter was Acting Vice-Chancellor of UCO right beforehand. UCO became UCO School of Osteopathy and continued to offer osteopathy courses in London.[4]
Programs and degrees
The UCO offers undergraduate and postgraduate programs to full or part-time students. These include an Access to Higher Education Diploma (Osteopathic Sciences & Health Care), a one-year further education course for students who wish to become osteopaths or study a related healthcare discipline at degree level. There is also an Introduction to Osteopathic Sciences course for potential M.Ost students who lack a solid scientific foundation.[6]
Postgraduate programs include a professional doctorate in osteopathy, an MSc in osteopathy, and a postgraduate certificate in research methods. The UCO also provides ongoing continuous professional development courses.[6]
Clinics
Clinic building, 2010
The UCO's clinical centre is at 98-118 Southwark Bridge Road, London. It houses the UCO's general clinic, as well as special clinics for expectant mothers, children, people with sports injuries and people with HIV/AIDS.[citation needed] As of 2004, its outpatient clinic was the oldest osteopathic outpatient clinic in Europe, and had 37,000 appointments a year.[5] In the school's outpatient clinic, patients are treated by a third or fourth year student, with a qualified osteopath acting as a clinical tutor.[5] UCO students also work with patients from the start of their studies.[citation needed] The UCO operates portfolio of community outreach osteopathy clinics, which along with the central outpatient clinic, provide students with patient contact.[citation needed]
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