Information on this page is for Australian residents
Course not available to international students
ATAR:
Lowest selection rank*: 60.65
*Offers made in 2022. More about ATAR
Duration: 
3 years full time
Location: 
City Campus
Delivery mode: 
In person
Application due dates:
Applications are not being taken at this time.
Register your interest

Overview

This course is no longer taking applications. It is being replaced in 2022 by the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy).
Study towards a rewarding and holistic healthcare career with VU's leading osteopathy program.

Note this course is no longer taking applications. See our replacement course starting in 2022 - Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy).

Our Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy), plus Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) lead to professional registration as an osteopath.

Osteopathic treatments include:

  • soft-tissue techniques
  • joint manipulation
  • joint mobilisation
  • exercise rehabilitation
  • general healthcare advice.

To prepare you for work in health care, you’ll study:

  • anatomy
  • osteopathic principles and techniques
  • physiology
  • pathology
  • population health
  • evidence-based practice.

You’ll gain work experience through extensive clinical practice. This perfect mix of scientific study and hands-on practice will have you confident and job-ready following our masters.

VU offers one of only three accredited programs in Australia.

VU's hands-on learning approach and extensive clinical placements are held in high regard by industry.

Treating patients at our Osteopathy Clinic, as well as external community clinical engagements, ensures you have a diverse clinical experience.

Our osteopathy teaching clinics operates 47 weeks of the year. As part of our masters program, you’ll attend clinical sessions on a rotational basis. You’ll gain real-world experience working with paying patients.

These clinics also run outside of semester hours, to maintain a public service and provide continuity of patient care.

When you study osteopathy at VU, you’ll be part of the bigger College of Sport, Health and Engineering . This college supports its students with international industry contacts, world-class research centres, and a Dean’s lecture series by leaders in the health profession.

Osteopathy students study at our City Campus. The convenient location makes studying easier, and the surrounding laneways, cafes and restaurants add to its appeal.

The Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy) offers a mix of scientific study and hands-on practice.

Careers in osteopathy

You'll be qualified for a career as a practising osteopath after completing both this degree and our Master of Health Science (Osteopathy).

Osteopaths can work in a variety of healthcare settings:

  • private practice clinics
  • hospitals
  • maternal health centres
  • community organisations.

Become a registered osteopath

With our dual-qualification in osteopathy, including the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy), you can gain the following registrations and memberships:

  • registration with the Osteopathy Board of Australia
  • registration as an osteopath in all other Australian states and in New Zealand
  • membership with Osteopathy Australia.

For further information about registration requirements, visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency.

To register as an osteopath, you will need to complete the double-degree program:

Salaries

Check the average salary of osteopaths in Australia at PayScale.

First preference for VU Osteo graduates

First preference for VU Osteo graduates

VU alumnus Dr Jade Scott is a firm advocate of osteopathy graduates from VU’s double degree program.

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Accreditation

This course, in combination with the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy), is one of only three osteopathy dual-qualification programs accredited by the Australasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC).

Course structure

To attain the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy), students will be required to complete 288 credit points of Core studies.

First Year Core units

Year 2

Semester 1

Semester 2

Year 3

Semester 1

Semester 2

We are the first Australian university to use a 'block' model of learning, where you study one unit at a time rather than juggling several at once.

Introduced in 2018, the VU Block Model has improved our student results and achievements, and has won awards for innovation and excellence. Initially for first-year students, it now applies to all students studying at our Melbourne campuses.

You'll study in short bursts, called blocks, of three 2-3 hour face-to-face teaching sessions per week.

Each block focuses on one unit (subject) and is only four weeks long, with up to four days between. Our two semesters have four blocks each, and there are optional blocks over winter and summer where you can catch up on a missed unit.

Some courses have labs and pracs too, and these are generally scheduled on the same days as teaching sessions. There are also workshops where you'll develop your study skills and prepare for your future career.

Find out more about the VU Block Model.

On successful completion of this course, students will be able to:

  1. Critically reflect on the philosophy and position of osteopathy in the broader healthcare system;  
  2. Search, retrieve and critically appraise scholarly literature related to osteopathic philosophy and practice, as well as the broader healthcare field;  
  3. Interrogate the physical, socio-economic, psychological and cultural factors contributing to a patient's presenting complaint;  
  4. Synthesise biomedical science knowledge and apply to patient presentations;  
  5. Formulate diagnoses of musculoskeletal disorders based on interpretation of physical, neurological, orthopaedic, osteopathic examination findings and clinical evidence;  
  6. Adapt osteopathic manual techniques, rehabilitation exercises, patient education and preventative health approaches to presentations;  
  7. Exhibit professionalism and effective communication when interacting with the patient community, peers and colleagues; and  
  8. Integrate osteopathic principles, biomedical science and research evidence for practice to inform the rationale of osteopathic treatment;  

What's a unit?

A unit or 'subject' is the actual class you'll attend in the process of completing a course.

Most courses have a mixture of compulsory 'core' units that you need to take and optional elective units that you can choose to take based on your area of interest, expertise or experience.

Credits

Each unit is worth a set amount of study credits based on the amount of time you study. Generally, 1 credit is equal to 1 hour of study per week.

Fees & scholarships

Fee type definitions

The amount you pay for your course depends on whether you’re offered a Commonwealth supported place (CSP) or a full fee-paying place.

Students who enrol in a:

In addition to your tuition fees, you may also be charged a Student Services & Amenities Fee (SSAF).

Scholarships & assistance

Apply for a scholarship to help with your study costs.

We can help with fee assistance and advice.

Admissions

Victoria University is committed to providing a transparent admissions process. Find out more about how to apply for our courses, and our commitment to admissions transparency.

Applicants for this course will need to have met the academic requirements and prerequisites for this course outlined below.

Meeting the minimum admission criteria does not guarantee entry into this course. Past academic performance may be considered.

Admission criteria

The minimum criteria for admission varies depending on your education background. If you’re not sure which criteria applies to you, use the help tool on this page or make an enquiry and we can assist.

Applicants with recent secondary education (within the last 2 years)

  • Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (e.g. VCE) or
  • an Australian or overseas equivalent or
  • an International Baccalaureate (IB).

Importance of ATAR for this course

ATAR+

We consider both ATAR and other criteria

NA

ATAR is not a consideration. We use other criteria

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate (VCE or equivalent) including Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English.
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, any Mathematics or Physics.

Subject adjustments

A study score of 30 in Chemistry, any English or any Mathematics equals 5 aggregate points per study. A study score of 25 in Biology equals 5 aggregate points. Overall maximum of 20 points.

ATAR profile

VU course code: HBSO

VTAC course code: 4300243051

Campus: City Flinders

ATAR profile of people who received an offer for the Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)
  ATAR
(Excluding adjustment factors)		 Selection Rank
(ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
Highest rank to receive an offer 95.00 99.00
Median rank to receive an offer 73.55 81.10
Lowest rank to receive an offer 53.55 60.65

 

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with vocational education and training (VET/TAFE) study

This information is for people who have completed an accredited award at an Australian Registered Training Organisation.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent) in Health Sciences or similar.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with higher education study

This information is for people whose highest level of study since leaving secondary education is a higher education course.

Admission criteria

Completion of at least one semester of an Australian Higher Education award (or equivalent).

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Applicants with work & life experience

This information is for applicants who left secondary school more than two years ago and who have not undertaken VET or higher education study since then.

Admission criteria

Completion of an Australian Senior Secondary Certificate more than two years ago.
PLUS:
Units 3 and 4: a study score of at least 25 in English (EAL) or 20 in any other English (or equivalent).
AND:
A study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, any Mathematics or Physics.

Special admission programs

Our special admission programs cover a range of access and equity schemes that allow applicants from participating schools or disadvantaged social, economic or cultural environments to receive additional consideration. These include:

Additional information

A current First Aid certificate (HLTAID003/HLTAID011) or Level 11 First Aid Certificate must be obtained prior to HBS3004 and clinical placement. Students must maintain a current certificate until graduation.

Selection criteria assistance

Let us know which qualifications you have studied and we will help you find the admission information that most applies to you.

Which of the following qualifications have you studied, or are currently studying?

Still not sure? Make an enquiry and one of our advisors can assist.

Student profile

Take a look at a student profile to get an overview of students who have previously enrolled in this course.

Pathways & credits

There are many ways you can start your education journey at VU. Pathways offer an easy transition between courses at different levels, so that you can start with a certificate and progress right through to postgraduate study.

If you have completed any of the following course(s), you will be guaranteed a place in this course. In some cases you may receive credit for your previous study, reducing the time it takes to complete your course.

International Foundations at VU JQAG

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Use our credit calculator to find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

If you have completed study with another university or institution and believe you are eligible to receive credit for skills and past study, you can apply for advanced standing.

Applications for advanced standing can be made after a discussion with your course chair or academic adviser.

Credit Calculator

Find out how much credit you could get towards your course, based on your previous study.

CALCULATE YOUR CREDIT

How to apply

Applications for this course are not being taken at this time.

Browse our other Osteopathy courses or send us an enquiry to be notified of updates relating to this course.

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Get help

At Victoria University, we aim to display accurate and complete course information online. However, we are unable to guarantee that every course change is currently displayed. You may contact the University directly on +61 3 9919 6100 to confirm the most up-to-date course fees, pathways and credit transfer, recognition of prior learning, admission and enrolment procedures, examinations and services available to our students.