Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)

Overview

Take a holistic approach to clinical care with a Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) at Victoria University (VU).

Get qualified for a rewarding career building ongoing relationships with clients, alleviating pain, optimising mobility and function, emphasising preventative care and promoting healthy lifestyle changes.

VU’s unique degree is the only course in Victoria that allows you to become an osteopath accredited with the Australiasian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC) in just 4.5 years and at a masters level.

During your degree, which covers both undergraduate and postgraduate subjects, you’ll study:

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

You'll also benefit from extensive work experience, with hands-on practice at our professional clinics.

Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible for accreditation to practise as an osteopath, with the skills to:

assess and diagnose a range of conditions
develop safe treatment programs
perform soft-tissue techniques
perform joint mobilisation and manipulative techniques
provide exercise rehabilitation programs.

Treat real patients in VU’s Osteopathy Clinic

During your Master of Health Science (Osteopathy), you’ll get extensive hands-on experience treating real patients in VU’s Osteopathy Clinic at our state-of-the-art City Tower at our City Campus, as well as in a range of community-based clinics.

Working on a rotational basis both during and in-between semesters, you’ll gain real-world experience working with paying clients under the supervision of expert accredited osteopaths. Treatments you may assist with include:

soft tissue techniques
joint manipulation
joint mobilisation
exercise rehabilitation
general health care advice.

Your clinical work may also involve assisting with ergonomics, general health advice, rehabilitation, referral and resources.

Get the qualifications to become a registered osteopath

With this dual qualification in osteopathy, you’ll have the qualifications needed for registration as an osteopath with the Osteopathy Board of Australia and membership with Osteopathy Australia.

You’ll be able to register and practise as an osteopath in all Australian states and in New Zealand.

Careers

As a highly-skilled osteopath, you can enjoy the independence of running your own private practice, or choose to provide healthcare in settings such as:

private clinics
multidisciplinary health clinics
sporting groups
community organisations.

Course structure

To attain the double award of Bachelor of Health Science (Osteopathy) / Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) students will be required to complete:

- 432 credit points of core studies

Course structure and units

Year 1, Semester 1

Evidence and Research

Unit code

HRE1000

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 1

Unit code

HBO1001

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 2

Unit code

HBO1002

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 1

Unit code

HBS1104

Credits
12

Year 1, Semester 2

Professional Communication

Unit code

HCM1000

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 3

Unit code

HBO1003

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 4

Unit code

HBO1004

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 2

Unit code

HBS1204

Credits
12

Year 2, Semester 1

Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 5

Unit code

HBO2005

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 3

Unit code

HBS2304

Credits
12
Patient and Health System 1

Unit code

HBS2003

Credits
12
Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy

Unit code

HBS2001

Credits
12

Year 2, Semester 2

Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 6

Unit code

HBO2006

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 4

Unit code

HBS2404

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 7

Unit code

HBO2007

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 4A

Unit code

HBS2002

Credits
12

Year 3, Semester 1

Patient and Health System 2

Unit code

HBS3004

Credits
12
Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 8

Unit code

HBO3008

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 5

Unit code

HBS3504

Credits
12
Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy 2

Unit code

HBS3002

Credits
12

Year 3, Semester 2

Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 9

Unit code

HBO3009

Credits
12
Clinical Skills 6

Unit code

HBS3604

Credits
12
Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy 3

Unit code

HBS3003

Credits
12
Introduction to Clinical Practice

Unit code

HBS3005

Credits
12

Year 4, Semester 1

Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 1

Unit code

HMO7001

Credits
12
Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 2

Unit code

HMO7002

Credits
12
Clinical Practice 1

Unit code

HMH7105

Credits
12
Project and Scholarship 1

Unit code

HMO7007

Credits
12

Year 4, Semester 2

Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 3

Unit code

HMO7003

Credits
12
Clinical Practice 2

Unit code

HMH7205

Credits
12
Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 4

Unit code

HMO7004

Credits
12
Project and Scholarship 2

Unit code

HMO7008

Credits
12

Year 5, Semester 1

Clinical Practice 3

Unit code

HMH7305

Credits
12
Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 5

Unit code

HMO7005

Credits
12
Applied Clinical Theory and Skills 6

Unit code

HMO7006

Credits
12
Project and Scholarship 3

Unit code

HMO7009

Credits
12

Achieve more with the VU Block Model

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.

Learning outcomes

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

	1.	Justify their professional, ethical and legal position as an osteopath within the scope of practice of an osteopath and the broader Australian healthcare system;
	2.	Critically appraise scholarly healthcare literature to integrate the best available evidence into practice to continually improve practice;
	3.	Design a patient-centred, culturally safe and evidence-informed management plan based on sound clinical reasoning, appropriate use of medicine, scientific evidence and patient/client preferences to inform decision-making;
	4.	Exemplify relevant leadership, ethical behaviour, prioritisation of resources, and appropriate communication on all aspects of the care process within a collaborative clinical setting including peers, inter-professional colleagues, supervisors, and a diverse range of patients;
	5.	Implement inclusive, culturally safe, patient-centred care for a diverse range of patient populations across the lifespan, including Aboriginal and Torres Strait Islander peoples;
	6.	Advocate for patients and the community by promoting health through effective communication, collaborative practice, inter-professional practice, health education and evidence-based management;
	7.	Evaluate patient progress using standardised outcome measures, and document and appropriately communicate information about patient care;
	8.	Design and undertake a scholarly piece of work related to the osteopathic profession; and
	9.	Critically reflect on theoretical concepts, professional capabilities, self-care, personal and clinical experiences, and embrace lifelong learning to inform and continually improve practice.

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.

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.

Inherent Requirements

'Inherent requirements' are the abilities, attributes, skills and behaviours needed to meet the learning outcomes of a course. These should be met while preserving the academic integrity of the university’s learning, assessment and accreditation processes.

You need to be able to demonstrate that you hold, or can acquire, the inherent requirements for this degree.

We may be able to make reasonable adjustments to help you manage circumstances that impact your studies – provided these don't fundamentally change the academic integrity of the degree.

Entry requirements

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 (or equivalent).
PLUS:
A study score of at least 20 in one of Biology, Chemistry, any Mathematics or Physics.
OR:
Completion of an Australian Advanced Diploma or Diploma (or equivalent).
PLUS:
IELTS (or equivalent): Overall score of 7.0 (with no band less than 7.0 in Listening, Reading, Writing and Speaking).

Find out if you meet the entry requirements, including English language and academic requirements.

Additional information

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

ADDITIONAL INFORMATION ON OSTEOPATHY BOARD AUSTRALIA (AHPRA) ENGLISH LANGUAGE SKILLS REGISTRATION STANDARDS

All applicants must be able to provide the information required by the AHPRA English Language Skills Registration Standard for admission to the course.

This requirement applies to both domestic and international students.

All applicants must be able to demonstrate to Victoria University that they meet the Osteopathy Board of Australia AHPRA English Language Skills Registration Standard. Applicants can obtain further information about how to demonstrate the Standard at: https://www.osteopathyboard.gov.au/registration-standards.aspx
As part of this standard, applicants must be able to demonstrate that they have evidence of completing:
• At least 6 years (full time equivalent) continuous education taught and assessed solely in English, in any of the recognised countries (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, United States of America, Canada, Republic of Ireland, United Kingdom). Education includes tertiary qualifications in the relevant professional discipline, which you are relying on to support your eligibility for registration under the National Law.
OR
• IELTS with a minimum IELTS (academic module) overall score of 7 and a minimum score of 7 in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
OR
• OET with a minimum score of B in each of the four components (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
OR
• PTE Academic with a minimum overall score of 65 and a minimum score of 65 in each of the four communicative skills (listening, reading, writing and speaking).
OR
• TOEFL iBT with a minimum total score of 94 and the following minimum score in each section of the test: 24 for listening, 24 for reading, 27 for writing, and 23 for speaking.

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.

Pathways from VU courses

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past study

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.

How to apply

We are currently accepting international applications, and we welcome you to apply for this course.

Click 'apply' to begin, and we will guide you through the application process.

Apply

If you have questions, please get in touch:

Phone: +61 3 9919 1164
Online: enquiry form

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