Build a career in osteopathy with the Bachelor of Science (Clinical Sciences). Osteopathy is a state licensed profession and to become a registered osteopath you need to complete the following double degree program:

• Bachelor of Science (Clinical Sciences)
• Masters of Health Science (Osteopathy)

VU offers one of only three of these accredited double degree programs in Australia. Core studies include anatomy, osteopathic science, physiology and biochemistry. Students undertake fieldwork and clinical practice to prepare them for their osteopathy career.

Clinical training

Our Osteopathy teaching clinic operates 50 weeks of the year and prepares students with real-world experience. As part of this program you are required to attend clinical sessions on a rotation basis including outside of semester hours to maintain a public service and provide continuity of patient care.

• Location:
  City Flinders
• Other locations:
  This course is based at City Campus (Flinders Lane), but students are required to attend St Albans campus one day a week to attend Anatomy laboratories.
• College:
  College of Health and Biomedicine
• Study mode:
  Full Time
• Delivery mode:
  On campus and Working in the Workplace
• Course code:
  HBOP
• Duration:
  3 years
• This information is for Australian residents.
  Click here for the international version of this course

How to apply

• registration with the Osteopathy Board of Australia
• registration as an Osteopath in all other Australian states and in New Zealand
• membership with the Australian Osteopathic Association

For further information about registration requirements for health practitioners, please visit the Australian Health Practitioner Regulation Agency (AHPRA).

Learn more about your career options on the Australian government's Career Information and Resources website.

The aims of the course are to:

• prepare graduates for entry into the workforce or post graduate programs, including the Master of Health Science - Osteopathy. To be eligible to register and practice as an Osteopath, graduates must also complete the Master of Health Science (Osteopathy).
• provide an education which contributes to the individual's personal, professional and intellectual growth;
• enable students to become life long learners and respond to changes and challenges in their future profession.
• provide an education which contributes to the preparation of competent primary health care practitioners who, upon graduation from the Masters degree, are able to: apply osteopathic principles to formulate and prescribe suitable and safe examination, treatment and management of patients; assess the health status of the patient, including physical, socio-economic and psychological factors and refer appropriately; communicate with the patient and interact with other health care providers and advisers for the benefit of the patient.

Course is offered over 3 years (6 semesters) on a full-time basis only. To qualify for the award of BSc (Clinical Sciences) a total of 288 credit points should be completed.

• Anatomy 1

  Unit code

  HHA1171

  Credits

  12

• Biochemistry

  Unit code

  RBM1180

  Credits

  12

• Cell Physiology

  Unit code

  HHP1170

  Credits

  6

• Osteopathic Science 1

  Unit code

  HHO1170

  Credits

  12

• Academic Skills

  Unit code

  HHL1171

  Credits

  6

• Anatomy 2

  Unit code

  HHA1272

  Credits

  12

• Clinical Physiology 1

  Unit code

  HHP1272

  Credits

  6

• Osteopathic Science 2

  Unit code

  HHO1271

  Credits

  12

• Clinical Diagnosis and Management 1

  Unit code

  HHD1271

  Credits

  6

• Pathology 1

  Unit code

  HHY1271

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Practicum 1

  Unit code

  HHU1270

  Credits

  6

• Anatomy 3

  Unit code

  HHA2171

  Credits

  12

• Biomechanics 1

  Unit code

  HHC2171

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Diagnosis and Management 2

  Unit code

  HHD2172

  Credits

  6

• Osteopathic Science 3

  Unit code

  HHO2171

  Credits

  12

• Pathology 2

  Unit code

  HHY2172

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Physiology 2

  Unit code

  HHP2171

  Credits

  6

• Anatomy 4

  Unit code

  HHA2272

  Credits

  6

• Biomechanics 2

  Unit code

  HHC2272

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Diagnosis and Management 3

  Unit code

  HHD2273

  Credits

  6

• Osteopathic Science 4

  Unit code

  HHO2272

  Credits

  12

• Clinical Practicum 2

  Unit code

  HHU2271

  Credits

  6

• Pathology 3

  Unit code

  HHY2273

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Physiology 3

  Unit code

  HHP2272

  Credits

  6

• Anatomy 5 (Clinical Neurology)

  Unit code

  HHA3175

  Credits

  12

• Biomechanics 3

  Unit code

  HHC3173

  Credits

  6

• Psychology and Social Sciences 1

  Unit code

  HHS3171

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Practicum 3

  Unit code

  HHU3173

  Credits

  12

• Osteopathic Science 5

  Unit code

  HHO3174

  Credits

  6

• Professional Ethics

  Unit code

  HHD3171

  Credits

  6

• Anatomy 6 (Clinical and Radiology)

  Unit code

  HHA3276

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Diagnosis and Management 4 (Neurology)

  Unit code

  HHD3275

  Credits

  6

• Osteopathic Science 6

  Unit code

  HHO3275

  Credits

  6

• Psychology and Social Sciences 2

  Unit code

  HHS3272

  Credits

  6

• Introduction to Rehabilitation

  Unit code

  HHP3274

  Credits

  6

• Clinical Practicum 4

  Unit code

  HHU3274

  Credits

  12

• Pathology 4 (Neuropathology)

  Unit code

  HHY3274

  Credits

  6

• Year 12: Prerequisites: Units 3 and 4–a study score of at least 20 in English (any), in chemistry and in one of either physics or mathematics (any). Middle-band: A study score of at least 30 in chemistry, English (any) or mathematics (any) = an aggregate 3 points higher per study, to a maximum 9 points. Selection mode: CY12: ENTER and two-stage process with a middle-band of approximately 20%.
• International: Applicants are expected to have: obtained an IELTS (academic module) result of 6.5 (no band less than 6) or equivalent; completed a secondary school qualification equivalent to an Australian Year 12 qualification; completed studies (as part of this qualification) in the field of chemistry, physics or mathematics. In addition you also need to provide a Police Check from your usual country of residence prior to commencing practical placements.
• Mature: Academic record including GPA, VTAC Pi form. Year 12 prerequisites also apply for non-school leavers.
• Other: Some applicants may be required to attend an interview (an alternative may be provided if you cannot physically attend an interview).