BCOM has an international reputation for academic and research excellence. We have a unique naturopathic approach to Osteopathy and aim to inspire our students to become confident professionals in this exciting and rewarding career.
Plymouth University validates our much-praised four-year Undergraduate Masters in Osteopathy (M.Ost). The course integrates academic, scientific, anatomical, theoretical, and research knowledge with applied clinical osteopathic and naturopathic skills. We also offer Postgraduate courses for qualified osteopaths. BCOM’s established osteopathic and research clinics serve the local community providing high quality, affordable treatment based on naturopathic Osteopathy.
BCOM has a robust research profile which helps inform teaching and learning throughout the curriculum. Research not only aids in teaching at BCOM, but evidence-based medicine is increasingly required to demonstrate the efficacy of treatments. BCOM is involved in several areas of research, all of which link to Osteopathy and naturopathy.
Research Publications are frequently published in peer review journals, and conference proceedings. Year 3 and 4 students undertake a research project which results in a project which is presented as a publishable paper.
BCOM is the founder and a significant contributor to the International Conference on Advances in Osteopathic Research (ICAOR). The original aim of ICAOR was to disseminate research information gathered by osteopaths to practitioners and students so that an active research ethos could be developed.
BCOM is a stakeholder in NCOR which has been established to act as a unifying body for those parties engaged in osteopathic research. Representatives from Osteopathic Educational Institutions, General Osteopathic Council, and British Osteopathic Association are included on the council.
BCOM prides itself on its quality of teaching and clinical experience and its friendly, supportive atmosphere. Our clinical students see, on average, 20% more than the recommended 50 new patients, and with our NHS contract, it allows our clinical students to see an array of patients and conditions. BCOM believes it is vital for our students to have this working but clinically rewarding experience while under the supportive tuition of our experienced osteopaths.
BCOM has now received two “Recognised Qualification” reports ‘with no conditions’ from the QAA demonstrating our educational quality and support for our students. We recognize the need for specialist subjects to be taught or led by specialists in the subject areas such as anatomy, physiology, and pathology. We are proud to be able to achieve this specialist teaching.
BCOM has excellent facilities, including a dedicated human performance laboratory as part of the research department. Our research team is active in not only osteopathic research but in sports and medical research with numerous publications.
Our undergraduate courses aim to guide student osteopaths through the acquisition of basic science and osteopathic technique skills towards an integrated clinical appraisal of patients.
This allows the formulation of safe, effective, rational, and caring treatment plans for as beneficial an outcome as is feasible in a given situation.
The following objectives may summarise this:
- To ensure that graduates acquire adequate clinical competence via a self-critical approach to integrated, learned skills.
- To promote an attitude of inquiry and the maintenance of this attitude into professional life to keep abreast of current knowledge.
- To instill a research ethos into practitioners of holistic Osteopathy.
- To provide the general public, via the General Osteopathic Council in the UK, as well as in the full European environment, with safe and competent practitioners of holistic Osteopathy.
- As well as the integration of academic, practical, and clinical skills, BCOM courses promote awareness and understand the importance of a research base to continuing osteopathic development.
This awareness is started at the College, but the concept is taught to continue until the end of practice, and this idea is implanted within students from the first year of starting the course. This pursuit of continuing personal and professional development is paramount.
The pursuit of excellence while maintaining a caring, supportive, clinical approach is central to the perceived evolution of the College.
BCOM currently offers a four-year integrated Masters in Osteopathy and a ten-month post-basic-training academic conversion BSc (Hons) Osteopathy Conversion Course degree.
The degrees are validated via the College’s partnership with Plymouth University. BCOM also offers a Diploma in Naturopathy (ND).
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