Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)

Victoria University

About

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.

Structure

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

Course structure and units

First Year Core units

  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 1 Unit code HBO1001 Credits12
  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 2 Unit code HBO1002 Credits12
  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 3 Unit code HBO1003 Credits12
  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 4 Unit code HBO1004 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 1 Unit code HBS1104 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 2 Unit code HBS1204 Credits12
  • Professional Communication Unit code HCM1000 Credits12
  • Evidence and Research Unit code HRE1000 Credits12

Year 2

Semester 1:

  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 5 Unit code HBO2005 Credits12
  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 6 Unit code HBO2006 Credits12
  • Patient and Health System 1 Unit code HBS2003 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 3 Unit code HBS2304 Credits12

Semester 2:

  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 7 Unit code HBO2007 Credits12
  • Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy Unit code HBS2001 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 4A Unit code HBS2002 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 4 Unit code HBS2404 Credits12

Year 3

Semester 1:

  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 8 Unit code HBO3008 Credits12
  • Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy 2 Unit code HBS3002 Credits12
  • Patient and Health System 2 Unit code HBS3004 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 5 Unit code HBS3504 Credits12

Semester 2:

  • Biomedical Science for Osteopathy 9 Unit code HBO3009 Credits12
  • Evidence Based Practice for Osteopathy 3 Unit code HBS3003 Credits12
  • Introduction to Clinical Practice Unit code HBS3005 Credits12
  • Clinical Skills 6 Unit code HBS3604 Credits12

Entry requirements

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

ATAR profile

VTAC course code: 4300243051

Campus: City Flinders

column1 column2 column3
  ATAR (Excluding adjustment factors) Selection Rank (ATAR plus any adjustment factors)
94.35 98.65
70.80 79.80
50.70 63.50

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:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

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:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

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:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

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:

  • Special Entry Access Scheme (external link) (SEAS) for VTAC applicants.
  • Special consideration for direct applicants.

Additional information

Students choosing the units, HBS3504 Clinical Skills 5 and HBS3604 Clinical Skills 6, may be required to obtain a ‘Working With Children Check’ and 'Police Check' prior to undertaking the unit.

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

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.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

You will be guaranteed entry only.

Find out more about pathways and credits.

Credit for skills and past 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 coordinator or academic adviser.

Learning outcomes

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

column1 column2 column3 column4
  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 examintion 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;  

Institution