Master of Health Science (Osteopathy)

You'll get extensive hands-on experience treating real patients in VU's Osteopathy Clinic at the state-of-the-art City Tower at the 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, and general health care advice.

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. The course is accredited with the Australian Osteopathic Accreditation Council (AOAC) and is registered with AHPRA. You'll be able to register and practise as an osteopath in all Australian states and in New Zealand.

This course is offered as a Commonwealth Supported Place (CSP) for eligible students (Australian citizens, permanent residents and New Zealand citizens), with indicative fees of AU$9,537 per year for a full-time student in 2026. This fee is a guide only and does not include materials such as textbooks or the Student Services and Amenities Fee. You may also be able to get a HELP loan to pay for your studies, repaid through the tax system once you earn above the compulsory repayment threshold. VU also awards hundreds of scholarships annually worth millions of dollars combined.

All applicants must meet the Osteopathy Board of Australia AHPRA English Language Skills Registration Standard. You can demonstrate this by completing at least 6 years full-time continuous education taught and assessed solely in English in a recognised country (Australia, Canada, New Zealand, South Africa, USA, Republic of Ireland, or UK); OR achieving IELTS Academic overall 7 with minimum 7 in each component; OR OET minimum score of B in each component; OR PTE Academic minimum overall 65 with minimum 65 in each communicative skill; OR TOEFL iBT minimum total 94 (listening 24, reading 24, writing 27, speaking 23).

The Bachelor of Science (Osteopathy)/Master of Health Science (Osteopathy) is a 4.5-year double award requiring 432 credit points of core studies. The curriculum covers anatomy (including cadaver specimens at the St Albans Campus anatomy lab), osteopathic principles and techniques, physiology, pathology, population health, and evidence-based practice. The course progresses from biomedical science and clinical skills units in the early years through to advanced applied clinical theory, clinical practice placements, and a scholarly project in the final years (Years 4 and 5).