7 British College of Osteopathic Medicine reviews

This is BCOM´s weak link. The facilities are decades old, and just don´t suit todays requirements of a degree or a clinic. But as I state later, the most important factor is not the facility but the degree. There is everything we need, its just not logically designed or practical. But despite it all, other matters should weight more when choosing a degree, remember it is just four years of your life.

The principal is very attentive to our worries, the head of osteopathy is also always available to meet and listen. Most teachers are supportive as well, but that really depends on the individual in question. Your classmates are a huge link of support, and it goes both ways :)

Well, the students union is only run by students, and the students have a full time degree to study, so it wouldn´t be fair to criticize its operations because myself, I would never do it - I prioritize the studies! Comparing again to my previous degree, there was a full time employee working as the student union and she had hands full.

There is everything one needs closeby the university, grocery stores, leisure center, restaurants, a large outdoor area, and a lot of connections to the rest of the city. I have lived close, 4 km away but I have also lived very far, in Norbiton, about an hour and a half away. But it is a huge city, so even if everything appears to be available in the next corner the distances are actually very long, because the public transport always takes longer than it would take in a smaller place or on a bike. The average commuting time for london is apparently about 50 minutes, and that is not something I want to live with, so I try to keep close to the uni, its more useful in the long run. But living next to the uni can also be very draining, some people that have done it told that the only thing they did or thought about was then school. I cant give too many stars on this because generally I do not feel good living in London. I am not a countryside person either but this town is too massive, and I would have never even considered coming unless there was this university. I am just determined to do the best I can with the degree, and then leave. Its also not the first or second time I live abroad, and only my second time in a capital, but this just isn´t for me.

they are all in Plymouth 350 km away, arranged by our degree validating university. The activities we have at BCOM are arranged by ourselves, either as the year groups, whole school, or in smaller self chosen groups. BCOM is great in the way that most of us will likely walk away with quite a few lifelong friendships. Also the studying itself is fun and encouraging because the atmosphere is better than in bigger universities. It would be good to have some sports arranged as we had in my previous degree (in another country), but you cannot have everything. However you can surely find an activity or a sport nearby and get someone from your yeargroup to go with you.

The strength of this degree is definitely in the minds and hearts of the individual tutors and teachers who year after year go on with the pure joy to help us become the best clinicians we can be. They go beyond the required in using the time and energy for our best, if we just show the interest to truly learn about osteopathy beyond the minimum requirement. I am very happy to have come for this degree solely because of the amazing people we have as educators and as classmates; for the first time in my life I have felt that I belong into something. I will cherish these memories for the rest of my life. Some of the tutors studied, taught or currently teach at the other main British osteopathic universities, and they have told us the BCOM´s level of students clinical competence is the best in the country, and that for me is the most important reason to have chosen this university. It is apparent that the facilities do not meet the standard of a medical degree or clinic, but we manage and at the end I much prefer to come out of the degree with an amazing clinical understanding rather than a fancy place to have studied in. when you start your third year you are expected to put everything together from the two years of theory and technical skills, together with grasping how clinic and seeing patients works. Let me tell you, we need more support in this process, it is not enough to throw us there to do a job of a clinician and expect us to come up with the answers to questions that the profession as a whole cannot agree on. In my year most of us come from other cultures but the teachers are mostly of English decent, so there is a permanent disconnection in between us already, it should be made easier to communicate and to teach us how to think and reason in clinic rather than being afraid of not telling anything because we need to become our own professionals -> it is not telling us what to think, it is planting seeds to understand what do I need to think of to not miss important matters.

30

All the work experience you will go through is completed at the clinic of the university itself, so you will not need to find placements by yourself. You will finish with 1000 hours of clinical experience with patients, and by the governing body of the profession each student must be provided with 50 own new consult patients, and the aim of BCOM is actually 60. There is also a course through our final year which addresses these matters , called practice management and audit, which we did not have in my previous degree!

I have lived in 8 places so far - how do I apply this question to myself? London is a difficult place to live in, can´t deny that, but then again nothing that is worth doing is easy. Most of the places I lived in were okay with some long-lasting nerves and adaptability, but I wouldn´t have stayed in them unless I had to. I only came to UK for the degree, so such factor as accommodation will not stand in my way. (Yes, its expensive and you will not receive worth for your money).

The facilities are good and provide you with what is needed. Some clinic rooms have refurbished and are very clean and pleasant to treat in!

very good free counselling offered if needed very good support from tutors and great feedback especially in the clinical years

The BCOM student union is great as they put on events to support the colleague and listen to the voices of the student body

Yes - very good location. BCOM is opposite the O2 centre with lots of activities and restaurants. Local accommodation is available too

There are a number of events held throughout the BCOM year including tournaments, celebrations, competitions and the annual BCOM summer ball

Most - very practical, thorough, covers a huge range of modules through the 4 years. Very supportive staff and tutors Least - Could be more links between each module so the modules tie together better

25-30

Massively. There is a practice management module in the final year so you are equipped with the skills of running a business and he uni share hundreds of job opportunities throughout the course. Very good

BCOM is located in a beautiful old building. Everything that we possibly need is present. We have an amazing library, computer rooms, practicals room, lecture theatre, common room with pool table, ping pong tables, etc.

The support offered by uni is great. The tutors and persons from the administration are really accessible and always offert great support and solutions. Feedback are really made useful and fair. Counselling is also accessible.

The Students' union represent the students really well, I feel really supported and my considerations are always taken seriously and solutions are quickly found.

BCOM is situated in Finchley road, across the road of Finchley road tube station which has the jubilee and metropolitan line. Moreover, the overground station, Finchley road and Frognal, is situated only a few minutes walk from BCOM. Plenty of bus are also accessible. Plenty of shops are around uni. Primrose Hill is also at a walking distance which is ideal to go and relax after a day at uni.

BCOM is a small uni and doesn't have a lot of societies and sports options. However, the student union is really active and always come up with great ideas for social events (Halloween, Christmas parties, Sports day).

What I like most about the way the course is taught is we have a lot of practicals classes which make the theory easier to understand as we can apply it. What I like least are the long hours, which are necessary to become good osteopaths.

24

BCOM often advertise to us work opportunities, CPD courses, conferences, talks, which is really helpful to increase our employability and develop new interests.

I live in Hammersmith, which is 35 minutes via the tube from BCOM. It is a really nice location, lively, secure and lots of things to do. I live in a one bedroom flat so the price is expensive but comparing the quality/price ratio, I am happy. My accommodation is situated in a gated development with security guards 24/7. The condition of the place is great.

Great canteen and pool table area

Amazing, tutors always willing to go above and beyond for you

Great variety of people

It’s so close to central London, local cinema and food outlets.

The student union played a key role when I was there. We got together regularly and there was ample support

The support was the best thing

10

i Do feel like BCOM sets you apart from the others in how much they push you. Having interviewed many osteopaths and I safely say that the knowledge from BCOM graduates is incredible.

BCOM is a small university with basic facilities that meet the needs. If you are looking for a large university with modern facilities this is possibly not the place for you. However there is a lab with good equipment for dissertation studies.

The support is very good. As the university is small lots of support is given to individual students.

BCOM is small and personal. All the tutors will know your name and you will get lots of one to one attention in practical classes unlike larger universities.

40ish

At BCOM you begin to observe the year groups above in clinic from year 2 before starting to treat your own patients from year 3. The clinical experience is a great way to learn and ensure confidence to start your career as an osteopath post graduation.

Yes

Small classes, with friendly and personable tutors who can give more personal guidance when necessary

A lot of clinic experience with great tutors who challenge you to be prepared for the real world, opportunities to volunteer at sports events, part-time job availabilities are posted and more

This is an environment where you find your future colleagues to work or stay in touch with. There are two buildings and you will feel the touch of traditional English architecture. It is rather feeling of history and cosyness. The facilities are big enough to fulfil the purpose of your tasks as a student. There is a place to gather and relax together, and play some games. Another great asset is teaching clinic within the facilities. So, you do not have to travel to another place which saves a lot of time. The library has plenty of journals and books you will wish to read, if only more time is granted. Be ready to become another Harry Potter character... Come to visit during the open days and you will know what I am talking about.

Both academic and personal support is included. The only thing you need to do is ask for help.

Great location, travel options from/to uni.

What I like the most is the support and friendly approach. The lecturers are open to your feedback and requests. The lectures are available on our student website. And let's not forget the opportunity to attend dissection where the Anatomy learning is great experience you will never forget (in a good way :) However as a part of undergraduate study, there is plenty of self-learning, self-reading and writing the assignments. If you want to become the Osteopath who is ready to practice after the final exams, definitely choose BCOM.

35

Excellent support from tutors, governing bodies, external speakers. In year 4, Clinical Management is great subject to know how to set up the practice and how to do first steps after graduation. All you need to do is communicate with each other in the uni. It feels like a big family.