Osteopathy (B.Sc.)

Study osteopathy - unique in Germany

Do you want…

• to be trained in a scientifically sound and, at the same time, a practice-oriented manner?
• to learn at the market leader for academic therapist training?
• to secure yourself the best career prospects with a Bachelor degree in the still young profession of osteopathy?

If so, apply now for the study course in Osteopathy (BSc.) at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, the only one of its kind in Germany!

During the first two semesters of the study course in Osteopathy (Bachelor of Science), the students become acquainted with the key basic osteopathic principles. The subjects of anatomy, physiology, biology, perception, scientific work methods, clinical reasoning psychology and conversation skills are other important elements of the course content.Examination of the body by touch (palpation) is one of the oldest diagnostic methods, which is why the basic principles of palpation, treatment techniques and the possibilities offered by osteopathic tests are covered in detail right from the first semester.  

Focal themes of the remainder of the course include the symptoms and activity of body tissue, the correlations between internal and external sensitivity, palpatoric integration and the health sciences.

The sixth semester is a practical semester, during which the students apply their acquired knowledge in an occupational environment. Here, the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences works together with different cooperation partners.

The final two semesters deal with the therapeutic process and take a more in-depth look at subjects such as pathophysiology and how to integrate all the learned theoretical and practical osteopathic techniques and knowledge. Parallel to this, you will learn about the osteopath’s professional working environment and gain a deeper understanding of the medical themes that are significant in preparing for the requisite examination as a practitioner of complementary medicine. Because osteopathy is regarded as a medical science in Germany and can only be practised independently by qualified practitioners of complementary medicine or doctors, the study course also prepares students for the external examination as a practitioner of complementary medicine.

The eighth semester comprises the closing phase of the Bachelor course, the Bachelor thesis and an accompanying colloquium.

• Anatomy
• Physiology
• Biochemistry
• Osteopathic principles, osteopathic diagnostics (parietal, visceral and cranio-sacral)
• Dysfunctions and assimilations
• Social communication skills
• Palpation in examination and treatment
• Health care, health science, health economics
• Symptoms and activity of the body tissue, contraindications
• Interactions in the therapeutic process
• Advanced physiology, pathophysiology in neurology, orthopedics, urogenital system, internal medicine, pediatrics, psychiatry and differential diagnostics
• Scientific methodological skills

Osteopathy is a separate form of therapy which involves an holistic consideration and treatment of the patient’s body.  Osteopathy assumes that the body forms a functional unit that is supplied by the vascular and nervous systems.

Physical impairments and tones are therefore to be attributed to inadequate care of the body.

Osteopaths feel excess and insufficient tone, or the increase and loss of tissue activity and elasticity, which they then treat using techniques especially developed for osteopathy. As an applied human science, osteopathy is therefore a diagnostic and treatment method for supporting the body’s capability for self-regulation. This takes place with the objective of preserving or restoring health using techniques oriented to the body and physical perception.

Osteopathy, which is practised exclusively with the hands, dispenses with medication and surgery. Instead, osteopathy helps to activate and promote the patient’s self-healing capability so that the body can become healthy again.

The purpose of osteopathic treatment is not to fight an illness or a symptom. The goal is rather to eliminate the dysfunctions and blockades which cause, nurture or sustain an illness.

From an osteopathic point of view, illnesses can usually be attributed to bodily dysfunctions. If a dysfunction is not remedied in time, this can lead to damage of the structure, which causes an illness to break out. Since osteopathy eliminates dysfunctions, it treats preventively. Osteopathy is therefore preventive medicine.

During an extensive anamnesis, the osteopath asks questions about the case history and then feels the tissue of the human body layer for layer with the hands. This allows restricted movement and tones to be detected and then diagnosed and treated using techniques that have been specially developed for osteopathy.

Osteopathy can help to remedy numerous dysfunctions, either independently or as a form of therapy which is always holistic and complements conventional medicine in a practical manner:

• ailments of the musculoskeletal system
  (e.g. joint problems, lumbago, whiplash injuries, sprains, etc.)
• internal ailments
  (e.g. indigestion, heartburn, functional heart ailments, etc.)
• throat, nose and ear ailments
  (e.g. headaches, migraine, mandibular articulation problems)
• urogenital ailments
  (e.g. menstruation complaints, ante-natal and post-natal preparation, climacteric complaints)
• pediatrics
  (e.g. birth-related skull and facial deformation, torticollis, dysplasia of the hip, attention deficit disorder (ADD))
• skin diseases
  (e.g. neurodermatitis, shingles)

Osteopathy always regards the human body as an inseparable entity. Only the interplay of the individual structures enables the organism to function as a whole, which is why the dysfunctions mentioned above are treated not just locally, but also in conjunction with the associated tissue structures.

First osteopathy undergraduate study course in Germany
The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences has been educating physiotherapists, occupational therapists and speech therapists on academic Bachelor study courses since the end of the 1990s. It was the first university in Germany to took this step towards professionalization and consequently long-term, high quality patient care.

Offering a Bachelor of Science study course in osteopathy is a logical continuation of this claim, which the university consciously initiated in 2011. The academisation of osteopathy as a specialised discipline in its own right ensures that it is integrated into a continuous and scientific research process. It assures the establishment of quality standards which benefit patients within the scope of an integral approach to care.
Graduates of the osteopathy study course acquire an internationally recognised degree which stands up to scrutiny on account of its interdisciplinary learning material.

The cooperation partner of the study course is the German Association of Osteopaths (Verband der Osteopathen Deutschland e.V.). One of its goals is to have osteopathy recognised as a separate profession, since in Germany neither the training nor the occupation as an osteopath is state-regulated (except in Hesse).

Upon completion of the study course in Osteopathy at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, you will find that diverse career prospects are open to you in a growing market. Since the 1990s, more and more patients in Germany have been turning to osteopathy and its holistic form of therapy.  Over the years and decades to come, it can therefore be assumed that there will be a rising demand for osteopathic therapists, and academically qualified therapists in particular.

With a Bachelor degree in Osteopathy, you will be able to cope with the demands of the job market and significantly enhance your professional prospects and career outlook.

The study course will enable you to work independently and professionally in practices, hospitals or new cooperations for integral patient care.

• Academic degree recognised throughout Europe
• Professional licence, preparation for the examination as a practitioner of complementary medicine and a Bachelor degree in 8 semesters
• Practice-oriented teaching by experienced professional practitioners
• Sound scientific training
• Teaching material includes research projects
• Small groups and close personal contact
• Participant-centric thought and action
• Substantively differentiated teaching methods
• Lectures and talks by (internationally) acknowledged scientists, professors and professional therapists
• Interdisciplinary curricula
• International prospects with foreign placements and research abroad
• Language courses in preparation for a possible stay abroad (most of them free)
• Network of cooperation partners (for placements)
• Qualitative preparation for a successful degree

If you are interested in studying Osteopathy (Bachelor) at the Fresenius University of Applied Sciences, we look forward to receiving your application.

Applications can be submitted at any time. Once you have sent us all your application documents, we will be pleased to invite you to a personal interview.

Application form
Check list of the required application documents

If you have any questions about your application, you can contact the student advice service at anytime or pay a visit to one of our introduction days and get to know us. Answers to frequently asked questions can also be found in our FAQ catalogue.

• University entrance certificate
• Medical certificate with confirmation of your suitability for the occupation
• Proof of a 100-hour internship in the field of care
• Passing the university’s internal selection process

* A minimum age of 25 years currently applies to students taking the examination as a practitioner of complementary medicine.

The Fresenius University of Applied Sciences is an independent college whose study courses are accredited, but not financed by the state. Fees are consequently charged for the study course.

Tuition fees: EUR 536 per month
Registration fee: EUR 200, non-recurring (at the beginning of the study course)

We place great importance on enabling all prospective students to join the study course. For this reason we have prepared a special page with some examples of financing and grant options that are open to you.