British College of Osteopathic Medicine

Age: 75

History: Founded in 1936. The original college in Wyndham Place was bombed in 1942. The college consequently operated for several years on an ad hoc basis. In 1953, a grateful patient donated the property in Hampstead and the first academic year began in 1954. The college almost doubled in size in 2004.

Address: Netherhall Gardens, Hampstead, in north-west London on a traditional single-campus site in classic Victorian surroundings.

Ambience: A welcoming campus-based institution with an ethos of hard work and dedicated research. The college is based in Frazer House, a grade two-listed nineteenth century building with clinic facilities, lecture rooms, library and research facilities, and the purpose-built Lief House, which was opened in 1996. A student body representing all ages, backgrounds and cultures contributes to an inclusive and dynamic learning environment.

Vital statistics: Offers a single pathway to registration with the General Osteopathic Council, the four year master's in osteopathy (M.Ost.). It is also the first UK osteopathic college to offer a BSc (Hons) osteopathy conversion course for graduates with the diploma in osteopathy. All degrees are validated by London Met.

Added value: Internationally regarded for its holistic or naturopathic approach to osteopathic care. The college runs a clinic, which is open to the public and is staffed by students under the close supervision of clinical tutors. Provides exercise physiology and hydrotherapy facilities on site. A large number of full-time specialists staff the college and practising osteopaths work both in the clinic and as practical tutors. Strong links with many of London's leading medical institutions such as the Royal Free Hospital Medical School and the Royal College of Surgeons. In 2008 it became the first osteopathic college in the UK to get ‘approval without conditions’ from the General Osteopathic Council.

Easy to get into? Applicants must have a minimum of three Cs at A-level, which should normally include biology and chemistry. A science-based access or foundation course is also accepted.

Transport links: Situated opposite Finchley Road tube station, on the Metropolitan and Jubilee Tube lines. A 10-minute walk from Finchley Road & Frognal overland station.

Who's the boss? Dr Ian Drysdale has been principal since 1989.

Teaching: Covered by QAA for accreditation to the General Osteopathic Council.

Nightlife: The West End, Covent Garden, South Bank and City are all within 25 minutes. Swiss Cottage and Hampstead have some glamorous restaurants, theatres and shops as well as leisure and sports facilities. The small SU puts on various social events.

Any accommodation? None provided by the college, but they do help students find a place to live nearby.

Cheap to live there? No – Hampstead is an especially expensive place to live. Venture further up the Jubilee line and you should find some better-priced housing: expect to pay between £95 and £110 per week.

Fees: £3,375 per year for full-time home undergrads starting in 2011. The college are yet to announce their fee plans for 2012.

Bursaries: Applications for bursaries are considered on educational merit as well as economic need. The maximum bursary is equivalent to the top-up fee loan usually issued via the Student Loans Company; usually, the smallest but also most common amount will be for £1,000 per year of allocation.

Prospectus: 020 7435 6464; www.bcom.ac.uk

UCAS code: B81