British College of Osteopathic Medicine

In 2002, the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy changed its rather hippy-sounding name to become the British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM), as it rode the impetus provided by the introduction of a new five-year bachelor of osteopathic medicine (BOst) course to run alongside its established four-year BSc. The new course is recognised by the General Osteopathic Council, and all the college's degrees are validated by the University of Westminster.

For those that don't know, osteopathy is an established system of diagnosis and treatment recognised by the British Medical Association as a discrete clinical discipline. It specialises in identifying and treating mechanical dysfunction within the body, which generally occurs as a result of stress, postural breakdown, injury or, in some cases, disease. It is recognised, although not usually delivered, by the NHS and is increasingly widely used to treat sports injuries, injuries from accidents, and stress-related problems, which can sometimes be best dealt with using the more specialised cranial techniques.

Like many an upwardly mobile, the college, based on the Finchley Road in north London, is happier to claim itself as a resident of Hampstead, rather than, say Cricklewood. But, frankly, with, amongst other things, some of the capital's greenest space, who would blame it?

The college is a privately funded operation, so you'll be expected to pay tuition fees, which start at around £6,300, although they do vary, depending on how promptly you pay them. There is funding available, but you would be wise not to bank on it, but rather be assured that the chances are that, once you leave, the 95% employment rate will leave you able to find work to pay off the debt you will run up.

There's an active student union, but, like all London students, you'll have the whole city to explore. You could start on your doorstep with the O2 leisure (ie shops, bars cinema) complex right opposite the college. Once you get past there, the capital's your oyster.