Reflecting on 60 Years of Excellence in MSK Education
Established as the first chiropractic training provider in Europe in 1965, AECC University College has long been at the forefront of evidence-based chiropractic education, practice and research.
Our graduates are highly-regarded, providing first contact care in clinical settings across the world, as well as contributing widely to the leadership of the chiropractic profession at the highest levels.
We are on an exciting journey of growth and development, having expanded and diversified our academic portfolio and activity across a broad range of allied health courses and apprenticeships.
First Exciting Milestones
We have been offering validated degree courses in chiropractic since 1988. In 1990, our twenty-fifth anniversary year, HRH Diana, Princess of Wales, became our Patron and in 1992 we became the first school to be accredited by the newly formed European Council on Chiropractic Education.
In 1997, we offered our first undergraduate and postgraduate Masters courses, validated by the University of Portsmouth and accredited by the General Chiropractic Council (GCC) in 2000.
In 2005, we partnered with Bournemouth University as our new validating partner and began to expand our education provision into the related fields of medical ultrasound and clinical exercise science.
In 2009, we opened a new purpose-built teaching clinic with 33 treatment rooms. In 2015 we installed our open, upright MRI scanner: one of only seven in the UK.
Attaining Degree Awarding Powers
We gained Taught Degree Awarding Powers in 2017, registering with the Office for Students as a higher education provider in 2018. We began to further diversify our provision in health sciences in response to workforce gaps identified in allied health and related disciplines.
We now deliver undergraduate courses in diagnostic and therapeutic radiography, sport rehabilitation, exercise and health science, psychology, and counselling and mental health. We offer pre-registration Masters courses in physiotherapy, chiropractic, podiatry, occupational therapy, speech and language therapy, dietetics and sport rehabilitation and therapy.
We also offer postgraduate courses in medical imaging, chiropractic and sport and exercise rehabilitation.
AECC University College is at the forefront of engaging with others
Our research is presented at conferences around the world and we foster positive relationships with universities, funding bodies, governments, student associations, businesses and communities both nationally and internationally.
Integrated Rehabilitation Centre
In the heart of the coronavirus pandemic, we acquired a new 1.1 acre site opposite the main campus building in June 2020 to support our expansion plans. AECC UC was also awarded £2.7m funding by the Dorset Local Enterprise Partnership (Dorset LEP) in September 2020 towards the building of a new Integrated Rehabilitation Centre facility.
This facility opened in October 2022 and offers patients high quality care, delivered by our dedicated multidisciplinary clinical team. We also offer postgraduate courses in medical imaging, chiropractic and sport and exercise rehabilitation.
Centre for Workforce and Systems Innovation
In 2023, we launched our Centre for Workforce and Systems Innovation, which seeks to address workforce challenges through innovative approaches, evidence-based policies, and effective implementation strategies; ultimately improving healthcare delivery and patient outcomes working in meaningful partnership with our stakeholders.
In September 2023, we received the results of our first submission to the Knowledge Exchange Framework. We have been carrying out specialist research with a focus on musculoskeletal care, spinal biomechanics, and patient-reported outcomes for many years. AECC UC hosts the largest critical mass of research-active chiropractors and chiropractic-focused researchers in the UK and the second-largest in Europe.
Looking Ahead to the Future
Our mission has always been to create a healthier society through education, research and clinical care. This is as relevant today as it was then.
Our vision to be a leading specialist health sciences university is driving the next phase of our institutional journey as we continue to develop and diversify our academic portfolio and patient services.
Latest News
Discover and read all the latest news, press releases and happenings here at AECC University College.
On Thursday 23rd May 2024, AECC University College will be inviting students, staff, alumni and members of the public to attend an evening lecture by Professor Richard Brown.
Brooke Ironside, age 20, is currently ranked third in Europe for the under 23 years 200 metres. She tells us how she juggles studying with training in her own words…
Stephen Bradley recently visited Clinical and Rehabilitation Services at AECC University College for a scan in our Open Upright MRI scanner.
The AECC School of Chiropractic is delighted to announce that its Master of Chiropractic (Hons) is the first Chiropractic course to meet the new Education Standards recently introduced by the General Chiropractic Council.
On Wednesday 20th March, we held our first AECC University College Student Engagement Conference. The theme for the day was ‘Sharing Best Practice in Student Engagement’ and all students and staff were welcome to be a part of it.
