Chiropractic education in Europe
The ECU provides practical and financial support for the establishment of chiropractic educational institutions throughout Europe. It also offers Continuous Professional Development through online platforms and a professional journal to inform and educate chiropractors about evidence based research.
Chiropractors training at chiropractic institutions in Europe accredited by the European Council on Chiropractic Education (ECCE) - which is the European arm of the Councils on Chiropractic Education International (CCEI) and the Council on Chiropractic Education (CCE USA) - undertake between four and six years of education leading to a master’s degree or higher. In some European countries a post-graduate programme is also required for independent practice.
The first years of education are similar in content to that of medical students, with emphasis on the core basic sciences of anatomy, physiology and biochemistry. At the University of Southern Denmark and the University of Zurich, chiropractic students study alongside medical students.
Chiropractors undertake thousands of hours of undergraduate study to qualify as healthcare professionals specialised in musculoskeletal care. To excel in such healthcare requires extensive knowledge of chiropractic techniques such as spinal manipulation, rehabilitation exercises and myofascial treatments. Alongside this, chiropractors are well trained in clinical biomechanics, orthopaedics, neurology, physiology, anatomy, pathophysiology, medical diagnosis, radiology and advanced diagnostic imaging.
Before graduation, undergraduate chiropractors spend a minimum of one year working in outpatient clinics, either on campus or elsewhere. They also spend time observing other health professionals in hospitals and other healthcare environments.
Chiropractors graduating with Master’s degrees must complete an advanced level thesis. By learning research skills, students are encouraged to engage in further study and lifelong learning.
There are just over 3000 students studying chiropractic in Europe at nine educational centres that fulfil the accreditation criteria.
AECC University College (Bournemouth, UK)
Welsh Institute of Chiropractic (University of South Wales)
McTimoney College of Chiropractic
University of Southern Denmark
L’INSTITUT FRANCO-EUROPEEN DE CHIROPRAXIE (Paris)
L’INSTITUT FRANCO-EUROPEEN DE CHIROPRAXIE (Toulouse)
Madrid College of Chiropractic (RCU Escorial Maria Cristina)
Barcelona College of Chiropractic
The ECU also offers Continuous Professional Development through online platforms and a professional journal to inform and educate chiropractors about evidence based research.