This year marks BCOM’s 75th anniversary since being founded in 1936 as the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy by Stanley Lief, the eminent naturopathic osteopath.
In its 75 years BCOM has developed into one of the largest osteopathic colleges in the UK, with a sector-leading multi-part campus located in London’s Hampstead.
We start off our anniversary year with a special Graduation Ceremony to mark this milestone in BCOM’s history, and to celebrate the contribution and achievements of our students and staff over the past 75 years, who have helped to shape BCOM into the world-leading institution it is today.
BCOM Timeline 1936 to 2011 - Celebrating 75 Years of Excellence
See our timeline and follow BCOM's history from our beginnings in 1936 to the Present day.
Stanley Lief
BCOM was founded as the British College of Naturopathy and Osteopathy in 1936 by Stanley Leif, who was Dean of the College from its beginnings until his death in 1963. Find out more
The BCOM Principal
Dr Ian Drysdale has been BCOM’s Principal since 1990. Coming from an osteopathic family, he originally pursued an academic career in physiology, achieving a PhD in Clinical Endocrinology. He started lecturing at BCOM (then BCNO) in 1971, qualifying with a Diploma in Osteopathy in 1980. He is highly research-focused and has been one of the profession’s primary advocates of osteopathic research for many years. During his tenure as Principal, BCOM has undergone significant advances, becoming the first institution to offer a validated osteopathic honours degree, achieving public funding for BCOM undergraduates, and leading the College staff and students to the landmark “approval without conditions” QAA recommendation to the General Osteopathic Council in 2008.
Share your Memories of BCOM
Are you a former student or member of staff? Please get in touch with us to share your experiences and memories.
A Family Connection
Read about the Cram family with two generations of BCOM graduates who now run the family osteopathic practice in Scotland.
BCOM in Pictures
View our gallery below and see BCOM over the years.
