Advice for Final Year Students

We understand that navigating chiropractic after graduation can be difficult, so we’re here to help you with the transition into professional life. We are an inclusive and robust voice for chiropractors, providing professional tools, services, advice, and guidance to members.

Getting started

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We’ll send you timely information and prompts on the topics below, right when you need them. As a member, you’ll also gain access to exclusive resources, expert guidance, networking opportunities, special offers, and discounts.

Preparing for employment

Making the transition from university into practise isn’t as simple as just finding a job. Here are some things to consider, and steps you should take, during your final year of study:

12+ months before graduation

Plan ahead

Chiropractic is a regulated healthcare profession, so there are a few things you need to plan – and pay for – before you can start practising.

The first is registering with the chiropractic regulator – the General Chiropractic Council (GCC). The initial registration fee is £750, but you’ll also need to pay a yearly fee (currently £800) each November to cover your practising fees for the following year.

You’ll also need insurance. The BCA doesn’t charge a membership fee in the year you graduate, you just need to pay for insurance for the months you’ll be practising. Get an idea of what you’ll need to pay using our fee calculator. If you have any queries about fees, just email the Membership Team enquiries@chiropractic-uk.co.uk

Start networking

Take advantage of the events held at your university to meet local chiropractors, clinic and potential future employers, eg speed meets, careers fairs etc.

Attend the BCA annual conference to build your network and socialise with your peers. You can also join the BCA Professional Network on LinkedIn to speak to like-minded professionals.

Work shadowing and job opportunities

Start planning visits and work shadowing in different types of clinics to get some in-person experience.

Use the BCA’s Find a Chiropractor tool to find clinics and chiropractors near you, and view classified job adverts in the BCA marketplace.

3-6 months before graduation

Think about your career goals – what kind of practice do you want to be a part of? Some clinics specialise in different areas, and you’ll also need to think about practical elements:

  • Specialities include Sports, Pain, Pregnancy & Paediatrics, Orthopedics, Rehab & Exercise, Imaging, Animals.
  • If you want to specialise, are there other factors to consider? Other regulatory bodies (Register of Animal Musculoskeletal Practitioners (RAMP) for example), further learning, additional training etc.
  • Does the clinic offer mentoring and/or post-registration training (PRT)?
  • Will the clinic pay for any professional fees/insurance/PRT?
  • What support and infrastructure do they offer?
  • How many hours do you want to work? Consider treatment times and modalities.
  • Does the clinic and staff share your approach and aspirations for chiropractic care?
  • Think about clinic location and whether you want to travel.
  • Do you want to be employed/self-employed/own your own practice?

2-3 months before graduation

As part of your GCC registration, you’ll need a medical report from your GP. Here are some things to consider:

  • Allow plenty of time! Especially if you’re registered with GP near your university as they may be providing reports for multiple graduates.
  • Ask your GP about costs as charges vary across practices and locations.
  • The GCC supplies an online form for the GP to complete, but some are hesitant to do this.

The GCC provides advice on this – see ‘FAQs for New Graduates’ on their website.

2-3 weeks before starting work

To register with the GCC you’ll also need to provide proof of indemnity insurance. The BCA’s insurance product provides comprehensive indemnity which is subsidised for new graduates. This means that you’ll pay no membership fees in the year you graduate and pay a reduced insurance fee for the months you’ll work that year.

We’ll also reduce the cost of your membership in the two years post-graduation to help you better manage your finances during your first couple of years in practice. Use our fee calculator for an idea of what you’ll need to pay.

Setting up your practising membership and insurance doesn’t take long, but please give us as much notice of your planned start work date as possible – a minimum of five working days is ideal – as you can imagine, the months around graduation are a very busy time for us!

Your final year checklist

Download our final year checklist to keep yourself on track.

A quick guide to GCC registration

The GCC receives a list from your university with the details of those who’ve completed their course. They’ll then send you an email inviting you to register online.

To register you will need to:

  • Provide a medical report from your GP.
  • Provide proof of indemnity insurance.
  • Upload a character reference.
  • Pay the initial registration fee (£750).

Please note: the initial registration fee covers your initial registration with the GCC and the months that you’ll be in practise for the remainder of that first year. However, you will also need to pay a yearly practising registration fee for each subsequent year that you practise as a chiropractor, which is due every November. 

View our Quick Guide to Registration infographic, or for more information including common FAQs, see the GCC’s Graduate Guide.

BCA student resources

Juggling and understanding the requirements of becoming a chiropractor when you first graduate can be challenging, so finding the right association to guide you through this stage is key.

At the BCA, we have a wealth of resources to help get your career started, including: 

There are also many other resources available to BCA members, covering a wide variety of areas within your personal and professional development:

Read our ‘How we support your success’ leaflet for more information.

Supporting chiropractors is in our DNA. We know how hard you work and, throughout our century-long legacy, we have gained unparalleled experience of chiropractic needs and the intricacies within the health sector.

What’s unique about becoming a BCA chiropractor? 

The BCA is the largest and longest-standing association in the UK. Our Vision is for chiropractic to be integral to UK healthcare. To achieve this, we have been working tirelessly to create a home for chiropractors who put patients first.

BCA members have a shared, like-minded approach to being patient-centred professionals. We’re proud to represent such a strong community of chiropractors who recognise their role in empowering patients to make informed decisions about their treatment. BCA chiropractors also engage in and promote international standards of education and research, exemplary conduct, and a commitment to ongoing professional development.

Together with our members, we are passionate about the future of chiropractic and the role it can and should play to support the wider healthcare landscape. As a BCA member, your voice will always be heard, represented, and advocated for.