The International Academy of Osteopathy

What The International Academy of Osteopathy does

The International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO) is a Belgian non-profit association (vzw) founded in 1987 in Ghent that delivers higher-education programs in osteopathic medicine to practising healthcare professionals. Its primary customers are kinesitherapists, physiotherapists, and physicians who pursue a part-time, modular pathway combining professional practice with academic study, ultimately earning both the Diploma in Osteopathy (D.O.) and the Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost., 120 ECTS) awarded through a transnational partnership with Buckinghamshire New University in London. Supporting offerings include a 2-year side-entry MSc.Ost. for existing D.O. holders, a Manual Therapy course, Post-Academic Modules (PAMs) covering specialties such as pediatrics, women's health, and dissection-based anatomy, and a dedicated Pediatric Osteopathy program launching in January 2027. Programs are delivered across owned campuses in Ghent and Antwerp (Belgium) and Zeist (Netherlands), with dissection workshops hosted at Amsterdam UMC.

IAO runs on a Blended Learning model that blends contact modules with self-study, supported by two proprietary digital platforms: the HUB learning environment for student and administrative workflows, and the newly launched Borelli Academic Platform (July 2025), an integrated digital environment consolidating course materials, schedules, assessments, and internal communication. Students additionally receive free access to the Enatom 3D anatomy platform — a partnership arrangement IAO describes as unique among European osteopathy schools. The academy holds ISO 9001:2015 certification continuously since 1997 (29 years), CRKBO certification in the Netherlands, GDPR-compliant data processing, and WHO Benchmarks for Training in Osteopathy compliance, and acknowledges European Union and KMO-Portefeuille subsidy support.

Revenue is generated primarily through tuition and module fees (unit pricing per module across multi-year programs and pay-as-you-go continuing-education modules), supplemented by sales of educational materials via the IAO webshop. Pricing is publicly disclosed, ranges from approximately €371 to €950 per module depending on program and campus, and benefits from VAT exemptions under Belgian, Dutch, German, Danish, Austrian, and Swiss education law. The go-to-market motion is direct-to-consumer: prospective students are acquired through the website, free trial lessons, online open days, and a downloadable e-book, then enrolled through the HUB platform. The organization is privately held, founder-led (with Grégoire Lason as a co-founder Principal since 1987), and recently expanded leadership with the appointment of Yourik van Overloop as a second Principal in January 2025 and Alissa Picchioni as Head of Pediatric Osteopathy in February 2026.

Name

The International Academy of Osteopathy

Legal name

The International Academy of Osteopathy vzw

Website

https://osteopathie.eu

Company type

Private

Founded year

1987

Operating status

Operating

Headcount range

11–50 employees

Short description

The International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO) is a Belgian non-profit founded in 1987 that delivers part-time Master of Science and Diploma programs in osteopathy to kinesitherapists, physiotherapists, and physicians across Belgium, the Netherlands, and other European countries.

Ownership category

akta.pro rank

Product category

Osteopathic Education

NAICS

Educational Services (611), Technical and Trade Schools (6115), Educational Support Services (611710)

SIC

Services-Educational Services (8200)

akta.pro primary industry

Rehabilitation Support (PT/OT Aide) (EDAOAJAI)

Keywords

• Osteopathy education
• Healthcare professional training
• Manual therapy courses
• Osteopathic medicine degree
• Continuing medical education

Headquarters

HQ city

Gent

HQ country

Belgium

HQ region

Europe

Offices4 records

Markets served

GTM type

B2C

Offering type

Services

Cost components

Personnel, Operations, Marketing or Sales, Technology or R&D, Infrastructure

Revenue model

1. Tuition and Course Fees: Revenue generated from tuition fees for various programs including Master of Science in Osteopathy (4-year and 2-year side-entry), Manual Therapy courses, and Post-Academic Modules (PAMs). Fees vary by program year and campus location.
2. Webshop Sales: Revenue from sale of course materials and educational resources through the IAO webshop.

Pricing tiers

Go-to-market motion1 record

Distribution channels3 records

Marketing channels7 records

Core offering

IAO is an educational institution providing part-time, modular academic and professional training in osteopathy, primarily the 4-year Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) and 2-year side-entry MSc.Ost. program awarded in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University. Programs are delivered to kinesitherapists, physiotherapists, and physicians through a blended learning model combining contact modules, self-study, digital learning platforms (HUB/Borelli), free Enatom 3D anatomy access, and clinical training at Associated Clinics.

Product overview

The International Academy of Osteopathy (IAO) offers a multi-tiered educational product portfolio centered on osteopathic medicine. The core offering consists of the 4-year Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) with integrated D.O. diploma, delivered in partnership with Buckinghamshire New University and offered at campuses in Ghent, Antwerp, and Zeist, alongside a 2-year zij-instroom (lateral entry) pathway for existing D.O. holders. Supporting the core programs are Postacademische Modules (PAM) providing continuing education in specialized areas such as pediatric osteopathy (0-3 years), manual therapy (7 modules), urogynecology, neurobiology, and dissection workshops. The educational experience is delivered through the HUB proprietary learning platform, with integrated access to the Enatom 3D anatomy platform, and supplemented by Associated Clinics for hands-on training and a webshop. The company emphasizes evidence-based practice, ISO 9001 quality certification (held for 29 consecutive years), and academic accreditation through BNU.

Differentiator

Problem solved

Functional benefit

Brands

• Borelli: The IAO Academic Platform – a new integrated digital learning environment for students, teachers and administration, providing access to course materials, schedules, assessments, results, administrative follow-up and internal communication. Named after Giovanni Alfonso Borelli (1608–1679), a founder of biomechanics.
• HUB

Products and services

• Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) A 4-year part-time modular Master program combining academic depth with intensive practical training. The only university-level Master's program in osteopathy in Flanders and the Netherlands, leading to both the Diploma in Osteopathy (D.O.) and the internationally recognized Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) from Buckinghamshire New University. Target audience: kinesitherapists, physiotherapists, and physicians.
• Zij-instroom Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost.) A 2-year accelerated pathway for graduates with a D.O. diploma who wish to earn the academic MSc.Ost. degree. Students follow adapted trajectories with clinical work, case studies, theory and practical exams, and a master's thesis. Target audience: practicing osteopaths (D.O. holders) seeking academic accreditation.
• Postacademische Modules (PAM) Continuing education modules for qualified osteopaths covering dissection workshops, perimenopause/menopause approaches, urogynecology, anxiety and stress neurobiology, HVLA manipulation refreshers, Dynamic Soft Impulse techniques, viscero-pelvic osteopathy, and thorax workshops. Target audience: graduate osteopaths seeking specialized post-graduate training.
• Osteopathie bij kinderen van 0 tot 3 jaar (Pediatric Osteopathy) A specialized 7-module program over 18 months for osteopaths to specialize in treating babies and young children (0-3 years). Leads to the Diploma in Paediatric Osteopathy (DPO). Covers developmental anatomy, safe handling, clinical reasoning, and manual techniques for infants.
• Cursus Manuele Therapie (Manual Therapy Course) A 7-module practical course for physiotherapists, physical therapists, and physicians to refine manual skills and work evidence-based. Modules cover different body regions including iliosacral, sacroiliac, lumbar, thoracic, and cervical spine, hip/knee/ankle, and shoulder/elbow/wrist/hand.
• Associated Clinics Teaching clinics at IAO where students, under supervision of experienced osteopaths, observe or perform osteopathic examinations and treatments, allowing them to apply their knowledge and skills in practice.
• Webshop Online store for IAO educational materials and related products.
• Borelli Academic Platform IAO's proprietary integrated digital learning environment for students, teachers, and administration providing access to course materials, schedules, evaluations and results, administrative tracking, and internal communication. Replaces/enhances the HUB learning platform.

Quantifiable outcome

• 8.6 out of 10 average rating from 5,000+ students
• +2 more outcomes

Named customers2 records

Segments3 records

Ideal customer profiles3 records

Technology focussed No

API detail

Has API

No

API docs

API detail

Core technology

AI maturity

App detail

Integration1 record

Feature3 records

Partnerships

Eight partnerships are on record, tiered core and minor.

• Buckinghamshire New University (BNU)coreStrategic or Co-development Partner · 1 January 2014Academic partner for transnational education since 2014. Partnership enables IAO students to earn Bachelor of Science with Honours in Osteopathic Studies (BSc. (Hons) Ost.) for first three bachelor years and Master of Science in Osteopathy (MSc.Ost. - 120 ECTS) upon completing two master years. Students can attend diploma ceremonies in London. Five-year audit successfully passed in March 2026, extending partnership for another five years.
• EnatomcoreTechnology or Integration · 1 January 20143D anatomy platform partnership providing IAO students with free access to explore anatomical structures in 3D, view layers separately, and study muscles, nerves, and blood vessels from any angle. IAO is the only osteopathy school in Europe offering free student access to this platform. Enhances anatomical teaching through digital visualization.
• LRQAcoreOthersISO 9001:2015 quality certification body. IAO has maintained continuous ISO 9001 certification for 29 consecutive years since first achieving it in 1997 - a unique achievement among European osteopathy schools.
• Amsterdam UMCcoreStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with Amsterdam University Medical Center for conducting dissection workshops including Prosection Workshop Abdomen, Dissection Workshop Spine, and Dissection Workshop Abdomen and Thorax. Provides students with hands-on anatomical education experience using preserved bodies.
• Vrije Universiteit AmsterdamminorStrategic or Co-development PartnerPartnership with VU Amsterdam for educational collaboration. IAO Principal Yourik van Overloop also serves as an award-winning lecturer at VU Amsterdam.
• KMO-Portefeuille (VLAIO)minorOthersBelgian SME portfolio subsidy program administered by Flanders Innovation & Entrepreneurship (VLAIO). Belgian companies can apply for subsidies to offset training costs through this program.
• CRKBOminorOthersDutch certification organization for recognized educational institutions. CRKBO certification indicates IAO's Netherlands operations meet recognized educational quality standards.
• European UnionminorOthersEuropean Union funding acknowledged on IAO website, indicating support for educational initiatives possibly through regional development or educational exchange programs.

Scale indicators5 records

Recent moves9 records

Expansion highlights6 records

Direct peers

• University College of Osteopathy (UCO): London-based osteopathic education institution, formerly the British School of Osteopathy. Comparable to IAO as a leading European osteopathy school offering integrated academic degrees and clinical training to healthcare professionals.
• Vienna School of Osteopathy (WSO): Austrian osteopathy school offering part-time professional training. Comparable to IAO as a German-language European osteopathy school operating in a similar regulatory environment and serving a comparable audience of allied health professionals.
• British College of Osteopathic Medicine (BCOM): UK-based osteopathic education institution offering undergraduate and postgraduate pathways. Comparable to IAO as a long-established private osteopathy school with degree partnerships and similar target learner (allied health professionals seeking osteopathic specialization).
• European School of Osteopathy (ESO): UK-based osteopathy school founded in the 1980s offering MSc-equivalent pathways. Comparable to IAO as a direct European peer with similar pedagogical approach and target learner profile of physiotherapists and manual therapists.

Peers

• Swiss International School of Osteopathy (SICO) / Osteopathie Schule Schweiz:

Market position

Strengths4 records

Weaknesses5 records

Competitive moat5 records

Key risks6 records

Key highlights6 records

Customer concentration

• Xx.com/IAOenglish
• Facebookfacebook.com/academyosteopathy

Compliance3 records

Revenue estimate

Valuation estimate

Number of profiles

Profiles3 records

Funding overview

Funding rounds

Investors

Funding detail is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

M&A

Investments

M&A and investment is available on the Subscription and Enterprise plan.Contact sales →

Frequently asked questions about The International Academy of Osteopathy