Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) MSc

As a registered Occupational Therapist, you will have the privilege to work with people of all ages to help them participate in occupations that hold personal meaning and value to them.

Occupational Therapists are the only profession that uses occupation (the things people do every day which can affect their health and wellbeing) as a therapeutic tool to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life, enabling them to live the life they want.

• Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to enhance your attributes as a compassionate and caring critical thinker with an inquisitive and problem-solving mind, as well as developing your communication skills with people of all ages and abilities.
• You will undertake three professional practice placements during their course in diverse, contemporary and community environments which are tailored to learning needs.
• The two-year postgraduate course leads to eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (additional costs may apply).

Previous relevant degree 2:2 or above – preferably completed within the last 5 years or evidence of recent CPD met, however applicants who do not have recent qualifications or CPD will be considered on a case by case basis.

Evidence of experience and understanding of the role of an occupational therapist demonstrated through the face-to-face values-based interview (which can be done online if necessary) or supplementary information submitted following a successful interview.

Enrolment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and an Occupational Health assessment, to assess fitness to undertake the clinical component of the degree.

English language requirements

• IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5. If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

• Evidence a critical understanding of the complexity of human occupation and its centrality in relation to health and wellbeing
• Demonstrate an understanding of the core principles and values of occupational therapy and their application to person-centred practice across the lifespan for individuals and groups within and across communities
• Critically evaluate therapeutic reasoning and practice and the contribution of occupational therapy knowledge, skills and behaviours to service delivery and communities of practice
• Critically appraise intercultural competencies at a national and international level, to practice as an autonomous health care professional, and to be able to appraise your own intercultural development in order to enhance your lifelong learning
• Apply collaborative capabilities that promote integrated learning and working within public, private and third sector organisations, for the health and well-being of people in our community
• Manage your own personal health and wellbeing and have insight and self-awareness of when and how to access support, as emotionally intelligent and resilient individuals
• Appraise and create research as evidence informed practitioners within the context of health and social care
• Critically examine your leadership capabilities to enable you to continually improve and influence service development
• Be an innovative and creative practitioner who critically engages and participates in an evolving technological arena demonstrating digital fluency
• Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles of coaching and mentoring and the theories and practices of strategic leadership.

On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to register with the HCPC as a registered Occupational Therapist (additional fees to HCPC apply).