Occupational Therapy - Extended Route

This extended BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy route is designed to offer you flexibility in your studies, accommodating work or other commitments. It enables you to participate in the course across three semesters of the academic year to fulfil the modules and engage in practice education, typically requiring a commitment of 22.5 hours per week for learning, along with additional full-time practice education placements.

Occupational therapists support individuals across various backgrounds and age groups, helping them manage physical and psychological challenges. They work with clients to evaluate how physical health, mental health, and social environments impact their ability to perform daily activities such as personal care, domestic tasks, socialising, leisure, and work.

Occupational therapy is a client-centred field that promotes health and wellbeing through participation in meaningful activities. This BSc (Hons) programme, accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, equips you to address contemporary needs in diverse populations.

The course is underpinned by four 'golden threads':

• Theory-driven: Modules are grounded in relevant theories.

• Evidence-informed: Utilises a range of evidence sources, including peer-reviewed research and real-world learning.

• Occupation-centred: Focuses on recognising individuals as occupational beings.

• Inclusive: Addresses systemic issues and promotes inclusivity, allyship, and equality.

You will combine academic study with practice placements, developing a range of professional and personal skills.

• First year: What is Occupational Therapy?, What is Occupation?, Professional Development 1, Occupational Therapy in Practice 1, Occupational Therapy in Practice 2, and Professional Development 2 (which includes PPA).
• Second year: Professional Development 3 (which includes PPB), Evidencing Occupational Therapy in Context, Occupational Therapy in Context 1, Occupational Therapy in Context 2, Promoting Occupational Wellbeing and Health 1, and Professional Development 4 (which includes PPC).
• Final year: Promoting Occupational Wellbeing and Health 2 (which includes PPD), Moving into Practice, Shaping the Future, and The Autonomous Occupational Therapist (which includes PPE).

Assessment methods are guided by Universal Design principles and reflect real-world skills. They include essays/reports, presentations/vivas, production of creative work, and portfolios. Practice placement education, with five placements totalling over 1,000 hours, is also a key component, with all placements assessed on a pass/fail basis.

You must pass all assessments in the programme, which align with HCPC standards of proficiency for registration as an occupational therapist, including completing 1,000 hours of placement.