Occupational Therapy

Our accredited Occupational Therapy degree blends academic excellence with practical experience. With small cohorts, students receive personalised attention, enhancing their learning experience.

You will:

• Benefit from a small yearly intake, ensuring a supportive and focused learning environment

• Study a course approved by  the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), ensuring recognised qualification upon graduation

• Enjoy a wide variety of placements in the local area, further afield and in role emerging settings

• Train in a state-of-the-art simulation suite, equipped for practicing and honing clinical skills in a realistic environment

Course Modules

At this level, you will build a strong foundation in occupational therapy principles, focusing on self-awareness, professional ethics, and basic research skills. You'll explore human function through occupation and begin your journey with practical placements to apply theoretical knowledge in real-world settings.

MODULES

• Foundations in Professional Practice 1

• Foundations in Research

• Human Function Through Occupation

• Foundations in Professional Practice 2

• Practice Placement 1

YEAR 2 (LEVEL 5)

This level enhances your understanding of occupational therapy approaches and interventions. You'll delve into evidence-based practice, overcoming occupational barriers, and addressing complex issues in diverse contexts. Practical placements will further develop your skills, preparing you for advanced professional roles.

MODULES

• Developing in Professional Practice

• Evidence in Practice

• Overcoming Occupational Barriers through Intervention

• Complexity in Practice

• Practice Placement 2

YEAR 3 (LEVEL 6)

In your final year, you'll focus on compassionate leadership, innovation, and inter-professional relationships. You'll engage in advanced research, evaluate complex practices, and undertake a significant practice placement. This level prepares you for the transition from student to competent, reflective, and innovative practitioner.

MODULES

• Transition into Professional Practice

• Research for Practice

• Evaluating Complex Practice

• Practice Placement 3

On successful completion of all levels, you will be awarded a BSc (Hons) in Occupational Therapy and will be eligible to apply for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

The course is either a three-year full-time programme or a four-year part-time programme.  For full-time students, this would involve three days per week of taught content and then self-directed learning amounting to 35 hours of study per week in total.  For part time students, this would involve one day of taught content per week alongside self-directed learning amounting to 18 hours of study per week.  At three points in the year, part time students are expected to attend for three days of teaching in a week.

Placements for part-time students are conducted using full time hours.

The course is commended on the high value it attaches to supporting students in their studies and the quality of clinical placements. You will be part of a small cohort of students. The study is a mix of university-based lectures, group work, self-directed study at home and clinical placements with some modules being shared with other AHP lecturers and student groups.

How you’ll be assessed

There are a wide variety of assessments including:

• Academic essays

• Shared group projects

• Case-based viva presentations

• A final year research project on a negotiated topic of your choice

• Poster presentations

• Competencies in practice placements in a wide variety of health and social care settings

We also use simulation of professional practice as a core component of our teaching in our new simulation facilitites and also using our simulation house `Ty Dysgu’ which is located on site.

The course has also formed links with the University of St Augustine's in Florida and this has seen lecturers visit each other’s institutions and take part in teaching. Students from St Augustine's have been to our Wrexham campus for shared sessions and there are plans for Wrexham students to be able to visit Florida.  We have also provided live sessions online to the students in the USA and this is a really valuable link in giving students a sense of the global reach of the profession.

This course utilises authentic assessment methods to ensure students can demonstrate the required knowledge and skills to meet HCPC Standards of proficiency upon qualification. For examinations that are assessing a competency required for clinical practice, a reasonable adjustment or alternative method of examination may not be appropriate. This is to replicate the competency and skills that are required for effective clinical practice. If you have any questions about this then please contact the admissions lead or inclusion services to discuss. Information on the required Standards of proficiency upon qualification can be found on the HCPC website Occupational therapists | The HCPC

Teaching and Learning

We offer workshops and support sessions in areas such as academic writing, effective note-making and preparing for assignments.

Students can book appointments with academic skills tutors dedicated to helping deal with the practicalities of university work. Our student support section has more information on the help available.

In terms of particular needs, the University’s Inclusion Services can provide appropriate guidance and support should any students require reasonable adjustments to be made because of a recognised prevailing disability, medical condition, or specific learning difference.