Occupational Therapy

This is a practice-based course where you complete over 1,000 hours in placement settings. It gives you the skills and knowledge you need to follow a rewarding career as an occupational therapist. You put your skills and knowledge into practice through managed roleplay and simulation as well as practical sessions where you learn about patient assessments; treatment planning; treatment interventions; and impact evaluations.

Course accreditation

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). On successful completion, you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and consider a broad range of roles in the NHS; local government; charity sector; government agencies; and private sector.

Facilities and specialist equipment

• Fully immersive simulation unit with range of settings, to prepare students for real-life scenarios in a safe and supportive environment.

• Occupational therapy simulated ‘flat’ that includes a bedroom, bathroom, living area and moving and handling room.

• Simulated ward area.

• Opportunities for placements at our Putteridge Bury Wellbeing Garden.

Career-powered links

We collaborate with a wide range of sector-relevant organisations, enabling us to offer placements across Bedfordshire, Hertfordshire, Buckinghamshire, Oxfordshire, Leicestershire and London as well as the opportunity for placement experiences abroad.

Your student experience

Benefit from a course that builds learner competence and confidence through theory and practice-based learning opportunities including placements in a variety of settings, spread across the three years of the degree.

Learn from an experienced academic team of scientists and clinicians using modern facilities that include state-of-the art simulation suites.

This degree includes 1,000 hours on placement over three years, 40 hours of which can be simulated practice; placements are located across our regions and we can also place students abroad.

Study alongside other health students - including physiotherapy, nursing, paramedic science, social work and midwifery – so you can explore how areas are connected and develop strong inter-professional skills.

Hear from expert guest speakers from the UK and around the world.

Showcase your skills and knowledge to local employers at our annual Graduate Therapies Conference.

Course modules

Year 1
Professional identity – What defines an OT professional; core values and professional regulation; differences in UK and international approaches. Practice placement one: holistic therapy in practice – 10-week placement where you can practise your new skills in a real-world setting. Academic skills for therapists - Build the study skills you need to learn effectively, make progress and succeed. Developing therapeutic relationships – Develop your communication skills so you can build and maintain strong therapeutic relationships. Sciences supporting occupation – Explore other fields relevant to OT including anatomy, physiology and psychology. Holistic factors affecting occupation – Learn to carry out a patient-centred OT assessment and plan interventions for common conditions.

Year 2
Practice placement two: enabling in therapy practice – An eight-week placement where you begin taking supervised responsibility for planning, delivering and reviewing treatments. Evidence-informed therapy – Become confident in sourcing, evaluating and reviewing research. Collaborative therapies – Learn to work with other practitioners to ensure seamless, client-focused care. Practice placement three: collaboration in therapy practice – A 10-week placement where you take supervised responsibility for client assessment and interventions. Enabling occupation – The role of OT in supporting clients to live well with long-term conditions. Professional reasoning in occupational therapy – The ways in which disability can make everyday tasks harder, and how equipment and adaptations can help.

Year 3
Practice placement four: complexity in therapy practice – An eight-week placement where you start to take on increased responsibility for assessment and treatment. Occupational therapy project – Produce and present a project that reviews and evaluates OT research. Practice placement five: quality in therapy practice – A nine-week placement chosen by you where you can explore new healthcare settings or develop a specialism. Growth and leadership in therapies – Build the skills to be an effective leader, able to work well with a range of professionals. Managing complexity in occupational therapy – Prepare to work independently, able to meet the needs of people with complex physical or mental health issues.

We make every effort to ensure the information here is accurate; however, for the most up-to-date information, visit our website.