Occupational Therapy

Top 3 for Health Professions (Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Paramedic Science and Health Studies) - The University of Northampton is a top 3 institution for Health Professions in the Best UK University Guardian League table for 2026.

8th for Career Outcomes 15 months after Graduation for Health Professions (Occupational Therapy, Podiatry, Paramedic Science and Health Studies) - data taken from the 2026 Guardian University Guide, Health Professions Subject table, filtered by Career after 15 Months.

The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree prepares you to work as a registered occupational therapist in the UK and overseas. The University of Northampton is one of the longest established Occupational therapy Schools in Britain and offer a wide range of exciting local, national and international practical placement opportunities.
Successful completion of BSc Occupational Therapy will allow you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). In addition, it will also give you an opportunity to obtain a licence to practice and become a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

The NHS Learning Support Fund
Students, studying nursing, midwifery and many of the allied health professions courses from September 2020, may be eligible for a payment of at least £5,000 a year which they will not need to pay back. They may be able to apply for Financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund (NHS LSF) which offers eligible students additional support while studying for their degree. This is in addition to the Student Loan from the Student Loans Company*.

By studying at the University of Northampton, you can be sure that:

• Our expert academics teach in small groups supported with one to one assistance. Our academics and students form a tight bond, providing individualised support and guidance whilst challenging students academically.

• Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd.

• You will experience student life at the University’s £330 million Waterside Campus. Come along to an Open Day and find out more.

• At UON we guarantee a room in our Halls of Residence for all new full-time, first year students who apply and accept their room offer by June 2026 - and we won't ask for a deposit for September 2026**.

• Students enrolling on this course at Northampton will be provided with their own brand new laptop** to keep at no additional cost. All sports clubs and societies are free to join at Northampton and every essential course text book is available via the library, meaning you won’t have to purchase copies. For more information on this visit our website (northampton.ac.uk/benefits).

The Northampton Employment Promise

In fact, we’re so confident in our careers and employability support that if you achieve at least a 2:2 degree and complete either our Employability Plus Gold programme or achieve a Changemaker Gold Certificate during your time studying with us, but still haven’t secured full-time employment 12 months after graduating, we will secure a three – six month paid internship for you or support you into postgraduate study.

✱ eligibility criteria apply. See northampton.ac.uk/student-life/accommodation/ for more information.
✱✱ eligibility criteria and terms and conditions apply. See northampton.ac.uk/benefits for more information.
✱✱✱ As this funding is provided by the Department for Health & Social Care (UK Government) please check the NHS LSF website for full details, any changes and updates.
*Calculations are based on Office for Students data based on the average positivity measure across all NSS questions for CAH3 taught all modes, all levels, limited to HEIs.

STAGE 1:
• Exploring Professional Perspectives of Occupation (compulsory)
• Understanding Health and Well-being (compulsory)
• Health and Well-being: Understanding Impact on the Individual (compulsory)
• Core Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice (compulsory)
• Enabling Engagement in Occupation (compulsory)
• Placement 1 (compulsory)

STAGE 2:
• Exploring Evidence to Inform Practice (compulsory)
• Exploring Inequalities and Inclusive Practice (compulsory)
• Placement 2 (compulsory)
• Placement 3 (compulsory)
• Principles Informing Practice (compulsory)
• Rehabilitation Skills (compulsory)

STAGE 3:
• Embedding Evidence to Inform Practice (compulsory)
• Becoming an Autonomous Practitioner (compulsory)
• Developing Creative Practice in Communities (compulsory)
• Placement 4 (compulsory)

*Students must take the compulsory modules. Students who do not complete the Honours Degree will be eligible for an Ordinary Degree upon successful completion of a minimum of 60 Level 6 credits. These can be from any Level 6 modules, whether identified as compulsory or designated. The name of the Ordinary Degree will differ from that of the Honours Degree due to professional body requirements. Details can be found in the relevant Supplementary Regulations..

**Module information is quoted for 2025/26 entry. Please note that modules run subject to student numbers and staff availability, any changes will be communicated to applicants accordingly.

A diverse range of assessments are included in the course to ensure academic and professional competence and to prepare you for the role of an Occupational Therapist. This includes written assignments, multiple choice question tests, poster presentations, group work, reflective essays, case studies and practice portfolios. You may work together in groups for some assignments.

Support is provided by tutors for module assignments in the form of assessment tutorials and marking criteria.

Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.

• Health and Care Professions Council