Occupational Therapy
BSc (Hons)

Course overview

Occupational therapy has an important role in health and social care. It is a process of facilitating change through activity to improve people’s quality of life and to enable them to reach their maximum level of function and independence. This degree course equips you with the knowledge and skills you need to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as an occupational therapist.

From September 2020 all new and continuing students on this course will receive a £5,000 maintenance grant each year if they’re eligible. They will not need to pay it back.
Full details here

You are required to demonstrate the values and beliefs of the NHS Constitution as you become an integral part of a multiagency team, providing the expertise to ensure that clients reach their maximum level of independence. This is a full-time course and in addition, as part of the placement experience, you will be required to participate in a shift pattern rota or work weekends. You are allocated to placements within health and social care settings, enabling you to develop and apply your knowledge and skills to become a safe and autonomous professional practitioner. This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

The School is committed to the development of quality courses and to the enhancement of the student experience. To that end the Student Voice is central to the design and delivery of the learning experience. We invite you to provide feedback at key points in your student journey and ensure that we respond to your feedback through our 'you said, we did' approach.

Professional accreditation

On successful completion of the course, you will be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council.

Our pre-registration occupational therapy provision has been accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Please note 100% attendance is expected during this course.

Supporting information for applicants

Our School feedback policy (word - 278kb)
Our School reference policy (word - 276kb)

Course details

Your career in occupational therapy commences in Year 1 as you undertake modules that provide the theoretical underpinning of occupational therapy, clinical sciences and an introduction to research and study skills. University theory and practice placements are alternated for you to put theory into its practice context. The whole course is structured in this way. Interprofessional learning activities including modules shared with other disciplines will be undertaken, and professional regulations, governance and ethics of practice are also explored.

Year 2 has two practice placements. Practice placement 2 is at the beginning of the academic year, and practice placement 3 starts in March. Year 2 builds upon the first-year modules to consolidate your learning and help you feel confident in your practice as the conditions and assessments you undertake become more complex.

Your final year international module, Community Building through Collective Occupations is your opportunity to learn with and from other learners and staff from across Europe. Other models will support your preparation for work. You also undertake your final practice placement, and your final major project.

Entry requirements

Entry requirements

You are expected to have:

• a minimum of five GCSEs at grade 4 (C) or above including English language, maths and science. Key Skills/Functional Skills Level 2 in Communication and Application of Number can be accepted in place of English and maths GCSE. Please note these are not required if you are doing an Access course – however, you must have English and maths as listed below.*

Plus any of the following qualifications:

GCE and VCE Advanced Level
112 points from three A levels preferably biology to at least AS level, excluding general studies.

AS Level
These are only acceptable combined with at least two A levels, excluding general studies.

Access course
112 UCAS points from a QAA-recognised Access course (any combination)
*We can accept level 2 Access units in communication and maths in place of English and maths GCSEs.

BTEC QCF Extended Diploma
112 points (DMM) in a science or health subject.

CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health & Social Care
120 points (B) in health and social care.

Foundation degree
A pass in a health or science subject, preferably biology.

Irish Leaving Certificate
120 points from five Highers/Honours subjects, preferably including biology.

NVQ
Not acceptable

Scottish Highers
117 points from four or five Highers, preferably including biology.

Advanced Scottish Highers
112 points from three Advanced Highers, preferably including biology.

For further detailed entry requirements for this course please visit www.ucas.com.

You're encouraged to seek some work experience before you apply.

Please note: EU applicants must have an overall IELTS score of 7 with no elements below 6.5.

If you have at least an upper second-class honours degree and are considering applying for an undergraduate course you may be eligible to apply for a master's degree in occupational therapy.

The selection process includes shortlisting of your application, following which, if successful you will be invited for an interview.

Your personal statement will be measured against the following criteria:

• your ability to complete all sections of the application form fully and correctly
• the level of all qualifications and grades must be specified
• appropriate academic entry requirements achieved or predicted
• personal statement that supports your chosen course and demonstrates an understanding of the uniqueness of the profession and the role of the professional
• motivation for completing the course is evident
• satisfactory references.

At the interview you will be measured against the following criteria which is mapped against the NHS Constitution:

• knowledge of chosen profession/career
• an appreciation of the demands of the course and chosen profession
• enthusiasm for the course/profession
• understanding of professional values and attitudes in health and social care
• ability to communicate effectively verbally and non-verbally
• relevant background experience in this area
• team skills
• problem solving skills / creative activities.

If you are invited to an interview and the date is not suitable we may not be able to offer you an alternative date due to the high volume of applications received for this course but it is important that you contact the admissions office immediately.
If you are successful in both shortlisting and interview you will receive an offer which is subject to the following:

1. evidence of achievement of the required academic qualifications
2. a successful work based risk assessment which will reflect the HEOPS recommendations - please read these here. For more information on all of the HEOPS standards click here
3. an enhanced criminal history (DBS) check may be required for certain modules or placements which involve working with children and/or adults at risk. Where an enhanced DBS check is required, applicants will cover the cost of these checks which can only be processed through the University.
4. satisfactory references.

Please note until 1 to 4 have been successfully completed the offer of a place on the course remains conditional.

• International applicants must have IELTS 7.0 with a minimal score of 6.5 in all sections or Test of English as a Foreign Language (TOEFL) with a minimum score of 100/120 (in conjunction with a Teesside University English language test)* before an unconditional offer is made
• If you are successful at shortlisting you will be invited to attend an interview (which may be in person OR video call) in one of our international offices in either India, Malaysia or China, or through a secure web link (which will be arranged by the University).
• If you can not attend an interview as stated, you will be unable to proceed with your application.

*Students holding TOEFL qualifications at the required grade will be able to combine the qualification with a Teesside University English language test to meet the English language requirement. The English language test will assess listening and speaking competency.
For international enquiries please email internationalenquiries@tees.ac.uk

For general information please see our overview of entry requirements

International applicants can find out what qualifications they need by visiting Your Country

You can gain considerable knowledge from work, volunteering and life. Under recognition of prior learning (RPL) you may be awarded credit for this which can be credited towards the course you want to study.
Find out more about RPL

Employability

Career opportunities

Once the course has been successfully completed you can apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council. Registered occupational therapists practise in the UK and overseas, in all areas of health and social care. You will work closely with other professionals such as doctors, physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, social workers, psychologists and nurses.

Alternatively you may choose a career in a charity or any other emerging areas of practice. Occupational therapists also work in private practice, research and education.

Information for international applicants