Skip to main content

Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons)

2024-25 (also available for 2025-26)

It’s not too late to apply for September.
It’s not too late to apply for September.

Start date

16 September 2024

Duration

3 years full-time

Entry requirements

A Level - BBB-BBC

BTEC - DDM-DMM

See full entry requirements

Places available (subject to change)

45

About the course

Reasons to study

  1. Regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT), our Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons) course provides the foundations for a potentially life-changing career in occupational therapy. 
  2. You’ll participate in interprofessional learning alongside students from other healthcare professions, including physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, speech and language therapists and podiatrists.
  3. You’ll develop an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy through placements in different settings, including peoples’ homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities, and prisons. You’ll also have the unique chance to practise your skills in our occupational therapy skills lab.

Occupations are practical, meaningful, and purposeful activities that allow people to develop a sense of identity – for example, self-care, work, or leisure tasks. Occupational therapists work collaboratively with people to help them engage in those activities (occupations) which they need or want to do, enabling them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives.

During this Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons) course, you’ll work with people of all ages in different situations, you’ll assess their needs and collaboratively develop interventions facilitating them to achieve their potential and enjoy maximum quality of life. This will assist you in developing an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy through placements in different settings, including old people’s homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities, and prisons.

Why study Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons)?

Whilst studying the course our purpose-built occupational therapy skills lab enables you to learn in authentic simulated situations and environments. You can also hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.

Occupational therapists work interprofessionally, alongside other healthcare professionals. You’ll therefore study alongside students from other healthcare professions courses and you’ll have the chance to carry out a research project and develop entrepreneurial and change management skills with them.

This course is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council and accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). During your studies, you’ll learn how to integrate underlying theory and principles of occupational therapy and apply what you learn to different areas of practice. You’ll also work on both the teamwork and autonomous practice skills required to work in a rapidly changing health and social care context.

Upon successful graduation, you could work within the NHS, social services, charities, education services, social enterprises, community interest groups, medico-legal firms, or in independent practice. There may also be opportunities in education, research or overseas, as occupational therapists are also needed internationally.

In 2024, the University’s new Daphne Steele Building will open on the site of the National Health Innovation campus, too. This will allow our Occupational Therapy students to benefit from specialist clinical teaching facilities and world-leading research facilities.

Students studying this course may be eligible to receive a non-repayable grant of at least £5,000 each year. Further information is available on the NHS Learning Support Fund website.

Not quite ready to start Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons)? Successful completion of our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree will equip you with the foundation knowledge to study Occupational Therapy.

Course detail

Core modules:

Contexualising Occupational Therapy

This module examines different contexts in which occupations are carried out and occupational therapy is practiced. You’ll explore the environmental and cultural influences on occupational performance as well as wider socio-political issues including occupational issues of communities and populations. The drivers and current issues influencing the delivery of occupational therapy will be discussed and explored. You’ll engage with the module material in a reflective way and will be given opportunities to develop your reflective skills.

Factors Affecting Occupational Performance and Participation

This module explores health from an occupational perspective, including the relationship between health and occupation. You’ll examine physiological and psychosocial factors which can affect occupational performance and participation. You’ll also be introduced to the cause and effect of occupational disruption and deprivation, as well as a range of occupational therapy assessment methods with a focus on the assessment of function. You’ll have the opportunity to learn and demonstrate the principles of safe moving and handling, as well as gain knowledge, understanding and application of the principles of risk assessment with occupational therapy practice.

Health and Performance Skills for Occupation

This module explores health from an occupational perspective, including the relationship between health and occupation. You’ll be introduced to the structure and function of the human body, along with the underlying physiological and psychological processes supporting health human behaviour. You’ll develop skills to be able to identify and describe factors which facilitate occupational performance. Building upon these concepts, you’ll explore and analyse a variety of physiological and psychosocial factors which can affect occupational performance.

Practice Based Experience 1

You’ll complete an occupational therapy practice placement, where you'll have the chance to develop and apply your practical skills, as well as gain an understanding of appropriate professional behaviour and standards, which you'll demonstrate during the practice experience. You'll also examine the nature and development of communication strategies in relation to therapeutic relationships and working with other health and social care professionals.

Principles Underpinning Occupational Therapy Practice

This module examines the key concepts and philosophies underpinning occupational therapy practice. You’ll explore the form, function and meaning of occupation, while considering the value and importance that occupations have for individuals, communities and populations. You’ll consider the emerging role of occupational science and its influence on practice. Additionally, you’ll explore their environmental and cultural influences on occupational performance. Fundamental to this module is placing the individual at the centre of occupational therapy practice. You’ll explore a variety of occupational therapy models of practice that support the occupational therapy process. You’ll develop your problem solving, therapeutic and professional reasoning skills.

Professional Development and Research 1

This module involves a multidisciplinary learning approach, where you'll work with occupational therapy, physiotherapy and podiatry students. You'll have the opportunity to explore lifelong learning and continuing professional development that underpins the essential skills needed in order to understand registration requirements for your specific professional and regulatory body.

Entry requirements

BBB-BBCat A Level , including one of the following A Levels: Biology, Human Biology or Psychology but excluding General Studies. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

120-112 UCAS tariff points from a combination of Level 3 qualifications, excluding General Studies, and including one of the following: A Level Biology, Human Biology or Psychology, BTEC Subsidiary Diploma/National Extended Certificate/Diploma in Health and Social Care or Applied Science. If you are studying Science A Level, the endorsement for practical work is essential and a requirement for entry to our degree course.

Merit at T Level in Health or Healthcare Science.

DDM-DMM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Applied Science.

  • NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at Grade B.
  • Pass a relevant Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit. The course must contain 18 credits in a Biological Science.
  • 120-112 UCAS tariff points from International Baccalaureate qualifications including Biology at Higher Level at grade 6.

GCSE English Language and Maths at grade 4 or above, or grade C if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent Ofqual regulated qualification.

If you do not have the appropriate qualifications for direct entry to this degree you may be able to apply to our Health Foundation Pathway leading to a BSc(Hons) Degree.

You must demonstrate an good understanding of the profession of occupational therapy

You may be eligible to gain accreditation for your prior learning towards this course.

  • Offers will be subject to an interview and references. Please note all the information provided in support of your application may be checked and must be verifiable as a true record
  • You also need satisfactory enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and occupational health clearances prior to registration. We arrange these as part of the application process. You will be required to sign a self-declaration at the start of each year. All police contact during the course must be reported to the course leader as a matter of urgency and may lead to suspension or termination. We will request an Overseas Police Check if you have lived in a country outside of the UK for 6 months or more (whether continuously or in total) in the last 10 years before applying to us and whilst aged 18 or over.

Placement providers for this course may require you to have received a number of vaccinations, unless medically exempt, and provide evidence of these. As a student on a course with a clinical or healthcare placement, we strongly recommend that you complete any courses of vaccinations required under current guidelines for your future profession. Failure to do so may result in your inability to undertake a placement in certain clinical settings, therefore impacting upon your academic progression, and may result in academic failure of your course.

If your first language is not English, you will need to meet the minimum requirements of an English Language qualification. The minimum for IELTS is 6.5 overall with no element lower than 6.0, or equivalent. Read more about the University’s entry requirements for students outside of the UK on our Where are you from information pages.

Other suitable experience or qualifications will be considered. For further information please see the University's minimum entry requirements.

Please note places are limited and attainment of the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview or offer. You must include details of any previous study.

Students story


Watch Zara’s film to find out what occupational therapy is and what occupational therapists do. Zara also talks about her lecturers, the placement opportunities and how the course has helped her develop as a person. 

Placements


Practice education is an important and compulsory part of the course, so placements will be undertaken throughout the three years. You're required to successfully complete 1000 hours of assessed professional practice throughout the course in a range of health, social and third sector care settings within the West Yorkshire region. This will be equivalent to placements of seven weeks in Year 1, 12 weeks in Year 2 and 10 weeks in Year 3. You may also have the opportunity to work in the University's Telehealth service.

Please note that you may be required to travel for/during your placements. For more information visit our placements page.

“My placements have been in a variety of settings, enabling me to gain an insight into the role of an occupational therapist within different areas of practice. They have helped improve my communication skills and confidence, as well as grow in my own independence and knowledge.”  

Kadie Taylor, an Occupational Therapy Student

Kadie Taylor, Currently studying Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons)

Your career


Our graduates have gone on to work as Occupational Therapists in NHS and private healthcare services.**

Additionally, you could work within the NHS, social services, charities, education services, social enterprises, community interest groups, medico-legal firms or you could work in independent practice. There may also be opportunities in education, research or overseas, as occupational therapists are also needed internationally. 

 

* Percentage of graduates from this course who go on to work and/or further study within fifteen months after graduating (HESA Graduate Outcomes 20/21, UK Domiciled)
** LinkedIn.




85% Graduates employed*

Student support

At the University of Huddersfield, you'll find support networks and services to help you get ahead in your studies and social life. Whether you study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, you'll soon discover that you're never far away from our dedicated staff and resources to help you to navigate through your personal student journey. Find out more about all our support services.

A wide range of resources are also offered within the School of Human and Health Sciences, which provides you with support in a variety of areas. These include:

Student Hub: a one stop shop for students, studying within the School. Their services include offering advice on extenuating circumstances, extension requests, course progression, suspension and welfare support, organising appointments with academic staff and signposting to other support networks.

Academic Skills Development Team: support students to develop their academic skills and build their confidence in order to improve their grades. The team provide support with academic skills including essay writing, being critical, reflective writing, numeracy, research skills, presentations and group work skills; as well as personal development for example time management.

Learning Technology Support Unit: helps students with any problems they experience with the University’s Brightspace Learning System, including logging on or difficulties experienced when accessing and using modules, and with the PebblePad platform, which is used by students when they go out on placements.

Important information

We will always try to deliver your course as described on this web page. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below.

Changes to a course you have applied for

If we propose to make a major change to a course that you are holding an offer for, then we will tell you as soon as possible so that you can decide whether to withdraw your application prior to enrolment.

Cancellation of a course you have applied for

Although we always try and run all of the course we offer, we may occasionally have to withdraw a course you have applied for or combine your programme with another programme if we consider this reasonably necessary to ensure a good student experience, for example if there are not enough applicants to ensure you have a good learning experience. Where this is the case we will notify you as soon as reasonably possible and we will contact you to discuss other suitable courses with us we can transfer your application to. If we notify you that the course you have applied to has been withdrawn or combined, and you do not wish to transfer to another course with us, you may cancel your application and we will refund you any deposits or fees you have paid to us.

Changes to your course after you enrol as a student

We will always try to deliver your course and other services as described. However, sometimes we may have to make changes as set out below:

Changes to option modules

Where your course allows you to choose modules from a range of options, we will review these each year and change them to reflect the expertise of our staff, current trends in research and as a result of student feedback or demand for certain modules. We will always ensure that you have a range of options to choose from and we will let you know in good time the options available for you to choose for the following year.

Major changes

We will only make major changes to the core curriculum of a course or to our services if it is necessary for us to do so and provided such changes are reasonable. A major change in this context is a change that materially changes the services available to you; or the outcomes, or a significant part, of your course, such as the nature of the award or a substantial change to module content, teaching days (part time provision), classes, type of delivery or assessment of the core curriculum.

For example, it may be necessary to make a major change to reflect changes in the law or the requirements of the University’s regulators; to meet the latest requirements of a commissioning or accrediting body; to improve the quality of educational provision; in response to student, examiners’ or other course evaluators’ feedback; and/or to reflect academic or professional changes within subject areas. Major changes may also be necessary because of circumstances outside our reasonable control, such as a key member of staff leaving the University or being unable to teach, where they have a particular specialism that can’t be adequately covered by other members of staff; or due to damage or interruption to buildings, facilities or equipment.

Major changes would usually be made with effect from the next academic year, but this may not always be the case. We will notify you as soon as possible should we need to make a major change and will carry out suitable consultation with affected students. If you reasonably believe that the proposed change will cause you detriment or hardship we will, if appropriate, work with you to try to reduce the adverse effect on you or find an appropriate solution. Where an appropriate solution cannot be found and you contact us in writing before the change takes effect you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the University without liability to the University for future tuition fees. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

Termination of course

In exceptional circumstances, we may, for reasons outside of our control, be forced to discontinue or suspend your course. Where this is the case, a formal exit strategy will be followed and we will notify you as soon as possible about what your options are, which may include transferring to a suitable replacement course for which you are qualified, being provided with individual teaching to complete the award for which you were registered, or claiming an interim award and exiting the University. If you do not wish to take up any of the options that are made available to you, then you can cancel your registration and withdraw from the course without liability to the University for future tuition fees and you will be entitled to a refund of all course fees paid to date. We will provide reasonable support to assist you with transferring to another university if you wish to do so.

When you enrol as a student of the University, your study and time with us will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies and procedures, which form the basis of your agreement with us. These include regulations regarding the assessment of your course, academic integrity, your conduct (including attendance) and disciplinary procedure, fees and finance and compliance with visa requirements (where relevant). It is important that you familiarise yourself with these as you will be asked to agree to abide by them when you join us as a student. You will find a guide to the key terms here, along with the Student Protection Plan, where you will also find links to the full text of each of the regulations, policies and procedures referred to. You should read these carefully before you enrol. Please note that this information is subject to change and you are advised to check our website regularly for any changes before you enrol at the University. A person who is not party to this agreement shall not have any rights under or in connection with it. Only you and the University shall have any right to enforce or rely on the agreement.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University.

You may also be interested in...

Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

This course provides the opportunity to study Occupational Therapy whilst being employed in a health or social care role.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate


Health and Social Care BSc(Hons)

Exploring different aspects of health and social care, you could pursue a wide range of careers in a variety of health and social care settings.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate


Nursing (Learning Disability) BSc(Hons)

Specialise in learning disability nursing on this three year degree, learning from experts, and undertaking placements in a wide range of community settings.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate


Physiotherapy BSc(Hons)

Study with us on this career-focused Physiotherapy degree with small teaching groups, practical rooms and great links with healthcare providers.

Find out more How to apply

Full-time

Undergraduate