Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)

During your first year, the emphasis is on developing your scientific knowledge, considering the theory behind occupational therapy and preparing you to develop your practice skills. There’s a focus on understanding and managing occupational therapy practice, designing effective client-centred interventions, and becoming a safe and competent occupational therapist.

You’ll develop your knowledge, skills and capabilities through learning in small groups and studying realistic cases so that you can apply what you learn in your future career.

You’ll be assessed through various methods, including written assignments, practice-based learning assessments, practical skills assessments, occupational analysis, project work and exams. Other tasks are likely to include online learning, peer assessment of written work, class presentations and regular debrief sessions of placement practical experience.

In the second year, you’ll build on the knowledge and skills you developed in the first year and apply it to contemporary service delivery. You’ll also have the opportunity to complete an extended piece of project work, further developing your research skills and commitment to service improvement.

During the programme you’ll undertake four placement blocks in a range of settings. Inter-professional working is an integral part of Occupational Therapy practice. During your time at University you’ll have timetabled sessions when you’ll work in partnership with several professions this may include physiotherapists, social workers, doctors, nurses, paramedics, psychologists. You will learn about the crossover in care amongst disciplines, as well as the distinct differences and boundaries between the professions. Throughout your placements you’ll be supported by your Practice Placement Educator and be visited by your University Placement Tutor.

You’ll need to successfully complete a minimum of 1,000 hours of assessed placement practice – the final placement can take the form of a 10-week full-time placement. You’ll have the opportunity to negotiate your choice of placement, which could be based in the UK or overseas.

There are opportunities to progress to a Professional Doctorate or PhD after completing this course.

As part of the course you will have the opportunity to hear about the experiences of service users, carers, patients and public members via our community engagement and service user support groups (Comensus).