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MSc

Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration)

Attendance

Campus

Start

Duration

2 Years

Start

September 2023

Delivery

Campus Taught

Do you want to become an occupational therapist? Do you have study skills from completion of an undergraduate degree? If so, our pre-registration MSc offers a superb opportunity to undertake a Masters course in two years. Successful completion of this course entitles you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and, with this registration, take up employment as an Occupational Therapist.

Please note: applications for 2023 entry are now closed for UK students but why not chat to us about applying for 2024 entry?

This course combines academic and practical learning in University-based teaching, interspersed with practice placements to ensure you gain the knowledge, skills and attributes required to be an effective, reflective and successful occupational therapist.

You’ll benefit from the opportunity to engage in a wide variety of practice placement opportunities alongside being taught by occupational therapists with a wide range of experience in clinical practice and research. Enabling you to gain confidence and proficiency in applying occupational therapy core skills whilst also discovering the breadth of the profession.

This intense course suits those who are self-directed in their learning and are motivated to achieve their goals.

Why study with us

The course is accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).
You’ll be taught in a small cohort with excellent tutor support. The course is timetabled to three days per week, giving you flexibility around your studies.
You’ll be taught by expert staff who are passionate about occupational therapy and are actively involved with the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, research and the development of the profession.

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What you'll do

There’s an emphasis on ‘real-life’ assessments which reflect the everyday working environment of an occupational therapist.
The course balances placements in practice with experienced occupational therapists and high-quality teaching in academic modules which is enhanced through the use of innovative technology.
You will meet a range of employers, such as the NHS and other social care providers, at our annual recruitment events.

Module overview

Course delivery

Following the pandemic, we have found that some courses benefit from a blended learning and teaching approach. Therefore, the majority of your teaching will be face-to-face on campus aside from a small amount of online teaching where we have learnt it works best.

90%Face-to-face

10%Online

Every effort has been made to ensure the accuracy of our published course information. However, our programmes are subject to ongoing review and development. Changing circumstances may cause alteration to, or the cancellation of, courses. Changes may be necessary to comply with the requirements of accrediting bodies or revisions to subject benchmarks statements. As well as to keep courses updated and contemporary, or as a result of student feedback. We reserve the right to make variations if we consider such action to be necessary or in the best interests of students.

Academic expertise

Looking to start your postgraduate journey?

Our range of subjects and study modes can support your goals, take your next step with a postgraduate degree.

Discover more

View the course facilities

Accreditations

This course is accredited by the RCOT, the professional body for occupational therapists across the UK. After successfully completing this course you will be eligible to apply for initial registration as an Occupational Therapist with the RCOT.
This course is accredited and endorsed by the HCPC regulatory body. The HCPC is a regulator of health and care professionals in the UK, approving programmes and setting the standards that individuals must meet in order to become a registered professional.
This course is accredited by the WFOT – the global voice for occupational therapy representing occupational therapists worldwide.

The University’s Faculty of Allied Health and Wellbeing is one of the largest providers of health and social care education in the North West. As a result, we have developed close links with practice partners across the region in both NHS and non-NHS settings.

We organise annual recruitment events where employers from the public (NHS and social care providers) and private spheres attend and network with students.

Future careers

Our graduates are highly employable. Through consultation with our clinical partners, we know that there is a great demand for occupational therapists in the North West – particularly those with master-level qualifications.

After graduating from this course you’ll be in a position to apply for initial registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll also be able to apply for full membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Equal Consideration Deadline

The Equal Consideration Deadline for this course is 26 January. This is our equal consideration deadline, which means any application that is submitted before this deadline will be considered for September entry - any applications submitted after this date are not guaranteed to be considered for the September start.

Fees and funding

2022/23

Full-time£11000 per year

International

Full-time£14500 per year

2023/24

Full-time£11,000 per year

International

Full-time£15,500 per year

Scholarships and bursaries

We have a wide range of scholarships, bursaries and funds available to help support you whilst studying with us.

Select your country and see eligibility information and how to apply by selecting more info on the cards below.

Select your country/region

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.

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This course is based in the School of Sport and Health Sciences located in the Faculty of Allied Health and Wellbeing

For information on possible changes to course information, see our essential and important course information

You can find regulations and policies relating to student life at the University of Central Lancashire on our student contract page