Occupational Therapy

Description

Our BSc Occupational Therapy helps you to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to enable you to work with clients of all ages who have physical or mental health problems or learning difficulties. We combine a number of learning styles, such as lectures, seminars, problem-based learning and workshops. Teaching and learning is undertaken both in our University and at work placements.

Our BSc Occupational Therapy views the client as central to the therapeutic process, promoting health and well being through the use of occupation. The main teaching and learning method used is a hybrid, embedded problem-based learning approach (PBL) which is supported by key lectures and other group work.

For our BSc Occupational Therapy, attendance at our University is for two days per week, along with full time clinical placements (one in the first year, two in the second year, one in the third and one in the final year).

Our programme aims:
1. To develop you to graduate level with competencies which meet occupational standards and codes of practice;
2. To meet QAA academic and practitioner standards and benchmark statements for occupational therapy;
3. To fulfil COT curriculum framework guidelines;
4. To meet HPC standards of education and training;
5. To fulfil university generic learning outcomes;
6. To develop you as reflective and independent practitioners capable of operating in a multidisciplinary health care context;
7. To promote and develop evidence-based practice and research awareness;
8. To cultivate in you the capacity to integrate the theoretical principles and concepts of occupational therapy with practice in order to provide quality intervention for service users; and
9. To assist you to engage in the analysis of academic discourses in order to continually develop professional practice.

Detailed Course Facts

• English

Course Content

Our pre-registration programmes have the advantage of inter-professional learning (IPL), encouraging professionals to learn with and from each other – an understanding that helps to ensure you have the expertise to respond adequately and effectively to the complexity of service user needs, ensuring that care is safe, seamless and of a high standard. This means throughout your time with us you will benefit from the expertise of a teaching team that includes professionals from our other inter-professional learning programmes.
Some teaching will be through problem-based learning (PBL) and, for these sessions, you may be working alongside students in other programmes to prepare you for multidisciplinary team working during your placements and upon registration as an occupational therapist. In addition, our occupational therapy team invite practising clinicians, experts in their fields, to contribute to the teaching of the programme.
For our BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme, attendance at our University is for two days per week, along with full time clinical placements (one in the first year, two in the second year, one in the third and one in the final year).
Please note that module information on our course finder provides a guide to course content and may be subject to review on an annual basis.
Year 1
Health Well-Being and Inter-Professional Practice;
Biopsychosocial Perspectives of Occupation;
Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice;
Performance and Occupation; and
Practice Placement 1

Year 2
Reflection in Occupational Therapy Practice;
Practice Placement 2;
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health;
Physical Aspects of Occupation; and
Practice Placement 3

Year 3
Skills for Practice;
Research and Evidence for Practice;
Practice Placement 4; and
Contexts of Professional Practice

Year 4
Research and Evidence for Practice 2;
Research and Evidence for Practice 3; and
Competence in Occupational Therapy Practice

English Language Requirements

IELTS band : 6

To study at this university, you have to speak English. We advice you to

Requirements

Please be aware that we are not able to accept applications for deferred entry for this course.
You must be able to demonstrate that you meet the following minimum entry requirements:
A-levels, normally at CC or equivalent (e.g. BTEC National Diploma MMP; Access to HE Diploma with 45 credits at Level 3 at pass or above; or Advanced Diploma in Society, Health and Development with 160 points in total)
Evidence of recent academic study
Five GCSE’s – including Maths and English grade C or above or equivalent standard of literacy and numeracy
For those students for whom English is not your native language, you would also need to successfully complete the IELTS testing with a score of 7.0 or above, with no element below 6.5
You must also have: two satisfactory references (including an academic reference), a satisfactory Occupational health and enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check (DBS formerly known as CRB) – both of these are organised by the University.
Access is supported by the Health Education East of England, consequently the course is only available to: applicants classified as ‘home’ or ‘EU’ students.
NB: All applicants will be classified as either ‘Home/EU’ students or ‘International’ students.
In order to be classified as a Home or EU student you must be:
a) ‘Settled’ in the UK as a UK or EU citizen, or have ‘indefinite leave to remain’ granted by the Home Office. ‘Settled’ means being both ordinarily resident in the UK and without any immigration restriction on the length of your stay in the UK; and
b) ‘Ordinarily resident’ in the UK and Islands for the full three-year period before the first day of the first academic year of the programme.
All other applicants will be classified as International students.
As part of the selection process, students will be expected to demonstrate good knowledge and a clear understanding of the scope of work that an occupational therapist is required to undertake as well as the significance of the NHS Constitution and its core values (you can find further information on these on the Health Education East of England website and the Gov.UK webpages https://www.gov.uk/government/publications/the-nhs-constitution-for-england.
Please note: You are also required to supply two satisfactory references preferably one from an academic source, the other from a work-based source. If you are selected for interview, then you will also be required to sit a Literacy & Numeracy test.
The closing date for completed applications to be received (including all references and supporting documentation) is 28 February 2014.
Interviews will take place during March 2014 for a start in September 2014.
We accept a wide range of other qualifications from applicants studying in the UK, EU and other countries. For further details about the qualifications that we accept, please e-mail us with information about the high school qualifications you have already completed or are currently taking.

Work Experience

No work experience is required.

Want to improve your English level for admission?

Prepare for the program requirements with English Online by the British Council.

• ✔️ Flexible study schedule
• ✔️ Experienced teachers
• ✔️ Certificate upon completion

📘 Recommended for students with an IELTS level of 6.0 or below.

Enroll in the course

Related Scholarships*

• Academic Excellence Scholarship

  "The Academic Excellence Scholarship can provide up to a 50 % reduction in tuition per semester. These scholarships will be renewed if the student maintains superior academic performance during each semester of their 3-year Bachelor programme. The scholarship will be directly applied to the student’s tuition fees."

• Access Bursary

  Bursary for UK students all subjects where the variable tuition fee rate is payable.

• Alumni Bursary

  Alumni Bursary for UK Undergraduate students

* The scholarships shown on this page are suggestions first and foremost. They could be offered by other organisations than University of Essex.

Funding

For up-to-date information on funding opportunities at Essex, please visit: www.essex.ac.uk/studentfinance.

Occupational Therapy at the University of Essex is designed to prepare students for a rewarding career in helping individuals regain independence and improve their quality of life through tailored therapeutic interventions. The programme combines theoretical knowledge with practical skills, ensuring graduates are well-equipped to work in a variety of healthcare settings such as hospitals, community health services, and rehabilitation centers. The curriculum covers key areas including human anatomy and physiology, psychology, health sciences, and the fundamentals of occupational therapy practice. Students engage in interactive workshops, clinical placements, and case studies to develop a comprehensive understanding of client-centered care. The program emphasizes evidence-based practice, ethical considerations, and interdisciplinary collaboration, which are vital for effective therapy delivery. Students also learn about assistive technologies, adaptive equipment, and strategies to promote occupational participation. The University of Essex's facilities include well-equipped simulation labs and partnerships with local healthcare providers that facilitate hands-on experience. The programme is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), ensuring that graduates meet professional standards required for registration and employment as occupational therapists in the UK. Graduates of this programme have found employment in a variety of sectors including mental health, physical rehabilitation, pediatrics, and geriatric care. The course aims to develop compassionate, innovative, and competent practitioners capable of adapting to evolving healthcare needs. Admission requirements typically include relevant prior qualifications and a demonstrable interest in health and social care. The University of Essex offers dedicated academic support, career guidance, and opportunities for research focused on occupational therapy innovations and practice improvements. Overall, the Occupational Therapy programme at the University of Essex equips students with the necessary skills, knowledge, and professional attributes to flourish in a dynamic healthcare environment, making a tangible difference in patients' lives.