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BSc (Hons) - Occupational Therapy

Are you wondering how to become an occupational therapist? Do you want to help others achieve their goals and help improve people's lives? Become a champion for the rights and beliefs of people to take part in the occupations that they need and value?

Our occupational therapy degree is designed to equip you with the skills and professional qualifications required for you to become an occupational therapist accredited by the RCOT and registered with the HCPC.

What’s more, our Allied Health Profession courses are ranked 1st in the North West and top 10 in the UK. We are also 1st in the North West for continuation and career prospects following graduation from Allied Health Profession Courses (Guardian University Guide 2023 Results).

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Accredited by:

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Royal College of Occupational Therapists & Health and Care Professions Council

Course Overview

During this occupational therapy course, you will spend at least 1,000 hours on placement in a variety of settings with children, adults and older adults with physical, social or mental health challenges. Placements take place within the NHS, councils, private, voluntary and independent sector organisations, and in a range of settings from hospitals, health and day centres, care homes or places of work.

As well as this, you will apply your theoretical learning to simulated real-world scenarios using our dedicated simulation facilities. This will enable you to build your confidence and skills in safe and supportive practice environments, before progressing to real-life cases.

You will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and apply for membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) upon graduation. Our graduates have an excellent reputation making them sought after by a multitude of employers including the NHS, councils, private, voluntary and independent sector organisations.

On this course you will...

  • Work in small groups with your peers, developing teamwork and networking skills, with the opportunity to collaborate and engage with clinicians and service users.
  • Have placement experiences in a range of settings including the NHS and role-emerging placements alongside qualified clinicians.
  • Develop analytical and research skills to support your practice as an evidence-based occupational therapist.
  • Be supported by our team – we get to know you personally and our staff and students have great relationships, allowing you to feel fully supported as you study.
  • Develop your practical skills in our purpose-built 'home' rooms and simulation laboratories. You will have the opportunity to gain confidence and skills outside of your placements.
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Course Structure

What you will learn

You will learn the fundamental rights and beliefs of people to take part in the occupations that they need and value and to enable such engagement through the practice of occupational therapy. You will have a focus on leadership and entrepreneurial skills including the effective management of resources and promoting the profession to potential commissioners and users of services. Personal development planning is embedded throughout your programme to ensure an appreciation of, and progression in, the required skills for life-long learning.

The programme explores and applies the well-established theoretical and practical skills of occupational therapy and responds to the ever-changing world of health and social care practice. You will adapt to and be involved in actively shaping the many and varied settings where the occupational needs of people are addressed. You will contribute responsibly to individual and community wellbeing.

We also offer the option to study one year of our Health and Social Care Integrated Foundation Year before beginning this course. Not only will this prepare you to succeed in your BSc, with key modules in academic and professional skills as well as baseline introductions to mental health and human anatomy, it is also ideal for those applicants who do not hold the required qualifications for direct entry but are passionate about pursuing occupational therapy. You will also be supported by our academic team to make a strong application to your chosen transfer course.

Year one
  • Exploring Occupation, Health and Wellbeing through the Lifespan
    Study and apply human development across the lifespan from an occupational perspective.
  • Exploring Professional Practice
    Develop knowledge and understanding of the foundations and requirements for local, national and global professional practice.
  • Exploring Person Environment and Occupation
    Develop knowledge and understanding of the Occupational Therapy process, core skills and practice.
  • Exploring Occupational Science
    Explore Occupational Science and the relevance of Occupational Science to Occupational Therapy.
  • Occupational Therapy in Practice 1
    This first practice placement module will introduce you to Occupational Therapy within an applied clinical setting.
  • Exploring Evidence in Practice
    Develop awareness of the relevance of investigation to academic, professional and practice development.
Year two
  • Developing Occupational Possibilities for Health and Wellbeing
    Plan and prepare for an occupation focused community-based group health and wellbeing intervention, which will explore occupational solutions to meet contemporary challenges.
  • Developing Occupational Therapy Practice
    Integrate theoretical knowledge of life sciences and human occupation into local, national and global practice contexts of Occupational Therapy.
  • Developing the Entrepreneurial Occupational Therapist
    Develop entrepreneurial skills to instigate occupation focused interventions in response to current and potential social, cultural, political and economic drivers that influence the climate of health and wellbeing service delivery.
  • Developing Occupational Science in Practice
    Continue to embrace the theory and practice of Occupational Science.
  • Occupational Therapy in Practice 2
    Within this practice placement module, you will develop your knowledge and understanding of occupational performance and integrate this into practice contexts.
  • Collaborative Project Proposal
    You will produce a fully developed proposal and ethics application for a piece of research or investigative work.
Year three
  • Leading and Implementing Occupational Possibilities for Health and Wellbeing
    Develop the knowledge and skills required to work as part of a team; to lead, implement and evaluate a new Occupational Therapy intervention in partnership with a contemporary community setting.
  • Occupational Therapy and Digital Health
    You will learn to identify and evaluate digital health or technology solutions to address local, national or global occupational needs.
  • Future Leaders for Occupational Therapy
    Prepare for the transition from student to newly qualified Occupational Therapist.
  • Occupational Therapy in Practice 3
    Within this placement module, you will develop your occupational therapy practice skills and there will be an emphasis on occupation-based interventions.
  • Occupational Therapy in Practice 4
    Within this final placement module, you will demonstrate their ability to practice at the level of a newly qualified Occupational Therapist.
  • Collaborative Project
    Conduct a small-scale investigation or piece of research, and to critically discuss its implementation, dissemination and potential impact.

Attend an Open Day at Cumbria

An Open Day is your opportunity to explore one of 5 campuses, meet your lecturers, and find out how the University of Cumbria could become your new home.

Take the next step towards achieving your dreams.
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