Tips for your application

Use these tips when researching and deciding which programmes to apply to study occupational therapy

Research and ask questions

Research the different OT programmes you're interested in applying to. Find out how the learning is structured and think about how you prefer to learn.

Talk to the admissions team

Make contact with the university and speak to someone on the admissions team to find out more about the programme.

Talk to current OT students

Get in touch with current OT students either through the university on open days, or through our OT student group on Facebook.

Read about occupational therapy

Read as much as you can about occupational therapy and keep up to date with the latest news affecting the sector. Also take a look at the videos we have produced, as they give useful examples of practice. 

Talk to an OT and organise work experience

Talk to as many OTs as possible, and if possible visit an occupational therapy service.

Occupational therapists work in very wide ranging settings, so in addition to your local hospital you could also consider contacting local mental health settings, learning disabilities services and social services. Don't be afraid to use your networks - if you know anyone working in health and social care, ask them if they know an OT! Try also contacting local independent OT practitioners.

Universities often don't expect you to find a "six week block" of work experience. They are aware it can be difficult, so don't panic if you can only meet one or two OTs. The main thing is to illustrate you have researched the profession thoroughly. 

Cultivate interpersonal skills

Make sure your CV demonstrates that you have the interpersonal skills which occupational therapy requires. You might want to develop these through vounteering or something similar.

Check that the programme is accredited

Studying on a programme accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists will enable you to work abroad. Programmes accredited by the College meet the standards of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). All the programmes on this site and in the Careers Handbook are fully accredited.

Take time over your personal statement

When applying for an occupational therapy programme, either through UCAS or directly to the higher education institutions, you will be asked to write a personal statement.

Allow yourself plenty of time to think about what you want to say. Course tutors will pay a lot of attention to your personal statement and it will probably inform early conversations with programme tutors.

This statement gives you the opportunity to sell yourself. You should include any experiences you have of working in or visiting occupational therapy departments and what you have learnt from them.

Explain why you are interested in occupational therapy and provide a clear picture of personal qualities and skills you feel you will bring to the profession. Write something about your preferred methods of learning and your continued commitment to learning.