Programme types and placements
There are a number of different educational programmes across the UK at undergraduate and postgraduate levels, with programmes combining both practical and academic study
All programmes will leave you eligible to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council (HPC), but they will get you to that point through a variety of methods and experiences.
Academic course components include:
- biological sciences (anatomy and physiology)
- behavioural sciences (psychology and sociology)
- occupational therapy knowledge and skills
- creative and management skills
- therapeutic interventions
- environmental adaptations
- research methods and applications.
Placements
A minimum of 1,000 hours, typically a third of the course, is spent on practice placements. Students gain experience in the main areas of occupational therapy through placements of varying lengths, usually covering physical rehabilitation, learning disabilities, mental health or social care and, increasingly, in new and emerging areas.
Students also learn how to assess people in their community and then jointly decide how to use purposeful and meaningful occupations to achieve agreed goals. This normally occurs under the guidance of an occupational therapist, with you as the student responsible for a group of clients.
Programme types
Standard full-time programmes
These are three-year BSc Hons degrees (four years in Scotland).
Accelerated post graduate programmes
These are full time over two years and are for graduates who already hold a degree, usually in a related field, and have some experience of working in health or social care settings. These programmes award a Graduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy, a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy or an MSc in Occupational Therapy.
In-service BSc Hons degree/part-time BSc Hons degree
These four-year programmes are for support staff who have the backing of their employer to undertake further training. Study is usually done two days a week, whilst you continue to work in the support post on the other days.
Part-time BSc Hons degree programmes
These usually take four years and are also two days a week, but students need not be employed in health or social care.
Full-time work-based learning BSc Hons degree
This is currently offered only through Sheffield Hallam University and takes two and a half years to complete. Students are employed by the sponsoring health care trust and continue to work there after completion.
Find out more
Read more about choosing an Occupational Therapy programme, details of OT study around the UK, applying and tips for your application.
