A level results are out on 15 August. If you are still considering your options and looking at a career in healthcare, occupational therapy could be the move for you.
Occupational therapy is an exciting and rewarding career and offers you the chance to make a difference, a high degree of flexibility and excellent employment prospects. You’ll join colleagues working with people across the UK every day, to help improve their lives.
Occupational therapists are problem-solvers, you'll use your expertise to find creative and practical solutions to the many challenges that people face. You'll work with individuals and empower them to continue with activities that are important to them; from being able to continue living in their homes, to reading bedtime stories to their children.
As you progress your career you’ll have many opportunities to continually learn, develop your skills across a multitude of areas. You’ll work in a multidisciplinary team in a range of settings from hospitals and clinics to charities, prisons and social services departments.
How to become an occupational therapist?
You’ll need to train and study at undergraduate degree level (through a full-time course or degree apprenticeship) or if you already have a relevant degree, at Masters level through a 2-year accelerated programme. Entry requirements vary depending on where you’d like to study.
If you’ve passed at least two A levels (ideally three) at moderate to high grades, or have equivalent qualifications at level 3, you may still find vacancies through clearing or you could take a gap year and apply to start a course in September 2020.
- Find more information about how to become an occupational therapist.
- Information about clearing and occupational therapy courses (UCAS).
Good luck with your results whatever you want to do.