Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes
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Occupational therapists have the privilege of working with people of all ages, helping them to participate in occupations that hold personal meaning and value to them.

Year of entry

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

B920

Start date

September 2024


Course overview

  • Accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)1.
  • All home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs6.
  • Teaching facilities including dedicated laboratories for anatomy, electrotherapy and manual skills, hospital wards, critical care settings, community housing and other real-life environments relevant to practice4.
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Joint Top Modern University for Career Prospects

Guardian University Guide 2021 and 2022

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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Top 5 UK Student City (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2023

Why you should study this course

Occupational therapists can empower individuals, groups and communities to participate in the everyday occupations that are central to their health and wellbeing, to their sense of who they are, and to the life they want to lead. They work with people across the lifespan in a range of circumstances to address the barriers that prevent them from engaging in the everyday activities that they want and need to do.

  • This course aims to provide you with the knowledge, skills and experience required for an occupational therapist, through academic study and professional practice placements (help searching for a placement is provided by the university)5. You will explore the power of occupation to transform people’s lives and be supported to develop a professional approach that is compassionate and respectful. You will be encouraged to think in creative and critical ways to give you the opportunity to develop sustainable solutions to complex problems, and you will also have the opportunity to develop effective leadership and communication skills.
  • Successful completion of our Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) will provide you with an academic qualification, and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to seek practise as an occupational therapist (application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements, membership and registration fees/additional fees may apply). Our course is also accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the 2023/2024 intake, and successful completion therefore confers eligibility to apply for membership of the RCOT and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists which can assist you to make the most of national and global professional opportunities (application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements, membership and registration fees/additional fees may also apply). Please see the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section and the HCPC and RCOT websites for further information.
  • Upon successful completion, our course aims to help develop you in being flexible and adaptable in response to evolving healthcare provision, whilst upholding professional standards of practice - key skills of an occupational therapist
  • Your learning experience through academic study and professional practice placements is designed to support you to adopt the professional values and behaviours expected of an occupational therapist such as empowering service users, collaborative working, ethical decision-making, and delivering and evaluating interventions based upon the best available evidence.
  • Throughout the course you will also be supported to take responsibility for your personal and professional development, for example through discussions with your Academic and Personal Tutor, opportunities for reflection, and supervision with your professional practice educators. The skills you should develop are intended to lay the foundations for your continuing professional development throughout your potential future occupational therapy career following graduation.
  • A distinctive feature of our course is our approach to teaching and learning. Our simulation facilities in the Alison Gingell Building will enable you the opportunity to practise occupational therapy skills in realistic settings. We are proud of our creative approach to assessment which aims to provide you with varied opportunities to demonstrate knowledge and skills in areas relevant to practice. Service user involvement in the teaching and learning process provides you with the chance for real-world experience and feedback. There may also be opportunities for collaborative learning with students undertaking other professional healthcare courses at Coventry University.
  • Our strong focus on employability means that career options for our graduates are excellent. Upon successful completion, a degree in occupational therapy can open the door to a wide range of rewarding career options.
8th

Coventry University ranked 8th for Health Professions

Guardian University Guide 2023

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited1 and recognised by the following bodies:

HCPC Health and Care Professions Councils logo

Health and Care Professions Council

Successful completion of our Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons) provides you with an academic qualification, and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practise as an occupational therapist (additional fees may apply). Please visit the HCPC website for further information.


Royal College of Occupational Therapists Accredited logo

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Our course is also accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the 2023/2024 intake and successful completion therefore confers eligibility to apply for membership of the RCOT and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists which can assist you to make the most of national and global professional opportunities (application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements. membership and registration fees/additional fees may also apply). Please visit the RCOT and WFOT websites for further information.

When enrolled on the course, you are eligible to become a student member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (subject to application and additional costs may apply).



What you'll study

The first year aims to develop your understanding of the fundamentals of Occupational Therapy, including human anatomy and physiology and the importance of Occupation to an individual’s identity and wellbeing.

Modules

In year two you will explore the importance of evidence-informed practice in occupational therapy and should build on your understanding of the significant difference occupational therapists make in the quality of life of service users. You will further have the chance to develop your theoretical understanding and practical application of occupational therapy practice.

Modules

In the final year you will be encouraged to look at how to prepare for entering the workplace as a qualified occupational therapist upon graduation (and registration with the HCPC). You will study leadership and management in an occupational therapy context and have the opportunity to choose from a range of option modules to study an aspect of occupational therapy of particular interest to you.

Modules

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.


How you'll learn

Teaching and learning at Coventry University has been designed to support you to actively engage in learning and learning activities. This aims to ensure that learning is applied with problems and activities as a stimulus for learning, that students have the opportunity to interact regularly with staff and peers, and that content is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all.

Teaching and learning at Coventry University has been designed to support you to actively engage in learning and learning activities. This aims to ensure that learning is applied with problems and activities as a stimulus for learning, that students have the opportunity to interact regularly with staff and peers, and that content is designed to be inclusive and accessible to all.

Blended learning approaches and problem-based learning together with formal lectures aim to encourage you to explore theory and research during self-directed study time and aim to help facilitate your development as an independent lifelong learner. You will be fully supported in these ways of learning through the use of comprehensive study guides and resource lists. Theory should be applied and practical skills should be developed during simulation activity, seminars and practical workshops in groups of around 25 students.

There are three professional practice placements5 totalling around 28 weeks of full-time clinical practice, which are integrated throughout the course. These provide opportunities for you to develop professional competence and a professional identity in a range of health and social care settings.

The number of contact hours of teaching will vary between semesters but averages at around 16 hours per week, across each year of study. This is supplemented with mandatory lecture content and online learning. In addition, you will be expected to undertake significant self-directed study of a minimum of 20 hours each week, depending on the demands of individual modules.

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.


Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods include:

  • Placement competencies
  • Coursework
  • Digital portfolios
  • Practical assessments
  • Reports
  • Group work elements
  • Presentations/posters

This course uses varied assessment methods, moving away from the traditional written exams, to assess you in an authentic way reflecting the challenges faced in the clinical context and allowing you the opportunity to demonstrate your creativity and digital fluency. 

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.


International experience opportunities

Our course provides international learning experiences to help prepare you for the global employment market as well as strengthen and develop your broader intercultural, personal and professional skills2.


Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Requirement What we're looking for
UCAS points 112
A level BBC (Excludes General Studies).
GCSE Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC DDM in a Health, Sport or Science based subject.
Access Diploma The Access to HE Diploma in a Health related subject to include 36 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme 29 points to include 16 points at Higher level

We recognise a breadth of qualifications, speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

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Additional requirements

  • Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
  • Health checks
  • Interview
  • A minimum of two days occupational therapy work experience is required.

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

Are you eligible for the Fair Access Scheme?

We believe every student should have the opportunity to dream big, reach their potential and succeed, regardless of their background. Find out more about our Fair Access Scheme.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:


You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying an International Foundation Year - Public Health as this will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. You will also be required to provide information about your COVID-19 vaccination status. We therefore recommend that you are fully vaccinated including the COVID-19 vaccine. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is therefore unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered5.

Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section5.

English language requirements

  • IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course. 

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

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Fees and funding

2024/25 tuition fees.

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man £9,250 per year Not available
EU £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
£19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International £19,850 per year Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible home students for each year of study. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see the university’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.


Facilities

Our multi-million-pound Alison Gingell Building features a range of mock healthcare settings, including hospital wards, ambulance, therapy suites and community houses, giving you the opportunity to replicate real-life situations before you go on placement4.

Hospital Wards

Hospital Wards

We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing 4 beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.

Alison Gingell

Alison Gingell Building

Get hands-on experience simulating real-life situations with our mock ambulance, community houses, operating theatre, scrub room, and therapy suites.

Community Houses

Community Houses

Our two full-size community homes can be used for sessions simulating working with patients outside of a hospital setting.

 

Careers and opportunities

The teaching and learning approaches used within the course aim to allow you to develop a wide range of practical and academic skills required to meet the expanding role and diverse career pathways of occupational therapists within the contemporary healthcare setting upon graduation. For example, you will have a choice of optional modules in final year to give you the chance to develop skills in a specialist area of practice.

Your three professional practice placements5 provide opportunities for you to develop professional competence and a professional identity in a range of health and social care settings.

The occupational therapy course team is committed to preparing you for your future career and giving you a competitive edge in the graduate job market. Throughout the course you will have the chance to record your learning experiences in an e-portfolio which aims to provide a foundation for a professional lifelong learning commitment, and the opportunity to fulfil one of the requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council, with the aim of enhancing employability upon successful completion.

The final year modules are designed to facilitate your preparation for potential entry into the occupational therapy profession upon graduation. A dedicated module exploring employability aims to help to equip you with the skills needed to secure your potential first job and flourish professionally within public, private or third sector organisations upon graduation. We usually hold an annual occupational therapy Careers Fair which aims to allow you to explore the career opportunities following graduation and, in some cases, apply and be interviewed there and then.

There is strong demand and excellent employment options for occupational therapists. Our courses are developed collaboratively with key stakeholders including practice partners and service users with the aim of producing graduates with the knowledge and practical skills desired by potential employers.

On graduation, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council allowing you the opportunity to work as an occupational therapist in the UK (please note registration is subject to application, availability, meeting any applicable visa requirements, membership/registration and additional fees may apply). Please visit the Accreditation and Professional Recognition section and the HCPC website for further information.

The expanding role of the occupational therapist within both the public, charity and private sectors offers many career pathways within the NHS, social care, industry, community settings, and the private, independent and voluntary sectors. Our placement opportunities5 throughout the course aim to reflect these diverse options. Upon successful completion, your qualification may also allow you to apply for overseas accreditation to work abroad*. Our course aims to provide international learning experiences to help prepare you for the global employment market as well as strengthen and develop your broader personal and professional skills upon successful completion.

*Acceptance of HCPC accreditation to practise overseas is determined by the individual countries and may change over time2.

Where our graduates work

Our previous occupational therapy graduates have gone on to work in a range of professional roles, in the NHS, social services, charities and private companies in the UK and around the world.

Graduate Immigration Route visa

Based on current information from the UK Government, international students whose study extends beyond summer 2021 may be eligible for a visa under the UK Government’s Graduate Immigration Route, which will enable students to stay and work, or look for work, in the UK at any skill level for up to two (2) years. Check the most up to date guidance available to check your eligibility and any updates from the UK Government before making an application or enrolment decision.


How to apply

Full-time students applying to start in September 2024 can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

Part-time students should apply directly to the university.


If you'd like further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

International codes:
HLSU199

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree view our International hub.

You can also download our International guide which contains lots of useful information about our courses, accommodation and tips for travel.

This course with foundation year is not currently available to international students. If you do not meet the entry requirements to directly join year 1 of the degree, please take a look at our International Pathways Programme for additional options.


Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.


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