Program Overview

---

Occupational Therapy MSc (Pre-registration)

Overview

Our MSc (Pre-registration) Occupational Therapy course is an accelerated qualifying programme for graduates with a suitable Bachelor’s degree (i.e. BSc/BA).

Occupational therapists play a key role in helping people regain, maintain or improve their participation in life. This course offers you the opportunity to learn from and with peers on other professional courses such as Physiotherapy. This aims to develop skilled and compassionate practitioners who have the confidence to collaborate with other professions and promote professional, social, and political change in health and social care. Our small class sizes ensure that you develop good relationships with peers and staff. Our Occupational Therapy teaching team is dynamic, innovative, and fun and share a variety of clinical, leadership and educational experience. You will be supported to gain more than 1,000 hours of practice-based learning in a variety of practice, leadership, and role-emerging settings.

Successful completion of the course allows you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and therefore is it not suitable for those who already hold registration.

We look forward to welcoming you to our close-knit University of Worcester occupational therapy community. Our Very Short Guide to Occupational Therapy offers further insights into Occupational Therapy as a career.

Key Features

• Access to Ability House, an Occupational Therapy specific simulated learning environment
• Authentic assessment opportunities including primary research and writing for publication.
• Regular opportunities to work in partnership with service users and carers
• Shared modules with MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy
• High quality learning and teaching facilitated by qualified Occupational Therapists, Physiotherapists, and other professionals
• Four full time block placements in a variety or practice, research, leadership, and role-emerging settings.

What is Occupational Therapy

£5,000 support for Occupational Therapy students

From September 2020, the Government announced that eligible students on Occupational Therapy courses will receive a payment of at least £5,000 a year, which they will not need to pay back.

Approved by the Health & Care Professions Council and accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Successful completion of the course gives you eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements

A typical applicant will demonstrate evidence of:

• A degree at 2:2 or above with evidence of knowledge or experience in the research process and / or completion of an undergraduate dissertation or independent study
• GCSE English at grade C/4 or above. University of Worcester GCSE English equivalency tests will be accepted.
• Applicants whose first language is not English and who are required to provide a language test certificate as evidence of their proficiency must ensure that it is, or is comparable to, IELTS level 7.0 with no element below 6.5 (HCPC 2018)
• A strong interest and demonstrated understanding of the breadth of the role and the skills required to be a registered occupational therapist is necessary

Additional Requirements

• We welcome applications from disabled students. More information and guidance on disability and becoming a health and care professional can be found on the Health and Care Professions Council website
• Satisfactory Occupational Health Clearance is required including fitness to undertake placement
• A strong interest and demonstrated understanding of the breadth of the role and the skills required to be a registered Occupational Therapist is necessary
• Personal attributes and values consistent with the profession including empathy, respect, compassion and the ability to listen
• No offers will be made without interview
• Meeting the minimum entry requirements does not guarantee an interview, or a place on the course

Course Content

Year 1

• Applied Health Improvement
• Professional and Collaborative Practice
• Evidence-based Occupational Therapy
• Essential Occupational Therapy Practice

Year 2

• Leading Contemporary Practice
• Critical Perspectives in Occupational Therapy
• Essential Occupational Therapy Practice
• Dissertation

Teaching and Assessment

Teaching

The MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) programme employs a broad approach to teaching. Whilst teaching is predominantly campus based, all modules will include synchronous lectures, seminars, and workshops, as well as asynchronous online delivery. The specific blend of campus based and online teaching will vary across the modules. Full details are available in module outlines, however you can expect a minimum of 10% of teaching in each module to be delivered online.

Contact Time

The MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) programme will be delivered over 2 years, across a minimum of 45 weeks of the year.

In a typical week, students will have around 10-15 hours consisting of a mix of on-campus and some on-line synchronous and asynchronous teaching. The exact blend of on-campus and on-line teaching will vary however, students can expect a minimum of 1-1.5 hours per week of on-line teaching. Students should expect to undertake between 35 and 40 hours of study each week.

Independent Self Study

In addition to the contact time, you are expected to undertake around 25-30 hours of personal self-study per week.

Duration

2 years full-time

Timetables

Timetables are normally available one month before registration. Please note that whilst we try to be as student centred as possible, scheduled teaching can take place on any day of the week; and some classes can be scheduled in the evenings.

Teaching Staff

You will be taught by a teaching team whose expertise and knowledge are closely matched to the content of the modules on the course. The team includes senior academics and professional practitioners. Service users and practicing professionals, who may deliver sessions related to their clinical speciality or health condition and experiences, also support your teaching.

Assessment

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments.

You must undertake 4 practice-based learning placements and complete a minimum of 1000 hours of practice-based learning across the two years of the course.

The course provides opportunities to test understanding and learning informally through the completion of practice or ‘formative’ assignments. Each module has one or more formal or ‘summative’ assessment which is graded and counts towards the overall module grade.

Careers

Occupational Therapists are employed in a wide range of organisations and specialities. Many work for the National Health Service and Social Care organisations but there is a growing body of therapists employed by Charities, Voluntary Organisation and in Private Practice. Occupational Therapists work with people of all ages from childhood through to the end of life and support people with physical and mental health needs, learning disabilities and those whose opportunities are restricted by circumstance.

Students are prepared in the MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) course to work in the constantly changing nature of employment as an Occupational Therapist in the modern world. Practical interview and self-development skills are taught and practised and students have opportunities to meet with local employers to develop an understanding of what makes a successful candidate for a specific job role. Opportunities are provided for students to explore the employment possibilities of the NHS, Social Care, Private Sector and Voluntary Organisations.

Fees and Funding

Course Fees

• UK and EU students: £9,535 per year (subject to approval)

Additional Costs

• We offer a wide range of professionally accredited and vocational courses that require the purchase of, among other things, uniforms, equipment, subscriptions, professional body memberships and DBS checks, and may require you to pay to attend conferences or participate in placements. Students are required to meet all costs associated with placement e.g. travel costs to and from placement.

Financial Support

• Students applying for this course may be eligible for a student loan from Student Finance England. To register and start the application process, please visit the Student Finance England website.

How to Apply

Please make your application via our online application form. If you have any questions about applying, please contact the Admissions office.