Program Overview

Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) - MSc

Brief Description

The University of Limerick's Graduate Entry MSc in Occupational Therapy (Professional Qualification) offers a graduate route to a professional qualification as an occupational therapist. Accredited by the Association of Occupational Therapists of Ireland (AOTI), the programme is approved by CORU and recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT).

Programme Overview

Duration and Delivery

• Completed full-time over two years
• Delivered on campus and through practice-based learning
• Modules will be taught over two years during the autumn, spring, and summer semesters
• Second year includes a research project tailored to your practice and career goals

Programme Content

• Develop the clinical reasoning and practical skills to assess and support individuals in diverse healthcare and community settings
• Learn to design and implement evidence-based occupational therapy interventions that promote health and well-being
• Gain leadership and teamwork skills to collaborate effectively with healthcare professionals and advocate for occupational justice
• Complete 1,000 hours of clinical placement, applying your knowledge in real-world settings and preparing for professional practice

Year 1

Autumn Semester

• The Anatomy and Physiology of Human Performance (OT6111) introduces you to the relevant principles of human movement and function
• Occupational Therapy Approaches to Problems in Human Performance (OT6091) equips you with evidence-based interventions to support individuals with physical, cognitive, and psychosocial challenges
• Science of Occupation (OT6051) examines the relationship between occupation, health, and well-being, highlighting the role of meaningful activity in therapy
• Preparation for Practice (PR6031) develops your professional and ethical skills for working in healthcare settings
• Occupational Development through the Lifespan (OT6012) explores how occupational roles and abilities change from infancy to old age

Spring Semester

• Practice Education 1 – 4 weeks (OT6081) allows you to apply theoretical knowledge in your first supervised clinical placement in a healthcare setting
• Person-Occupation-Environment 1 (OT6062) introduces key models of occupational therapy and their application in different practice settings
• Sociology of Health and Illness for Occupational Therapy (OT6052) examines the social determinants of health and how they impact occupational engagement
• Seminar in Professional Practice Issues (OT6032) develops your critical thinking on contemporary issues in occupational therapy, including ethics and professional responsibilities
• Research Methods for Education and Health Sciences (ES6002) introduces you to key research methodologies to support evidence-based practice

Summer Semester

• Practice Education 2 – 8 weeks (OT6083) expands your clinical experience in your second placement in a healthcare setting
• Research Project 1 (CT6023) sees you work closely with your supervisor to finalise your ethics application, recruiting, and data collection
• Lifestyle Redesign through Occupation (OT6072) explores lifestyle diseases and the science behind lifestyle redesign

Year 2

Autumn Semester

• Person Occupation Environment 2 (OT6201) covers the application of therapeutic occupations and the use of appropriate resources
• Research Project 2 (CT6041) sees you work closely with your supervisor to continue data collection, analysis, and begin to write up your research
• Occupation in Context (OT6101) supports your understanding of ethical and political reasoning from an occupational therapy perspective
• Practice Education 3 - 8 weeks (OT6301) builds your professional competencies during your placement in Ireland

Spring Semester

• Innovation in Management for Health and Social Care (CT6042) introduces you to leadership and service development strategies in healthcare settings
• Engaging through Complexity (CT6052) develops your advanced clinical reasoning and ability to work with complex client needs alongside other health professionals
• Research Project 3 (CT6032) sees you work closely with your supervisor and research team to finalise your research project for dissemination
• Practice Education 4 - 9 weeks (OT6082) allows you to practice your professional skills in a healthcare setting during your placement in Ireland or abroad

Entry Requirements

• Applicants should hold a bachelor's degree (NFQ Level 8) with at least a second-class honours, grade 2 (2:2) or a postgraduate degree (NFQ Level 9 National Qualifications Authority of Ireland) in any discipline
• If you meet this requirement, the HPAT (Health Professions Admission Test-Ireland) with the written component will be used as the only way to select students for this programme
• For international candidates, the International Student Admissions Test; ISAT will be used to select candidates
• If English is not your first language and you have not studied in an English-speaking country, you must have an IELTS – composite score 7.5 and not less than 7 in any one component
• Successful applicants must have Garda clearance (student vetting form), police clearance from overseas (if applicable), health screening, CPR certification, and vaccinations before placements (any costs will be covered by the student)

Fees

• EU: €13,300 per annum
• Non-EU: €26,700 per annum
• Year 2 fees are subject to change
• Annual fees are billed by semester
• Once registered, students may be eligible to apply for a monthly payment plan

Graduate Profile

The MSc Occupational Therapy can lead graduates to the following sectors and careers:

• Occupational therapy roles in acute and community healthcare settings in Ireland and other parts of the world
• Rehabilitation and disability services
• Paediatric and occupational therapy with older people
• Private practice and consultancy in occupational therapy
• Research, education, and policy development in occupational therapy

Testimonial

Dylan Williams graduated with an MSc in Occupational Therapy in 2025: "I chose the MSc in Occupational Therapy at the University of Limerick after discovering my passion for promoting health and wellbeing during my undergraduate studies in Health Science. The programme's reputation and strong clinical focus made it the ideal next step.

The accelerated nature of the course was challenging, but the support from lecturers and collaborative group work helped manage the workload. The highlight for me was the four clinical placements, which offered invaluable hands-on experience across diverse settings and helped shape my career direction.

Since graduating, I've begun working as a staff grade Occupational Therapist in the community, supporting individuals with intellectual disabilities. The course gave me a solid foundation in clinical reasoning, confidence in practice, and a strong professional network.

My advice to future students: keep an open mind, embrace every opportunity, and trust the process. This programme truly prepared me for a rewarding career in Occupational Therapy."