Program Overview

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy with Foundation Year

Overview

Occupational therapists recognize the interaction between the person, their environment, and the activities that they complete in everyday life. They promote independence by taking a ‘whole-person approach’ to both mental and physical health, thus enabling individuals to achieve their full potential.

Why Choose This Course?

This BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy course enables you to develop the knowledge and skills to become a safe, competent, and effective occupational therapy practitioner. Upon successful completion of the course, you can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice as an occupational therapist.

What's Unique About This Course?

• Our Foundation Year program has been designed to prepare you for studying at undergraduate level and provide you with the required skills and knowledge to transition effectively into Level 4 study.
• Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession.
• Realistic simulated learning on campus to prepare you for your career ahead, including use of a 'home environment' and learning opportunities from service users.
• The course has been designed in collaboration with local employers, service users, and carers to ensure graduates meet the expectations and requirements of the local community you will be working within.
• You will be taught at the friendly, self-contained Walsall Campus, which is home to other health and social care students, giving you the opportunity to make friends and learn from your fellow students.

Course Modules

Year 1

• Equality, Diversity, Inclusion, and Ethics
• Factors Affecting Health
• Interprofessional Working
• Introduction to Higher Education
• Introduction to the Human Body
• Preparing for a Professional Course

Year 2

• Foundations and Context of Occupation
• Human Sciences
• Interpersonal and Communication Skills (IPE)
• Practice-Based Learning I
• Professional Governance

Year 3

• Applied Models and Theories of Occupational Therapy
• Clinical Governance and Evidence-Based Practice
• Enhancing Human Occupation
• Practice-Based Learning II

Year 4

• Continuing Professional Practice
• Effective Collaborative Practice
• Practice-Based Learning III
• Practice-Based Learning IV
• Professional Dissertation

Potential Career Paths

Upon registration with the HCPC, you will be able to work with people of all ages in a variety of in-patient and community settings, including mental health, physical health, and local authority, as well as within public, independent, private, and charitable settings, such as prisons and schools.

You will also be able to work in research, and leadership and management roles, as well as education settings as you progress in your career.

As occupational therapy education in the UK is well respected around the world, there are employment opportunities for you to work overseas, although some countries may have additional registration requirements.

Additional Information

Course Fees and Finance

• Location: Home
• Mode: Full-time
• Fee: £9250 per year (2025), £9535 per year (2020)

Entry Requirements

• Prepare for foundation pathway: Applicants who wish to access this course will be required to attend and pass a compulsory one-day Prepare for foundation program.
• Interview: If you are successful in passing this program, you will be required to attend an interview with faculty staff.
• GCSE requirements: You are required to hold GCSE English language and maths grades 9-4/A*-C or equivalent.
• Equivalency Test: If you have not achieved your Level 2 qualifications, you are eligible to take our University equivalency tests.
• Free Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) and Occupational Health Check: Due to the professional nature of some of our courses, you may also be required to complete a Declaration of Health and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check.

Who Accredits This Course?

• Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)

Funding

• Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status): Most students will be able to apply for loans to pay for these subject to eligibility.
• Self-funding: If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments.
• Financial Hardship: Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund for help with course-related costs.
• Bursaries and Scholarships: In addition, the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages.