Program Overview

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Overview

Become an occupational therapist. Learn how you can help people of all ages and ability do the everyday things they want and need to do.

Summary

A fulfilling course, BSc (Hons) occupational therapy produces passionate occupational therapists of the future.

This course is about learning how to help people of all ages and ability to do the everyday things they want and need to do. You will explore how to use activity and occupation as a treatment, how to find solutions for people who encounter physical, mental or environmental barriers.

This World Federation of Occupational Therapists approved course allows you to take your degree from Ulster University anywhere in the world.

Practicing your new skills in a range of clinical placements across the NI Health and Social Care Trusts will allow you broaden your experience and get you practice ready.

About this course

About

This course prepares and develops students to become occupational therapists who are competent to work within therapeutic teams both in hospitals and in the community. They will work with client groups from the new-born to the elderly. Applicants should have a high level of personal integrity and initiative, tact and sound judgement, organisational ability, and a genuine interest in people.

Students who successfully complete the programme will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health Care Professions Council and full membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists.

The course is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and employment opportunities exist in many parts of the world.

As occupational therapy students, student membership of The Royal College of Occupational Therapists is recommended. This is a small annual fee and it is the responsibility of each student to pay this fee.

Attendance

Three years full-time including placement blocks. Campus attendance is typically 18-20 timetabled hours per week between 09.15 am and 5.15 pm Monday - Friday including lectures, seminars and practical workshops.

Placement blocks range from 4-8 weeks across the three year programme, with full time attendance required.

Start dates

• September 2025

Modules

Year one

• Foundations for Interprofessional Practice
• Foundations for Occupational Therapy Study and Practice
• Children, Young People and Families
• Anatomy and Physiology for Occupational Function
• Occupational Therapy with Adults: 1
• Practice Skills and Practice Based Learning

Year two

• Practice-based Learning 2
• Occupational Therapy with Adults: 2
• Occupational Well-being and Therapeutic Group Work
• Health Science Research
• Environmental Contexts Enabling Participation
• Vocational Rehabilitation

Year three

• Research Project
• Practice Based Learning in Role-Emerging Settings
• Practice-based Learning 4
• Personal and Professional Development
• Innovation and Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice
• Practice Development Workshops

Standard entry conditions

A level

Grades BBB

Applied General Qualifications

RQF Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma/OCR Cambridge Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma

Award profile of DDM

We will also accept smaller BTEC/OCR qualifications (ie Diploma or Extended Certificate/Introductory Diploma/Subsidiary Diploma) in combination with A Levels or other acceptable Level 3 qualifications.

Irish Leaving Certificate

Grades H3,H3,H3,H3,H3. Plus English Language and Mathematics Grade H6 at Higher Level or Grade O4 at Ordinary Level

Access to Higher Education (HE)

Overall profile of 65% (120 credit Access course) (NI Access course), including 65% in each Level 3 module. To include a 20 credit Level 2 Mathematics module, passed at 40% or successful completion of NICATS Mathematics as part of the pre-2021 Access Diploma

GCSE

For full-time study, you must satisfy the General Entrance Requirements for admission to a first degree course and hold a GCSE pass at Grade C/4 or above in English Language, additionally GCSE Mathematics Grade C/4

English Language Requirements

English language requirements for international applicants
The minimum requirement for this course is Academic IELTS 7.0 with no band score less than 6.5. Trinity ISE: Pass at level III also meets this requirement for Tier 4 visa purposes

Careers & opportunities

Job roles

• NHS
• Private and Voluntary sector
• Band 5 Occupational Therapist

Career options

There are opportunities for occupational therapists to work in hospitals. However, with the movement towards community care, many more will work with patients in their own homes, rehabilitation centres, day hospitals and schools. Private practice is also seen as a developing area

The majority of occupational therapy graduates gain employment in the NHS. However, some therapists are transferring their valuable skills beyond the traditional routes and are choosing to work in non-traditional organisations, charities or equipment manufacturers and suppliers. Others go further afield and obtain employment in New Zealand, Australia, Asia and Canada

There is a strong research programme in the School of Health Sciences and there are opportunities for graduate occupational therapists to undertake higher degrees by research.There are some opportunities for graduates togo directly to PhD study after their undergraduate degree

Professional Recognition

Accreditations reflect the excellence of our teaching, research, and knowledge exchange and ensure our programmes realise the highest expectations. By studying at Ulster University you’ll gain insight and be at the forefront of current industry practices, while our many accredited degree programmes open doors to the world’s top professional organisations, making you more attractive to future employers and giving you a competitive edge in the job market

Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist

Fees and funding

Funding is available for this course - find out more

View Available Scholarships

See if you can access financial or other forms of support, including mentorship to excel in your studies

Search our Scholarships

Additional mandatory costs

It is important to remember that costs associated with accommodation, travel (including car parking charges) and normal living will need to be covered in addition to tuition fees

Where a course has additional mandatory expenses (in addition to tuition fees) we make every effort to highlight them above. We aim to provide students with the learning materials needed to support their studies. Our libraries are a valuable resource with an extensive collection of books and journals, as well as first-class facilities and IT equipment. Computer suites and free Wi-Fi are also available on each of the campuses

There are additional fees for graduation ceremonies, examination resits and library fines

Students choosing a period of paid work placement or study abroad as a part of their course should be aware that there may be additional travel and living costs, as well as tuition fees

See the tuition fees on our student guide for most up to date costs

Testimonials

"The Occupational Therapy course was much more than just completing a degree. I gained practical experience in a wide variety of placement settings, continuously learnt new things and broadened my horizons. I also made new friends and became part of a wider OT community and gained a career that I can be proud of." BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Graduate, Ulster University

"My experience of studying occupational therapy at Ulster University was rewarding, challenging and exciting! Practice placements were organised on our behalf and provided us with valuable clinical experience, to equip us for future practice. I thoroughly enjoyed learning alongside my class peer's, the support and encouragement that I received throughout my academic journey helped me to excel both personally and professionally. I highly recommend studying occupational therapy at Ulster University if you have a desire to care for and empower people, and want a rewarding university experience that enables you to challenge yourself". BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Graduate, Ulster University

"The course provided me with great practical learning which could be applied on placements and these placements were excellent and provided so much learning. The lecturers/staff were so supportive and I have made lifelong friends." BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy Graduate, Ulster University

Sustainability at Ulster

Ulster continues to develop and support sustainability initiatives with our staff, students, and external partners across various aspects of teaching, research, professional services operations, and governance

At Ulster every person, course, research project, and professional service area on every campus either does or can contribute in some way towards the global sustainability and climate change agenda

We are guided by both our University Strategy People, Place and Partnerships : Delivering Sustainable Futures for All and the UN Sustainable Development Goals

Our work in this area is already being recognised globally. Most recently by the 2024 Times Higher Education Impact rating where we were recognised as Joint 5th Globally for Outreach Activities and Joint Top 20 Globally for Sustainable Development Goal 17: Partnership for the Goals

Visit our Sustainability at Ulster destination to learn more about how the University strategy and the activities of Ulster University support each of the Sustainable Development Goals

• Sustainability at Ulster University

Faculty of Life and Health Sciences – Sustainability in Focus

Learning and Teaching

Our Faculty is dedicated to integrating sustainability across our curriculum, preparing students to address global environmental challenges

The UN Sustainable Development Goals (SDG’s) have been incorporated throughout each course within the Faculty and each module outlines how and where they meet these SDG’s

Subject specific guidance on sustainability has been provided in the QAA benchmarks statements for Biomedical Science and Biomedical Sciences; Biosciences; Chemistry; Optometry; Psychology; Earth Sciences; Veterinary Nursing; Agriculture; Rural –Environmental Sciences; Animal Studies; Consumer Science; Forestry, Food Horticulture –and –Human Nutrition; Health Studies; Earth Sciences and Geography

Research and Knowledge Exchange

Our Faculty has key centres of research excellence within all Schools and our interdisciplinary approach brings together researchers from diverse fields to develop impactful solutions

By advancing knowledge in various fields within the faculty, we aim to identify sustainable approaches to:

• Health promotion
• Achieving food security improved nutrition and promoting sustainable agriculture
• Ensuring healthy lives and promote wellbeing
• Promoting lifelong learning opportunities for all
• Achieving gender equality and empowering all women and girls
• Ensuring availability and sustainable management of water and sanitation for all
• Taking urgent action to combat climate change and its impacts
• Conserving and sustainably using the oceans, seas and marine resources for sustainable development
• Promoting sustainable use of terrestrial ecosystems
• Promoting peaceful and inclusive societies for sustainable development
• Implementation and revitalisation of the Global Partnership for Sustainable Development

External Partnerships

Collaboration is key to driving sustainability. Our Faculty partners with external stakeholders including professional bodies and learned societies to enhance the sustainability journey for all our students and to promote sustainable practices

External partnerships enable us to apply research and innovation to real-world challenges. We drive meaningful change in local communities, industries, and global ecosystems, fostering a more sustainable society through impactful projects and community engagement

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