Program Overview

Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

Overview

This course has been designed to provide students with the opportunity to study Occupational Therapy BSc(Hons) whilst being employed in a health or social care role. It helps students gain a strong grounding in the theory exploring what is involved in the various components of occupational therapy practice.

Why Study Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) BSc(Hons)

During this course, students will work with people of all ages in different situations, assessing their needs and collaboratively developing interventions facilitating them to achieve their potential and enjoy maximum quality of life. This will assist students in developing an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy through placements in different settings, including old people’s homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities, and prisons.

Entry Requirements

• A Level - BBB
• BTEC - DDM
• Merit in T Level in Health or Healthcare Science
• DDM in BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care or Applied Science
• NCFE CACHE Technical Level 3 Extended Diploma/Level 3 Extended Diploma in Health and Social Care at Grade B
• Access to Higher Education Diploma with 45 Level 3 credits, 30 at Distinction and 15 at Merit
• Be at least 16 years old
• Be employed in a Health or Social Care setting and supported by your employer to undertake the course
• Be employed in a role relevant to your apprenticeship for more than 30 hours per week in England (or have at least 50% of their working hours in England)
• Have lived in the EEA for the past 3 years and currently reside in the United Kingdom
• Be paid more than the Apprenticeship National Minimal Wage
• Have an understanding of the Occupational Therapy profession
• Have GCSE English Language or English Literature and Mathematics at grade 4 or above, or grade C or above if awarded under the previous GCSE grading scheme, or equivalent
• Be ‘eligible’ as outlined in ESFA’s Funding Rules

Course Detail

Year 1

• Context of Occupation and Practice: This module examines different contexts in which occupational therapy is practiced.
• Foundations of Occupational Therapy: This module examines the key concepts, foundations, and philosophy of occupational therapy practice.
• Health and Occupational Performance: This module explores health from an occupational perspective, including the relationship between health and occupation.
• Occupational Disruption: This module explores health from an occupational perspective, including the relationship between health and occupation.
• Practice Based Learning (1): Students will be introduced to a variety of occupational therapy practice settings through completing a practice placement.
• Professional Skills Development: This module provides the opportunity for students to develop the fundamental academic skills to understand and report current relevant research.

Year 2

• Enabling Occupational Performance for Groups and Communities: In this module, students will explore issues of assessing, enabling, and enhancing the occupational performance of communities and groups of people.
• Enabling Occupational Performance for Individuals: In this module, students will explore issues of assessing, enabling, and enhancing the occupational performance of individuals.
• Practice Based Learning (2A): This module provides the opportunity to complete a six-week placement in a practice environment.
• Practice Based Learning (2B): Students will have the opportunity to complete a six-week placement during which they will apply their occupational therapy skills in a wider variety of contexts.

Year 3

• Applied Evidence and Research: This module is designed to equip learners with the skills and knowledge necessary to critically engage with research methodologies and evidence-based practices within their clinically relevant fields.
• Broadening Occupational Therapy Practice: This module involves focusing in-depth on an area of occupational therapy in a variety of contexts such as health, social care, and third sector.
• Integration of Occupational Therapy Practice: Students will have the opportunity to further develop their understanding of the theories, principles, and concepts, which influence current practice within occupational therapy.
• Leadership and Transition to Practice: This module involves the consolidation of occupational therapy practice skills by focusing on how health and social care is provided in the UK and how leadership at all levels is an important part of this.
• Practice Based Learning (3): Students will have the opportunity to work with increasing independence by learning how to manage their time and prioritize their workload during an eight-week placement within the NHS, social care, or non-traditional settings.

Placements

Practice-based learning is an important and compulsory part of the course, so practice-based learning placements are undertaken throughout the three years. Students are required to successfully complete 1000 hours of assessed professional practice throughout the course in a range of health, social, and third sector care settings, outside of their usual employment environment.

Fees and Finance

As an apprentice, there is no tuition fee to pay for the higher or degree apprenticeship. Tuition fees are covered by the employer and the government through the levy. As students will be paid employees, they are not able to take out a student loan.

Career Opportunities

Career opportunities after successfully completing this course could include working as an Occupational Therapist in NHS, private, and voluntary healthcare services. Additionally, students may diversify into related areas of work, including healthcare management, the educational sector, or research.

Accreditations and Professional Links

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Courses accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists also receive accreditation from the World Federation of Occupational Therapy. These accreditations are reviewed on a regular basis. The course is also regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Research Excellence

The University of Huddersfield is in the top 50 UK universities for Research Power. Three-quarters of all its research is world-leading and internationally excellent. Over 60% of its research environment was classified as world-leading and internationally excellent, especially in Music, Biological Sciences, Architecture and Built Environment, Social Work and Social Policy, History, and Communication and Media Studies.

Student Support

At the University of Huddersfield, students will find support networks and services to help them get ahead in their studies and social life. Whether students study at undergraduate or postgraduate level, they will soon discover that they are never far away from the University’s dedicated staff and resources to help them navigate through their personal student journey.

Further Study

Progression to one of the University’s Workforce Development courses could include studying a specialist short course, Postgraduate Certificate, Master’s, or Master’s by Research. The University’s courses are designed to assist students in developing their career and skills in specialist areas of clinical practice.

Important Information

When students enroll as apprentice learners of the University, their study and time with the University will be governed by a framework of regulations, policies, and procedures, which form the basis of their agreement with the University. These include regulations regarding the assessment of their course, academic integrity, their conduct (including attendance), and the University’s disciplinary procedure. It is essential that students familiarize themselves with these as they will be asked to agree to them when they join the University as an apprentice.

The Office for Students (OfS) is the principal regulator for the University. The ESFA is the principal regulator for the apprenticeship course.

Termination of Employment

As the employer is funding the apprenticeship course, students must remain in relevant employment for the duration of the course until they have completed their end-point assessment. Under the apprenticeship rules, if students are made redundant and they have completed 75% of the practical period or have less than 6 months left, then they may complete the course. Otherwise, unless students find alternative relevant employment within 12 weeks of the date they are made redundant, then they will be withdrawn from the course.