About

Our Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship is aimed at those employed in occupational therapy support roles.

Apprentices will learn about the philosophy and theoretical underpinnings of occupational therapy and occupational science, develop knowledge and skills in the workplace and engage with professional development requirements in order to successfully complete the degree Apprenticeship and be eligible for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council, enabling apprentices to develop a career across a range of settings in health, social care, education, research and beyond.

The Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship is fully integrated with the EPA included within the 3 year (full time) programme. Apprentices with a first degree or substantial relevant experiences may be eligible to apply for recognition of prior learning enabling them to enter the programme at level 5.

Apprenticeship programmes at Northumbria University are designed to support apprentices in acquiring the appropriate knowledge, skills and behaviour and retain the integrity of the apprenticeship standard as defined by IFATE. For further details please consult the IFATE Apprenticeship standards / Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education website for the Occupational Therapist (Integrated Degree) Apprenticeship standard here.

Requirements

Entry Requirements

Entry Requirements 2025/26

Standard Entry

Applicants must be employed in a relevant role, such as an occupational therapy assistant, technical instructor or assistant practitioner with the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts directly to their personal and professional work experience.

Potential apprentices will need:

112 UCAS Tariff points

From a combination of acceptable Level 3 qualifications which may include: A-levels, BTEC Diplomas/Extended Diplomas, Scottish and Irish Highers, Access to HE Diplomas or the International Baccalaureate.

We may also consider applicants with non-standard qualifications, or a significant amount of relevant work-based experience evidenced through a portfolio of evidence mapped against the RCOT career development framework.

Entry to Level 5 of the programme will be possible with relevant qualifications and experience evidenced through a portfolio of evidence mapped against the learning outcomes of level 4 and the RCOT career development framework.

English Language Requirements:

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with 6.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent).

GCSE requirements:

It is a requirement that all apprentices have acquired and can evidence level 2 Maths and English qualifications at GCSE grade C/4 or above before completion of the programme. For any applicants to a degree apprenticeship programme who cannot provide evidence of level 2 maths and English qualifications on entry, NU will work with a designated level 2 provider to facilitate both an initial diagnostic test and learning support and assessment leading to the required qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students can apply for exemption from studying individual modules or an entire stage of a programme on the basis of prior learning. The prior learning and experience of each applicant is mapped against the programme learning outcomes and apprenticeship standards in compliance with ESFA policy on initial skills assessment and the NU Process for Management of Degree Apprenticeship Students: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

English Program Requirements

International applicants should have a minimum overall IELTS (Academic) score of 7 with 6.5 in each component (or an approved equivalent).

GCSE requirements:

It is a requirement that all apprentices have acquired and can evidence level 2 Maths and English qualifications at GCSE grade C/4 or above before completion of the programme. For any applicants to a degree apprenticeship programme who cannot provide evidence of level 2 maths and English qualifications on entry, NU will work with a designated level 2 provider to facilitate both an initial diagnostic test and learning support and assessment leading to the required qualification.

Recognition of Prior Learning

Students can apply for exemption from studying individual modules or an entire stage of a programme on the basis of prior learning. The prior learning and experience of each applicant is mapped against the programme learning outcomes and apprenticeship standards in compliance with ESFA policy on initial skills assessment and the NU Process for Management of Degree Apprenticeship Students: Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL).

Career

We guide both employer and apprentice through the application and funding process and will be on hand to assist you during the apprenticeship journey.

To start the application process for either current employees or new recruits contact our Sales and Business Development team today by email or complete our online enquiry form below.

All apprentices are required to be in full-time employment to study the Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship. If you are interested in studying this apprenticeship and you are in current full-time employment complete our online enquiry form. Alternatively, you can call 0191 215 6300.

If you are not in full-time employment but would like to study this apprenticeship programme, keep checking our vacancies page for information regarding job opportunities.

Skills Assessment

Before entry onto the programme, all Apprenticeship applicants must complete an Initial Skills Assessment which maps their prior knowledge against the apprenticeship standard. This is part of the University’s regulatory funding obligations. The purpose of an apprenticeship is to provide new learning and the skills assessment will be used to establish whether we need to tailor your programme in any way to account for your previous qualifications or experience. It also provides a benchmark against which to map your progress on the programme.

Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship | Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)