Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a very rewarding profession in which you will make a real difference to people's quality of life. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to enable them to participate in the daily activities that are important to them. You will work with people with a range of physical and mental health challenges in settings as diverse as schools, prisons, hospitals, the community and many more.

Established in 1752, St George's, University of London is the UK's specialist health university, and we are the only UK university to share our campus with a major teaching hospital. You will have opportunities to learn with students and professionals from a variety of healthcare professions that you will go on to work with. On graduation, you'll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).

Read more information about our courses and university services terms and conditions.

This course is currently offered through a partnership with Kingston University, the Joint Faculty of Health Social Care and Education. For students enrolling from 2022, the course will be delivered through a structure which is the sole responsibility of St George's, University of London, our Institute of Medical and Biomedical Education. There will be no impact on the teaching or the award of the degree. See further information.

• NHS funding offers eligible new and continuing students on this course £5,000 maintenance grant each year.

• Accredited by the HCPC and RCOT, eligible to register for professional practice on successful completion.

• 1,000 hours of practice placement experience within a diverse range of settings, for example, in acute and community hospitals, schools and forensics units.

• Benefit from well-established links with local NHS and social care organisations.

• Cutting-edge facilities include our dedicated Art of Living Suite with simulated kitchen and bathroom, which enable you to learn skills for practice within a safe environment, as well as access to our pathology museum, anatomy and dissection rooms.

• Established in 1752, St George’s, University of London is the UK’s specialist health university, and we are the only UK university to share our campus with a major teaching hospital, St George’s University Hospitals NHS Foundation Trust, which is both on the clinical frontline for a diverse local community and a centre of excellence for specialist conditions.

Overall score of 32

15 points at Higher Level, including a minimum grade 5 in Biology and Chemistry.

At Standard Level, a minimum score of 5 must be attained in Maths and English, if at least a 6 (B) has not previously been attained in GCSE/IGCSE Maths and English. We accept both Mathematics: analysis & approaches and Mathematics: applications & interpretations. 

While the St George's programmes are recognised by many different countries, applicants are advised to check with their own individual national authorities if they wish to practise in their chosen country.

More occupational therapists are needed across the UK to help address the growing number of people who need their support now, as well as those who will require it in the future. 

Career prospects are excellent with opportunities for career progression within the NHS and other settings through professional practice and development into Senior Occupational Therapist and Advanced Practitioner roles, as well as progression into management, education and training, or academic career pathways. 

On completion of this degree, you will be eligible to apply both for professional registration with the HCPC and membership of the RCOT. If you are an EU or non-EU (international) applicant, you should check with the professional registration body in your country to ensure that you will be eligible to practise there. 

As well as working with individual patients and their families, you could also work with groups and communities, or as part of a multidisciplinary team in hospitals, clinics, charities, prisons and social services departments. As you gain experience, you may opt to specialise in a particular area of practice such as mental health, hand therapy, elderly care or paediatrics. The skills you'll develop could lend themselves to new emerging roles too, such as working with asylum seekers or refugees, the police or the fire services. 

There are many exciting opportunities for career advancement, further study or research, including further postgraduate study at St George's on our MSc Rehabilitation course.