Occupational Therapy (pre-registration)

The foundation of this course is the inter-professional learning approach to develop and promote a culture of wellness in health and social care. Students on this pre-registration MSc Occupational Therapy course can experience collaborative approaches to learning and teaching that will challenge traditional perceptions of healthcare provision.

A variety of learning and teaching strategies will be used to cater for the individual needs of students on the programme. These strategies may include lectures, seminars, workshops, small group activity, self-assessment, case studies, library based resources, clinical skills sessions, virtual learning, simulation, and practice-based learning.

In addition to academic-based learning in a modern university setting students will have the opportunity to experience over 1,000 hours of practice-based learning in a variety of clinical settings.

In the second year, students have the opportunity to develop a role emerging placement to explore an area where occupational therapists havent traditionally worked before, subject to achieving the minimum requirements for supported practice learning.

To find out more about occupational therapy, please visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapy website at: https://www.rcot.co.uk/ and http://bit.ly/octherapy

Contact Hours and Independent Study

Contact hours may vary for each year of your course. Students will be engaged in a two-year full-time course and so, at the very least, should expect to undertake a minimum of 37 hours of study each week during term-time. There may also be assignments set outside of term time. The composition and delivery of the course varies for each module. Each year of the course runs from January to December.

Master's level study involves a significant proportion of independent study, exploring the material covered in lectures, seminars and practice-based learning. As a general guide, for every hour spent in class, students are expected to spend two to three hours in independent study.

MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) is a science-based programme designed to prepare graduates for work in a variety of settings, including health organisations, social care services, housing, education, voluntary organisations, or as independent practitioners.

This programme is suited to those who want to fulfil, or work towards fulfilling their potential as an occupational therapist, to promote function, quality of life, and the realisation of potential in people who are experiencing occupational deprivation, imbalance, or alienation. They believe that activity can be an effective medium for remediating dysfunction, facilitating adaptation, and recreating identity.

Occupational therapists work with adults and children of all ages with a wide range of conditions; most commonly those who have difficulties due to a mental health illness, or physical or learning disabilities. The course seeks to develop the skills, knowledge, and confidence needed to work in a range of complex and dynamic health and social care environments.

Students on this course are encouraged to appreciate and understand current occupational therapy practice, while being critical in their approach to developing new, innovative, and evidence-based interventions. There are interprofessional components of the course which are designed to develop practitioners who are professional, compassionate, safe, reflective, and autonomous. Working with peers from other professions including physiotherapy, nursing, midwifery, and social work helps promote team work, collaboration, and an application of research skills in the transformation of health and social care services.