PGDIP/MSc OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (PRE-REGISTRATION MODE)

Full training in two years

Both of our PgDip and MSc graduate entry programme are designed to enable you to be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the programme is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT). We have a large, diverse and vibrant occupational therapy community with

This course allows full-time professional training to be condensed into two years. To support teaching, the Institute of Health and Social Care has a dedicated suite of clinical skills labs, including two well-equipped Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suites, plus large rooms for art, splinting and group skills sessions.

Why Occupational Therapy at LSBU?

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Ranked 1st in London for Occupational Therapy (Complete University Guide 2025).

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Well-developed relationships with practice partners over many years, with the PgDip course established in 1989, initially as part of the London Hospital Medical College in Whitechapel and occupational therapy courses at LSBU since 1988.

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We deliver a mix of theoretical and practical teaching in small groups alongside whole cohort lectures in our three Occupational Therapy Labs, with facilities including splinting laboratory, simulated living spaces and artistic intervention tools.

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Our Occupational therapy course is delivered through a hybrid learning in our central London campus, using a wide variety of teaching and assessment methods to tailor for diverse learning needs.

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LSBU Health and Social Care graduates are the second highest paid amongst all London Modern university graduates, and the sixth highest in the UK one year after graduating (DfE LEO data 2022).

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Students on this course could be eligible to receive a non-repayable amount of up to £11,000 per academic year with the NHS Learning Support Fund.

Entry Level Requirements

Careers

Employability Service

At LSBU, we want to set you up for a successful career. During your studies – and for two years after you graduate – you’ll have access to our Employability Service, which includes:

• Free employability workshop and events for student all year round, more details can be found on our event section.
• Online board where you can see a wide range of placements: part-time, full-time or voluntary. You can also drop in to see our Job Shop advisers, who are always available to help you take the next step in your search.
• LSBU Careers Hub offering group workshops on CVs, interview techniques and support, guidance on future careers, as well as loads of career resources, connecting you with employers, exciting events, 1-1 support and relevant workshops.

Our Student Enterprise team can also help you start your own business and develop valuable entrepreneurial skills.

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy.

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules and the additional School of Health and Social Care Dissertation module will be awarded an MSc in Occupational Therapy.

Graduates with either award are eligible to register as an Occupational Therapist with the HCPC. Registration allows you to practice as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS, community services and local authorities, as well as social enterprise and the private sector. Other settings include prisons, residential and nursing homes, schools and Social Services.

For more information on what is involved in working as an occupational therapist, please watch 'Occupational Therapy can help people'. The Royal College of Occupational Therapists have a website Choose OT which explains if this career is right for you and the possible routes your career could take.

Post Registration Occupational Therapy MSc (Top-Up) / Continuous professional development

For graduates with a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy from London South Bank University awarded within the last three years, we offer a unique opportunity to 'top up' your qualification to an MSc in Occupational Therapy by completing the School of Health and Social Care dissertation module. This is completed whilst working.

To find out more about this course and other continuous professional development opportunities please refer to our online CPPD prospectus.

We maintain very strong links with occupational therapists working in health and social care settings across the NHS London area. These expert clinicians contribute to the course design, delivery of teaching sessions and provision of practice placements.

The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council; the regulator of Health, Psychological and Social professionals.

The course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists; the professional association for occupational therapists.

The course is also recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Other professional links include the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy. You will also be able to access the OT Student Community through the Student Union.

Placements

During the course you are required to successfully complete and pass over 1000 practice placement hours within a broad variety of health and social care settings; meeting the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (2019), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (2016) and the Health and Social Care Professions Council (2017) standards and requirements.

At LSBU, we work closely with a number of health and social care organisations to provide a wide range of suitable practice placements.  On completion of the course you will have experienced a wide range of health and social care provisions that are suitable for the chosen programme. These placements take place across a variety of clinical settings such as NHS acute Trusts, community placements and the independent sector.

Placements may include working with people of different ages, diverse backgrounds and life situations, acute and long standing health needs (including physical, mental health and learning disability) and be based in a range of settings (hospital, community, existing and emerging services).

Structure of placement learning

Practice placements are in four blocks and are developmental in nature as you progress through the course. Placements are full time following the working hours of the setting. Student work under the guidance and supervision of a HCPC registered occupational therapist (practice educator).

Placement settings

Placements will predominantly be within the Greater London area in the NHS, local authority, voluntary, social enterprise, charities and private sectors. Placements can be in established or emerging services. Applicants should be aware that they may need to cover travel costs and placements could require them to commute across London and beyond if necessary.