Study Occupational Therapy (BSc) at University of Southampton, a Bachelor degree offered on the Highfield campus in Southampton, United Kingdom. This Full Time program is delivered on campus in English and takes approximately 3 years to complete. Students benefit from a structured learning experience designed to build both theoretical knowledge and practical experience. The tuition fee is USD 32,806 / year, with the next intake scheduled for September 1, 2026.

About Occupational Therapy (BSc)

Occupational Therapy at Southampton is ranked fourth in the UK (Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Complete University Guide 2025).

This BSc Occupational Therapy degree will give you the knowledge and skills to treat people with psychological, physical or social disabilities. You’ll learn how to work effectively with patients, their families and carers, as well as with other healthcare professionals.

You’ll develop a strong professional identity as an occupational therapist and gain a clear understanding of how the role contributes to multi-disciplinary teams.

Occupational therapy combines a range of areas including human anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, pathology, learning disabilities and mental health. You’ll explore the impact of health conditions and life events on people’s sense of self, relationships and occupations.

The course uses creative, experiential and reflective learning approaches supported by practice placements. Learning is reinforced by internationally recognised researchers into occupational therapy.

Our purpose-built facilities include a multisensory environment, a biomechanics laboratory and an adapted flat. You’ll complete 1,000 hours on placements in the community, social care and hospitals.

When you graduate you’ll be eligible to register as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Funding to support your learning

Subject to eligibility, UK and Irish students joining this degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for an additional maintenance loan to help with living costs.

Additionally, UK students studying this course at University of Southampton may well be able to receive a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS and entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending a practice placement reimbursed. Students with parental responsibility for one or more children may receive a £2,000 Parental Support payment per student, per academic year. Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website

If you are normally resident in Ireland, you are encouraged to apply for financial support from SUSI.

Support for students with a disability/health condition

We are fully committed to supporting students with disabilities who wish to join programmes of study which require the acquisition and practise of professional competencies.

We offer students personal, informal advice by telephone, email or face to face, and we are happy to discuss your specific needs prior to you applying. This could include how your specific needs may impact on your ability to meet the clinical competencies. This will not affect your application in any way, but may help you to select the right programme for you.

Please contact the admissions team for further details.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Requirements and Admission Criteria for Occupational Therapy (BSc) at University of Southampton

Entry Requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

BBB including one science or social science subject

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level including a science or social science subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-Level subject or D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus BB in two A-level subjects.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health Studies or Science. If an Science A-Level is studied alongside the BTEC the following BTEC subjects would be considered: Creative Arts, Engineering, Music, Performing Arts and Childcare

QCF BTEC

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-Level subject D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A-level subjects.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Show more entry requirements

Access to HE Diploma

Irish Leaving Certificate

Scottish Qualification offers

Cambridge Pre-U

Welsh Baccalaureate

T Level

Access to HE Diploma

60 credits with a minimum of 45 credits at Level 3, of which 27 must be at Distinction and 12 credits at Merit

Access to HE additional information

Must be Science Based

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

H2 H2 H3 H3 H3 H3 including a science or social science

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

AABBBB including a science or social science

Irish certificate additional information

Plus English and Maths Ordinary Level O4 or higher

Scottish Qualification

Offers will be based on exams being taken at the end of S6. Subjects taken and qualifications achieved in S5 will be reviewed. Careful consideration will be given to an individual’s academic achievement, taking in to account the context and circumstances of their pre-university education.

Please see the University of Southampton’s Curriculum for Excellence Scotland Statement (PDF) for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

Cambridge Pre-U

M2 M2 M2 in three Principal subjects including a science or social science subject. Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Cambridge Pre-U's can be used in combination with other qualifications such as A Levels to achieve the equivalent of the typical offer, where D3 can be used in lieu of A Level grade A or grade M2 can be used in lieu of grade B.

Welsh Baccalaureate

BBB from 3 A levels including a science or social science subject or BB from two A levels including a science or social science subject and B from the Advanced Welsh Baccalaureate Skills Challenge Certificate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

T-Level

An overall Merit with grade B in the core element in the Health T-Level with Supporting the Therapy Team Specialism.

English Requirements

IELTSMin 6.5

English Program Requirements

Find the equivalent international qualifications for our entry requirements.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 7.0
reading: 6.5
writing: 6.5
speaking: 6.5
listening: 6.5

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Career Opportunities after Completing Occupational Therapy (BSc)

Careers

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, giving you work opportunities both in the UK and abroad.

Our creative and forward-thinking course prepares you to confidently work in the changing UK and international health and social care landscape. Our graduates take on roles in a broad range of contexts including the NHS, local authorities, charities, industry, schools, private practice and government agencies.

You can specialise in working with children, adults or older people across the lifespan, and pursue a career as a practitioner, researcher, manager, lecturer or consultant.

You can expect excellent career prospects in a whole range of healthcare environments where occupational therapy is practiced. Occupational therapy graduates are in high demand in the UK and abroad.

You’ll be able to take part in a week-long employability programme designed specifically for our graduates.

More information about careers in occupational therapy can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

work experience schemes
CV and interview skills and workshops
networking events
careers fairs attended by top employers
a wealth of volunteering opportunities
study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fee Information

Tuition Fee

32,806 / year