BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

UCAS code: B920

Start date: September

Course length: full time: three years

Campus: Kedleston Road site and Britannia Mill, Derby Campus

Number of students: 87

This course is available to international students

Occupational therapists help people to overcome barriers that are preventing them from reaching their full potential. These activities or occupations can vary from people's paid or unpaid work, self care activities through to sports and leisure.

You'll learn through a mixture of theory and practical work, which will prepare you fully for starting work when you graduate. You'll take part in lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, workshops, experiential learning and online learning. And you'll be assessed through your assignments, presentations, practice placement assessments, case study work, a practical and written exam, and preparation of a promotional leaflet . You'll have a personal tutor who'll guide and support you throughout your course, and we'll provide you with a range of learning support services.

Specialists in areas of occupational therapy practice, service users, patients and carers will come in to the University to share their first hand experience with you. And by studying alongside other health and social care students, you'll develop a wide knowledge of the work of an occupational therapist in different settings. Through the practical skills based sessions, you will also develop valuable skills to take into your future practice.

We've got great teaching facilities, including a rehabilitation kitchen and bathroom, and replica hospital ward, which you'll use to develop your practical skills.

You'll go on three placements, which could be in the NHS, social services, schools or private or voluntary sector health and social care environments.

Stage one

You'll study these modules:

• Introduction to Occupational Therapy through Independent Learning
• Foundations for Occupational Therapy
• Changing Lives - Impact of illness
• Changing Lives - Occupational health and well-being
• Understanding Self as a Therapist
• Practice Placement 1

Stage two

You'll study these modules:

• Applied OT Models
• Applied OT Approaches
• Practice Placement 2
• Research and Governance in Occupational Therapy
• Occupation in Communities

Stage three

You'll study these modules:

• Practice Placement 3
• Addressing Occupational Injustice through Contempory and Future Practice
• Meeting the Needs of the Workplace
• Professional Reasoning

Students with life and work experience will need evidence of academic achievement (A levels, excluding General Studies, BTEC or Access in a Health related subject with at least 15 level three credits at distinction excluding study skills) in the last two years prior to entry. If you have completed a degree in the last five years, this will also be accepted.

You'll need to be familiar with at least two areas of occupational therapy, fluent in English and have a clear criminal record as you will be expected to successfully gain enhanced criminal record clearance, along with a health screening if you're offered a place on the course. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university. For overseas students the IELTS at level 7 or equivalent is also required.

Our entry requirements are usually 280 UCAS points, of which at least 240 will be from your core A2s (full A levels) or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Diploma, International Baccalaureate, Scottish Highers etc.

We'll accept up to 40 points towards the total from level 3 qualifications such as AS levels (where those AS levels are not taken on to A2 level), the Extended Project or Music qualifications.

We don't accept points from Key Skills Level 3. If you have any questions about what is or isn't accepted, please contact our Admissions team.

We also accept the Access to HE Diploma.

Your points at level 3 will be in addition to 5 GCSEs at grade C or equivalent level 2 qualifications.

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The UCAS tariff points are a guide - we'll also consider all the information that you've included in your application. We'll also want to see that you're enthusiastic and motivated to take this course and that you have the potential to benefit from coming to university.

General undergraduate entry requirements

UK/EU students

We have a significant number of places on our pre registration courses in Occupational Therapy which are NHS funded. This includes having tuition fees paid in full and a £1,000 grant each year. If you're offered and accept one of these NHS funded places, you'll also be eligible to apply for an additional means-tested bursary of up to £4,395 per year. Please visit NHS Student Bursaries for more information.

We also welcome enquiries from potential applicants who are interested in self funding a place on this course. Alternatively if your employer would be interested in supporting you financially rather than obtaining NHS funding please get in touch. 

International students

We'll be announcing our International fees later this year.

How you'll learn

You'll learn through a mixture of lectures, seminars, tutorials, group work, practical sessions, workshops, experiential learning, online resources and practice placements.

How you're assessed

You'll be assessed through assignments, presentations, promotional leaflet, case study work, a written and practical exam, and practice placement assessments.

Work placements

There are three periods of practice placement, where you will work full time in practice for a set number of weeks. You'll work in three separate areas of practice ensuring you have the optimum range of skills for becoming a qualified practitioner.

Gary Scott, who is one of our Practice Placement Educators at Walton Hospital in Chesterfield comments about our students from this course:
''In my experience students from the University of Derby are well prepared for placement experiences. They have a good practical understanding of basic therapeutic processes. They understand the requirements of the assessment process and are able to prepare learning contracts independently.''

As a qualified Occupational Therapist you could work in many areas of the NHS such as acute medical care, orthopaedics, cardiac rehabilitation, paediatrics, mental health and secure environments or in social services.

Occupational therapists work in a variety of settings in both the private and voluntary sector, in areas such as industry, prisons, schools, hospitals, health centres, charities and universities. So you'll have a wide range of careers to choose from.

As our course is accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists your qualification will be recognised internationally which will open up opportunities for you both in the UK and abroad.

One of our graduates Claire Richardson now works for the Derbyshire Royal Infirmary as a Band 6 Occupational Therapist working in Outpatient Rehabilitation. She helps a wide range of people, from sports injuries to orthopaedic conditions including knee and hip replacements. She also carries out a lot of vocational rehabilitation by helping people return to employment following an injury. Watch her video interview here.

Sarah Cross, current student
"The best part of the degree has to be placement as you are putting theory into practice and gaining so much experience." Read Sarah's full story.