Occupational Therapy with Foundation Year
BSc (Hons)

A career in occupational therapy offers variety, purpose and immense job satisfaction. Successful completion of the degree ensures you are eligible to apply to the HCPC to join a rewarding profession where you can help people facing physical and mental challenges to overcome barriers to their independence.

• A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions
• Learn from a dedicated and skilled team who have worked in a broad spectrum of occupational therapy roles
• Improve your practical skills in our superb facilities ranging from a rehabilitation kitchen to an immersive simulation suite
• The Foundation Year course leads on to the full BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree that is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists, and approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) meaning when you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration to practice.

Please note that it is not possible to apply directly to the following course. For this foundation year course, it is only possible to attain a place if you do not get the grades expected having been provided with an offer for the BSc equivalent.

A worthwhile and rewarding career

Occupational therapists support people who have a range of difficulties to perform the everyday activities which are key to their health and wellbeing – from work, sport and leisure to aspects of self-care.

Ours was the first Occupational Therapy School set up under the auspices of the NHS back in 1948 so we have a strong heritage and reputation in this important field. 

Beginning with a foundation year.

On completion of the Foundation Year you will then commence study on the full BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree, more information on this can be found on the following page.

Studying BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy with a Foundation Year is for you if you have the ability to study for a degree, but don’t have the necessary formal qualifications to enter directly on to the honours degree programme. It provides you with a firm grounding in the skills and knowledge you need and introduces you to the subject area, enabling you to achieve your full honours degree in four years.

Foundation Year - helping you to achieve more

Including a foundation year as part of your four-year study programme will give you a head start in your academic and professional life. The foundation year offers the chance to strengthen your skills, knowledge and confidence – with extensive support from our expert staff – before you advance to stage one of your honours degree. It could also be beneficial if you are planning a career change and want to get to grips with aspects of subjects which are new to you.

Our degrees with a foundation year are continuous, meaning that you won’t need to apply again once you have successfully completed the first year.

Occupational Therapy - your questions answered!

In the below video, Senior Lecturer, Dr Joan Howarth, answers some of the most frequently asked questions about Occupational Therapy at the University of Derby. You can also watch exclusive subject content by signing up to Derby on Demand.

Please note that our modules are subject to change - we review the content of our courses regularly, making changes where necessary to improve your experience and graduate prospects.

From day one you’ll get all the benefits of being a University of Derby student, plus extra support to help you build your knowledge, skills and confidence.

Our teaching team is made up of registered occupational therapists who have worked in a variety of settings. Practitioners from specialist areas in occupational therapy, ‘experts by experience’, patients and carers will also come into the University to share their insights with you.

September 2021 typical entry requirements

Alternative entry qualifications

• BTEC - MPP
• Pass Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Distinction: 0 Merit: 30 Pass: 15

Additional requirements

An Occupational Health Assessment and Clearance by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this when required.

2021/22 Fees (August 2021 - July 2022)

Funding for Nursing and Allied Health courses

By studying on this programme, you are eligible for a Tuition Fee Loan of up to £9,250. The loan will support your studies and enable you to start a rewarding career in healthcare.

From September 2020 all new and continuing nursing and allied health students on pre-registration courses will also receive a grant of at least £5,000 per year that is not means-tested and will not have to be repaid.

An additional payment of up to £3,000 per academic year will be available to eligible students. Eligibility will include the following:

• £1,000 towards childcare costs
• £1,000 if studying in a region that is struggling to recruit
• £1,000 if studying a shortage specialism

Among others, the shortage specialisms have been confirmed to include:

• Mental health nursing
• Learning disability nursing
• Diagnostic radiography

In addition to this non-repayable grant, you are also able to access a maintenance loan of up to £9,203 per year to support your studies, giving you access to over £17,000 per year of funding.

Read the full press release on the Government website

Further information about our fees and support you may be entitled to.

Additional costs and optional extras

This course is only available to students who have applied for the equivalent three-year degree and have been offered this as a more suitable alternative by our Admissions team.

We are not currently accepting direct applications.

Occupational therapy is an exciting and fulfilling career choice.

Upon completion of the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy degree you’ll be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and could progress to important roles in many areas of the NHS, such as:

• Acute medical care
• Paediatrics
• Mental health and secure environments

You could also consider working in social services, charities and voluntary organisations, schools, prisons, companies and businesses, or in private practice.

Take your studies to the next level.

As a qualified occupational therapist, you will have excellent foundations for your career but you will undoubtedly want to build on your knowledge and strengthen your prospects as your progress in your role.

We offer a full range of professional development options to help you gain more advanced and specialist skills – from part-time stand-alone CPD modules which can be incorporated into your workplace practice through to postgraduate study up to doctoral level.

Contact us

If you need any more information from us, eg on courses, accommodation, applying, car parking, fees or funding, please contact us and we will do everything we can to help you.

Additional information about your studies

Teaching hours

Like most universities, we operate extended teaching hours at the University of Derby, so contact time with your lecturers and tutors could be anytime between 9am and 9pm. Your timetable will usually be available on the website 24 hours after enrolment on to your course.

Additional costs and optional extras

We’re committed to providing you with an outstanding learning experience. Our expert teaching, excellent facilities and great employability prepare you for your future career. As part of our commitment to you we aim to keep any additional study costs to a minimum. However, there are occasions where students may incur some additional costs.

The information below is correct for entry in the academic year September 2020 - August 2021 only. Entry for future academic years may be subject to change.

Included in your fees

• Travel and accommodation expenses associated with placements are to be met
• Uniforms 
• Markers, name badges and ID holders
• DBS Check
• Health screening and vaccinations

Mandatory costs not included in your fees

• Costs related to placement, including accommodation, travel, car parking
• Suitable footwear for skills sessions and placements approx. £40

Optional costs not included in your fees

• Local travel in order to access community facilities approx. £10
• Materials required for student facilitated group activities, approx. £10
• Textbooks to supplement anything available through the library various prices depending on content
• Printing costs of course materials if a hard copy is desired approx. 5p per sheet
• Student BAOT membership approx. £5 per month

Please note: Our courses are refreshed and updated on a regular basis. If you are thinking about transferring onto this course (into the second year for example), you should contact the programme leader for the relevant course information as modules may vary from those shown on this page.

Minimum numbers

Please note that this course is subject to minimum numbers in order to run.