Approved by key professional bodies and featuring three periods of full-time practice placement, our degree ensures you have the optimum range of skills to become a qualified occupational therapist.
A career in occupational therapy offers variety, purpose and immense job satisfaction. Successful completion of this 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.
Gain invaluable experience through practice-based learning which makes up almost half of the course
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
Enjoy excellent prospects: 96.55% of our graduates are employed in graduate level jobs 6 months after completing this course
Already hold a degree and looking to qualify as an occupational therapist? Join our MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) and you could register to practise in two years.
12thfor satisfaction with the course**Guardian University Guide 2020
14thfor satisfaction with teaching**Guardian University Guide 2020
8thfor feedback**Guardian University Guide 2020
Study Occupational Therapy at Derby. Our outstanding heritage, accessible and supportive lecturers and professional networks which help you find your dream job are just some of the reasons to study here.
With outstanding subject knowledge and a wealth of industry experience, our lecturers including Karen Newberry provide you with the opportunity to fulfil your potential:
Join the thousands of occupational therapists who have benefited from Derby’s high-quality, distinctive and innovative courses. 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.
A worthwhile and rewarding career
As an occupational therapist, you’ll 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.
This is a profession with a huge reach. It could mean adapting elderly people’s living environments so they can stay in their own homes, devising strategies to assist people with dementia, helping patients adjust to life after a stroke or surgery, or ensuring children with disabilities can take a full part in school life or at play.
Our course equips you for the challenge. You’ll gain the practical, theoretical and interpersonal skills to help people with disabilities, illnesses and long-term conditions to overcome the obstacles that prevent them from reaching their full potential.
A career in occupational therapy delivers huge satisfaction – and that starts with your degree.
A course with professional credibility
Our degree is designed to meet rigorous professional standards. It 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). When you graduate, you’ll be eligible to apply to the HCPC for registration to practise.
We have exceptionally strong links with employers which open doors for you. Latest statistics show that 98% of our graduates are employed or in further study within six months of completing the course.
For the first year of study, the programme covers the cost of student membership to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists. Membership includes access to online learning and events, professional journals, career advice and up to date professional resources.
Hone your skills through practice-based learning
Almost half of the course is taken up with exciting opportunities to enhance your skills in real-world settings. There are three periods of practice-based learning, which you usually undertake full time, for a set number of weeks during each year of study.
Primarily in the East Midlands, the settings for practice-based learning range from the NHS and social services to the private and voluntary sectors. You’ll experience how occupational therapists work with people in different age groups and with different physical and mental health concerns. This builds the optimum range of skills for becoming a qualified practitioner and helps you make more informed decisions about your future career direction.
We organise all three placements for you so we can ensure you’ll be supported by qualified occupational therapists who are trained to assess and develop your practical skills.
An inspiring learning environment
We offer superb training facilities for practical sessions in realistic settings. They include an NHS standard six-bed hospital ward and a rehabilitation kitchen.
We have also invested in latest technology so that you can benefit from a variety of virtual and immersive environments which will enrich your learning experience.
Expertise, commitment and enthusiasm
You’ll be inspired by a dedicated and highly skilled teaching team. They are all registered and experienced occupational therapists who can give you insights into the many different aspects of the profession. Throughout your studies you’ll benefit from the support of a personal tutor too.
Our team is also research active so will keep you informed about latest thinking and trends. We are involved in national special interest groups and have expertise in areas such as posture management, hand therapy, mental health recovery and working with patients who have dementia. You could even conduct noteworthy research yourself: some students have work featured in OT News and other leading publications.
In tune with new developments
This course is closely mapped against the needs of employers to ensure your learning is meaningful and relevant. In delivering the programme, we respond to national changes such as latest government policies. As a result, some of the information about the course may change.
As health care is increasingly delivered by multi professional teams, we offer inter-professional learning opportunities at each stage of the course so that you learn with, and from, students from other disciplines. This is really important in helping you understand how occupational therapists work in partnership with other professionals in different settings. By learning to work together, you can help achieve the best outcomes for patients and clients.
This module will introduce learners to the key concepts and core skills which underpin occupational therapy, including the occupational therapy process.
Learners will explore the evolution of the profession, its philosophies, values and beliefs and from this its unique contribution to the diverse range of settings in which occupational therapists work, in traditional/third sector and diverse settings.
There will also be an introduction to concepts integral to the occupational therapy process including an assessment and problem identification, intervention and evaluation.
In this module, the learner will be developing an understanding of the concept of occupation, how individuals develop as occupational beings and how this can influence the health and well-being of the individual. The learner will participate in a range of learning activities to develop their knowledge of core philosophies and skills that will guide your future practice.
This module will begin to form the learner’s knowledge of key concepts relating to professionalism and developing themselves as a professional. Within this learners will gain an understanding of the importance of confidentiality, the maintenance of a safe practice environment, including risk management, moving and handling, infection control, safeguarding. This module will include attendance at mandatory training and skills development sessions.
The module will enable learners to understand the importance of keeping skills and knowledge up to date and of career-long learning and engage learners in the production of continuing professional development (CPD) portfolio.
Learners will begin to understand the legal and ethical boundaries of occupational therapy and the importance of maintaining a professional and high standard of care. They will gain knowledge of relevant legislation that applies within occupational therapy practice. Learners will also work towards developing an understanding of inter-professional team working.
Learners will engage in a variety of learning experiences including on-line and experiential and will be encouraged to reflect on key aspects of the module as part of their professional development.
In this module, learners will acquire knowledge and understanding of informing sciences that enable occupational performance. Learners will participate in a range of learning activities that will enable you to develop understanding of the biopsychosocial components of health and well-being that are required to perform everyday activities.
In this module, learners will acquire knowledge and understanding of a variety of pathologies and life changes which result in occupational dysfunction. Learners will participate in a variety of learning activities that enable you to apply activity analysis to understand how these impact on occupational performance. Virtual simulation technologies will be utilised where appropriate.
Learners will develop professional use of verbal, non-verbal and written communication skills and consider the importance of these to their future practice. They will explore the importance of establishing and sustaining a therapeutic relationship, of which self-awareness is a key aspect. Within this, they will consider the need to respect the rights, dignity, values and autonomy of service users. The way that factors such as culture, ethnicity and gender can affect the characteristics of verbal and non-verbal communication will also be explored.
Experiential and reflective learning will consider dyadic and group interactions and dynamics. Learners will also consider the importance of working in partnership with service users and how interpersonal skills can be used to encourage their active participation.
The importance of written communication skills and the need to maintain accurate written records will also be introduced.
The practice-based learning introduces the learner to the occupational needs of individuals and to the occupational therapy process in practice, allowing them to apply and further develop their theoretical knowledge. The placement will enable them to develop, and demonstrate their practice, professional, communication, interpersonal and managerial skills at a basic level.
Assessment through the practice-based learning assessment report form will enable learners to demonstrate a basic level of competence for their stage of the study. A formative midway assessment provides constructive feedback and guidance for development, and summative assessment provides the final outcome. To achieve a pass on the placement learners are required to complete the required hours and achieve a pass grade in all areas of the practice-based learning assessment form.
NB For both BSc (Hons) and MSc learners no Fail and Return opportunities are available in Practice-Based Learning modules. There is only one fail grade permitted on Practice-Based Learning Modules over the course of the programme.
You will gain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of a range of occupational therapy approaches and how these approaches relate to occupational therapy practice. Tutors will facilitate your application of theory through practical skills sessions.
You will learn to utilise the occupational therapy process to structure and focus on the development of your clinical and professional reasoning skills. This module will use a range of lectures, seminars and workshops to facilitate your learning. Tutor directed and peer-led practical activities will also be used.
You will gain an understanding of the theoretical underpinnings of a range of occupational therapy models and how these models can relate to practice. Tutors will facilitate your application of theory through practical skills. You will learn to utilise the occupational therapy process to structure and focus on the development of your clinical reasoning skills.
This practice placement module enables you to build on the experience of your previous practice placement module. Within a different placement setting, it provides you with the opportunity to further develop occupational based practice skills and professionalism allowing further integration and development of your theoretical knowledge into practice. Your communication, interpersonal and management skills will also be further developed.
This module will enable you to explore the concept and construct of communities. You will develop your understanding of the occupational nature and needs of communities. You will undertake an exploration of the influence of communities on individuals and their roles, health, occupational opportunities and restrictions.
This module will enable you to consider the ever-changing governance drivers that influence and shape current and future occupational therapy practice. The module will facilitate your exploration of issues of governance in traditional and non-traditional practice settings. It will enable you to understand and evaluate research literature and to appropriately consider its application to practice. The module will inform your development as a responsible, ethical and professional practitioner.
This module will focus on core occupational therapy assessments and interventions for individuals, required for key areas of occupational therapy practice. A range of keynote teaching in the form of lectures and online resources will consider core theoretical concepts such as occupational therapy models, approaches and standardised and non-standardised assessments, with the inclusion of how these contribute to professional reasoning.
The module will have a practical and experiential focus on developing core transferrable occupational therapy skills and knowledge, required to undertake assessments and interventions across a wide diversity of practice areas, in both short and long term settings.
Knowledge and skills will be developed by building upon on a number of core aspects of biopsychosocial dysfunction, studied earlier in the programme, through consideration of potential arising occupational needs. Through practical workshops, including activities such as virtual simulation, learners in this module will study a range of occupational therapy assessments and interventions that may be used to identify and meet these occupational needs, associated with that area of dysfunction. Theory and practice will be blended to equip learners with the ability to select, implement, analyse and evaluate assessments and treatments, by the inclusion of case studies.
This module will focus on group work skills including the planning, delivery and evaluation of group work, with analysis and evaluation of how group work can be used therapeutically in occupational therapy practice.
Development of practical skills in group planning, facilitation/leadership and evaluation, including learners delivering groups for their peers, will occur through experiential workshops. These practical skills will be underpinned by teaching and learning of core theoretical concepts relating to group work. Learners will be encouraged to develop self-awareness through reflection and self-evaluation of their own evolving group leadership skills and provide feedback to their peers to facilitate the learning process for all.
Analysis and evaluation of core occupational therapy interventions that may be delivered within a group setting, across a range of services will be included. Through undertaking self-directed visits to third sector/ diverse settings, learners will also analyse the potential role of groups in these areas of practice. The debate of issues that underpin the use of groups by the profession, and exploration of the advantages and disadvantages of undertaking group work, will facilitate skills in evaluating when a group programme may be valuable.
Pre-requisites:- Learners must have successfully passed Practice-Based Learning 1
The Practice-Based Learning builds on the experiences of the previous placement within a different practice setting. It provides the learner opportunity to further develop occupational based practice skills and professionalism allowing further integration and development of their theoretical knowledge into practice. Communication, interpersonal and management skills will also be further developed.
Assessment through the practice-based learning assessment report form will enable learners to demonstrate a basic level of competence for their stage of the study. The formative midway assessment provides constructive feedback and guidance for development, and summative assessment provides the final outcome. To achieve a pass on the placement learners are required to complete undertake the required hours and achieve a passing grade in all areas of the practice-based learning assessment form.
NB For both BSc (Hons) and MSc Learners no Fail and Return opportunities are available in Practice-Based Learning Modules There is only one fail grade permitted on Practice-Based Learning Modules over the course of the programme.
This module will analyse and evaluate the influence of practice agendas and wider governance issues on aspects of professional reasoning for assessments, interventions, and outcome measures for individuals. This will include how these can both enhance and challenge the delivery of occupational therapy at a service level.
Key current service priorities arising from practice agendas will be identified. Practical workshops considering assessments, interventions and evaluation, which could provide opportunities for occupational therapy to respond to such key agendas will be undertaken. This will occur alongside analysis of governance-related issues which underpin aspects of professional reasoning for their delivery. Learners will be encouraged to analyse the essential nature of outcomes and audits in order to provide evidence for further service development. Online resources will be used as appropriate.
An ability to formally present such justifications for assessments and interventions is vital to future practice and service development hence is integral to the module.
In this module, the learner will develop an understanding of Evidence-Based Practice, what constitutes evidence and how to appraise this as a consumer. This is important in order to inform occupational therapy practice. Learners will explore a variety of data collection tools and how they generate evidence to inform practice. They will also consider how qualitative, quantitative and interprofessional evidence can be used to inform practice.
This practice placement module enables you to build on the previous practice placement experience and offers you the opportunity to consolidate occupational based professional and practice skills, communication, interpersonal and management skills.
Within a different placement setting, it provides you with the opportunity to further develop these skills allowing further integration and development of your theoretical knowledge into practice. Reflection and critical evaluation of these are key components of this practice placement in order to become a competent Occupational Therapist.
Addressing Occupational Injustice Through Contemporary and Future Practice
You will have the opportunity to research and critically explore an area of evolving occupational therapy practice. The module will facilitate the development of your entrepreneurial and marketing skills essential to the promotion and progression of occupational therapy in relation to current external drivers.
We will work in partnership with clinicians, managers and colleagues in the business school and other relevant faculties within the university to enable you to get the most from the module. You will explore the place of service improvement in relation to current and future practice. In order to focus your learning, you will explore the occupational injustices that occur both nationally and internationally. Your consideration of evolving areas of practice will focus on addressing these occupational challenges. Within this module, a range of lectures, guest speakers, seminars and workshop groups and guided independent study will be used to facilitate your learning.
The module will enable you to experience and participate in an identified skill/medium. The module will facilitate your use of professional reasoning to critically explore the utilisation of the skill/medium in occupational therapy practice.
During the module, you will have the opportunity to engage with a particular skill/medium and critically debate its use in occupational therapy. This module will initially present theories of professional reasoning through a keynote lecture. In consecutive weeks you will participate in tutor and student-directed seminars and workshops, focussing on a specific skill or media, with an emphasis on experiential learning and critical debate of professional reasoning.
Through guided independent study you will research the identified skill/media and prepare a critical appraisal of this research to share with your peers, including how this might inform your professional reasoning of the use of this particular skill or media with different client/service user groups.
This module enables you to synthesise your learning from other modules of the programme and demonstrate your academic and professional competence. You will select a topic of particular interest to occupational therapy, and apply your skills of enquiry and research to the chosen project area. You will critically evaluate current published research in order to demonstrate your depth of understanding and learning.
40 Credits
core
Coursework
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.
Undergraduate Live Online Events
While we’re not able to welcome you in person to our campuses at the moment, we’re not going to let that stop us showing you all the great things about studying at Derby.
We’re currently planning our autumn Open Events to bring you the best possible online and on-campus experience.
Delve deeper into the course with our Virtual Open Day, packed with subject and course information to help you make your choice, including tours of facilities, 360° views of award-winning accommodation plus advice and insight from students and academics.
The course entails a mixture of theory and practical elements to give you an excellent preparation for starting work when you graduate.
You will be taught through experiential learning, group activities, lectures, online learning, seminars, tutorials and workshops. Your learning will integrate theory and practice, including developing practical skills essential for your practice based learning modules and future career. You may be in a large group for learning activities such as lectures, but will work in smaller groups for activities such as workshops and practical sessions.
Practice-based learning
The course includes three periods of practice-based learning where you will work full time in practice for a set number of weeks. You will work in three separate areas of practice to ensure you build the optimum range of skills for becoming a qualified practitioner.
How you’re assessed
You’ll be assessed through a range of methods including assignments, case study work, written and practical exams, practice-based learning assessments, and presentations. We support you to prepare for these assessments in various ways including assignment tutorials and Internet-based resources. You also will receive feedback on one assessment in time for you to learn and develop from this to input into your next assessment.
If you have additional needs, support is available within the university.
Who you'll meet
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 carer's will also come into the University to share their insights with you.
Personal academic tutoring
Your personal academic tutor will work with you to help you get the most out of your time at university. Having someone to talk to about your academic progress, your university experience and your professional aspirations is hugely valuable. We want you to feel challenged in your studies, stretched but confident to achieve your academic and professional goals.
Sian is the programme lead for the BSc (hons) in Occupational therapy here at the University of Derby. Sian is a member of the occupational therapy subject team which delivers both pre registration occupational therapy programmes and masters levels programmes.
Access to HE Diploma - 60 credits: 45 at level 3 with a minimum of Dist: 15 Merit: 24 Pass: 6
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
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.
You will need to be familiar with at least two areas of occupational therapy. Shadowing experience with an Occupational Therapist is desirable, ideally in more than one setting. You should also demonstrate what you have learnt from this.
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
September 2021 typical entry requirements
Requirement
What we're looking for
UCAS points
120
Specific requirements at A-level
No specific subject requirements
Specific requirements at GCSE
GCSE Maths and English Grade C/Grade 4 (or above) or equivalent qualification
Pass Access to HE Diploma with 60 credits, with 45 at Level 3
We usually consider an A-level in General Studies as a supplementary qualification. A good application/performance will be taken into account if you do not meet the criteria/offer conditions.
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
You will need to be familiar with at least two areas of occupational therapy. Shadowing experience with an Occupational Therapist is desirable, ideally in more than one setting. You should also demonstrate what you have learnt from this
An Enhanced Disclosure & Barring Service certificate cleared by the University is required for this course. We will contact you with information on how to complete this once you have applied. More information.
Our entry requirements for this course should be read together with the University's general entry requirements, which details subjects we accept, alternative qualifications and what we're looking for at Derby.
Academic Achievement Scholarship
We’re offering eligible students a £1,000 scholarship to celebrate your hard work and success.
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.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
Full-time students applying to start in September should apply for this course through UCAS or you can apply directly to the University for an undergraduate course if you’re not applying to any other UK university in the same year.
If you don’t have a place at uni, have had a change of heart about your course, or maybe your gap year plans are on hold – don’t worry. Register with us today and fast forward to your future.
Occupational therapy is an exciting and fulfilling career choice. As part of this course, we offer alumni talks and guidance in areas such as interview techniques to help you secure your ideal job.
You could progress to important roles in many areas of the NHS, such as:
Acute medical care
Paediatrics
Mental health and secure environments
Your role could centre on hospitals, clinics and GP practices or it could entail visiting patients at home or work.
You could also consider working in social services, charities and voluntary organisations, schools, prisons, companies and businesses, or in private practice.
As this course is approved by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, you’ll also be eligible to apply for registration to work overseas.
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.
Flexibility is a hallmark of our approach: studying a stand-alone module enables you to focus on an area which particularly interests you without having to commit to a full postgraduate degree. However, if you then decide to move onto a full postgraduate course, we will support you.
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.
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
Text books to supplement anything available through the library various prices depending on content
Printing costs of course materials if hard copy is desired approx. 5p per sheet
Student BAOT membership approx. £5 per month
Professional HCPC membership required to practice. More details can be found www.hcpc-uk.org
RCOT - membership optional but strongly advised
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.
