Everything you need to know...
International/EU: £17,360 per year
Employability
96% of our graduates are in highly skilled employment or further study fifteen months after graduating (2019/20 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Come to an open day
Find out more at our undergraduate open days. Book now for your place.
Course summary
- Develop the knowledge and skills to work as an occupational therapist.
- Apply your work to real-world situations on 32 weeks of placement.
- Focus on your personal and professional development.
- Make a difference to the lives of others.
On this course you’ll study a wide range of topics while developing knowledge and skills in a variety of placement settings. You’ll collaborate with other care professions to help you understand the wider context of your work, helping you to prepare for a rewarding career.
We also offer a degree apprenticeship version of this course, where you study alongside 30+ hours of employment a week.
Student View
Watch student Alice Clegg talk about what it’s like to study on this course.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
All our courses are designed around a set of key principles based on engaging you with the world, collaborating with others, challenging you to think in new ways, and providing you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
You’ll study relevant topics like science alongside occupational therapy while gaining practical experience on placement. The learning, teaching and assessment methods used on the course mean you’ll qualify fit for practice in accordance with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) Standards of Education and Training (2017).
You’ll also learn with, from and about other professions within health and social care. We’ll provide you with the knowledge, skills and values to enhance your employment opportunities and give you a strong professional identity.
You learn through
- seminars
- lectures
- tutorials
- practical workshops
- practice-based activities
You will be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate level employment through a number of key areas. These include
- access to our unique student support triangle to help with your personal, academic and career development
- access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- industry-specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking opportunities
Course leaders and tutors
Applied learning
Work placements
You’ll apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. Here you’ll develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. The experiences you’re provided with are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes.
These experiences will help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity, and curiosity. They’ll take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face to face to service users.
We’ll ensure the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) which governs the occupational therapy profession. So by the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to show that you meet the requirements to register as an occupational therapist.
Future careers
This course prepares you for a career in
- occupational therapy
- teaching
- research
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for
- the NHS
- local authority social services
- schools
- private practices
- charities
- other health and social care environments
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities | Keeping safe on Campus
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
On this course you work with
- state-of-the-art technology and equipment
- specialist teaching facilities which recreate the workplace on campus
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
112
From A levels including at least 32 points from either a natural science subject (such as Biology, Chemistry or Physics) or social science (Psychology or Sociology), or equivalent BTEC National qualifications (including suitable natural or social science modules). We do not accept AS levels. We do not accept General Studies.
For example:
- BBC at A Level including relevant subject(s)
- DMM in BTEC Extended Diploma from a relevant subject(s)
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points. Or
- Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing, social science or another science-based course. Normally we require 15 of the Level 3 credits to be graded at merit with 9 of these merits from science or social science units.
- If you are in the process of completing the FdSc Professional Practice in Health and Social Care at one of our partner colleges and are looking to progress your career as a registered professional, we would welcome an application from you. Please note the different application routes below:
- Completing the level 4 Certificate of Higher Education in Professional Practice in Health and Social Care means you can apply via UCAS to be considered for entry at Year 1 of your chosen professional degree
- Completing the full two year FdSc to level 5 means you can apply to be considered for entry in to Year 2 of this professional degree. This is a direct application process in accordance with the partnership arrangement between Sheffield Hallam University and your college, not via UCAS. Please note that places to commence this course in Year 2 are limited.
If you already hold a first degree with an upper second class honours (2:1) or above, you may be eligible to study our MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration). Other equivalent qualifications are considered individually. And GCSE's (single or double) in
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents**
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents***
*GCSE Science equivalents
- OCR Science level 2
- Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma quualification
- Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
- Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
**GCSE Math's equivalents
- Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
- Maths quivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
***GCSE English equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy
- Level 2 Key Skills
IELTS
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 6.5 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 6.5 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English. Please note that the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) require IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5 for registration.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution with your UCAS application.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration forms provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our disability coordinator on 0114 225 2588 to explore any issues you may have, or you can contact our university disabled student support team on 0114 225 3964 (voice and Minicom).
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Please note the University will only admit students who are aged 18 or over at the point of enrolment.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change. When selecting electives, your choices will be subject to the core requirements of the course. As a result, selections may be limited to a choice between one of two or more specified electives in some instances.
Year 1
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Collaboration For Individual And Community Wellbeing | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Creativity, Occupation And Well-Being | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Essentials In Occupational Therapy | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Factors Influencing Occupational Performance | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Foundations For Practice Learning | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Personal And Professional Development | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Practice Placement Learning 1 (Ot) | Credits: - |
Year 2
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Applied Occupational Therapy Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Applying Practice Learning | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Assessing And Addressing Complexity | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Embedding Practice Learning | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Evidence And Enquiry For Practice | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Practice Placement Learning 2 (Ot) | Credits: - |
| Module: Practice Placement Learning 3 (Ot) | Credits: - |
Final year
| Module | Credits |
|---|---|
| Module: Practice Placement Learning 4 (Ot) | Credits: - |
| Module: Professional Leadership | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Social Approaches To Occupational Therapy | Credits: 20 |
| Module: The Advancing Professional | Credits: 40 |
| Module: Transitional Practice Learning | Credits: 20 |
| Module: Working With Complexity In Practice | Credits: 20 |
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time undergraduate study in 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and are therefore subject to changes in government policy.
† If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2023/24 is £15,860 with an annual placement supplement of £1,500.
Health and social care funding
Find out how to fund your studies by visiting our health and social care pages for more information.
Additional course costs
This link allows you to view estimated costs associated with the main activities on specific courses. These are estimates and, as such, are only an indication of additional course costs. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
Additional costs for Occupational therapy courses (PDF, 220.2KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.
Health and social care funding
Find out how to fund your studies by visiting our health and social care pages for more information.
