Train to be a registered occupational therapist, gaining valuable experience in the workplace whilst you study

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 3 years, part-time

Start date: March and October

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Honours) Occupational Therapy

How much it costs: funded through the employer

Approved by: Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists

Course summary

• Develop your skills and knowledge to make a positive change in people's lives.
• Become eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professionals Council to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK and become a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
• Suitable whether you'd like to start a new career or upskill as an existing support worker or therapy assistant.

The apprenticeship has been developed with a group of NHS services and higher education providers, allowing you to benefit from a combination of work-based learning modules and specialist education. You’ll also gain the essential components of professional practice you need to be successful in a complex and dynamic modern workplace.

This course meets the occupational therapist apprenticeship standard.

How you learn

The course includes four assessed practice placements which can include clinical, leadership, research and education experiences.

You’ll gain the knowledge and skills needed to become a professional Occupational Therapist through a blended approach of:

• campus study, distance learning and placements
• seminars, lectures, tutorials and practical workshops
• assessment of proficiency in practice
• written and patchwork assignments
• reflective case studies
• poster and group presentations

Teaching weeks will consist of:

• six weeks in year 1
• five weeks in year 2
• four weeks in year 3

You will progress through the course following successful achievement of assessments, which address the learning outcomes for each module and allow you to complete the course.

Campus facilities

Sheffield and Derby cohorts will study at our Collegiate Campus which offers mock wards and operating rooms, simulation suites, and interactive manikins. North West cohorts will study at one of our venues in Manchester or Bolton.

Entry requirements

Throughout the course, apprentices spend at least 20% of their working hours at university or on placement. They can be existing employees looking to develop their careers, or new applicants to the business.

Applicants must:

• be over 18
• not be in full time education
• have the right to work in the UK
• meet the course entry requirements

GCSE (or equivalent)

Maths and English at level 2 or above (grade 4, or previously C)

If you don't have this yet, you'll need to achieve this level before the end of your course.

Plus the following: 

• Evidence of successful formal study at level 3
• A minimum of 6 months experience in a health and social care capacity (including any placements or work-based learning undertaken as part of a level 3 qualification)

Additional qualifications

If you do not have a minimum of 6 months experience working in a health and social care capacity, you must hold one of the following: 

• 96 UCAS points from 3 A levels 
• Level 3 BTEC National Qualifications MMM
• Successful completion of an Access to HE Diploma 
• T-Levels 
• Higher Technical Qualifications (Level 3) 
• Previous degree level or higher study including Foundation Degrees.

Other qualifications may be considered in discussion with the University. 

Your understanding of health and social care and the profession is assessed throughout the selection event processes.

Modules

Year one

• Collaboration for individual and community wellbeing
• Personal professional development
• Essentials in occupational therapy
• Creativity, occupation and group work
• Factors influencing occupational performance
• Occupational therapy placement 1

Year two

• Assessing and addressing complexity
• Evidence and enquiry for practice
• Applied occupational therapy practice
• Occupational therapy placement 2
• Occupational therapy placement 3

Year three

• Professional leadership
• Working with complexity in practice
• The advancing professional
• Independent study in occupational therapy
• Occupational therapy placement 4
• Capstone Porfoilio

Module and assessment information for future years is displayed as currently validated and may be liable to change.