This course enables learners to earn a degree in occupational therapy and apply for HCPC registration as occupational therapists.

About the apprenticeship

Course length: 33 months, part-time, plus 3 month integrated end-point assessment

Start date: March

Course level: Level 6

University award: BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

How much it costs: Funded through the employer

Accreditation: 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 Professions Council and join the Royal College of Occupational Therapists to practice in the UK.
• This course is suitable for both existing staff such as occupational therapy assistants and people new to the sector. 

This course aligns with professional and ethical standards, equipping you with the skills and knowledge to practice occupational therapy in diverse contexts. 

Apply occupational therapy theory across four pillars: professional practice, facilitation of learning, leadership and evidence, research, and development.

This course meets the occupational therapist apprenticeship standard. 

How you learn

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.

Teaching and learning are research-enriched. You will develop research and inquiry skills throughout the course and will be taught by active professionals with access to cutting-edge, interprofessional practice knowledge and experiences.

You’ll learn through:

• Seminars, lectures and practical sessions 
• Remote learning and digital learning packages  
• Work-related learning  
• Independent learning  
• Applied learning

Level 4: Building a strong foundation  
Experience an enhanced foundation year with occupational therapy and health care modules, gaining practical skills to understand factors affecting occupation, plus a practice-based learning experience.

Level 5: Embracing complexity in practice
Experience diverse practice settings, develop professional reasoning and criticality in complex situations, explore current and future occupational therapy applications, and complete practice-based learning experiences.

Level 6: Transition to practice
Consolidate practical skills, develop research and leadership, and reflect on professional standards. Prepare for your final placement, prepare for your final placement and explore occupational therapy in new and emerging areas of practice. 

Applied learning

All three years of the course are structured around applied learning. This links your studies to real-world situations.

Work-based support
Throughout the course you will have regular reviews with your work-based mentor and the work-based learning coach. Allowing you to reflect on experiences and plan your future development. 

Practice-based learning
These will help you to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice, preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. Practice-based learning complies with requirements of the Professional Statutory and Regulatory Body (PSRB). 

Innovative learning facilities
You will have access to a range of facilities and equipment, such as, moving and handling equipment and virtual reality programmes. 

Campus facilities

You'll learn in modern facilities at our Collegiate Campus including mock wards and operating rooms, simulation suites, and interactive manikins.

On this course you work with:

• An online platform to easily access resources for each module
• Innovative equipment for anatomy teaching

Entry requirements

The entry requirements ensure the apprenticeship is accessible to a diverse range of applicants while maintaining appropriate standards.

Applicants must:

• have the right to abode 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, we will refer you to our functional skills training partner where you'll need to complete the relevant qualifications during the first year of your apprenticeship.

If English is not your first language, you will also need an IELTS score of 6.5 with a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or equivalent. If your level of English language is below IELTS 6.5 we will recommend an appropriate pre-sessional English course. Which will allow you to achieve the required level of English. 

Additional qualifications

Plus the following:  

• Evidence of successful formal study at Level 3 
• A minimum of six months experience in a health and social care capacity, including any placements or work-based learning undertaken as part of a Level 3 qualification. 

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

• 96 UCAS points from three A levels or equivalent qualifications such as BTEC Nationals, Cambridge Technicals, OCR Nationals and T Levels.
• Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course
• Level 3 Apprenticeship
• Higher Technical Qualifications (HTQ’s) New or existing Level 4 or 5 qualifications such as HNDs, Foundation Degrees, Certificate HE or Diploma HE 
• Previous degree

Other qualifications may be considered in discussion with the university. 

You will also be subject to a Disclosure and Barring Service check and an Occupational Health assessment may be required in individual cases.

Modules

The course is designed so that learners will apply their learning back to the workplace as part of every module. Delivered through a combination of academic learning and work-based learning.

Year one

• Occupational therapy in context
• Occupational therapy in practice
• Personal & professional development 1
• Practice based learning 1

Year two

• Professional reasoning in occupational therapy
• Group work in occupational therapy
• Personal & professional development 2
• Research in practice
• Practice based learning 2

Year three

• Advanced professional reasoning in occupational therapy
• Contemporary occupational therapy practice
• Personal & professional development 3
• Applied research in practice
• Practice based learning 4

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