The OT Degree Apprenticeship (OTDA) programme is approved and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the professional body, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
The OTDA programme comprises 360 credits, organised into modules which vary in weight from 20 to 60 credits. All modules are compulsory and apprentices must pass all components of the modules in order to progress to the next level of the programme.
Our teaching methods at UEA are extremely well regarded, drawing on innovative pedagogical approaches. You’ll be taught through a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops and student-led learning including both online and face to face methods.
Level 4 is achieved and assessed through Accreditation of Prior Learning.
Level 5 [15 months]
Research Practice
This module considers the value of research in the systematic evaluation of practice and introduces qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using practical activities to develop an understanding of primary research and application of critical appraisal skills.
Developing Occupational Therapy Practice
This module develops your understanding of occupational science, related to occupational therapy models of practice, frames of reference and their application to the practice of occupational therapy. You’ll develop your understanding of the barriers to occupational performance across the lifespan by examining changes to physical health, psychological and social well-being and the environment.
This module incorporates two practice placement experiences of eight and six weeks. Both placements are outside of the apprentice’s employing organisation the second of these placements being a six-week professional development placement where you’ll experience less traditional areas of occupational therapy practice and you’ll experience the challenge of applying occupational therapy theory in these settings.
Health and Well-being
In this module, there is a focus on wellbeing and promoting function, recovery processes, building on strengths and the promotion of healthy lifestyles. The focus is on primary, secondary and tertiary health promotion and minimising the impairment of body functions and structures, and the promotion of activity and participation in meaningful occupation.
Environmental and other contextual issues and global challenges will also be explored. The module is delivered alongside developing OT practice to explore the management of specific conditions and integrate a biopsychosocial approach to well-being across the lifespan.
Level 6 [15 months]
Developing as a Leader
This module utilises the Edward Jenner online programme from the NHS Leadership Academy to explore leadership theory and practice that enables occupational therapists to work with service users and other practitioners in health and social care.
Enhancing Occupational Therapy Practice
This module deepens your understanding of the complexities of occupational therapy interventions through the critical exploration of the profession’s philosophies and practice within a range of diverse and developing contexts. The module enables you to critique, develop and deliver person-centred interventions that enable and support occupational goals.
This module also includes the final eight-week placement of the OTDA programme. This final placement will require you to consolidate and expand your existing knowledge, skills and professional development, and to evidence this through engaging in all aspects of the occupational therapy process appropriate to the setting including referral, assessment, goal setting, intervention, support and evaluation.
Evidence-Based Quality Improvement
This module is about using research, evidence-based practice and quality improvement science and processes to facilitate quality improvement in the current health and social care arena. The module will draw on your previous work on developing as a leader, how to establish a culture of quality in your practice and ways to effect change. The module will also consider the transition from apprentice to practitioner through evidence-based practice and professional awareness.
End Point Assessment
This module synthesises all the required learning outcomes, knowledge, skills and behaviours of the OT accrued throughout programme and tests apprentices’ comprehensive understanding of all aspects of the curriculum.
By the end of the programme apprentices will be:
- Competent to practice autonomously using their knowledge and skills to make professional judgments that enable individuals and groups to optimise their health and social well-being and educational potential.
- Lifelong learners, capable of using reflective practice within a framework of continuing professional development.
- Critical in evaluating their practice, active research consumers able to base their practice on high quality research evidence and able to contribute towards the culture of enquiry within their profession.
- Flexible, innovative, and responsive to change, able to manage themselves and others within shifting contexts of health, social care, and education, enhancing service development, while ensuring quality and productivity.
- Able to work safely and effectively within their scope of practice, understating the impact of culture, equality and diversity so they act in the best interests of Service Users and the service at all times.
- Proactive in leadership and management of others to meet the challenges that exist in health and social care.
- Skilled team members able to operate in interdisciplinary and multi-agency environments, working effectively with different professionals, organisations, and individuals.
