MSc Occupational Therapy (February Start)
Key Details
- Attendance
- Full Time
- Award
- Degree of Master of Science
- Course Length
- 2 years
- Course Start Date
- February 2026
Course Overview
Occupational therapists work closely with people who have an illness, injury or disability to help them live their lives to their full potential. You could be helping a child with a learning disability, supporting a young person with anorexia, or aiding an older person in recovering from a stroke.
Our MSc Occupational Therapy course prepares you for an exciting and rewarding career. You’ll join a community of enthusiastic students, lecturers and educators and a very active student-led Occupational Therapy Society. You’ll be taught within a multi-professional health school, so you’ll be well-equipped for working in contemporary healthcare settings once you graduate.
Our two-year full-time course will enable you to deliver excellent, person-centred, inter-professional practice. You’ll learn how to apply professional reasoning, drawing on human sciences, occupational therapy theory, psychology, sociology and creativity. Our case-based and active learning approaches will shape your understanding of the profession.
Your time with us will be split between university-based learning and practice-based learning. Our dedicated placements team works closely with our practice partners to set up a balanced range of placement experiences for you.
You’ll be able to progress into careers in the NHS, social services, private health services, research and charitable organisations. Upon successful completion of the programme, you’ll also be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Placement Year and Study Abroad
You'll arrange your own final placement, based upon your previous practice experience. This could take place in the UK, but you also have the option to undertake this placement abroad, thereby broadening your understanding of occupational therapy within a different country and culture. However, overseas travel can put additional demands on students, so we ask to be consulted on any such plans and may advise against overseas travel in some circumstances.
Accreditations
This programme is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.
Study and Modules
Structure
Our two-year, full-time programme encompasses 45 weeks of learning each year. This includes three to four weeks of reading to prepare for assessments and placements, as well as time to consolidate knowledge.
The programme adopts a case-based learning (CBL) structure which enables the development of independent learning, problem solving and decision-making skills.
Practice placements are integrated throughout the course, enabling you to undertake a supervised placement with a range of different healthcare partners including but not limited to the East Anglian region. We also have a Peer Enhanced e-Placement which occurs prior to the start of placement one. You'll complete a minimum of 1000 assessed hours during the programme.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
This is a full time Master’s degree. The taught elements of our full-time programme will make up approximately three to four days per week, with the rest of your working week dedicated to essential self-directed study.
Qualified occupational therapists need to integrate their knowledge and apply it to patients, so we mirror this in our teaching through a range of teaching methods. You'll be involved in a combination of occupational therapy-specific activities and sessions working with physiotherapy and dietetic students.
You'll work in groups to examine a case-study. You’ll clarify what needs to be learned from the case and you’ll develop a series of learning objectives. Our approach is based on principles of adult learning theory and problem-solving that are proven to lead to deeper and more meaningful learning.
Assessment
Our assessments are designed to develop and test your communication skills, and your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level.
Your assignments will be marked against the Senate Scale for Master’s-level work, but your practice placements will be marked at undergraduate level as pass/fail, with feedback offered on performance. Assessment methods in year one include oral presentations, written essays and placement.
Structure
Year two continues with the CBL approach. During your second year of study, you’ll build upon your understanding of occupation to develop advanced professional reasoning skills. You'll complete further placements in a variety of settings with the opportunity to arrange the final eight-week placement elsewhere in the UK or overseas subject to approval. You’ll be responsible for covering any additional travel and accommodation costs you incur. You’ll also begin preparing for the transition into the workplace.
Compulsory Modules
Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring, review and update of modules. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes and their constituent modules, the University will endeavour to consult with students and others. It is also possible that the University may not be able to offer a module for reasons outside of its control, such as the illness of a member of staff. In some cases optional modules can have limited places available and so you may be asked to make additional module choices in the event you do not gain a place on your first choice. Where this is the case, the University will inform students.
Teaching and Learning
In your second year, you’ll continue to use the case-based learning for a range of case scenarios. You’ll engage in a wide range of specialist practice topics reflecting the needs of the modern workforce.
Self-directed study and collaboration with peers are an integral part of our Master’s programme. Your lecturers will provide resources to facilitate the core activities via our Blackboard Ultra Virtual Learning Environment (VLE) but integrating knowledge from a wide range of sources will be actively encouraged.
The accelerated nature of our programme means that You'll also need to manage your time effectively.
Assessment
Assessment methods in year two include oral presentations, written essays and placements. In year two, you'll also complete your research project, a key piece of work which enables you to master the critical appraisal and application of research evidence to occupational therapy practice.
Employability
After the Course
Upon successful completion of your programme, you'll be eligible to apply to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Once registered, you'll be able to practice as an occupational therapist.
A typical first job will consolidate your skills and may offer opportunities to progress into a specialist role or to take on management responsibilities. Alternatively, you may decide to progress your career into clinical research or private practice.
Careers
Examples of careers that you could enter include:
- National Health Service
- Charitable organisations
- Social services departments
- Private health services
- Own start-ups
- Clinical research
Discover more on our Careers webpages.
Entry Requirements
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical UK Entry Requirements
Degree classification
Bachelors degree - 2.1
Applicants with a 2.2 or equivalent may be considered if they have strong relevant work experience.
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This is a pre-registration course. If you have completed an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
You must have graduated within 10 years of the start date of the course, or be able to provide relevant evidence of further study or professional experience.
You must also have a profile of secondary qualifications in arts and sciences (A-level or equivalent).
Our admissions criteria also include requirements such as: a clear understanding of Occupational Therapy; a broad range of relevant work shadowing; an interest in people and a strong academic attainment.
It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your application.
Interview format
Our interviews for 2025 will take place on our campus. The format will match the process outlined in our animation: What to expect from a Health Science interview at UEA, as closely as possible. You will be invited to book your interview for a morning or afternoon session by email. The email will include the arrival time and building location. We use a variety of the buildings on our campus for interviews, but they will either be on our Main Campus or on our West Campus (which is around a 20-minute walk from the centre of the Main Campus, near the Norfolk and Norwich University Hospital). The session will last no longer than 3 hours in total. Applicants who are based outside of the UK at the point of applying will be offered an online interview.
As part of the session, you will take part in ‘multiple mini-interviews’ with academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
You will undertake your ‘multiple mini-interview’ alongside 1 or 2 other applicants for the course. Together, you will be taken to your interview room, which will be furnished with three interview stations. You will attend each interview station in turn, rotating with the other applicants you have been grouped with.
Before you visit each interview station, you will be given time to read some information. The information will include the interview questions or topics that you will be asked about. You will then be given a set amount of time with the interviewer(s), who will ask you the questions verbally.
The other applicants who you have been grouped together with will be following the same process as you at the same time. They will be speaking to alternate interviewer(s) to you simultaneously. You will all continue the process above until you have been interviewed at all three interview stations.
As part of your interview day, you will also have an opportunity to join some other sessions, for which you will not be assessed. The sessions are an opportunity for you to learn more about the course, the university, the students that study here, and for you to ask questions of current students and teaching staff. There may be an opportunity to undertake some practical skills during some of these sessions, if possible. There may also be an opportunity to tour the teaching facilities. These parts of your interview day are not compulsory, and do not form part of the assessment.
Interview questions
At each interview station you will be asked questions that focus on a particular domain. The order in which you are asked about these domains will be variable. The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
On all interview stations, interviewers will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of Healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
- This course is open to
UK and International fee-paying students. Choose UK or International above to see relevant information. The entry point is in February each year.
- Typical International Entry Requirements
Degree classification
UK Bachelors degree - 2.1 or equivalent.
Applicants with a 2.2 or equivalent may be considered if they have strong relevant work experience.
Degree Subject
All subject areas considered.
- Additional Entry Requirements
This is a pre-registration course. If you have completed an undergraduate degree in Occupational Therapy, this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.
You must have graduated within 10 years of the start date of the course, or be able to provide relevant evidence of further study or professional experience.
You must also have a profile of secondary qualifications in arts and sciences (A-level or equivalent).
Our admissions criteria also include requirements such as: a clear understanding of Occupational Therapy; a broad range of relevant work shadowing; an interest in people and a strong academic attainment.
It is normal for undergraduate students to apply for entry to postgraduate programmes in their final year of study. Applicants who have not yet been awarded a degree may be offered a place conditional on their attaining a particular class of degree.
- English and Mathematics
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- Additional GCSE Requirements
Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Science at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.
- English Foreign Language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including writing, speaking, listening and reading):
-
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 6.5 in all components)
We also accept a number of other English language tests. Review our English Language Equivalencies for a list of example qualifications that we may accept to meet this requirement.
Test dates should be within two years of the course start date.
If you do not meet the English language requirements for this course, INTO UEA offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the required English skills.
-
- Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council
The pre-registration courses offered in the School of Health Sciences are approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and after successfully completing an accredited pre-registration programme such as ours you must apply to register with the HCPC in order to work as a registered healthcare professional in the UK.
This course equips you with the skills necessary to practise as an occupational therapist both internationally and in the UK.
International students who complete the course will be eligible to apply to the HCPC.
- Interviews
The strongest applicants will be invited to interview. Please note that meeting (or being predicted to meet) the minimum academic entry requirements will not guarantee that you will be selected for interview.
Interview invitations will be sent by email. Please keep a close eye on all emails from UEA after you submit your application.
Interview format
Applicants who are based outside of England at the point of applying will be offered an online interview. You will be invited to an online interview by email. These are typically 40 minutes long and the email will include a link to your online interview. This is conducted on Blackboard Collaborate.
The interview will be conducted by one or multiple interviewers including academic members of staff from the School of Health Sciences at UEA, clinicians from the profession, service users* and/or current UEA students from the course.
*A ‘service user’ is someone who has access to use health or social care services or could be affected by the services of health and social care professionals.
After an initial introduction, the lead interviewer will conduct an ID check and then explain how the interview will unfold.The interview will cover three distinct domains which will be introduced to you by the interviewer at the start of your interview. The interview questions will be shared in the chat with you so you can read them.
The domains are:
- Your knowledge of the professional field for which you are applying.
- Your personal qualities and suitability for the profession. To help with discussion around this domain, you may be asked to consider a scenario and asked questions about how you would respond to it. You will be given time to read the scenario before you approach the interview station, and it will also be read to you by the interviewer(s).
- Your understanding of and suitability for the course at UEA.
During the interview, the interviewer(s) will also consider your ability to clearly present information and communicate your responses effectively.
Experience of Healthcare
We are aware that it is a difficult time to try to gain relevant experience in healthcare. First time applicants to Nursing, Midwifery and the Allied Health Professions will all be in a similar situation.
Clinical work experience will not generally be a requirement for applying to train in healthcare. We will be looking for you to show that you are able to work with people, that you appreciate the health and social care setting, and that you understand what a career in health will involve. While we will expect you to show some understanding of what it is like to be the professional of your choice, part of this involves demonstrating that you know what it is like to work in a responsible role, particularly with the public.
Note that your experiences are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. It is important that you think about how you might be able to demonstrate your understanding of healthcare, that you can relate this to experience or research, and that you can explain what you have learned.
What type of experience or research do you need?
Any activity, life experience or research that helps you to prepare for training to be a healthcare professional will help. This means any activity that allows you to demonstrate that you have:
- Had people-focused experience of providing a service, care, support or help to others, and that you understand the realities of working in a caring profession.
- Developed some of the values, attitudes and behaviours essential to being a Nurse, Midwife or Allied Health professional such as conscientiousness, effective communication and the ability to interact with a wide variety of people. The values that we are looking for are set out in the NHS Constitution.
- A realistic understanding of Health and Social Care and in particular the physical, organisational and emotional demands of the career.
Practical ways to gain experience
Keep a reflective diary on what is happening in the news and online. Listen to what healthcare professionals have to say and reflect on this. All healthcare professionals can be a valuable source of information and experience, not just those that work in the specific profession that you are applying for. Demonstrating that you have a sense of all healthcare professions (and how they work together) will help you in both your personal statement and interview.
Volunteer in your spare time if you can, all forms of voluntary work can provide helpful work experience. If volunteer work in the NHS isn’t something that is available to you, think about what else you could explore i.e. working with other people in a caring or service role. Voluntary commitments to community groups (for example groups related to the work of churches, mosques and temples, or other groups such as Scouts or Guides) and online community support groups may also provide valuable experience of taking on responsibility, dealing with people and communicating effectively.
Remember: what is important is what you learn about yourself and about other people, and what you learn about how effective care is delivered and received. How you learn these things is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt that matters.
- Placements
Occupational Health Check
As this course includes patient facing placements in health or social care settings, and these are a mandatory component of the course, you will need to comply with the placement vaccination policy. Failure to meet the placement vaccination policy may prevent you from joining the course or may lead to your withdrawal from the course in the future. Future employment may also be subject to this condition.
DBS Check
The offer made to successful applicants after the interview stage will be conditional on completing an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. Where applicable, an Overseas Police Check may be required.
Assessing Your Fitness to Become a Registered Healthcare Professional
Please see our guidance on assessing your fitness.
- Admissions Policy
Our Admissions Policy applies to the admissions of all postgraduate applicants.
Fees and Funding
Tuition fees for the Academic Year 2025/26 are:
-
UK Students: £19,070 (£9,535 per year)
-
International Students: £45,400 (£22,700 per year)
We estimate living expenses at £1,136 per month.
Further Information on tuition fees can be found here.
Scholarships and Bursaries
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
Course Related Costs
Due to the diversity of occupational therapy practice and the broad geographic area, practice placements will be located in a variety of locations including but not limited to East Anglia. You'll be responsible for covering additional costs of transport and accommodation. You'll also need to pay for a DBS check and health screening, plus any necessary vaccinations.
UK students may be able to claim back placement costs for travel and accommodation from a Department of Health bursary fund, but this will not be available to international students.
You can find information regarding additional costs associated on our Fees and finance webpages.
How to Apply
How to apply
Applications for Postgraduate Taught programmes at the University of East Anglia should be made directly to the University.
To apply please use our online application form.
The closing date for receipt of complete applications is 01 June.
Further information
If you would like to discuss your individual circumstances prior to applying, please do contact us:
Postgraduate Admissions Office
Tel: +44 (0)1603 591515
Email: admissions@uea.ac.uk
International candidates are also encouraged to access the International Students section of our website.
Information for Offer Holders
Offers have to be accepted within 6 weeks of the offer email being sent. If your offer isn't accepted by this deadline, you will be moved onto the reserve list and your place will be offered to another eligible student. You will then only be reconsidered for this intake if a new place becomes available.
International students are required to pay an International deposit to start the CAS process. The International deposit deadline for this course is 10 November. If you have not paid the deposit by this date you will be moved onto the reserve list and your place will be offered to another eligible student.