MSc Occupational Therapy (February Start)

Key details

MSC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY (FEBRUARY START)

Start Year

2023

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Master of Science

Duration (years)

The central theory of occupational therapy is that all humans are occupational beings and we all engage in meaningful activities to live a fulfilling life. As such, activity itself can be used to aid rehabilitation and independent living. 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, a young person with anorexia, or an elderly person to recover from a stroke. Occupational therapy is extremely varied and requires ‘out of the box’ thinking alongside professional reasoning. Our course prepares you for an exciting and rewarding career.

You’ll join a community of enthusiastic students, lecturers and educators and a very active Occupational Therapy Society. You will be taught within a multi-professional health school, so you will be well-equipped for working in contemporary healthcare settings once you graduate. Our course will enable you to deliver excellent, person-centred, inter-professional practice.

About

Occupational therapists are qualified to work in a uniquely varied range of settings, and our two-year, full-time course will teach you how to apply professional reasoning, drawing on human sciences, occupational therapy theory, psychology, sociology and creativity. Respectful relationships with service users are at the heart of occupational therapy practice and at the heart of our programme throughout. As a result, we have Experts by Experience sessions where service users speak to you about their experience of their condition.

Our Master’s programme is open to arts, science, healthcare and humanities graduates. If you are hoping to pursue a career in occupational therapy, our enquiry based-style of learning will shape your understanding of the profession, and underpin it with knowledge of human sciences and therapeutic approaches.  

Our active learning approach is designed to engage you cognitively, emotionally and spiritually, so you develop your professional identity as an occupational therapist and gain the skills to use yourself therapeutically within health and social care settings. Throughout the programme, you will have a personal advisor who will help you reflect on your highs and lows, enabling you to learn from both. You will also learn how to use professional development tools to identify your personal learning needs and goals. 

Your time with us will be split between university-based learning and practice-based learning. We have a dedicated placement team, who work closely with our practice partners to set up a balanced range of placement experiences for you. While on placement, you will be allocated a dedicated educational supervisor; a qualified occupational therapist, who will support you as you apply your knowledge and gain skills and confidence. Your practice educator will be experienced in judging your needs and will help you to challenge yourself. 

We also provide the exciting opportunity for you to take ownership of your professional development and arrange your final eight-week placement in a specialist field you are passionate about or haven’t yet experienced.

The course provides four practice placement experiences across the two years. The structure of each year and use of Enquiry Based Learning enables you to develop your core skills prior to Practice Placement 1 and then develop complex therapeutic skills by your final Professional Development placement.

Practice placements are designed to give students the skills to work across NHS, independent, private and third sector settings which reflect the contexts of future health and social care. This range of experiences will develop your flexibility and transferable skills. All students will undertake their placements within the same timeframe, and will be completing a minimum of 37.5 hours assessed practice, including 3.5 hours of portfolio development per week. You will arrange your own final eight-week placement, which could take place in the UK or abroad. 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. 

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Why choose Occupational Therapy?

As an occupational therapist, you see the world through the eyes of other people, understand their challenges and help them find a positive way forward.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the courses listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the regular review of course programmes. Where this activity leads to significant (but not minor) changes to programmes, there will normally be prior consultation of students and others. Changes may for example consist of variations to the content and method of delivery of programmes, courses and other services, to discontinue programmes, courses and other services and to merge or combine programmes or courses. The University will endeavour to keep such changes to a minimum, and will inform students.

Assessment for Year 1

Our assessments are designed to develop and test your communication skills, and your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. 

Assessment methods will include practical skill oral examinations, written essays, reflective accounts, posters and case-management presentations. 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. 

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 whole programme adopts an enquiry-based learning (EBL) structure (McLean, Gibbs 2010) whereby students learn in a facilitated student-centred way, with learning outcomes influenced by the requisite standards of proficiency. This approach enables the development of independent learning, problem solving and decision-making skills. There will be an evolving level of difficulty in the prompt material, from straightforward cases that develop baseline theoretical and therapeutic understandings through to complex scenarios addressing service development needs. The range of teaching methods includes workshops, practical sessions, student led study, project work, tutorials, cadaver dissection, seminars, student-generated handouts, 1:1 student/advisor meetings and interprofessional learning groups.

Teaching and assessment will be structured into the following modules:

Occupational Therapy professional practice    

This first year module focuses on the central theme of occupation. It will help you learn the core principles and develop the knowledge and skills of occupational therapy practice, giving you the confidence to engage in your first professional practice placement as a student.   

Human sciences  

Our Human Sciences module addresses the foundation anatomical, physiological, sociological and psychological sciences. Your learning within it will be closely aligned to professional practice and applied through enquiry-based learning (EBL) activities including palpation, dissection and Q&A seminars. 

Professional development   

Our Professional Development module will help you develop Master’s-level academic skills, as well as team working and professional communication abilities, and an understanding of how health and social care services work and improve. By the end of the programme, you will begin to see yourself as a potential leader, capable of managing change and able to reflect upon and identify areas for your own development.

Research

The first year Research module will ensure that you are able to engage with the evidence base. You will become a confident consumer of research evidence, incorporating the evidence base into your professional practice.

Placement 1

This seven-week placement is taken in September, when you will have undertaken teaching on the human experience of occupation, deepening your understanding of the relationship between occupation and wellbeing, and moving towards facilitating occupation. The learning will be informed by relevant biopsychosocial theory within the Human Sciences, supported by the exploration of the evidence base within research and a developing sense of professionalism. Learning will be contextualised in contemporary and emerging health, social and community environments. On this placement you will be engaged in basic learning.

Teaching and Learning

Qualified occupational therapists need to integrate their knowledge and apply it to patients, so we mirror this in our teaching by focusing on enquiry-based learning (EBL). You will be involved in a combination of occupational therapy-specific activities and sessions working with physiotherapy students.   

You will take part in fortnightly EBL sessions, working with a small group of fellow students on a scenario drawn from real-world experiences. From each scenario, you will need to work out your learning goals: imagine you have to treat this person, what do you need to know? This, in turn, will trigger the learning activities for the following fortnight.   

Each fortnight will include a combination of self-directed study, staff-facilitated learning and student-led feedback sessions. During this time, you will work on a learning goal, typically with another student, looking for important information and searching for evidence. You will then pass your learning onto your peers in the way you feel is most appropriate. For example, you could run an experiential activity, facilitate a critical discussion, or give a presentation. Your staff facilitator will then provide individual feedback on what went well and how you could develop.

Independent study 

Self-directed study and collaboration with peers is an integral part of our Master’s programme. Your lecturers will provide resources to facilitate the core activities via our Blackboard 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 will also need to manage your time effectively. 

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Assessment for Year 2

Our assessments are designed to develop and test your communication skills, and your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. 

Structure

Occupational Therapy professional practice

The second year module will build on your understanding of occupation to promote advanced professional reasoning and creative management strategies for service users in a variety of settings. It will encourage you to develop avenues of emerging scope of practice and prepare you to be ambassadors of the profession.

Professional development

In the second year module, you will be encouraged to explore the wider context of professional development including policy and practice, enterprise and entrepreneurship, service improvement and an integration of learning to date relating to professional development. You will be confident in articulating your professional development. You will be preparing to transition into the workplace to be an autonomous and resilient individual and an ambassador for your profession.

Research

Research 2 will enable you to formulate research questions relevant to current practice in collaboration with a member of faculty. You will learn how to conduct a literature review and justify choice of methodology and methods. By the end of the module, you will be able to demonstrate sound understanding of the synthesis and analysis of data and present the findings of your literature review, whilst critically discussing the implications to practice, in the form of a dissertation.

Placement 2

This seven-week placement occurs in February of the second year of study. You will be engaged in intermediate level learning. It builds on the transferable skills from Year One of the course, focusing on the use of occupation as a central concept. It will encourage you to demonstrate your learning moving from a basic level to an intermediate level.

Placement 3

This seven-week placement occurs in June of the second year of study, and you will be engaged in complex learning building on previous study and practice placement experiences. It will encourage you to demonstrate your ability to work with complex patient presentations.

Placement 4: Professional Development Placement

This final eight week placement occurs in October of the second year of study, where you will be engaged in complex learning. You will identify the placement and will negotiate with your personal advisor based on your personal learning needs and professional profile. You will arrange the placement within an area of practice which is not a regular provider to the School.

Teaching and Learning

Independent study 

The accelerated nature of our programme means that you will also need to manage your time effectively. 

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Open Days

Assessment for Year 2

Our assessments are designed to develop and test your communication skills, and your ability to synthesise and articulate knowledge at Master’s level. 

Compulsory Modules

MANDATORY TRAINING

Code HSC-7001X

Credits 0

As an occupational therapy, dietetics or physiotherapy student, you are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of your degree. Mandatory training is a requirement of these programmes, stipulated by the governing professional bodies and our clinical practice partners. It is important that you undertake a number of training sessions to ensure your own safety and that of service users, staff and anyone else you encounter.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY & PRACTICE 2

Code HSC-7049X

Credits 30

This module will build on the understanding of occupation gained from Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice 1. It draws upon your use of CPD tools, quality measures and service development tools, critical enquiry, research methodology and evidence based practice to promote advanced clinical reasoning and creative management strategies for clients in a variety of clinical settings. It will encourage you to develop avenues of emerging scope of practice. The practice placement settings will provide, through negotiation with local Trusts, opportunities to experience a wide range of settings developing transferable clinical, reflective and managerial skills to prepare you for the current health and social care settings.

PROFESSIONAL DEVELOPMENT 2

Code HSC-7050X

Credits 20

This module further develops the concept and ownership of your personal continuing professional development. You’ll be expected to continue to examine your own experiences and learning needs to facilitate your transition from student to autonomous practitioner. You’ll be encouraged to progressively refine your skills of reflective practice and to continue to collect portfolio based evidence to support your continuing professional development through engagement in real life service improvement tasks. Professionalism and employability will be further developed and facilitated by your personal advisors to monitor development in these areas.

RESEARCH 2

Code HSC-7053X

Credits 30

You will undertake a research dissertation on a topic of your choosing. We will support you throughout the duration of the module and help you submit your final dissertation. Through the experience of working alongside a key member of the academic team, you will develop significant expertise in your chosen research area. When you complete the module, you will be able to interpret and evaluate research in your area of professional practice. You will experience how to design and deliver research, and learn about essential components of good clinical practice and research ethics. This module will follow on from the research module in the first year.

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Important Information

Whilst the University will make every effort to offer the modules listed, changes may sometimes be made arising from the annual monitoring and review of modules. Where this activity leads to significant change to a programme and modules, the University will endeavour to consult with affected students. 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. Availability of optional modules may be restricted owing to timetabling, lack of demand, or limited places. Where this is the case, you will be asked to make alternative module choices and you will be supported during this process.

Entry Requirements

Degree classification

Bachelors (Hons) degree - 2.1 or equivalent from a recognised Higher Education institution. Applicants with a 2.2 or equivalent may be considered if they have strong relevant work experience.

GCSE offer

Applicants will be required to have a minimum of GCSE Maths and English at Grade 4 / C or equivalent.

Additional entry requirements

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 experience.

You must also have a profile of secondary qualifications in arts and sciences (A-level or equivalent).

You need to have minimum grade C/4 (or equivalent) in GCSE Science, Maths and English.

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.

Please note, If you are already a qualified Occupational Therapist this course is not suitable and you may wish to consider our other professional health courses delivered at Degree and Master’s level.

International students

We have a number of places available for students from outside the UK. The School of Health Sciences offers a high quality educational experience for international postgraduates. Potential candidates need to be able to demonstrate the high academic credentials required for the course, as well as good English Language qualifications.

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.

Places on this course are subject to police (DBS) and occupational health checks, including evidence of appropriate immunisations.

PLACEMENTS

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.

Students for whom english is a foreign language

We welcome applications from students whose first language is not English or those whose degree was not taught in English.

To ensure such students benefit fully from postgraduate study, we require evidence of proficiency in English.

Our minimum entry requirements are as follows:

IELTS: 7.0 overall with a minimum of 6.5 in all components
Pearson (PTE): 76 overall with a minimum of 67 in all components.

All test scores must be less than two years old.

Other tests, including Cambridge English exams and the Trinity Integrated Skills in English are also accepted by the university. The full list of accepted tests can be found here: Accepted English Language Tests.

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 Format

Our interviews for February 2024 entry will take place on our campus. You will be invited to a morning or afternoon session by email. The email will include the arrival time and building location. We use a few 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. 

You will take part in ‘multiple mini-interviews’ with academic staff members from the School of Health Sciences, clinicians from the profession you are applying for, students from the course, and/or health service users.

Note that we will not disclose interview questions in advance of the interviews, but in general terms the interviews will explore a range of issues, including your suitability for the profession and the NHS values (as reflected in the NHS constitution). We’ll look to consider your motivation to study this course, as well as whether you have an interest in people and a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in healthcare).

Applicants who are based outside of the UK at the point of applying will be offered an online interview. The format will match the process outlined above as closely as possible.