BSc OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
BSC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY
Occupational therapists play a critical role in helping people of all ages to overcome challenges caused by illness, ageing or an accident, so that they can continue their everyday occupations. By entering onto our three-year course, you’ll be taking the first step towards an exciting and rewarding profession that focuses on developing extraordinary partnerships with people and making lasting, positive changes to their lives by empowering them to reach their maximum potential.
As well as giving you a solid and varied academic grounding, our programme will provide you with early patient contact and access to superb facilities, including our anatomy room and assistive technology suite. So you can develop the practical skills which will prove vital to making your career a success.
About
As a qualified Occupational Therapist (OT), you’ll need to work in close collaboration with other healthcare professionals, which is why our programme has a strong inter-professional focus, embodying the principles that facilitate effective teamwork. You’ll develop a professional identity of your own, while gaining a greater awareness of the roles and responsibilities of all partners in health and social care.
Throughout the course you’ll share modules with physiotherapy and speech and language therapy students. And you’ll take part in small teaching groups, allowing you to get involved with a close-knit student body and supportive learning culture. You can also take practice placements in a variety of settings that allow you to apply and practice your newly-acquired knowledge and skills in a safe environment.
Highlights of Occupational Therapy at UEA
Our three-year course, which is fully approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) ensures you are:
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Able to practice autonomously, using your knowledge and skills to make complex decisions while critically evaluating your own practice.
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A lifelong learner, capable of using reflective practice within a framework of continuing professional development.
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An active research consumer, basing your practice on high quality research evidence, and able to contribute towards the culture of enquiry within the profession.
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Flexible, innovative and responsive to change. Able to manage yourself and others within shifting contexts of health, social care and education; enhancing service development, while ensuring quality and productivity.
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Able to work safely and effectively within your scope of practice, understanding the impact of culture, equality and diversity so you act in the best interests of service users at all times.
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Proactive in leadership and the management of others.
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A skilled team member, operating effectively within interdisciplinary and multi-agency environments.
Our BSc Occupational Therapy course is ranked in the top 15 for Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy by 'The Complete University Guide 2022', and in the top 20 for Health Professions by 'The Guardian 2021'.
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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.Accreditation
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist.
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Placement Year and Study Abroad
Placement 6 is an eight-week professional development placement within an area guided by the student’s placement profile, in a location (with approval from the Personal Advisor / Course Director) chosen and organised by the student. You can choose where you’d like to complete the placement, based on your previous practice experience.
There is the option to undertake your placement overseas, broadening your understanding of occupational therapy within a different country and culture. This is subject to government health advice at the time these placements take place.
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After the Course
Once you graduate, you’ll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and join the Royal College of Occupational Therapists as a professional member.
Throughout your career you’ll have the chance to make a real difference, giving individuals a renewed sense of purpose, opening up new horizons, and changing the way they feel about the future.
You’ll enjoy a broad range of career opportunities, and the skills you’ll develop could lend themselves to new emerging roles too, such as working with asylum seekers or refugees, the police or the fire services.
Career destinations
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Acute health and social care
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Private practice
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Research/education
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Working in the community
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Mental health services
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Third sector charities
Discover more: https://www.uea.ac.uk/health-sciences/careers-and-employability/your-career
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Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress. Our intention throughout the course is to run placements as described below but this will be subject to government health advice at the time these placements take place.
| Module | Assessment item | Formative or Summative | Submission Month |
| Foundations of Professional Practice 1
| Academic writing essay | Formative | October |
| Virtual group presentation | Summative | March | |
| Practice Education 1 | Critique of an HCPC profile | Formative | December |
| Introductory placement (2 weeks) | Formative | January | |
| CPD Profile (2500wds) | Summative | March | |
| Placement 2 (4 weeks) | Summative | July | |
| Human Sciences 1 | Online multiple choice questions course test | Formative | November |
| Online multiple choice questions course test 1 | Summative | February | |
| Online multiple choice questions course test 2 | Summative | May | |
| Occupational Therapy Theory & Practice 1 | OT skills practical | Formative | January |
| OT theory Essay (2000wds) | Summative | February | |
| Professional reasoning VIVA and report | Summative | May |
Assessment for Year 2
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress.
Assessment for Year 3
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress.
Assessment for Year 1
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress. Our intention throughout the course is to run placements as described below but this will be subject to government health advice at the time these placements take place.
| Module | Assessment item | Formative or Summative | Submission Month |
| Foundations of Professional Practice 1
| Academic writing essay | Formative | October |
| Virtual group presentation | Summative | March | |
| Practice Education 1 | Critique of an HCPC profile | Formative | December |
| Introductory placement (2 weeks) | Formative | January | |
| CPD Profile (2500wds) | Summative | March | |
| Placement 2 (4 weeks) | Summative | July | |
| Human Sciences 1 | Online multiple choice questions course test | Formative | November |
| Online multiple choice questions course test 1 | Summative | February | |
| Online multiple choice questions course test 2 | Summative | May | |
| Occupational Therapy Theory & Practice 1 | OT skills practical | Formative | January |
| OT theory Essay (2000wds) | Summative | February | |
| Professional reasoning VIVA and report | Summative | May |
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.Assessment for Year 2
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress.
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.Assessment for Year 3
You’ll be assessed through a combination of course work and project work, designed to support your academic progression. Course work assessment methods include essays, integrated assignments, poster and case presentations.
We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.
Placements are also central to the course, and you’ll have to pass all of them in order to progress.
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
A Levels
BBB/ABC or BBC with an A in the Extended ProjectBTEC
DDM in Health, Care or ScienceScottish highers
AABBBScottish highers advanced
CCCIrish leaving certificate
2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3Access course
Pass with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3, in a Health, Care or Science subjectEuropean Baccalaureate
70%International Baccalaureate
31 pointsGCSE offer
In addition to all other specified requirements listed on this page, you’ll need to hold or be working towards 5 GCSEs at a minimum of Grade C or Grade 4, including Mathematics, English Language and a science.
Additional entry requirements
We’d also encourage an application if you hold or are working towards one of the following qualifications:
| Bachelor Degree (hons) | 2.1, or 2.2 with BBC at A Level |
| Certificate of Higher Education | 55% with BBC at A Level |
| Diploma of Higher Education | 55% |
| Foundation Degree in a Health, Care or Science subject | 55% |
| Foundation Year of an undergraduate degree programme at a UK university, in a Health, Care or Science subject | 60% with BBC at A Level |
| Open University (60 credits) in a Health, Care or Science subject | 60% |
| CACHE Level 3 Diploma in Child Care and Education (Early Years Educator) | A |
| CACHE Level 3 Extended Diploma in Children's Care, Learning and Development, or Children and Young People's Workforce, or Health and Social Care (including Technical Level) | A |
At UEA we recognise that some students take a mixture of qualifications. Please email admissions@uea.ac.uk if you would like to check whether any particular combination of qualifications would be suitable for entry onto this degree programme.
Please note that we do not consider A Levels in General Studies or Critical Thinking, Apprenticeships, NVQs (any level) or Work-based Level 3 Diplomas (previously NVQs) to meet the minimum academic entry requirements, although these can be used as evidence of recent study.
We’ll be unable to consider you for this course if you’ve obtained an academic fail from a previous health based degree programme, including where an exit award has been achieved.
Graduates may wish to consider our accelerated Masters programmes.
If you do not meet the academic and/or English language requirements for direct entry our partner, INTO UEA offers progression on to this undergraduate degree upon successful completion of a preparation programme and an interview:
International Foundation in Pharmacy, Health and Life Sciences
Special Entry Requirements
To ensure that you’re equipped to succeed on this academically rigorous programme, we’d prefer you to be able to demonstrate evidence of recent academic study within 5 years of the start of the course. If you have not studied for an academic qualification within the last 5 years please email admissions@uea.ac.uk to enquire further.
Offers to successful applicants will be subject to a satisfactory occupational health check, an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check and two satisfactory references.
If necessary, the Admissions Service will be happy to provide you with advice on further study that might help you to make a future application to the course. Please email admissions@uea.ac.uk with any questions or if you need any further information.
Students for whom english is a foreign language
Applications from students whose first language is not English are welcome. We require evidence of proficiency in English (including reading, writing, speaking and listening):
IELTS: 7.0 overall (minimum 7.0 in each component)
We will also accept a number of other English language qualifications to meet this requirement. Review our English Language Equivalences here.
INTO UEA also offer a variety of English language programmes which are designed to help you develop the English skills necessary for successful undergraduate study:
Pre-sessional English at INTO UEA
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.
All interviews for entry in 2021 will take place online. We do not disclose interview questions, 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 a clear understanding of the profession (ideally with relevant voluntary or paid work in health care), and an interest in people.
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. We will take this into account and will adapt our expectations.
Keep in mind that clinical work experience is not generally a requirement for applying to train in healthcare, but it is important to show that you are able to work with people and appreciate the health and social care setting. It is important to remember why we look for work experience in an application; this in turn can help you think of the numerous ways that you might be able to demonstrate how you have acquired relevant experience.
We will want to see that you understand what a career in Health involves. Work experience, and other related experiences, are only as valuable as the way you talk about them and what understanding you take from them. 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.
What type of experience do you need?
Any activity or life experience 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. Whilst volunteer work in the NHS might be disrupted at this time, other schemes may still be in operation and worth exploring 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. It is likely that these sorts of volunteering opportunities will start to run again before healthcare related opportunities are available.
Remember: it is what you learn about yourself, about other people and about how effective care is delivered and received that counts. What you did is only a small part of the story; it is how you communicate what you learnt which matters.
Gap year
We welcome applications from students who have already taken or intend to take a gap year. We believe that a year between school and university can be of substantial benefit. If you intend to apply with deferred entry, please let us know about your gap year plans in your UCAS application.
Intakes
This course is open to UK and overseas applicants. The annual intake for this course is in September each year.
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Fees and Funding
Tuition fees
See information on tuition fees
Scholarships and bursaries
We are committed to ensuring that costs do not act as a barrier to those aspiring to come to a world leading university and have developed a funding package to reward those with excellent qualifications and assist those from lower income backgrounds.
The University of East Anglia offers a range of Scholarships; please click the link for eligibility, details of how to apply and closing dates.
If you are eligible for tuition fee and maintenance support from the Student Loans Company, you might also be able to apply for additional financial support through the NHS Learning Support Fund when studying this course.
Course related costs
You can find information regarding additional costs associated here
http://www.uea.ac.uk/about/legalstatements/finance-and-fees/additional-course-fees
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How to Apply
Applications need to be made via the Universities Colleges and Admissions Services (UCAS), using the UCAS Apply option.
UCAS Apply is a secure online application system that allows you to apply for full-time Undergraduate courses at universities and colleges in the United Kingdom. It is made up of different sections that you need to complete. Your application does not have to be completed all at once. The application allows you to leave a section partially completed so you can return to it later and add to or edit any information you have entered. Once your application is complete, it is sent to UCAS so that they can process it and send it to your chosen universities and colleges.
The Institution code for the University of East Anglia is E14.
FURTHER INFORMATION
Please complete our Online Enquiry Form to request a prospectus and to be kept up to date with news and events at the University.
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Why choose Occupational Therapy?
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