BSc Occupational Therapy

Key details

BSC OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY

Start Year

2021

Attendance

Full Time

Award

Degree of Bachelor of Science

UCAS course code

B920

Entry Requirements

BBB/ABC

Duration (years)

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:

Able to practice autonomously, using your knowledge and skills to make complex decisions while critically evaluating your own practice.
A lifelong learner, capable of using reflective practice within a framework of continuing professional development.
An active research consumer, basing your practice on high quality research evidence, and able to contribute towards the culture of enquiry within the profession.
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.
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.
Proactive in leadership and the management of others.
A skilled team member, operating effectively within interdisciplinary and multi-agency environments.

About

UEA is ranked in the UK's top 10 for Overall Satisfaction in Counselling, Occupational Therapy and Psychotherapy (NSS 2019) and top 15 for Occupational Therapy in the Complete University Guide 2020.

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.

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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

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.

Structure

The course will build your Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills in a structured way, with a curriculum made up of carefully planned compulsory modules. All modules are a year long, and consist of a mix of profession-specific and inter-disciplinary learning, varying in weight from 20 to 60 credits.

Throughout the three years you’ll engage in a variety of different learning experiences, from lectures, seminars and small group activities, to experiential learning opportunities. Introductory sessions at the start of each academic year will ease your transition between academic levels.

The course is highly interactive and you’ll have opportunities throughout to develop your skills through hands-on experience.

In the first year you’ll engage with core occupational therapy theory and practice. You’ll start to explore concepts of occupational science, and how occupation can be used as a therapeutic intervention.

You’ll complete a human sciences module, covering anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology. And you’ll undertake a two-week placement to introduce you to the workplace, with a further four-week placement designed to help you establish theory-practice links.

Teaching and Learning

You’ll be taught through a blend of lectures, seminars, workshops and student-led learning for the first year of study. The blended approach will include both online and face to face methods. In your second and third years you’ll also have the opportunity to explore enquiry-based learning approaches (case studies) in practice modules, enabling you to take ownership of your academic development.

Half of your learning will be done alongside Physiotherapy students and a further 10% alongside Speech and Language Therapy students. 33% of the course involves practical education alongside other OTs in practice settings.

Independent study

This is a full-time course requiring a commitment of 36 hours per week. An average week will have approximately 18 hours of contact time, with the expectation that – in your non-contact hours – you’ll complete self-directed learning to prepare for upcoming sessions.

You’ll be encouraged to engage in reflective practice to consider how you can improve for any future assignments.

The course will give you an excellent balance of independent critical thinking and study skills, helping you grow into a self-motivated learner, an expert researcher, and an analytical thinker.

You’ll develop confidence in your written work through engagement with evidence-based practice. And throughout your degree you’ll be given guidance on your work and provided with constructive feedback to help you improve.

Academic support is available to make sure you get the most from your studies. You’ll be allocated a member of the occupational therapy faculty as your personal advisor, who’ll support you throughout your three years.

You’ll also have access to UEA’s Learning Enhancement Team, based in Student Support Services, to help with your study, writing, research and assignment skills. They can review your work and offer practical tips on how to improve.

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Assessment for Year 2

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.

Structure

The course is highly interactive and you’ll have opportunities throughout to develop your skills through hands-on experience.

In your second year of study you’ll really get to grips with what it means to practice occupational therapy. You’ll examine the biological, psycho-social and spiritual perspectives of health. And you’ll study specific health conditions in order to understand how occupational therapy relates across diverse areas of practice. You’ll also develop the key research skills required of a healthcare professional and take part in two further placements of six and eight weeks.

Teaching and Learning

Independent study

You’ll be encouraged to engage in reflective practice to consider how you can improve for any future assignments.

The course will give you an excellent balance of independent critical thinking and study skills, helping you grow into a self-motivated learner, an expert researcher, and an analytical thinker.

Admissions Live Chat

Virtual Open Day

Assessment for Year 3

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.

Structure

The course is highly interactive and you’ll have opportunities throughout to develop your skills through hands-on experience.

In your final year you’ll continue to develop your knowledge and skills, exploring Occupational Therapy theory and practice using creative media. You’ll study a variety of contemporary health topics, as well as the legislation and policies that drive the health and social care agenda.

Throughout the year you’ll become increasingly independent and responsible for your own learning, in preparation for your transition to qualified professional life. You’ll complete a further 14 weeks practice placement, consisting of a six week placement and an eight-week transitional placement, which you can plan and undertake in the location of your choice.

Teaching and Learning

Independent study

You’ll be encouraged to engage in reflective practice to consider how you can improve for any future assignments.

The course will give you an excellent balance of independent critical thinking and study skills, helping you grow into a self-motivated learner, an expert researcher, and an analytical thinker.

Admissions Live Chat

Virtual Open Day

Assessment for Year 1

We’ll assess your problem-solving and analytical skills as they develop, and you’ll create a professional portfolio to support their development.

Compulsory Modules

FOUNDATIONS OF PROFESSIONAL PRACTICE

Code HSC-4040Y

Credits 20

This is an inter-professional first year module for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language therapy, and it addresses a number of standards of proficiency that are common to each of these professions. This module will prepare you for the wider contexts of being a health and social care professional. During this module you will learn about the diversity of contexts in which services are delivered; including public health and health promotion. You will explore how services remain client-centred with consideration of equality and diversity. You will consider the importance of practising within the legal and ethical boundaries of their profession. This module will teach you about the role, taking into account your professional identity, values and behaviours whilst recognising the roles of other professions. You will be introduced to reflective practice and the need for continuing professional development. This module will give you the opportunity to develop your academic skills and explore the importance of research in order to underpin your practice.

PRACTICE EDUCATION 1

Code HSC-4041Y

Credits 40

This module introduces students to the foundation skills required to be a health and social care professional with uni- and inter-disciplinary skills-based teaching in conjunction with practice placements. Students will have the opportunity to experience current practice in occupational therapy and physiotherapy. You will be introduced to core clinical skills through inter professional learning, such as effective communication for assessment and solution- focused intervention. Some sessions will be joint with speech and language therapy where shared learning is appropriate for all professional groups. You will engage with a community engagement experience where you will gain experience interacting with the public in a variety of settings early in your course without the pressure of being formally assessed. Further core skills to be delivered include exploring challenging behaviours; motivational approaches to healthcare delivery; supervision and tools for independent learning. You will explore the importance of the resilience and adaptability within health and social care and the need for good practice based skills. In conjunction with practice placement, taught practice based skills at this level will enable students to develop and apply early competencies in preparation for future practice placements and more complex practice skills. Throughout the module, students will explore early employability attributes and begin to develop their employability development portfolio. You will develop and reflect upon the development of practice placement skills through the learning contract. There will be employability content introduced at this stage.

HUMAN SCIENCES

Code HSC-4042Y

Credits 20

This module develops the fundamental theoretical background to the clinical sciences necessary for practice. You will explore the bio-psychosocial processes underpinning human function. Focus will be on the 'normal' structure and function of the body by understanding the basic anatomical, physiological, psychological and sociological processes underpinning human life. Learning outcomes will inform professional practice modules in occupational therapy and physiotherapy.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE 1

Code HSC-4043Y

Credits 40

Occupational Therapy Practice 1 explores the core principles of occupational therapy philosophy, its theoretical foundations, knowledge and core skills underpinning professional practice. The module will be delivered in parallel with Human Sciences 1 which will provide the learner with an understanding of human development, health and wellbeing and biopsychosocial functioning across the lifespan. This approach will enable the learner to develop an understanding of humans as occupational beings across the lifespan. The module will introduce and examine the importance of scientific enquiry that defines and informs professional practice, including occupational science. The learner will explore the meaning of occupation, occupational disruption and the design and use of occupation as a transformational practice within the modern health and social care arena. Students will build upon their understanding of occupational science, developing an appreciation of clinical reasoning and its importance in informing professional practice. An early emphasis is placed upon the use of adaptive, relational and interactive modes of communication to support therapeutic engagement and reflection. Towards the conclusion of the module, the learner will synthesise and apply the acquisition of new knowledge and skills via enquiry-based learning, in preparation for practice placement.

MANDATORY TRAINING 1

Code HSC-4045Y

Credits 0

This module is designed for occupational therapy, physiotherapy and speech and language students who are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of their degree. Mandatory training is a requirement of these programmes, stipulated by the governing professional bodies and our clinical practice partners. It is important that students undertake a number of training sessions to ensure their own safety and that of service users, staff and anyone else that they encounter.

INTERPROFESSIONAL LEARNING - LEVEL 1

Code HSCI4001Y

Credits 0

Interprofessional collaboration & working is proven to improve outcomes in health & social care. In this module you’ll meet and work with others from across healthcare programmes at UEA in a 2 hour learning event. You will explore how teams can work in different scenarios where the focus is on cognitive impairment & communication difficulties across the lifespan. You’ll begin to reflect on your personal and professional development, and begin to explore how you will collaborate & work with other professions to provide integrated person-centred care. In the 2 hour session you will also have the opportunity to become a Dementia Friend. You will be able to follow up this session & learn more about other professional roles by accessing the Interprofessional Role Map on Blackboard. You’ll also have the option to complete a Reflective Workbook to guide your foundational learning on Dementia Awareness & Learning Disability Awareness. You will be assessed on this through a set of multiple choice questions.

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Virtual Open Day

Important Information

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.

Assessment for Year 2

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.

Compulsory Modules

PRACTICE EDUCATION 2

Code HSC-5061Y

Credits 40

NEW - AVAILABLE IN 2019/0 - this module builds on practice education 1 with university and inter-disciplinary skills-based teaching alongside students’ practice placements. Interdisciplinary contents include: note writing and information governance, resilience and, examining the professional’s role within teams together with a clear appreciation of mentoring theory and practice. You will build upon your core skills from practice education 1, evidencing increased competency with management skills, including team working and management. You will continue with clinical skills sessions from the previous year. You will also further build upon your ability to effectively identify and manage practice-based problems and deploy effective strategies to manage these. You will continue to reflect and build upon your employability attributes in readiness for level 6. university-professional sessions will be directed by individual course requirements.

EVIDENCE BASED PRACTICE

Code HSC-5062Y

Credits 20

This module considers the value of research in the systematic evaluation of practice. This module will build on the introductory research elements covered in Year 1 under the Foundations for Professional Practice. Using pedagogic approaches based on blended learning, the research component will introduce qualitative and quantitative methodologies, using experiential activities to develop a basic understanding of primary research and an understanding of critical appraisal skills.

OCCUPATIONAL THERAPY THEORY AND PRACTICE 2

Code HSC-5063Y

Credits 60

This module develops the students' understanding of occupational science, related to occupational therapy models of practice, frames of reference and their application to the practice of occupational therapy. Building on the focus of year one, the individual as an occupational being, the students will develop their understanding of barriers to occupational performance across the lifespan by examining changes to physical health, psychological and social well-being and the environment. The students will be required to integrate and apply knowledge and understanding of the human sciences to inform and develop their clinical reasoning. Whilst the focus is on dysfunction of the human body and mind, related issues such as management of specific conditions, recovery processes and promotion of healthy lifestyles are explored. Whilst exploring the diverse settings in which occupational therapy is delivered, and providing the opportunity to participate in shared inter-professional learning events, this module also encourages the students to begin to think about themselves as leaders working as part of an interdisciplinary team.

MANDATORY TRAINING 2

Code HSC-5065Y

Credits 0

This module is designed for Occupational Therapy, Physiotherapy and Speech and Language students who are required to complete clinical practice hours as part of their degree. Mandatory training is a requirement of the governing professional bodies and our clinical practice partners. It is important that students undertake a number of training sessions to ensure their own safety and that of service users, staff and anyone else they encounter.

Admissions Live Chat

Virtual Open Day

Important Information

Assessment for Year 3

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.

Compulsory Modules

PRACTICE EDUCATION 3

Code HSC-6061Y

Credits 40

This module build upon Practice Education 2 with uni and inter-disciplinary skills-based teaching alongside students’ practice placements. This module explores the transition of the student towards competent and autonomous practitioner. Students undertake a 6-week placement, concluding with a transitional placement which is organised by the student and tailored towards their desired area of practice. The elective provides the opportunity to apply core skills and knowledge acquired over the duration of the programme. Within placement education 3, students build upon their knowledge, clinical skills and professional development, evidencing the ability to engage with assessment and intervention at varying levels of complexity. To date, students will have experienced a broad range of professional practice from a varied portfolio of placements. The student will advance and actively apply the practices of leadership, management, supervision and mentoring. Students are prepared for practice via a series of progressive lectures and seminars aimed at the transition from level 5 to 6. Teaching is focused on integrating learning from previous placement education modules and progressing towards the standards of a newly qualified practitioner. Students undertake preparation sessions for the elective placement as well as plenary sessions to reflect on practice development. The learning outcomes for this module are progressive in nature and are assessed using formal assessment criteria including, safe practice, professionalism, clinical reasoning, interpersonal skills, client management, information management and personal and professional development.

RESEARCH POLICY AND PRACTICE

Code HSC-6062Y

Credits 40

This module is about research and evidence-based practice in the current healthcare climate. It prepares students for practice through topics addressing the transition from student to practitioner through evidence-based practice and professional awareness. Third year students should be equipped to contribute to the culture of enquiry both within their profession, and across the broad area of health and social care and how these relate to research and evidence. They must appreciate the broad professional research-base essential for evidence-based practice and for the development of professional practice. It is also important that they are explicitly prepared for the change from student therapist to professional practitioners. This module provides these attributes. The module has been designed to complement the whole programme, in addition to being harmonious with the HCPC’s Standards of Proficiency and the Council of Allied Health Professional’s position statement “ Developing research skills within AHP pre-registration education”.

OT PROFESSIONAL THEORY AND PRACTICE 3

Code HSC-6063Y

Credits 40

This module draws together the theory and practice from OTP1 and OTP2 modules preparing the student to become a confident and competent occupational therapist. Using an EBL format that builds on a broad understanding of the scope of occupational therapy practice, this module deepens the students’ understanding of the complexities of occupational therapy interventions through the critical exploration of the profession’s philosophies and practice in a range of diverse and developing contexts. Semester 2 enhances inter-professional practice through shared learning with the physiotherapy students. The students analyse the unique and innovative contribution of their profession in a range of health and social care pathways. Learning is delivered through a series of EBL triggers, enabling students to critique, develop and deliver person-centred interventions that facilitate occupational goals. Whilst exploring the diverse settings in which occupational therapy is delivered, this module also enables students to continue to develop interdisciplinary, working, leadership and employability attributes as part of their professional development.

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Important Information

Entry Requirements

A Levels

BBB/ABC or BBC with an A in the Extended Project

BTEC

DDM in Health, Care or Science

Scottish highers

AABBB

Scottish highers advanced

CCC

Irish leaving certificate

2 subjects at H2, 4 subjects at H3

Access course

Pass with Merit in 45 credits at Level 3, in a Health, Care or Science subject

European Baccalaureate

70%

International Baccalaureate

31 points

GCSE 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

Academic 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.