Masters Degrees (Occupational)

About the course

Occupational Therapy (OT) at Brunel is one of the largest, longest established, and most highly regarded programmes in the world. In fact, we are the original ‘London School of Occupational Therapy.’

The MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) provides a Master's level route for graduates to become competent occupational therapists equipped for life-long, safe and effective practice within the global marketplace. This course is for those who are not already qualified as occupational therapists. It is a professional full-time programme, which will prepare you to become a competent occupational therapist in a variety of health and social care settings. It also allows students to be eligible to apply for:

Registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
Membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists/College of Occupational Therapists.

In December 2016 our programme was granted “Preaccreditation Status” by the Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE), which confirms that Brunel has successfully completed steps one and two in the three-step accreditation process – see more at AOTA OT Master's-Level Programs - Developing and visit our Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE) information page.

The programme will now proceed with step three – the on-site evaluation, scheduled for April 2017, followed by an accreditation decision by mid-2017.

Aims

This programme differs from other Master's programmes in that it is a professional programme at postgraduate level and is full-time. It is not for those who are already qualified occupational therapists. Nevertheless, this course aims to prepare you to become a competent occupational therapist equipped for lifelong, safe and effective practice in a variety of health and social care settings. We provide a high quality educational programme, which ensures that you are properly qualified, prepared and safe to practise.

Occupational therapy students typically choose this career for the following reasons:

variety of work
the challenge
personal and one-to-one contact
client/patient appreciation
its holistic approach
the desire to help disabled people
to work in health settings
job availability
the chance to be creative.

If you are considering studying Occupational Therapy at Brunel University London then you are committed to working jointly with the NHS to demonstrate the values and beliefs of the NHS Constitution.

NHS values
Patients, public and staff have helped develop this expression of values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. Individual organisations will develop and build upon these values, tailoring them to their local needs. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS.

Course Content

Programme Structure

The MSc (pre-registration or pre-reg) occupational therapy programme benefits from being integrated with other programmes within the College of Health and Life Sciences. In their first year of study, MSc (pre-registration) occupational therapy students undertake components from a number of the current BSc modules/study blocks, as well as shared teaching with post-graduate students from the divisions of occupational therapy, physiotherapy, social work and community health and nursing studies. In their second year of study, students share modules with other post-graduate students within the division of occupational therapy. Where learning is shared with the undergraduates, the content has been integrated into master's level modules and is assessed at master's level.

The programme comprises two years full time study. Taught modules are within a three-term structure. To provide a balance between academic and practice placements and still meet the minimum of 1,000 hours of practice placements required by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and the College of Occupational Therapists, three of the practice placement modules extend beyond the term boundaries over the summer.

Academic modules are based at Brunel University in Uxbridge and practice placement modules are provided in a range of health and social care setting and increasingly in voluntary and private organisations including non-traditional settings.

Year One: The Skilled Practitioner – the How, What and Why of Occupational Therapy
Year 1 of the programme introduces students to the "how, what and why" of occupational therapy and aims to give them the opportunity to develop, explore and critique the core occupational concepts and skills of the profession in depth. The arrangement of study blocks and the two practice placement modules (that occur prior to the commencement of academic study in year 2), allow for a reciprocal exchange of academic knowledge and professional skills that develop the student’s understanding and knowledge of the profession further. Applying and evaluating research in practice is essential for occupational therapists, who are required to adopt evidence-based practice. Therefore the students are made aware from the onset of the programme of how research impacts on practice through clinical reasoning and decision-making skills gained in study blocks and also an inter-professional module HH5609: Approaches to Research.

Year Two: Mastery of Occupational Therapy – Advancing Practice
Year 2 of the programme aims to provide students with a more advanced exploration of the occupational therapy profession. Students acquire mastery in critical knowledge and evaluation of key issues on professional practice as well as critical analysis, synthesis and evaluation of theoretical concepts central to occupational therapy. In addition, students study one optional module that enables an in-depth consideration of a specialist area of current practice. Students’ research skills are further enhanced in the second year and culminate in the students producing a research thesis, in the form of a detailed research dissertation. There are two practice placements in Year 2, one at the beginning of the year and one at the end.

Core Modules

Year 1

Introduction to Occupational Therapy Theory and Philosophy
Informing Sciences
Knowledge and Skills for Occupational Therapy 1
The Process of Occupational Therapy Practice
Preparing for the Work Place 1
Occupational Therapy Practice in Context
Knowledge and Skills for Occupational Therapy 2
Lifestyle Redesign Through Occupation
Preparation for Dissertation

Year 2

Preparing for the Work Place 2
Strategies and Visions for Professional Development
People and Communities
The Art and Science of Occupational Therapy

Optional Modules

Occupational Therapy for Children, Young People and their Families
Occupational Therapy in Mental Health
Occupational Therapy in Neurorehabilitation
Occupational Therapy for Active Ageing

Immunisation requirements for the course

Please be aware that the University does not pay for any of the vaccinations or blood tests required to undertake this course, this is the responsibility of each applicant. The University does not offer a service to provide these and therefore we recommend you go to your GP or local travel clinic and start as early as possible. Until the University has evidence that you have these immunisations we will not be able to allow you to enter the clinical environment on practice placement so it is vital that you meet these requirements, ideally before you commence study. You must obtain immunisation against the following and further information can be found on the NHS website.

Please be aware that as occupational therapy students you will be working in hospitals and therefore in contact with patients who have infections so these immunisations are required for students as outlined in the Green Book by the Department of Health.

Hepatitis B x 3 vaccinations over a 6 month period and a blood test is then taken 6-8 weeks after the third dose, to check that the vaccinations have worked. Please note that the Hep B vaccination programme from the initial first vaccination to blood test upon completion, takes 8 months.
Also required is Polio & Tetanusè Rubella, Measles or MMR x 2 è BCG è Varicella Zoster, and evidence of chicken pox or vaccination x 2, or blood test to confirm immunity.
Blood tests are required for Hepatitis B and also for Measles, Rubella and Chicken Pox if there is no evidence in the students medical records. Immunisations are compulsory and are required for clinical placements.

Teaching

The programme reflects educational developments and encourages reflection, self-reliance and deep learning in the programme - to prepare students for the challenges of employment within a changing health and social care system.

Teaching, learning and assessment are designed to ensure that successful students are able to:

Seek out, appraise critically and use appropriate sources of knowledge and expertise within their academic and practice-related studies.
Utilise intellectual, subject-specific and key transferable skills.
Reflect on their experiences and learn from these.

Students’ learning is also supported by web based resources on Blackboard Learn with all modules having lecture and tutorial material posted on this site. Other features of Blackboard Learn are also utilised, such as on-line tests, virtual blackboards, discussion groups and podcasts.

The teaching and learning approaches are founded on the belief that occupational therapy should be grounded in evidence. This is achieved through the integration of academic and practice education which encourages evidence-based activity.

Programme, study and module block descriptors delineate learning outcomes to ensure clarity and promote the active preparation of students. Placements require students to reflect on their personal strengths and weaknesses and set objectives for their learning.
Completion of student evaluation forms requires students to appraise their own learning experiences.

All study and module blocks are core to the curriculum apart from one optional module in the second year, which must be chosen from four options. All modules are compulsory. This policy was adopted to ensure the programme meets with the professional requirements of the Health and Care Professions Council and the College of Occupational Therapists.

Assessment

The assessment procedures within the programme reflect the learning outcomes of each study and module block. Assessments are carried out in assessment blocks. The University term structure allows the student to have assessments spread across the academic year to assist learning.

In order to promote independent learning, a variety of assessment modes are used such as case studies, essays, practical assessments, placement reports, presentations, written examinations, literature reviews and a research dissertation. These assessments are designed to not only reflect master’s level academic requirements, but also professional skills in preparation for practice.

At the beginning of each year the student is provided with the assessment schedule, including assessment and feedback dates. Each assessment is explained clearly to students, both verbally and in the programme handbook, giving notification of assignment block requirements early in the commencement of the relevant study or module blocks. This information is also provided via Blackboard Learn (BBL). Preparation for assessment blocks is co-ordinated by the relevant year leader and undertaken through identified sessions within study blocks.

Special Features

You will complete an integrated research dissertation as part of the Master’s.

You will have the opportunity to work and learn with international students.

You will have the opportunity to learn in a wide range of practice areas.

The programme is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). It is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.

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Occupational therapy practice is concerned with enhancing the daily lives of individuals with a very broad range of physical, mental health or social needs. As an occupational therapist you will work with clients to improve function and enable them to fulfil the demands of their daily lives with greater satisfaction. You will work with people of all ages from all walks of life, in hospital, in the community, in their place of employment or in their home, and have the opportunity to work in a very wide variety of professional practice areas.

The fundamental aim of the MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) programme is to enable you to graduate with a master’s degree in occupational therapy and be eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in the UK. The Degree does not provide eligibility to practice in any other country although the degree is WFOT recognised.

HCPC approved and COT/WFOT accredited

See the website http://www.brookes.ac.uk/courses/postgraduate/occupational-therapy-pre-registration/

Why choose this course?

- Graduates from this programme will be fit for purpose, practice, and award in the UK. We enable you to develop a profound understanding of the potential for occupational therapy to promote the health and wellbeing of the population. Skills acquired will be evidenced based, innovative and give you the capacity to make a significant contribution to the profession, specifically contribute to excellence in client care and the professional knowledge base. On successful completion of the degree and 1000 hours of clinical practice education you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a registered Occupational Therapist in the UK.

- Many of our graduates go on to further educational development at PhD/DPhil and professional doctorate level. We are mindful of the anticipated transformation of practice over the next 20 years as well as the changes to demographics and the political innovation resulting in the widening participation agenda. We therefore aim to attract graduate students, who are academically able, demonstrate appropriate values of self-determination, motivation and critical awareness of learning needs and show potential for leading leadership, innovation and research.

- Based in Oxford, the environment for learning is rich with diversity, culture, specialist health and social care resources, academic resources as well as close commuting links to London.

- Our programme is staffed by occupational therapists expert in diverse clinical specialities, and supported by occupational therapy practice educators from all areas of mainstream and specialist practice. Our lecturers are experienced in their specialist practice areas and have reputations for excellence with established links with colleagues, organisations and institutions at national and international level.

- This course benefits from shared and inter-professional education opportunities, in addition to profession specific ones, to develop the professional qualities and attributes for current and future health and social care practice.

- Our ongoing investment in a new technology infrastructure is enabling the teaching team to exploit successful technology-enriched learning throughout the programme. We have a large and dedicated building in Oxford (Marston Road) equipped with state-of-the-art classroom and clinical skills and communication suites and resources. We run a weekly Hand Therapy clinic and a monthly Community Occupational Therapy Assessment Clinic for the public. Students are invited to observe other qualified OT's working in these clinics.

- We have a strong research profile, with experienced researchers working in established areas of cancer care, children and families, drug and alcohol, physical rehabilitation and enablement, inter-professional education and collaborative practice.

- Established in 1938, we are the oldest School of Occupational Therapy in England, and have one of the best occupational therapy library collections in the country.

- We have an excellent track record of high levels of student satisfaction, low student attrition rates and high employability.

Teaching and learning

MSc in Occupational Therapy is taught alongside the well-established and highly-regarded BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy.

Pre-registration Masters students will be taught alongside the undergraduate students in all occupational therapy specific modules. These will be identified with different module numbers and names to those of the undergraduate programme. This dual level teaching in classroom will provide you with the opportunity to learn the core skills and specific attributes of occupational therapy alongside the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy students.

However, the pre-registration Masters students are provided with an enhanced level 7 learning experience with module specific tutorials to explore a more critical and evidence based approach to the subject matter and thus develop professional competence in academic, research and digital literacy, critical thinking and personal self-awareness.

Our approach will require you to actively engage in these Masters level tutorials and become self-directed, innovative, creative and critical learners. Teaching will assist you to construct knowledge through the analysis, synthesis and conceptualisation of your learning experiences, thus developing a lifelong approach to learning. This supports employability in a marketplace that demands adaptability, continuous development and leadership.

You will have the opportunity for face-to-face and virtual learning activities. Our inter-professional module is taken alongside other health and social care pre-registration master's level students, enabling you to prepare for the interdisciplinary work you will encounter in the health and social care environment.

Working at master’s level, you will focus on developing your knowledge in occupational therapy, which is evidence-based and strongly underpinned by research.

This master's degree will:
- Enable you to be a reflective, proactive, innovative and adaptable occupational therapy practitioner, with the ability to critique research and evaluate the effectiveness of evidence in a wide variety of practice settings.

- Develop a critical understanding of the theory of occupation and teach you to challenge existing models and approaches used in occupational therapy from an informed perspective.

- Provide opportunities to develop your ability to work both independently and as part of a team in the context of social, technological, administrative and policy changes.

How this course helps you develop

This course is mapped against the University's postgraduate attributes so that all occupational therapy graduates are equipped with the skills of academic literacy, digital and information literacy, global citizenship, research literacy, critical self awareness and personal literacy. These attributes are in addition to the NHS core values of respect and dignity, commitment to quality of care, compassion, and aspiring to improve the lives of others where everyone counts and we work together for patients.

Careers

The majority of graduates from the occupational therapy degrees work as qualified and registered occupational therapists, but there are increasing opportunities to work in non-specified professional roles in mental health and community settings. There are also increasing numbers of employment roles that are not explicitly described or advertised as an ‘occupational therapist’ but match the skills specification of an occupational therapist. This is due to the changing nature of health and social care practice and the new and emerging roles and opportunities for occupational therapy.

Free language courses for students - the Open Module

Free language courses are available to full-time undergraduate and postgraduate students on many of our courses, and can be taken as a credit on some courses.

Please note that the free language courses are not available if you are:
- studying at a Brookes partner college
- studying on any of our teacher education courses or postgraduate education courses.

Research highlights

The Centre for Rehabilitation within the Department of Sport and Health Sciences has strong leadership in the director, Professor Helen Dawes. The Centre brings together research, education and care. It is underpinned by a strong, well-published research group, the Movement Science Group, along with clinical expertise, rehabilitation, knowledge and care of adults and children with neurological conditions. Within the Centre, staff, students and alumni across the Faculty of Health and Life Sciences are engaged in a number of research projects.

Examples of ongoing research projects within the faculty:
- Driving rehabilitation - cognitive mechanisms of driving and performance implications for clinical populations

- Fatigue management – Central and peripheral fatigue and mechanisms in clinical populations

- Dual task control in Stroke - influence on community mobility

- Efficacy of Intensive motor learning programmes – Themed (Magic) camps for children with hemiplegia

- Arts in Health Research – collaboration with Breathe Arts Health Research with research opportunities across many arts related activities

- Virtual Reality (VR) technologies – development and implementation of VR technologies in rehabilitation

- Early identification of motor and sensory processing impairments in children

- Sensory processing disorders and impact on function and behaviour in children with autism

- Measurement and monitoring of rehabilitation participation- Traumatic Brain Injury (TBI), Systematic Review of Vocational Rehabilitation for people with TBI

- Therapy for hand writing in people with Parkinson’s disease (PD)

- Monitoring movement in people with neurological conditions – mechanisms and impact e.g. head drop in Parkinson Disorder

- Physical activity impact on sleep, behaviour cognition, health and wellbeing in children with neurodisability

- Falls in people with learning disabilities – an understanding of the impact of anxiety

- A Functional Electrical Stimulation Plantar flexion System for Bone Health Maintenance in Spinal Cord Injury Patients

- Professional development Perspectives of Occupational Therapists working in the NHS and concepts of Occupational Balance, Cultural perspectives and attitude change in professional identity acquisition.

Research areas and clusters

Our staff are involved in research both independently and collaboratively.

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This course (previously known as Health Through Occupation) gives you license to register and practice as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

It is ideal for graduates of any subject who wish to gain both a professional and academic qualification and start a career in this challenging and highly rewarding field.

You will explore occupational health through our innovative problem-based learning approach, with an emphasis on practical application of skills and knowledge. Through this balance of theory and practice experience you will graduate a capable and confident occupational therapist.

Our high quality teaching and research are renowned, and have an applied focus. We have established strong links with specialist practice educators to ensure the provision of support and guidance both within the university and in practice.

Successful completion of the professional elements of the programme leads to the award of a postgraduate diploma in Occupational Therapy.

Course structure

This intensive programme runs over 45 weeks per year, for two years. Your time on the course will be balanced between campus-based study and clinical practice.

Sessions are held in small groups, they are interactive, integrated, self-directed, and focus on problem-solving, to examine real-life situations. The use of problem-based learning is considered crucial to students' fast attainment of masters-level standards, and for critical evaluation.

Other learning experiences are arranged according to the need of the problem; these may be lectures, practical sessions, skills classes, debates or seminars. Most importantly, all subjects are integrated around the problems.

Our postgraduate programmes are taught by a wide variety of methods – small active learning groups, seminars, action learning sets, PBL, lectures, self-directed literature searches.

Understanding the relationship between occupation and human health and wellbeing is also explored through student participation in a variety of activities such as cooking, craft, horticulture, performing arts and pottery.

Assessments allow for individual feedback in essential professional skills including written critique, report writing, team working, presentation skills, and verbal/written presentation of intervention.

Areas of study

You will examine topics such as:

• theories of occupation and occupational science (causes of occupational problems)
• occupation related to population health
• clinical reasoning
• occupational therapy process (assessment, treatment, and evaluation)
• occupational therapy skills (creative, productive, leisure and daily living)
• research methods and professional issues.

Syllabus

Year 1 modules:

Human Occupation (including two-week beginner practitioner placement)
Assessing Occupational Capacities
Novice Practitioner (practice placement)
Maximising Occupational Capacities
Intermediate Practitioner (practice placement)
Evaluating Occupational Therapy

Year 2 modules:

Occupational Therapy: Teams
Diverse Practice (practice placement)
Occupational Therapy: Settings
Competent Student Practitioner (practice placement)
Occupational Therapy: Consumers
Achieving Best Practice
Research project

Facilities

There are a range of skills rooms which are equipped so that students can learn and practise practical skills with each other prior to working with patients and clients.

Human Movement Laboratory:

The high-tech Human Movement Laboratory is used widely in teaching and research for students in the school of health professions studying physiotherapy, occupational therapy and podiatry, and is also used for commercial consultancy.

In the lab you will use the latest technology to measure and assess all aspects of human movement, joints, muscles, soft tissue structure and nerves. The laboratory has state-of-the-art equipment for conducting cardio-pulmonary investigations including Cosmed metabolic system and spirometry.

Exchange

The student exchange programme is for occupational therapy students registered on the Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc at the University of Brighton, Occupational Therapy MSc students at the University of Wisconsin La Crosse (UWC) and Occupational Therapy BSc students at the Robert Gordon University, Aberdeen (RGU).

There are two options:

• Host option (year one)
• Travel option (year two)

First year students host visiting students during their Maximising Occupational Capacities module which runs from February to April each year. During the second year students have the option of visiting either UWC or RGU during their spring break.

Please see the website for more information
https://www.brighton.ac.uk/courses/study/occupational-therapy-pre-reg-msc-pgcert-pgdip.aspx

Our philosophy

The pre-registration occupational therapy programmes incorporate the experience of doing and making, in order to engage analyse and develop skill in therapeutic media. We have creativity studios for cooking, ceramics, crafts, and performing arts, and we have developed gardens for the practice of horticulture.

Around the world, many academic courses in occupational therapy are losing this aspect of their education, to give over more time to ‘theory’, but here at Brighton we believe that it is vital to retain these embodied learning experiences – which utterly link theory and practice - as they are indeed central to the understanding of the true essence and potential of occupation.

Recent research has revealed the connection between skilled hand use and the development of thinking. As one student, who could not imagine a course without these sessions, said “how can we learn about doing without doing?” These classes are central to the philosophy of our occupational therapy education at Brighton and they have become one of its hallmarks.

Careers and Employability

After professional registration with the HCPC graduates are eligible to take up opportunities in health and social care, in the NHS, social services, and the private sector. There are now many new and exciting possibilities for occupational therapists nationally and worldwide.

Occupational therapists work in an ever-widening range of mental health and physical disability settings including acute hospitals, long-term rehabilitation, social care, local communities, schools, factories, residential homes, institutions for older or more profoundly disabled people, voluntary organisations and prisons.

Completion of the Occupational Health (Pre-Registration) MSc will also prepare you for further study at MPhil and PhD level if you wish to continue pursuing an academic path.

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Training as an Occupational Psychologist in the Institute of Management Studies will equip you with the scientific knowledge and practical skills to challenge the status quo and offer innovative solutions to workplace problems- http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/msc-occupational-psychology/

Occupational Psychology, both as a professional and academic field, seeks to address questions of critical importance in business and enterprise.

-How can we select the best employees?
-How can we enhance health and performance?
-What does effective leadership look like?
-What impact does coaching really have?

The MSc in Occupational Psychology, run by the Institute of Management Studies, will equip you with the knowledge and skills to begin considering these questions. The programme has been designed in line with British Psychological Society (BPS) Division of Occupational Psychology (DOP) requirements and has been accredited since 1995. We recently updated our programme content in line with the 2014 changes to the DOP Occupational Psychology curriculum and, as of September 2014, we are teaching in line with the new curriculum.

The MSc in Occupational Psychology aims to equip you with a thorough grounding in the application of psychological theory to work settings, to provide you with the skills necessary to conduct cutting-edge research in applied research projects to a high level of competence, and to impart core practitioner techniques and awareness.

Excellent employment rates

The programme’s success is increasingly reflected in the excellent employment rates of our former MSc students in both public and private sectors. Some students also go on to carry out PhD level study with us to become academic Occupational Psychologists.

Develop a theoretical and empirical knowledge base

In the IMS we work to the academic-practitioner model. That is, our Occupational Psychology programme is specifically designed to equip you with a theoretical and empirical knowledge base that you can bring to your consultancy and practice. To that end, you’ll have the opportunity to engage in both cutting edge research, as well as practical skills sessions. For your research dissertation you’ll have access to academics with expertise in areas such as occupational health and wellbeing, talent management and entrepreneurship.

Distinguished Speakers Series

In addition, in the IMS we have an invited speakers’ programme called the Distinguished Speakers Series. This series provides specialised talks by either academic or practising experts in various fields of business, enterprise and occupational psychology.

You can find out more about the programme on our Facebook page.

Contact the department

If you have specific questions about the degree, contact Jo Lloyd.

Modules & Structure

Structure

The MSc programme runs for one year, starting in September. Most lectures and seminars are in the first two terms of the academic year, however the programme is structured in such a way that you are expected to pursue your studies beyond formal term times. Apart from the individual module-units listed in the syllabus, you will be required to attend other seminars and workshop series.

As far as is practicable, the majority of lectures and seminars will be timetabled for Mondays and Tuesdays.

Occupational Test User Training

(Formerly known as Level A and B training)

During your MSc you will be provided with the opportunity to partake in training that will allow you to qualify for the BPS certificates in “Test User: Occupational, Ability” and “Test User: Occupational, Personality.” This qualification recognizes you as an expert in the administration, scoring and interpretation of ability tests and personality questionnaires. Your training will be delivered by Criterion Partnership, a world-recognised authority on objective assessment.

Research Project (60 credits)

The research dissertation requires you to execute and document an original research investigation. The focus can be on any area related to occupational psychology, and can take place in either a laboratory or field setting, using a specific population (eg salespersons) or the general public. It is also possible to conduct a piece of archival research (eg meta-analysis), if your supervisor agrees that this is appropriate.

You normally begin the research dissertation in the second term (January), together with necessary literature reviews and research design, and the submission deadline is late August.

Assessment

Your performance will be assessed by formal examinations, essays, presentations, business reports and a research dissertation of not more than 10,000 words.

Skills

You'll develop technical skills related to occupational psychology including:

stress and safety risk assessment procedures
work re-design procedures
designing assessment strategies
training needs analysis
You’ll also develop the analytical skills that you will need as a professional psychologist.

Careers

Through the Professional Skills Workshops you will be able to interact closely with experts from the world's leading organisations and enhance your professional development.

The programme’s success is increasingly reflected in the excellent employment rates of our former MSc students in both public and private sectors. Some students also go on to carry out PhD level study with us to become academic Occupational Psychologists.

You may go on to work as an independent consultant, as an ‘in-house’ consultant for a private or public sector organisation, in a consultancy, or in academia.

Important information about career routes in occupational psychology

For those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in Psychology from a university that is accredited by the British Psychological Society (BPS) (This is also known as having Graduate Basis for Chartership; GBC), the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology (if successfully completed) will allow you to progress to BPS Stage two training, and eventually attain professional chartership in occupational psychology (if Stage two BPS requirements are met).

For those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in Psychology from a university that is not accredited by the BPS, you will not be eligible for the BPS Stage two training at present, but will nevertheless be welcome to join the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology. Importantly, it may be possible for you to gain BPS recognition for your non-accredited BA or BSc in Psychology through applying directly to the BPS through this link.

For those applicants who are unable to gain BPS recognition for their BSc or BA in Psychology, and those applicants who have a BSc or a BA in a discipline outside of psychology, you will not be eligible for the BPS Stage two training at present, but will nevertheless be welcome to join the Goldsmiths’ MSc in Occupational Psychology. Applicants in this situation may consider completing a BPS accredited psychology postgraduate conversion course prior to undertaking the MSc in Occupational Psychology. This will permit eventual progression to the BPS Stage two training, if the MSc in Occupational Psychology is successfully attained.

Funding

Please visit http://www.gold.ac.uk/pg/fees-funding/ for details.

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2016/17: Applications for January 2017 will be open until 4pm Thursday 2 June 2016 for Home/EU applicants and Thursday 6 October 2016 for International applications.

Gain the skills to become a professional occupational therapist, able to deliver and evaluate occupational therapy services in a range of traditional and innovative settings.

We place an emphasis on understanding humans as occupational beings, and the relationship between occupation and health. As a result, you will explore topics such as occupational science, the history and development of the therapy, the complex nature of human occupation, the impact of illness, and the relative detrimental effects on health and wellbeing. You will learn to develop methods of assessing and enhancing occupational performance.

Your learning experience will include problem-based tutorials, journal clubs, creative and practical sessions, self-directed learning and research. You are required to undertake a minimum of 1,000 hours of professional practice with the supervision and direction of experienced occupational therapists.

- Research Excellence Framework 2014: 20% of our research in the Public Health, Health Services and Primary Care unit is world leading or internationally excellent.

Visit the website http://courses.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/occupationaltherapyprereg_msc

Mature Applicants

Our University welcomes applications from mature applicants who demonstrate academic potential. We usually require some evidence of recent academic study, for example completion of an access course, however recent relevant work experience may also be considered. Please note that for some of our professional courses all applicants will need to meet the specified entry criteria and in these cases work experience cannot be considered in lieu.

If you wish to apply through this route you should refer to our University Recognition of Prior Learning policy that is available on our website (http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/studenthub/recognition-of-prior-learning.htm).

Please note that all applicants to our University are required to meet our standard English language requirement of GCSE grade C or equivalent, variations to this will be listed on the individual course entry requirements.

Careers

The majority of occupational therapists work within the NHS in acute and community settings and in social services. There are also growing opportunities to work within a wider range of settings, such as private health care, charities, industry, voluntary sector and local government.

- Occupational Therapist

Careers advice: The dedicated Jobs and Careers team offers expert advice and a host of resources to help you choose and gain employment. Whether you're in your first or final year, you can speak to members of staff from our Careers Office who can offer you advice from writing a CV to searching for jobs.

Visit the careers site - https://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/employability/jobs-careers-support.htm

Course Benefits

You will participate in a wide range of learning experiences including problem / task based tutorials, creative and practical sessions, self-directed learning and research. In addition to university based learning, you will undertake a minimum of 1,000 hours of professional practice under the supervision of experienced occupational therapists.

Modules

Practice Placements

Humans as Occupational Beings
This is the first module in which students learn about the nature of human occupation and how this links with health and well being.

Occupational Therapy Toolbox
In this module students learn about the core skills of occupational therapy; theory, practice and issues related to occupational needs of people in a variety of settings. There is an integrated practice placement in this module.

Contributing to Professional Knowledge 1 & 2
This module runs throughout the two years of the course. Students learn research methods and approaches and conduct their own research project.

Occupation & Health: Individual Perspective
Students revisit occupational therapy practice in this module and focus on how they might work with individuals with a range of conditions and occupational needs. There is an integrated practice placement in this module.

Occupation & Health: Groups & Communities
This focus of this module is how occupational therapy can contribute to the health and well-being of groups and communities nationally and internationally. The practice placement is in a role-emerging setting where they have to demonstrate the unique contribution of occupational therapy or an occupational perspective.

Transition into Practice
This is the final module and students make the transition from student to practitioner and focus on management, supervision and working with individuals with complex occupational needs. There is a 10 week final practice placement.

Occupation in Context
The focus of this module is occupation in the broader context on a local, national and international level; and how occupational therapists might contribute to organisations and society.

Rob Brooks

Senior Lecturer

"I am passionate about how occupational therapists and students can collaborate in research. My own qualitative research was based on my practice in child and adolescent mental health, and I am working with students and clinicians to generate research that could make a real difference to occupational therapy practice."

Previously and occupational therapist for children and young people, Rob has published literature on children's play and spoken internationally about occupation and young people.

Facilities

- Community Living Area
Used to demonstrate rehabilitation activities, it contains a functioning kitchen, living area, bathroom and bed, and is equipped with a ceiling hoist, emergency lifting cushion, bariatric chair and a range of adapted equipment.

- Library
Our libraries are two of the only university libraries in the UK open 24/7 every day of the year. However you like to study, the libraries have got you covered with group study, silent study, extensive e-learning resources and PC suites.

- Clinical Skills Suite
The £1 million suite has been designed to meet the learning needs of a range of health professionals, with specialist equipment in purpose-built rooms enabling a variety of sessions to be carried out in a suitable and safe environment.

Find out how to apply here - http://www.leedsbeckett.ac.uk/postgraduate/how-to-apply/

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Please note that this course is only open to applications for September 2018 entry.

This graduate entry programme is designed to enable students to develop the required competences, skills and standards of proficiency to be eligible for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an Occupational Therapist with either the PgDip Occupational Therapy or the MSc Occupational Therapy. The award received depends on the modules passed.

The accelerated format allows the full-time professional training to be condensed into two years, rather than the traditional three-year route. Key features are the use of problem-based (PBL) and inquiry-based learning approaches. These educational approaches involve students working together in small groups and sharing responsibility for meeting module learning outcomes. The course therefore requires students to draw on a range of self-management skills and this experience acts as good preparation for entering the evolving world of health and social care as a qualified member of the workforce.

Occupational Therapy at LSBU has a dedicated team of tutors who utilise their wealth of knowledge, skills and clinical experiences of working in health and social care to inform the teaching programme. The team has a strong commitment to engaging with clinicians and service users in the teaching programme.

To support the teaching programme, the School of Health and Social Care has a dedicated suite of clinical skills labs, including two well-equipped Activities of Daily Living (ADL) suites plus large rooms for art, splinting and group skills sessions.

Modules

Year 1:

Introduction to occupational therapy and occupational science
Human function and occupational performance
Promoting health and wellbeing through occupation

Year 2:

Autonomy, accountability and development of professional identity
Person, environment and occupation
Contemporary Issues in occupational therapy

Students who successfully complete and pass 2 of the 3 first year modules at the first attempt have the option to transfer to the MSc pathway at the end of Year 1. One of these modules passed first time must be Module 3 - Promoting Health and Wellbeing Through Occupation.

School of Health and Social Care Dissertation (MSc pathway only)

All modules are assessed by a mix of written assignments, case studies, critical review, presentations, examinations, practice placements and a dissertation (MSc students only).

Timetable

Attendance is normally three to four days per week with the remaining time being used for self-directed study. There is often preparatory work for problem based learning groups as well as other teaching sessions. Whilst on placements students are full-time following the working hours of the setting.

Teaching and learning

The course uses a range of teaching and learning methods including lectures, small group sessions, practical skills sessions, online and self-directed learning activities.

Placements

During the course you are required to successfully complete and pass over 1000 practice placement hours within a broad variety of health and social care settings; meeting the College of Occupational Therapists (2008), the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT, 2002) and the Health and Social Care Professions standards and requirements.

At LSBU, we work closely with a number of healthcare organisations to provide a wide range of suitable practice placements. You will therefore gain experience of working with:

• People of different ages, diverse backgrounds and life situations
• Acute and long standing health needs (including physical, mental health and learning disability)
• Services in a range of settings (hospital and community, urban and rural).

Structure of placement learning:

Practice placements are in four blocks and are developmental in nature as you progress through the course. Placements are full time following the working hours of the setting. Student work under the guidance and supervision of a state registered occupational therapist (practice educator).

Placement settings:

Placements will predominantly be within the Greater London area in the NHS, local authority, voluntary, social enterprise, charities and private sectors. Placements can be in established or emerging services. Applicants should be aware that they may need to cover travel costs and placements could require them to commute across London and beyond if necessary.

Professional links

We maintain very strong links with occupational therapists working in health and social care settings across the NHS London area. These expert clinicians contribute to the course design, delivery of teaching sessions and provision of practice placements.

The course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council; the regulator of Health, Psychological and Social professionals.

The course is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists; the professional association for occupational therapists.

The course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists

Other professional links include the American Occupational Therapy Association, the Occupational Therapy Board of Australia, and the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapy. You will be able to join the OT student society, which has won several LSBU awards.

Employability

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules will be awarded a Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy.

Students who successfully complete the 6 core modules and the additional School of Health and Social Care Dissertation module will be awarded an MSc in Occupational Therapy.

Graduates with either award are eligible to register as an Occupational Therapist with the HCPC. Registration allows you to practice as an Occupational Therapist within the NHS, community services and local authorities, as well as social enterprise and the private sector. Other settings include prisons, residential and nursing homes, schools and Social Services.

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Diversity is the hallmark of occupational therapy practice. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages to address issues related to participation in everyday life caused by illness, psychological or emotional difficulties, developmental delay, the effects of aging, and life transitions such as retirement. They aim to address barriers that prevent individuals, families, and groups from accessing their communities in ways that are important for health and wellbeing.

This two year, accelerated learning program will enable students with a first degree in a related field to obtain a professional, entry level qualification at a postgraduate level, to practice as an Occupational Therapist.

The Master in Occupational Therapy Practice (MOTPrac) requires full-time enrolment over two years from July to May (mid-year intake). It operates over 72 weeks, with 1000 hours of fieldwork education commensurate with World Federation of Occupational Therapists' Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (2002).

The two-year course is an integrated curriculum centred on Scenario-Based Learning (SBL), including units focused on: Foundations of Occupational Therapy, Humans as Occupational Beings, Occupational Performance, Enabling Change in Human Occupation, Transition to Practice and Advanced Professional Practice. Fieldwork is embedded throughout the program, and includes an extensive practice based project.

Visit the website http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/occupational-therapy-practice-4515?domestic=true

Overview

This two year, accelerated learning program will enable students with a first degree other than Occupational Therapy, but in arelated field to obtain a professional, entry level qualification at a postgraduate level of study, to practice as an Occupational Therapist.

The Master in Occupational Therapy Practice (MOTPrac) will require full-time enrolment over two years from July to May (mid year intake). It will operate over 72 weeks and include 1000 hours of fieldwork education commensurate with World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) Minimum Standards for the Education of Occupational Therapists (2002).

The course is an integrated curriculum centred on Scenario-Based Learning (SBL). The two years of the SBL curriculum will be organised into the following units: Foundations of Occupational Therapy, Humans as Occupational Beings, Occupational Performance, Enabling Change in Human Occupation, Transition to Practice and Advanced Professional Practice. Students complete an extensive practice based project.

Career opportunities

A degree in occupational therapy provides a breadth of employment opportunities; working with individuals, small groups, organisations or communities. Occupational therapists work in many settings including hospitals, rehabilitation, private practice, community health, early intervention, social services, schools, government agencies, industrial and commercial organisations, mental health services, homes, and supported housing. After gaining relevant workplace experience further career opportunities exist in education, management and research.

For more information visit the faculty website - http://www.study.monash/media/links/faculty-websites/medicine

Faculty of Medicine, Nursing and Health Sciences

The Faculty is also home to a number of leading medical and biomedical research institutes and groups, and has contributed to advances in many crucial areas: in vitro fertilisation, obesity research, drug design, cardiovascular physiology, functional genomics, infectious diseases, inflammation, psychology, neurosciences and mental health.

Notwithstanding the relatively short history of our University, the Faculty is ranked in the top 50 in the world for its expertise in life sciences and biomedicine by the Times Higher Education and QS World University 2012 benchmarks.

Courses offered by the Faculty include medicine, nursing, radiography and medical imaging, nutrition and dietetics,emergency health studies, biomedical sciences, physiotherapy, occupational therapy, and social work. A range of research and coursework postgraduate programs is also offered.

The Faculty takes pride in delivering outstanding education in all courses, in opening students to the possibilities offered by newly discovered knowledge, and in providing a nurturing and caring environment.

Further details may be found at: http://www.med.monash.edu.au/about.html

Find out how to apply here - http://www.study.monash/courses/find-a-course/2016/occupational-therapy-practice-4515?domestic=true#making-the-application

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This two-year full-time course is aimed at those who already hold a degree and wish to pursue a career in occupational therapy. By completing the course, you will be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Occupational Therapists.

The course requires a full-time commitment from students and is delivered over two calendar years. This is in order to meet the educational requirements of the professional bodies. The curriculum runs over 45 weeks each calendar year; a total of 90 weeks in all. This means that successful graduates can register with the HCPC and potentially begin work in September, when fewer occupational therapy graduates are seeking employment. Compliance with the College of Occupational Therapists’ expectations ensures that graduates also meet the standards for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, enabling them to work abroad in accordance with different countries’ recognition of World Federation of Occupational Therapists’ status compliance.

On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy there is an option to undertake a 60 credit self-funded module leading to the MSc in Occupation and Health on a full- or part-time basis.

Distinctive features:

This highly respected, accelerated route is equivalent to a three-year BSc programme and is undertaken at a higher academic level. The course offers graduates a route that develops their academic and research skills, as well as meeting the requirements of the relevant professional bodies thus enabling registration and practice as an occupational therapist on completion of study.

Structure

In order to meet registration requirements, a minimum of 1000 hours of the programme take place in practice settings. These placements are distributed in blocks at dedicated times throughout the course. Placements are normally arranged across Wales and the borders of England. Students are expected to attend university on a five day per week basis.

The learning style of the curriculum reflects a philosophy that respects the academic experience of postgraduate learners. We value previous academic skills and subject knowledge as relevant to occupational therapy. Students are encouraged to take responsibility for identifying and monitoring their own learning throughout the curriculum. Academic modules are delivered as a spiral curriculum which encourages increasing depth and synthesis of knowledge throughout the learning process.

On completion of the Postgraduate Diploma in Occupational Therapy there is an option to undertake a 60 credit self-funded module leading to the MSc in Occupation and Health on a full-time or part-time basis.

Year one core modules:

Foundation Studies in Occupational Therapy
Occupational Engagement in the Lifecycle
Professional Studies in Occupational Therapy I
Occupational Interruption in the Lifecycle
Professional Studies in Occupational Therapy II

Year two core modules:

Evaluating Occupational Interruption in the Lifecycle
Research Skills for Practice
Professional Studies in Occupational Therapy III
Elective Experience

Assessment

Assessments are integrated throughout the curriculum. These include formative and summative written assignments, one written exam, one viva voce examination and assessment of practice placements. Peer evaluation is incorporated into the problem-based learning and presentation of group and individual work. Successful completion of all assignments and practice placements is required.

Career prospects

Completion of the programme leads to eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the College of Occupational Therapists.

The timing of the course means that successful graduates can register with the HCPC and potentially begin work in September, when fewer occupational therapy graduates are seeking employment.

Compliance with the College of Occupational Therapists’ expectations ensures that graduates also meet the standards for the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, enabling them to work abroad.

Placements

A minimum of 1000 hours of the programme take place in practice settings. These placements are distributed in blocks at dedicated times throughout the programme. Placements are normally arranged across Wales and the borders of England.

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About the course

We are very fortunate to be able to provide this high quality programme as Brunel University London has one of the largest and most highly qualified occupational therapy staff groups in the world; the expertise is there to teach and supervise at Master’s and Doctoral levels.

Every module assignment can be focused on a topic you or your manager wants to investigate. The assignments are practically useful – write an evidence-based protocol or care pathway for your clients, plan how to improve the effectiveness of your service, evaluate and debate research in order to decide if the evidence is worth incorporating into practice, reflect on how central occupational engagement is for enhancing the health of your clients, or take a topic of interest to you.

The course does not further clinical skills, nor does it lead to registration from the UK professional governing bodies, but rather focuses on developing the occupational therapist’s ability to evaluate and enhance professional practice. Up to 60 credits of academic taught module exemptions can be offered for students holding a postgraduate certificate in Occupational Therapy, relevant postgraduate modules from other universities, or substantial relevant post professional periods of study – for example, AMPS or Sensory Integration.

Aims

Master's level study is essential if you want to gain the skills to evaluate your interventions, build professional confidence and seek out and develop existing theories, which inform your practice.

This course is aimed at occupational therapists wanting to continue their professional development and develop evidence-based practice – and will broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the value of occupational therapy in today's changing world.

Each module’s content is embedded in practice and overall the programme aims to develop your skills in analysing evidence, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy research.

Course Content

Key Features:

Encourages a theoretical underpinning of occupation, occupational therapy and research.
Nationally recognised for excellence in teaching and research.
Meets the needs of occupational therapists who wish to enhance their current practice in their workplace.
Provides academic learning experiences in a supportive environment.
A modular programme that can be studied full-time, part-time or as an associate student. (Associate enrolment: studying a one off-module – this is very appropriate for continuing professional development.)
Facilitates reflective practice.
Develops research competencies for using and developing evidence-based practice.

This course will broaden and deepen your knowledge and understanding of the value of occupational therapy in today's changing world. Each module’s content is embedded in practice and overall the programme aims to develop your skills in analysing evidence, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy research.

Compulsory modules:

Occupational Science
Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy
The Art of Professional Practice
Research Design
Approaches to Research
Dissertation

Optional modules (choose two):

Occupational Therapy for Children, Young People and Families
Occupational Therapy for Mental Health
Functional Neuroscience for Rehabilitation
Occupational Therapy for Active Ageing
Specialist Practice in Occupational Therapy
Cognitive and Behavioural Issues in Neurorehabilitation

Assessment

A variety of assessments allow students to become proficient in evaluating and questioning their chosen area of practice. Active and adult learning principles are used throughout the course.

Special Features

This Brunel Master's is one of the few in the UK specialising in occupational therapy, and it has been especially designed to meet your needs as a practising therapist, helping you to gain greater mastery in your chosen area of occupational therapy.

The programme has been praised by the University validating committees as a model Master's degree for professional practitioners, for it brings theory to the workplace.

Based on a sound approach to adult education, the course invites students to bring issues from practice to analyse in class.

The programme was rated top out of all postgraduate programmes at Brunel University with regard to its capacity to promote personal development.

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Our MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) programme helps you to develop the knowledge, skills and attributes to enable you to work with clients of all ages who have physical, mental health or learning difficulties. If you already have a degree, and have carried out some relevant experience, then this programme could be your route into occupational therapy.

This pre-registration course is a two-year accelerated programme which enables you to take advantage of interprofessional learning (IPL), encouraging professionals to learn with and from each other – an understanding that helps to ensure you have the expertise to respond adequately and effectively to the complexity of your clients’ needs, and ensures that care is safe, seamless and of a high standard.

Central to the philosophy of our programme is the value attached to ‘occupation’ and ‘activity’ as a means to achieving the health and wellbeing of individuals, which enhances their quality of life, thus enabling them to achieve their desired goals.

Placement Opportunities

In order to prepare you for the work-place and enrich your learning, we organise the practice placement education for you with multi-professional health care teams in a wide range of settings. You will gain experience of working as part of a multidisciplinary team with people who have physical and mental health care needs.

Over a thousand hours will be spent in the practice environment, where you will apply the theory and practice of occupational therapy.

Whilst on placement you will have an educator allocated to you, and contact with a member of the academic team.

Placements encompass a variety of multidisciplinary health and social care settings based within the NHS, the Private Sector, Social Services, Voluntary Organisations and Primary Health Care Services.

Professional accreditation

Completing our course enables you to become an occupational therapist, and makes you eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and professional membership of the College of Occupational Therapists (COT).

HCPC registration is required to work as an occupational therapist in the UK, and once you are registered you are able to practice in a wide variety of clinical settings.

We are committed to embedding the NHS Constitution Values (which are strongly reflected in our University values) into everything we do. They define the behaviours and expectations of all our staff and students underpinning the work we do in the university, clinical arena and other workplaces.

We understand that not all of our students and staff are employed within the NHS, but these values uphold the underlying principles of excellent care as a standard and as such we expect that anyone who has any aspect of their work which ultimately cares for others will aspire to uphold these values.

For us, involving not only our students but service users, experts by experience, carers and NHS/non NHS professionals in the creation and delivery of all programmes is vital.

Our expert staff

A unique feature of our School is that most of our staff work or have worked within clinical practice. This enhances our grasp of the contemporary links between academic research, the major issues of the day and real-life practice.

Occupational Therapy is taught by registered experienced staff with a variety of different backgrounds. The course is led by Dr Wendy Bryant, who is also the university’s subject lead for occupational therapy. Wendy practised as an occupational therapist in a range of health and social care settings from 1984 until becoming an academic in 2003. She was awarded the UKOTRF Institute of Social Psychiatry Scholarship for research into mental health service-user experiences of occupational therapy facilities in an acute mental health unit in West London.

We also have expertise in the areas of dementia, occupation therapy for children, and the assistance of dogs in treatments. Specialist guest lecturers additionally lend external expertise to our academic staff.

Specialist facilities

Within our School of Health and Human Sciences, we have a range of specialist clinical laboratories and IT facilities to assist you with the effective learning and acquisition of new skills; for students of our MSc Occupational Therapy, we have a specialist lab at our Colchester Campus which provides you with access to kitchen, bedroom, and wheelchair facilities to help develop your skills in helping people in the home.

We also arrange off-site visits to farms and other specialist external facilities to assist in your learning, and offer excellent physical and online resources in terms of libraries, computer labs, datasets, archives and other research materials.

Our student-run Occupational Therapy Society is also involved in many internal and external events.

Your future

Successful completion of our MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) programme leads to eligibility to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), which then allows you to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK.

If you are a self-funding international student interested in working outside of the UK we would advise that you check registration procedures with the relevant professional body in that country.

Example structure

Year 1
-Interprofessional Collaboration and Development
-Research in Health Care
-Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice
-Occupational Performance in Practice
-Learning in Practice 1
-Learning in Practice 2

Year 2
-Research Activity
-Transformation Through Occupation
-Contexts of Occupational Therapy Practice
-The Competent Occupational Therapist
-Learning in Practice 3
-Learning in Practice 4

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This is an innovative course and the first of its kind in the UK. You learn about occupational therapy while on placement in the workplace, supported by one or two days a week of academic learning delivered at Sheffield Hallam University.

Please note this course is taught over 90 weeks. You will have 7 weeks holiday a year: one week at Easter, four weeks in August and two weeks at Christmas.

Successfully completing this course makes you eligible to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Registering with the HCPC enables you to work as an occupational therapist anywhere in the UK.

You learn from a highly respected team who will lead your learning in the core theories and principles of occupational therapy.

You take four periods of practice in health and social care settings and study nine academic modules. Modules you study include

• introduction to professional practice
• foundations for occupation based practice
• leadership and management in occupational therapy
• occupational therapy project (practice-based research dissertation)

Your academic modules guide you in developing relevant knowledge and theory that underpins occupational therapy practice, and are assessed through coursework. Throughout the taught modules we use your placement experiences in group discussions to relate theory to practice and enhance critical thinking skills.

You also spend a significant amount of your time in practice-based learning. In the first year, after a six week full-time induction period, you are placed in two different occupational therapy practice placements, each for 13 weeks from February to May and from September to November. You are on placement in these services from Monday to Wednesday, attend the university on Thursdays and normally have some personal study time on Fridays. Your practice in the service is assessed to meet professional requirements.

In the second year, you are on placement part-time for 12 weeks from February to May in a service where they may be no direct occupational therapy involvement but where there is potential for occupational therapy. This may be in the voluntary, independent or private sector. Again your academic study features alongside your practice-based learning.

Following submission of your practice-based dissertation, you complete your course with a ten-week full-time placement.

Professional recognition

This course is accredited by the British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists.

Graduates can apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You must be registered with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) in order to practise as an occupational therapist.

You can also apply to become full members of the British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists.

Course structure

The masters award is achieved by successfully completing 180 credits.

Core modules

• Introduction to professional practice (15 credits)
• Foundations for occupation based practice (15 credits)
• Research for occupational therapy practice (15 credits)
• Assessing occupational performance (15 credits)
• Enabling occupational performance (15 credits)

Assessment

We assess your practice learning to meet professional requirements and your academic modules through coursework. There are no formal examinations.

Employability

You can apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council and find careers as an occupational therapist in many sectors.

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Imagine the satisfaction of helping someone reach their potential. Occupational Therapists work with a wide variety of people, helping them to take control of their lives and to enable them to participate as fully as they can.

This accredited programme enables graduates of any discipline the opportunity to obtain an occupational therapy degree at Masters level. It is approved by The Health and Care Professions Council and is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

Due to demand, we are no longer accepting applications for January 2017 entry MSc Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) programme from home and EU students, however we are happy to accept applications to our January 2018 intake.

International students can still apply for both January 2017 and January 2018 intakes.

This course can also be taken in January 2018 - for more information, see the website: http://www.gcu.ac.uk/hls/study/courses/details/index.php/P01027-1FTAB-1718/Occupational_Therapy_(pre-registration)?utm_source=XXXX&utm_medium=web&utm_campaign=courselisting

Programme Description

This accredited programme enables graduates of any discipline the opportunity to obtain an occupational therapy degree at Masters level.

It is approved by The Health and Care Professions Council and is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Internationally recognised, the programme explores both the theoretical and practical contexts of occupational therapy in today’s society.

Occupational Therapists are skilled professionals who help people of all ages to carry out activities they need or want to do, but as a result of physical or mental illness, disability or ageing, they are prevented from doing. They are employed within hospital and a wide variety of community settings, often working as part of a health and/or social care team.

The programme is considered a broadening MSc as the subject matter is different to that of your first degree, but will be more demanding and require an increased level of self-directed study.

Reflecting the inter-professional nature of working practice, some modules are delivered with physiotherapy, dietetic and/or social work students, offering opportunities to broaden your experience and explore common aspects of care provision.

Programme Content

-Occupational Therapy Foundations for Practice
-Inter-Professional Context of Practice
-Challenges to Occupational Health and Well-Being
-Occupation for Local and Global Health
-Understanding Occupational Therapy in Practice
-Investigating Practice Interventions
-Implementing the Occupational Therapy Process in Practice
-Practice Implementation and Evaluation
-Developing Essential Practice Skills
-Community Based Practice
-Developing Readiness for Practice
-Professional Development and the Work Environment
-Working in Organisations: Interprofessional and Critical Perspectives Organisational Behaviour and Professional Practice
-Dissertation

Learning and Teaching

The programme uses a variety of learning and teaching methods, including lectures, seminars, practical classes and practice education placements which explore the theoretical and practice contexts of occupational therapy in today’s society.

Reflecting the inter-professional nature of working practice, some modules are delivered with physiotherapy, dietetic and/or social work students, offering opportunities to broaden your experience and explore common aspects of care provision.

Clinical Placement

You will work alongside a practice educator, a registered occupational therapist, or another health and social care provider. Minimum of 1000 hours of assessed placement experience.

Three/four practice placements during the two-year programme will offer diverse learning opportunities including one placement in a role emergent setting.

Assessment Methods

Assessment is viewed as an integral part of the total learning experience, therefore the assessment strategy is linked to the learning outcomes for individual modules - for example, verbal presentations, poster presentations, written assignments, case studies, reflective reports, portfolio development, research proposal, practice education and dissertation.

Teaching Methods

Independent learning is critical to the programme and teaching methods, which include key lectures, group working, tutorials and seminars. A variety of methods are employed, including university-based study, practice education placements and work-based learning which explore the theoretical and practical contexts of occupational therapy in today's society.

Employment Opportunities

On successful completion of the programme graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (the UK regulatory body) as an Occupational Therapist.

Graduates can obtain employment in a diverse range of areas, having the opportunity to work with disadvantaged and marginalised groups within hospital and community settings, charitable organisations and private practice.

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The MSc in Occupational Health is a part-time distance e-learning programme that offers knowledge and expertise in the science underpinning occupational health and safety.

It offers a convenient means for nurses, doctors, health and safety advisors or managers with busy work schedules and other responsibilities, to gain a postgraduate degree in Occupational Health.

The emphasis is on common occupational health and safety issues encountered in the workplace.

The course encourages self-directed learning, critical thinking and comparative analysis of occupational health systems and practice. This is done within a structured and dynamic on-line learning environment that provides interactive multidisciplinary learning and the opportunity for mutual support and collaboration. 

Structure

All students register initially for the MSc.

The MSc consists of three stages:

• Stage T1 (first taught stage)
This stage lasts for one academic year, and consists of three 20-credit modules, totalling 60 credits, at Level 7.

• Stage T2 (second taught stage)
This stage lasts for one further academic year, to a total of 2 academic years for stages T1 and T2, and consists of a further three 20-credit modules at least to the value of 60 credits at Level 7, to achieve a total of at least 120 credits at Level 7.

• Stage R: MSc research dissertation stage
This stage lasts for one further academic year, to a total of three academic years for the full MSc programme (stages T1, T2 and R), and includes a dissertation of 60 credits at Level 7, to achieve a total of at least 180 credits at Level 7 to complete the MSc programme.

The total normal duration to complete the full MSc programme (stages T1, T2 and R) is three academic years on a part-time basis, from the date of initial registration on the MSc programme.

You may exit after stage T1 with a Postgraduate Certificate (PgCert), if you have gained at least 60 credits, only where this includes the award of credit for three particular modules.

You may exit after stage T2 with a Postgraduate Diploma (PgDip), or progress to the MSc dissertation, if you have gained at least 120 credits, only where this includes the award of credit for four particular modules.

Your dissertation, which will normally be no longer than 20,000 words and supported by such other material as may be considered appropriate to the subject, will embody the results of your period of project work. The subject of each student’s dissertation will be approved by the Chair of the Board of Studies concerned or his/her nominee.

Core modules:

Occupational Risk Assessment & Control
Occupational Health Law & Ethics
Occupational Health Statistics, Epidemiology & Evidence Based Practice
Occupational Health Processes & Management
Dissertation: Occupational Health (Policy and Practice)

Assessment

During the taught stages, formative assessment will include online discussions examining specific occupational health issues. Summative assessment will consist of written assignments examining aspects of occupational health theory and practice, enabling the student to critically appraise the context and scientific literature, demonstrate a detailed understanding of the topic and reflect on how their new knowledge will affect their practice.

The MSc dissertation stage will be wholly assessed based on the final dissertation. Expectations for the format, submission and marking of the dissertation will follow the current Senate Assessment Regulations, supplemented where appropriate with additional requirements of the Programme/School/College and any specific requirements arising from the nature of the project undertaken.

During the Master’s stage you will be expected to keep in regular contact with your supervisor. You will also complete a progress report every two months in conjunction with your supervisor.

Career Prospects

At present there is a shortage of occupational health clinicians/practitioners of all levels in the UK. Although this course will not give you formal professional accreditation, it provides the opportunity to gain a sound basis of knowledge for practice, and demonstrates a commitment to your own further professional development in occupational health.

For qualified doctors wanting to enter specialist training in occupational medicine, the Postgraduate Diploma stage of the course will provide knowledge of the bulk of the topics needed for part 1 of the Membership Exam of the Faculty of Occupational Medicine (MFOM). Further information on specialist training can be found on the Faculty of Occupational Medicine Web-site.

N.B. the course does not contribute to specialist accreditation for nurses.

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General Information

Occupational Therapy is a health-care profession dedicated to assisting individuals (and their families) to participate in and engage in the occupation of daily life. Occupational therapists provide specialized rehabilitation services to maintain, restore or improve the ability of children and adults to perform the occupations of daily life, which may be impaired as a result of illness, injury, congenital or acquired disabilities, or social disadvantage. Occupational therapists focus on adapting the environment or improving the person's skills, thereby improving overall health and quality of life. The MOT program is a two-year professional master's degree program. The curriculum follows five themes:
- Theory and Practice
- Health, Illness and Occupation
- Skills for Practice
- Evidence for Practice
- Professional Practice

What makes the program unique?

Five fieldwork placements of 5-7 weeks each are included in the program. The MOT program at UBC is currently the only Occupational Therapy program in Canada to offer designated seats for international students. In addition to the 48 domestic seats offered annually, the MOT program can accommodate up to 8 international students per year.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Occupational Therapy
- Specialization: Occupational Therapy
- Subject: Health and Medicine
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Practicum
- Faculty: Faculty of Medicine

Program Details

The Master of Occupational Therapy (MOT) program is a two-year professional master’s degree program, and the only occupational therapy degree program in British Columbia. Our program is fully accredited by the Canadian Association of Occupational Therapists and graduates are eligible to write the national licensing exam upon graduation. The MOT program prepares graduates to be self-directed, lifelong learners, who consciously use theory, evidence and critical thinking skills to maintain, evaluate and improve their practice of occupational therapy.

As one of the smallest MOT programs in Canada, admitting 48 domestic students and 8 international students annually, our students enjoy small class sizes and more individual attention. Our teaching team believe not only in creating an environment that is open and exciting, but also recognizes that they are educating and working with their colleagues of tomorrow.

Why Choose a Career in Occupational Therapy?

If you enjoy enabling people to live a meaningful life, and want a career that is consistently challenging and involves life-long learning, you might have it in you to be an occupational therapist.

Through your coursework and clinical field placements, you will have the opportunity to explore your interests and find your niche. Occupational therapists specialize in a variety of areas including, but not limited to, some of the following:
- Children and youth
- Mental health
- Health and wellness
- Productive aging
- Rehabilitation, disability, and participation
- Business and industry

A career in occupational therapy also provides endless employment opportunities. With a shortage of occupational therapists across BC and Canada, graduates of the MOT program at UBC are in high demand.

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The MSc in Professional Development in Occupational Therapy offers occupational therapists the opportunity to build a masters level qualification around their own area of practice and personal development plan. The flexible programme focuses upon core skills of leadership, research application, and critical thinking applied to the practice of occupational therapy in the context of multi-disciplinary working in health and social care services. The programme consists of six taught modules and a dissertation which can be completed between two years full-time and up to six years part-time.

You can choose from a range of Masters (Level 7) taught modules available within the School. You must complete six modules comprising:

• Two compulsory core
• One (from four) additional core
• Two Occupational Therapy modules
• One optional module for the PgDip and a further 60 credit dissertation related to Occupational Therapy for the MSc

Dissertation options include: research project, work based project or a systematic review.

Students who complete one core module and two Occupational Therapy modules will be eligible for a PgCert award.

Modules

Compulsory Core:

Research in health and social care
Innovation for excellence

Additional Core:

Professional development through contract learning
Developing skills and competence in professional practice
Delivering an evidence-based service
Ethics consultation and best interests decision making

Occupational Therapy Modules:

Advanced group skills for occupational therapists;
Outcome measures in occupational therapy
Theoretical perspectives in context: advancing occupational therapy practice
Occupational therapy for the older person
Applied leadership and service innovation in occupational therapy

Examples of Optional Modules:

An introduction to counselling skills for health care professionals
Introduction to economic evaluation for AHPs
Leadership skills for allied health professionals
Teaching and learning in practice settings (AHPs)

Professional links

London South Bank University is affiliated with the College of Occupational Therapists (COT) and the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Employability

Modules in this programme will contribute to the continuous development of your occupational therapy practice through the acquisition of advanced skills and higher levels of knowledge which are required for the effective performance of a complex role.

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