Masters Degrees (Physical Therapy)

The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) Program at UBC is a twenty-five month professional program leading to entry to practice and is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada (PEAC). In the UBC MPT program, students experience the breadth and depth of the profession with 45 weeks of academic course work and a total of 1080 “hands-on” clinical hours. Students experience a diverse, inclusive, and evidence-based curriculum. The course content is updated annually to reflect recent research findings and current best practice. The teaching and learning practices in the MPT Program are based on recent education research and best practice in adult teaching and learning.

The MPT Program embraces innovative teaching and learning approaches that align with the curricular vision and goals, including technology-enhanced teaching and learning and simulation; interprofessional learning; and community-based learning. Faculty members within the Department are acknowledged throughout Canada, and internationally, as leaders in Physical Therapy research and include a Canada Research Chair, as well as Michael Smith and CIHR Scholars. The MPT Program is taught by a complement of faculty members and expert clinicians, with high instructor-to-student ratios in clinical skills courses.

Students experience six clinical placements in diverse aspects of clinical care such as acute, outpatient, geriatrics, interprofessional (including rural and paediatrics), and rehabilitation for various populations such as stroke, spinal cord injury, head injury and others (as well as an option for a research placement). In addition, in partnership with Fraser Health and Vancouver Coastal Health, UBC can place students in the only two student-led physiotherapy clinics in the province, which provide an outstanding opportunity for peer learning and interprofessional experience. Students have access to a vast number of clinical placement location possibilities in British Columbia ranging from large city centres to small communities. Students at the senior level have the option to request one “Out-of-Province” or International placement. Clinic site visits and patient interface workshops are offered throughout the curriculum exposing students to real patients while learning their theoretical skills (neuro; pediatric; shadow placements).

The entry-level MPT program is located in a state-of-the-art facility on the campus of the University of British Columbia in beautiful Vancouver. Cameras and large screen monitors in labs allow for all students to have the best seat in the house when observing demonstrations of even the most detailed subjects. Large lab spaces accommodate two students for every physiotherapy plinth. Additionally, students have access to a modern, well-equipped exercise gym in which to learn exercise testing and prescription.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Physical Therapy
- Specialization: Physical Therapy
- Subject: Health and Medicine
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework only
- Faculty: Faculty of Medicine

Program Overview

Physical therapists specialize in the assessment and treatment related to movement. Common movement disorders result from impairment of the neuromuscular, musculoskeletal, respiratory or cardiovascular systems. Following assessment of their clients, physical therapists often use physical agents such as therapeutic exercise, heat, cold, and electrical stimulation to increase muscle strength and function, reduce pain, promote general health and fitness, and prevent disability. As specialists in movement dysfunction, physical therapists also provide expertise in human mobility, carefully analyzing gait patterns and prescribing treatment regimens or devices (such as braces, crutches, or wheelchairs) to enable clients to move independently through their environments.

The M.P.T. degree provides the professional education necessary to obtain a license to practice physical therapy. It differs from the advanced or research M.Sc. in Rehabilitation Sciences, which prepares practitioners with advanced research skills and requires completion and defense of a thesis.

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This unique programme is designed to provide an education in the underlying scientific principles of physical therapy - physiotherapy, osteopathy, sports therapy - and an opportunity to experience the clinical application of specialist rehabilitation techniques with expert clinicians at the Royal National Orthopaedic Hospital (RNOH).

Degree information

Students can expect to acquire a broad and deep understanding of the science underpinning a physical therapy approach to the treatment of musculoskeletal pain and dysfunction. In addition, the MSc builds on cognitive skills, and students will become creative in their thinking and highly skilled in analysis and evaluation, and thus ideally placed to become innovative leaders within their field.

Students undertake modules to the value of 180 credits.

The programme consists of eight core modules (120 credits), and a research project (60 credits).

Core modules
-Clinical Aspects of Musculoskeletal Medicine
-Movement Science and Pain
-Musculoskeletal Biomechanics and Application in Physical Therapy
-Musculoskeletal Tissue Biology - Disease and Dysfunction
-Musculoskeletal Tissue Biology - Form and Function
-Rehabilitation and Multi-Dimensional Patient Management
-Research Governance
-Research Methodology and Generic Skills

Teaching and learning
The programme is delivered through a combination of lectures, seminars, tutorials, case-based studies, workshops and practical classes. Assessment is through MCQ examinations; coursework, including narrative reviews, structured questions and case studies; and poster presentation. The research project is assessed by a written dissertation and viva examination.

Careers

On successful completion of this programme, students can expect to assume leadership positions in clinical practice in the NHS, or in private practice for those with a prior clinical qualification. Graduates will also be well placed to enter academic or clinical research or a biomedical/healthcare-related position in industry.

Employability
Graduates are likely to be highly attractive to prospective employers; not only will they have gained multidisciplinary knowledge of the musculoskeletal system and treatments for musculoskeletal disease and dysfunction, but importantly they will have developed their skills in analysis and evaluation of information and creation of new ideas. These higher-level cognitive skills are highly sought after by employers.

Why study this degree at UCL?

This programme is unique in that it covers the basic science informing a physical therapy approach to treatment. The programme encourages students to integrate knowledge across modules and to use a multi-dimensional approach to patient management.

The programme is delivered through a partnership between internationally renowned UCL academics and world-leading specialist clinicians at the RNOH, providing students with excellent networking opportunities with academics, clinical professionals and like-minded peers.

UCL was rated as the best university for research strength in the UK in the latest Research Excellence Framework (December 2014). The RNOH has a worldwide reputation for ground-breaking neuro-musculoskeletal healthcare and specialist rehabilitation.

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The Master of Science in Physical Therapy (MScPT) is a 24-month professional pro​gram leading to entry to practice. The program is accredited by Physiotherapy Education Accreditation Canada. Graduates will be eligible to write the Physiotherapy Competency Examination (PCE), administered by the Canadian Alliance of Physiotherapy Regulators, which qualifies them to practice physical therapy in Canada. Graduates will be eligible to register in the Canadian Physiotherapy Association and the Colleges of Physiotherapy in all Canadian provinces.

The Master of Science in Physical Therapy, Advanced-Standing Option allows eligible physical therapists with a bachelor's degree in physiotherapy to acquire the master's degree in an online environment with one on-campus residency. There is a strong focus on research and best practices integrated throughout the program.

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The Master of Physical Therapy (MPT) degree is awarded upon successful completion of a 2-year curriculum which includes 60 weeks of classroom/laboratory work and 30 weeks of clinical experience.

Visit the website: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=125

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html

Financing your studies

As one of Canada's leading research institutions, we place great importance on helping you finance your education. It is crucial that you devote your full energy to the successful completion of your studies, so we want to ensure that stable funding is available to you.
For information please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/student_finances/index.html

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The first program of its kind in Canada, the MClSc program is a one-year (three terms) course-based master's program offering an opportunity for experienced health-care professionals to obtain advanced training in a clinical specialty. It is delivered using a combination of online courses and three on-site, one- to three-week residency periods during which clinical skills lectures and labs are provided.

Visit the website: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=124

Fields of Research

• Manipulative Therapy
• Wound Healing

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html

Financing your studies

As one of Canada's leading research institutions, we place great importance on helping you finance your education. It is crucial that you devote your full energy to the successful completion of your studies, so we want to ensure that stable funding is available to you.
For information please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/student_finances/index.html

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Overview

Our Master of Science program is designed to prepare individuals to conduct research independently and in collaboration with other scientists. Students will investigate an area of research relevant to rehabilitation through critical analysis of problems related to basic sciences, clinical practice, or to development of theory.

Rehabilitation Sciences constitutes the study of physical and occupational performance with special emphasis on individuals with impairments and disabilities. It encompasses the three dimensions of the International Classification of Functioning, Disability and Health (body structure and function, activity and participation) and thus spans the individual, community and society. Our faculty have active research programs that cover this diverse spectrum.

Our faculty have an excellent record of scholarly productivity, receiving funding from provincial and national research granting agencies. Over 20 graduate students from a broad range of backgrounds including occupational therapy, physical therapy, recreation therapy, social sciences, human kinetics, and engineering have graduated from our program. These students have authored numerous peer-reviewed journal publications and won various scholarships and awards.

Graduate students will have the opportunity to study in state of the art laboratories, such as the UBC MacDonald Research Laboratory at St. Paul’s Hospital, the Thoracic Outlet Syndrome Research Clinic in Kelowna, the McGregor-Hudson Physical Therapy Research Lab, the Margaret Hood Occupational Therapy Lab, the Post Polio Research Lab, the Rehabilitation Research Laboratory at GF Strong Rehab Centre and the ICORD building. Office space and computer terminals are also available for students within the Department of Occupational Science and Occupational Therapy as well as at the Department of Physical Therapy.

Courses offered by our team of internationally renowned scholars and educators help students learn critical evaluation of the scientific literature relevant to rehabilitation, analysis of theoretical constructs through of quantitative and qualitative methods of inquiry, and the design, execution and presentation of their results.

Quick Facts

- Degree: Master of Science
- Specialization: Rehabilitation Sciences
- Subject: Health and Medicine
- Mode of delivery: On campus
- Program components: Coursework + Thesis required
- Faculty: Faculty of Medicine

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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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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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The MSc Play Therapy is a new collaboration between With Kids (a Scottish charity) and the MSc Art Psychotherapy (International) at Queen Margaret University.

The key purpose of the profession of play therapy is defined by British Association of Play Therapists (BAPT): "Play therapy is the dynamic process between child and play therapist in which the child explores at his or her own pace and with his or her own agenda those issues, past and current, conscious and unconscious, that are affecting the child’'s life in the present. The child'’s inner resources are enabled by the therapeutic alliance to bring about growth and change. Play therapy is child-centred, in which play is the primary medium and speech is the secondary medium."

The MSc Play Therapy aims to educate the next generation of play therapists to enable them to work safely and therapeutically with complex children and families.

Graduates will understand and work with the value of each individual child, the fundamental inter-relatedness of the child'’s physical, emotional and social needs and the power of love and care to transform life chances.

Applicants should possess qualities that enable them to undertake study in an appropriate manner and at the appropriate academic level. Thus the students recruited to this course will be committed, diligent, enthusiastic and possess the skills, curiosity and drive to enhance their knowledge base.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The teaching and learning approaches used encourage you to be an independent, participative learner. These approaches will engage you in lectures, problem-based learning, workshops, small group discussion, seminars, observation and skills practice. The course team aims to enable students to learn from and with others through supportive peer-assessment and feedback, guided by the tutor. There are three play therapy practice placement modules where you will work directly with children and families of increasing complexity. Two modules include clinical observation of a child/children from infanthood to adolescence. Assessment methods include case study analysis, collaborative presentation, observation analysis and play therapy practice placement portfolio.

While as a postgraduate student you will predominantly be working independently, there is a strong structure for academic support. Normally, there are fewer than 20 students in the class ensuring that individuals receive excellent support and benefit from interaction with other students.

Teaching hours and attendance

The course runs over three years part-time. Students attend the learning centre at With Kids in the east end of Glasgow one day a week over the first two years. Students will also undertake play therapy practice placement, observations and attend clinical supervision individually or in small groups. Students are expected to attend their own personal therapy for the duration of the course. 100% attendance is expected at all elements of the MSc Play Therapy.

Modules

Clinical Skils, Process and Practice 1,2 & 3 (10 credits each)/ Developmental, Clinical and Play Therapy Theory 1 & 2 (30 credits each)/ Research Methods (30 credits)/ Research Methods (30 credits)/ Clinical Project (60 credits).

The modules listed here are correct at the time of posting (July 16), but are subject to change. In the event that modules have to change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact to students.

Careers

Play Therapists practice in many environments, including: NHS, social services, primary, secondary, further and special education, charities, private practice, etc.

They also work with people of all ages (not just children) living with a wide range of emotional or physical conditions. While in 2015 the overall majority of play therapists in the UK work in health and the voluntary sector, there is a sizeable number of them working in schools and nurseries. For further information http://www.bapt.info.

Other entry requirements information

Accreditation of prior learning: The Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) encompasses the process whereby one can identify, explore and claim credit for previous certificated and/ or experiential learning. Applicants however will not be able to receive accreditation in lieu of any part of the practice placements throughout the course.

International: Where your honours degree has not been studied in English, you will be required to take an IELTS test receiving an overall score of 7.0 and no individual component score below 6.0.

Quick facts

- Rooted in the psychotherapeutic tradition of the Notre Dame Clinic which dates back to the 1930s.
- The only Play Therapy training validated by a Scottish university in collaboration with a Scottish charity.

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The graduate program in Health and Rehabilitation Sciences at Western University provides both master's and PhD students with a unique opportunity to explore issues and ideas related to the health of Canadians, and others, in an inter-disciplinary forum. The program involves research that will contribute to the theoretical and practical knowledge of health and rehabilitation disciplines along with contributions to new, emerging aspects of health and rehabilitation that cross disciplinary boundaries. The interdisciplinary nature of our program allows students to tailor their studies to specific interests. The depth and breadth of the nine fields of study allow us to offer a unique and innovative graduate program.

The Health and Rehabilitation Sciences program also offers four combined clinical programs which include; physical therapy, occupational therapy, audiology, speech-language-pathology.

Visit the website: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/programs/program_NEW.cfm?p=133

Fields of Research

• Health and Aging
• Health Professional Education
• Health Promotion
• Hearing Science
• Measurement and Methods
• Occupational Science
• Physical Therapy
• Rehabilitation Sciences
• Speech and Language Science

How to apply

For information on how to apply, please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/prospective_students/applying/index.html

Financing your studies

As one of Canada's leading research institutions, we place great importance on helping you finance your education. It is crucial that you devote your full energy to the successful completion of your studies, so we want to ensure that stable funding is available to you.
For information please see: http://grad.uwo.ca/current_students/student_finances/index.html

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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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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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This course is for people already working in a healthcare setting (in areas including psychiatry, clinical and forensic psychology, occupational therapy, social work, nursing, general medical practitioners) who are interested in delivering Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) in clinical settings. It will provide sufficient theoretical and skills training and can develop your career as a therapist and the service you provide.

CBT is the model of psychotherapy most tested by research trials for a range of mental and even physical disorders, ranging from depression, anxiety and phobias to eating disorders, schizophrenia and chronic pain. Healthcare professionals are increasingly required to demonstrate a flexible, multidisciplinary approach to make the best use of skills and resources. The NHS actively promotes provision of evidence-based management. CBT is the evidence-based psychotherapy par excellence. It can be effective as a stand-alone treatment and can also be used in conjunction with other medical or psychological treatments. The model is versatile and creative and its techniques can be used selectively in general medical, psychological and nursing practice, as well as informing whole courses of integrated treatment.

This course will help you refine your CBT skills, empower you to use the model in a range of clinical situations, and focus on the development of a respectful and pro-active relationship with patients. The therapeutic alliance is central to the delivery of CBT and the course will teach you to forge a positive collaborative relationship with patients as a means of improving and maintaining the patient’s mental health. The course is delivered by staff of NHS Lothian and Greater Glasgow.

Teaching, learning and assessment

The teaching and learning methods used will encourage participative and independent learning and you will arrange to see patients one day per week. Assessment methods will include essays, audio recordings of therapy sessions, case studies and supervisor assessments. Class sizes are usually around 30 for the PgCert and 15 for the PgDip.

Teaching hours and attendance

You will attend lectures one day per fortnight during the course and in the weeks between lectures will see patients and receive supervision. You will be required to carry out a significant amount of independent work each week (see NHS website for more details).
The course is delivered at the Royal Infirmary, Edinburgh and Gartnavel Royal Hospital, Glasgow

Links with industry/professional bodies

On completion, you can apply to be accredited by the BABCP (British Association for Behavioural and Cognitive Psychotherapies) in due course.

Modules

15 credits: CBT for Anxiety and Depression/ Principles of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy/ Research Skills in CBT/ Advanced CBT for Anxiety Disorders/ Introduction to Complex Adaptation of CBT

30 credits: Application of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy

If studying for the MSc, you will also complete a dissertation of a research project within a chosen specialist area of CBT. The components of the dissertation will include: a research proposal; a literature review; and a paper for publication.

Careers

There is a growing demand for therapists specifically trained in this field. This course will enable you to develop your career and the service you provide.

Quick Facts

Learn the theory and practice of Cognitive Behavioural Therapy (CBT) – the best evidenced psychotherapy in mental health.

Core CBT competencies are developed through multiple methods, including lectures, workshops, role play, academic evaluation and close clinical supervision.

As trainee therapists, students benefit from the vast experience of expert CBT practitioners from throughout the UK delivering on our specialist PG teaching course

For start date, see NHS website.

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