Masters Degrees in Occupational Therapy, United Kingdom

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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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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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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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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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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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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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 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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Why choose this course:

• This is a flexible course that allows you to study a range of modules of your choice as part of your own continued professional development, so you can study areas that interest and matter most to you.

• You will study through distance learning on a part time basis meaning you can study from your home at a time and pace to suit you, allowing you to stimulate the development of your own learning.

• You will develop a range of key skills which you can then apply into your career. We'll encourage you to be forward thinking and innovative throughout the course.

• After completing the PG Dip or MSc stage you could apply for a place on the Doctor of Health and Social Care Practice which will enable you to further develop as a clinical and professional leader in your workplace.

• As a distance learning student you will have access to our libraries with an extensive range of journals and online resources which will help you with your self-directed learning.

About the course:

This course consists of two pathways which lead on to two separate awards; the MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy and the MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy (Community). It is aimed at qualified occupational therapists and each pathway has a Postgraduate Certificate, Postgraduate Diploma and a Masters stage, all studied on a part time basis.

Both routes are appropriate to any setting that you may be placed within, but if you work in a community setting, MSc Advanced Occupational Therapy (Community) has modules on community working which are only available if you study on this route.

During the course, you will have the opportunity to study individual modules as standalone courses which will contribute to your continued professional development, if you want to. Alternatively you can take a number of modules which will work towards a PG Certificate, a PG Diploma or the full Masters. You will also have the opportunity to come into the university for optional study days which will give you the chance to share ideas with fellow students from your profession.

You'll be encouraged to apply the knowledge you've already learnt in your workplace to your study, which will help you to develop both personally and professionally. Our team of tutors, who are all qualified occupational therapists, will also give you all the help and support you need during your studies.

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Are you an occupational therapist wishing to develop your skills and knowledge in critical thinking? This pathway will help you to improve people’s health and well-being by implementing innovative, evidence-based practice in a range of practice settings. You will be able to develop your skills and knowledge in research and scholarly activity around the core principles of occupational therapy. This pathway enables you to explore innovative occupational therapy and occupational science in depth.

Key features

-Reflect and utilise a range of evidence to support your professional occupational therapy practice.
-Take the opportunity to study on a programme with a long, esteemed history and join the many hundreds of successful graduates from all over the world. You will learn to apply up-to-date knowledge of research and theory, to enhance your creativity and flexibility, and to develop the academic skills needed to work effectively in modern health and social care settings.
-Become an evidence-based practitioner, equipped to manage and lead in busy and constantly changing settings. Take the opportunity to study in an inter-professional setting with inter-professional core and optional modules.
-Join an enthusiastic team of occupational therapists, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students who are pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge on occupational science and occupational therapy.
-Choose this occupational therapy pathway and study four core modules (applying evidence to practice, occupational therapy practice: supported study, project design for research, research dissertation) and choose three further modules that are profession specific and/ or shared with the generic MSc Advanced Professional Practice programme.
-Shape your learning journey – you can step off the pathway with a postgraduate certificate (three modules) or postgraduate diploma (six modules) if you wish, or you can continue on to a master’s degree.
-Learn about research and plan and carry out your own research project as part of the masters degree, with the support of experienced occupational therapy tutors.
-Complete the programme in a year, with the introduction of a one year full-time study option. Alternatively, balance work and caring commitments by studying part time over two/three years and up to a maximum of five years.
-Take advantage of the flexibility our programme offers. You can take some of the programme by distance learning. Modules taught face-to-face are delivered in short, intensive blocks in Plymouth to enable you to complete them with minimum travel and time away from your other commitments.
-Tailor your learning in the workplace through module assignments and the supported independent study module.
-Benefit from our collaboration with the Faculty of Business in providing both core and optional modules.
-Learn within our supportive multi-professional and inter-agency environments. Our programme is delivered by experts in a setting where innovative thinking regarding advanced professional development is put into practice.

Course details

Pathways in this programme will include the following shared modules: applying evidence to practice; developing self and others; project design for research; and the research dissertation. The pathways will all have at least one pathway specific module and two programme optional modules. To gain a postgraduate certificate, you’ll need to earn 60 credits. You’ll study three modules worth 20 credits each: applying evidence to practice; a pathway specific module or a programme option module if no specific pathway is being pursued; and a programme option module. To gain a postgraduate diploma, you’ll need to earn 120 credits. You’ll study three modules worth 20 credits each: project design for research; developing self and others; and a pathway specific module or programme option. To be awarded the full masters degree, you’ll need to earn a total of 180 credits. You’ll study the same core modules as the postgraduate diploma, with the extra 60 credits coming from your research dissertation.

Core modules
-ADV715 Project Design for Research
-ADV702 Applying Evidence to Practice
-ADV716 Research Dissertation

Optional modules
-ADV750 Occupational Therapy Practice: Supported Study

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

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Occupational Therapists are skilled professionals who work in a range of health and social care settings to assist people to carry out activities that they want or need to do, but are prevented from doing, by circumstances such as ill-health, disability or ageing. This two-year, full time Occupational Therapy course is designed to develop the knowledge, skills and professional behaviours required to be a safe and effective Occupational Therapist in a range of contemporary health and social care settings.

The pre-registration Masters degree has been designed to meet the needs of graduates with a first degree in a subject related to the discipline of Occupational Therapy (for example Psychology, Health Studies or similar). Using principles of enquiry based learning, the course is structured to encourage students to build on existing knowledge which will help to understand human function and dysfunction, to develop a range of practical and decision-making skills in relation to assessing need and delivering interventions for a range of individuals, and to understand contemporary influences affecting health and social care services. In addition, a research strand is delivered across both years of the course which assists to consolidate knowledge and skills in relation to the consumption of research, and builds towards the completion of an independent research project. The course also demonstrates a commitment to inter-professional working and provides a range of opportunities to learn with and from students enrolled on other professional courses.

Practice placements are included in both years of the course and provide opportunities to develop knowledge and skills in a range of practice settings. There are four periods of practice placement, ranging from four weeks to nine weeks. All are organised for students through the University Placements Office, apart from one elective placement, where students have a choice regarding the location and speciality, with opportunities for overseas placements.

The course utilises principles of enquiry based learning, in which students are signposted to areas of enquiry relevant to the level of learning and work in both groups and individually, to identify deficits in knowledge and the ways in which their learning can be facilitated. University sessions are used to introduce concepts, consolidate knowledge and to facilitate student learning in relation to the application of theoretical knowledge to occupational therapy practice.

Successful completion of the course will enable graduates to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council, in order to gain state registration to practice as an Occupational Therapist. Employment prospects are good with opportunities in traditional areas of practice such as acute hospitals, community health services, and social care, alongside emerging opportunities in non-traditional areas such as schools, employment services, and the voluntary sector. The skills acquired on the course will equip students to work in a number of diverse practice areas and could also lead to careers in research, education or case management. Students may also choose to continue their studies and the University offers a number of other postgraduate and post-qualifying courses and other continuing education opportunities.

In line with the principles and values which underpin the NHS constitution, the University expects all students undertaking programmes which lead to registration as a health professional to demonstrate the NHS values.

Module Overview
Year One
OT0604 - INtroduction to Occupational Theory and Practice (NC, 20 Credits)
OT0700 - Developing Occupational Therapy Theory and Practice (NC, 20 Credits)
OT0701 - Promoting Evidence in Occupational Therapy Practice (NC, 20 Credits)

Year Two
OT0702 - Leadership in Occupational Therapy Practice (NC, 20 Credits)
OT0703 - Entrepreneurship in Occupational Therapy (NC, 20 Credits)
OT0704 - Contexts of Occupational Therapy Practice (NC, 20 Credits)
PP0189 - Empirical Project (Optional, 60 Credits)
PP0190 - Practice Project (Optional, 60 Credits)
PP0191 - Systematic Appraisal (Optional, 60 Credits)

Placement

We take your placement profile very seriously and all students are provided with practice learning experiences based on Nursing and Midwifery Council or Health and Care Professions Council requirements.

Facilities

When you want to get hands-on experience within Public Health and Wellbeing we can support you. The Clinical Skills Centre, which has been established for 10 years, is the result of our continued commitment to create an interactive environment in which health related students can be equipped with a diverse range of skills.

Research

Top quartile in the UK for its research power in Allied Health Sciences and Nursing
More than 80% of research activity in Allied Health Sciences and Nursing is rated as world leading or internationally excellent (REF 2014).

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The European MSc in Occupational Therapy allows you to study in five different countries. The awarding university is the University of Applied Sciences (HvA) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The aim of this course is to give you, as an occupational therapist, the tools to get ahead of current developments and meet the demands of today's clients. With an increase in the average age, the number of people who have disabilities and those with chronic conditions, there is a need for highly qualified occupational therapists who are equipped to innovatively deal with complex situations in therapy and health promotion. On completion you will be able to offer a high quality service geared to individual needs.

Studying across different European countries will allow you explore the development of occupational therapy theories by looking at the similarities and differences between cultures. This can facilitate the study of effects of the environment in the shaping of human beings' everyday occupations and social participation.

The institutions where you will be studying:

University of Brighton, Eastbourne (UK)
Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur (Switzerland)
University College Zealand, Næstved (Denmark)
Karolinska Institute, Stockholm (Sweden)

What to expect

• small class sizes
• interaction with an internationally renowned faculty and like-minded professionals
• high quality education of five participating universities, some of which are ranked in the top of Europe
• an international focus on Occupational Therapy
• Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science from a cross-cultural point of view
• the development of your analytical and clinical reasoning skills
• the opportunity to grow professionally and as a researcher
• the opportunity to visit several exciting European towns and cities
• new career perspectives both in your home country and abroad.

Course structure

The programme starts in September 2017 and lasts 24 months. Hours of study per week will be approximately 28 and there will be 6 modules including a thesis.*

Each module consists of 280 study hours and has three phases at one of the participating universities.

Each phase consists of preparatory work in your own country (56 hours), class work in the country hosting the module (10 working days / 80 hours), and independent study in your own country (200 hours).

In your home country you work under supervision on your thesis. You support and review each other's work in action learning groups at a distance (840 hours).

During the first year you will have four modules, in each module you have two weeks of intensive classes and nine weeks for making assignments.

It is possible to take these first modules separately, in which case each module costs 2,000 Euros.

Each module combines theoretical topics within Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science with scientific method and theory.

Syllabus

Year 1:

• Module 1: Exploration of Concepts of Occupation and Research

University of Brighton in Eastbourne

• Module 2: Qualitative research methods and human occupation, diversity, culture and participation

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

• Module 3: Quantitative research methods in relation to evaluation and enhancement of occupational performance

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

• Module 4: Socio-cultural perspectives of human occupation

University College Zealand in Næstved

Year 2:

• Module 5: Planning a research project within the body of knowledge of the OT discipline

Karolinska Institutet

• Module 6: Conducting a research project within the Occupational Therapy discipline

Independent study at home

Employability

Graduates of this programme are working in education, practice and research. Around half of all alumni state that after finishing this MSc they have had an increase in their income, job satisfaction and responsibilities. Nearly all graduates would recommend this MSc to others.

Graduate destinations:

• Approximately 25% of graduates were already or have became teachers in bachelor programmes in their home country.
• Other graduates have become leaders in the field of Occupational Therapy, both in management and quality enhancement.
• Some have become junior researchers, and approximately 15 % of these have continued with a PhD study within the field.

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