About the course
This practice-based course – where you complete over 1,000 hours in placement settings - gives you the skills and knowledge you need to follow a rewarding career as an occupational therapist, eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate.
Occupational therapy combines a range of areas including human sciences (anatomy, physiology and psychology); sociology; pathology; learning disabilities; and mental health. On this course, you gain a grounding across these fields as well as learning about professional values and conduct; the underpinning theories; and the research behind evidence-based practice.
You put your knowledge into practice through roleplay, managed experiences and simulation, with practical sessions that develop your skills in patient assessment, treatment planning, treatment interventions and the evaluation of their usefulness.
Over the length of the course, you benefit from being in placements for a minimum of 1,000 hours, where you are supported and supervised to develop your skills.
Why choose this course?
- Learn from an experienced academic team of scientists and clinicians, using modern, well-equipped facilities including simulation suites
- Hone your developing skills in clinical placements, part-time for your first and second years with full-time placements in your third year
- Benefit from our extensive network of supervised practice placements across a variety of NHS, community, voluntary and private service settings
- Study alongside physiotherapists and other healthcare students, learning about each other’s roles. This helps you develop a strong professional identity as an occupational therapist while giving you a clear understanding of how your role contributes to the wider team
- Develop the attitudes and values as well as the communication skills to deliver care with the compassion, dignity and respect expected of a professional occupational therapist
- Learn valuable transferable skills including research analysis, communication, critical thinking and leadership
Units
- Academic Skills For Therapists (OTH003-1) Compulsory
- Developing Therapeutic Relationships (OTH004-1) Compulsory
- Holistic Factors Affecting Occupation (OTH006-1) Compulsory
- Holistic Therapy In Practice (OTH002-1) Compulsory
- Professional Identity (OTH001-1) Compulsory
- Sciences Supporting Occupation (OTH005-1) Compulsory
- Clinical Reasoning In Occupational Therapy (OTH006-2) Compulsory
- Collaboration In Therapy Practice (OTH004-2) Compulsory
- Collaborative Therapies (OTH003-2) Compulsory
- Enabling Occupation (OTH005-2) Compulsory
- Enabling Therapy In Practice (OTH001-2) Compulsory
- Evidence Informed Therapy (OTH002-2) Compulsory
- Complexity In Therapy Practice (OTH001-3) Compulsory
- Growth And Leadership In Therapies (OTH004-3) Compulsory
- Managing Complexity In Occupational Therapy (OTH005-3) Compulsory
- Occupational Therapies Project (OTH002-3) Compulsory
- Quality In Therapy Practice (OTH003-3) Compulsory
The assessment strategy utilised by the School is rooted in the notions of assuring professionalism, competence and employability described within SOPs. The assessments for these four curriculum themes seek to address your development in key knowledge and understanding, skills and abilities required for each. All assessments will be communicated to you, via your assessment handbook, with submission dates and times, a clear explanation of the task and the standards of performance against which you will be graded when you undertake the task. Following your assessment, you will be provided with a grade (which will have been moderated, i.e. checked by another marker and/or an external examiner) and individualised feedback and developmental feed-forward comments.
Why study in the School of Community, Society and Health?
- Placements in Bedfordshire, Buckinghamshire and Berkshire
- Study in simulation labs for real life scenarios
Entry requirements
- Five GCSEs at grade 4 (grade C if taken before 2016) or above, including English language or literature and mathematics (or equivalent), plus one of the following:
- 104-112 UCAS Tariff points from:
-3 GCSE/VCE A Levels to include at least one science subject (preferably Biology/Human Biology, but other acceptable qualifications are Chemistry, Physics or Psychology)
-Access to HE course in health studies, health science, nursing or another science-based course: 15 credits at Level 2 and 45 at level 3 of which at least 12 credits should be graded at distinction level and at least 12 credits at merit
-Diploma in Higher Education or BSc degree
-Equivalent qualifications such as Irish Leaving Certificate, Scottish Advanced Highers or International Baccalaureate - International English Test Score (IELTS) Grade 7 overall and scores no lower than 6.5 in the sub sections of the test.
It is strongly recommended that prospective students have experience or exposure of their chosen profession prior to application. Whilst this is not essential, a thorough and clear demonstration of your understanding of the role is, of which may only be possible through lived experience.
How will this course improve my career prospects?
An occupational therapist is trained to work in both health and social care settings, in the private as well as public sector and is equipped for employment globally. As an occupational therapist, you can take on a broad range of roles in the NHS, local authorities, charities, industry, schools, private practice, voluntary sector
and government agencies. You can specialise in working with children, adults or older people across the lifespan, and pursue a career as a practitioner, researcher, manager, lecturer or consultant.
For further information on careers on occupational therapy, please visit the websites of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and NHS Careers
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Fees and Funding
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2022/23 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2022/23 is £13,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the Academic Year 2023/24 is £9,250 per year. You can apply for a loan from the Government to help pay for your tuition fees. You can also apply for a maintenance loan from the Government to help cover your living costs.
See www.gov.uk/student-finance
The University of Bedfordshire offers a number of scholarships and bursaries to help you finance your studies.
See www.beds.ac.uk/scholarships
Alternatively if you have any questions around fees and funding, please email admission@beds.ac.uk
The full-time standard undergraduate tuition fee for the academic year 2023/24 is £14,500 per year. A prompt payment discount is available if you pay the full Year 1 fee before or at registration. There are also special scholarships available.
Extra costs for this course
For this course you need to have appropriate clothing and equipment.
- Appropriate shoes for clinical placement (£20-£60)
- Fob watch (£5-£20)
- Smart clothes for community placement (£50-£100)
- Practical kit for practice sessions (£60-£100) (Consisting of tracksuits trousers, suitable P.E. types shorts, aertex t-shirt and trainers).
- DBS: You will need to pay up to £55 for the initial Disclosure and Barring Service check plus an annual update charge of £13.
- Occupational Health Clearance: You may need to pay for some additional services and vaccinations if not available through your GP.
*The information above is for guidance only. Exact costs may vary.
Find out more about additional costs while studying at Bedfordshire. Click here
Extra Costs
Luton Campus Centre
The Campus Centre brings together all our student services under one roof including the Students’ Union and spaces to eat, drink, relax and learn.
There's a large central lecture theatre as well as a range of study rooms & breakout spaces on the upper floors.
Luton Campus Library
The library is a modern 9-storey building dedicated to study and learning.
As well as traditional library provisions it offers individual and group study spaces, a cafeteria on the ground floor and a ‘Study Hub’ offering guidance and workshops on academic writing and research skills to ensure all Bedfordshire students get the help they need to succeed in their studies.
Beds SU
When you join the University of Bedfordshire, you don't just join the university - you also become a member of Bedfordshire Students' Union (Beds SU)!
Beds SU is led by four Student Officers - a President and three Vice Presidents - who are elected annually by University of Bedfordshire students to lead the Students' Union.
We are here to help every student at the University of Bedfordshire get the most out of their university experience. We campaign on issues that you care about, as well as provide lots of opportunities for you to meet new people, develop your skills, campaign for change and try something new.
Aspire Gym
The Aspire Gym has state of the art cardiovascular equipment with smart phone compatibility. There is also an extensive range of fixed resistance machines and a small free weights area.
Changing rooms with showers and lockers are available for members to use.
Luton Campus Accommodation
The University guarantees accommodation to all new students. Fitzroy Court and Wenlock Court, the two main halls of residence, are located on campus so getting to lectures, shopping in town and participating in events and activities is easy.
STEM building
The STEM building is home to courses in the subject areas of science, technology, engineering and mathematics.
Opened in Autumn 2019, its cutting edge facilities provides four computer laboratories; workshops for subjects such as automotive engineering, cyber-security and robotics, along with three large teaching labs, and four specialist containment labs.
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
How to Apply
Application for most full-time undergraduate and foundation courses is via the Universities and Colleges Admissions Service (UCAS).
We expect to receive UCAS applications between 1 September and 15 January for courses starting in the following academic year, but may consider applications received after this date should places be available.
Please contact admission@beds.ac.uk for further details.
All UK schools and colleges are registered with UCAS to manage their students' applications. Advice on how to submit your UCAS application is available from your school or college.
If you are not at school or college (including mature students) you should apply independently via UCAS
EU students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply via UCAS or direct using our admissions form
International students applying for a full-time undergraduate degree at the University of Bedfordshire should apply direct using our admissions form or via our representatives in your home country
You can also apply online
Find out more about how to apply as an International student
Additional information
The Department of Health and Social Care in England has announced that all NHS Staff must be vaccinated against Covid-19 if they wish to work in roles that involve face-to-face contact with service users. This rule comes into effect from 1st April 2022 and includes healthcare students.
All applicants need to provide evidence to our Occupational Health provider that they have received a full course of Covid-19 vaccination prior to commencing the course. If the applicant is exempt on medical grounds or because they have been involved in a clinical trial, or are under the age of 18 years of age, their ability to complete the course may be compromised. These cases will be reviewed by our Occupational Health provider to determine if reasonable adjustments to placement allocations can be made.
If reasonable adjustments are not possible due to the ruling, or if an applicant declines to being vaccinated, they will be unable to meet the NMC/HCPC proficiencies for the course as they will be unable to complete placements in Care Quality Commission regulated settings, for example, the NHS or care homes.
