BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

Core units

• Academic Study Skills: You will gain the fundamental academic and research skills required for degree level study. The unit will introduce you to a broad grounding in literature searching, literature review, data collection, methodological approach, data analysis and interpretation and ethical practice. It will also support you to begin to develop a critical and analytical approach to your work and identify areas for personal development. 
• Applied Sciences: You'll gain a basic understanding of some fundamental aspects of science underpinning more specific disciplines, and an appreciation of how various scientific disciplines impact human life. You'll understand the differences between pure and applied science, as well as the roles of different ways applied science can be funded, and implications of these funding mechanisms. 
• Introduction to Biology: Biology is the study of life and hence knowledge of plant and animal cell biology is fundamental to understanding wider concepts in biology. This unit also introduces key themes in human, environmental and ecological sciences to provide a sound underpinning in knowledge for future studies. 
• Introduction to Psychology: This unit is designed to prepare you for advanced coursework in psychology. You will complete the unit with a good understanding of the various areas of psychology and how they seek to explain behaviour. 
• Mathematics in Science: You will build your confidence in mathematics, in order to perform calculations on a range of scientific data from biology, chemistry and psychology and to be able to represent the findings in an appropriate format, including graphs. In order to carry this out, it is essential to be able to convert the data between systems of units and to understand how to present very large and very small numbers in standard form. Basic statistical analysis of tabulated data will be carried out to introduce the concept of confidence limits and familiarisation of statistical testing.
• Foundation Year Project: You will carry out a research task on scientific topics chosen by the unit leader which you will be able to conduct a scientific investigation on. You will devise your own investigation and produce a literature review as a final scientific report. 

Core units

• Foundations for Professional Practice & Research: This interprofessional unit gives you an opportunity to work with students from other disciplines in exploring what influences health and well-being. There will be an emphasis on ethical, person-centred practice and an exploration of how research impacts on positive outcomes for service users.
• Becoming an Occupational Therapist: This introductory unit explores occupational science concepts, theory of humans as occupational beings, key occupational therapy concepts and stages in the occupational therapy process.
• Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice: During this unit you will develop effective and transferable communication skills that promote and value diversity.
• Occupational Therapy in Action 1: You will discover how to implement occupational therapy practice with diverse service users in a variety of settings, as well as learn how to gather information through assessment, collaboratively set goals and identify appropriate occupation-focused approaches to intervention.
• Analysing Occupation: During this unit you will gain an understanding of human anatomy, physiology, psychology, sociology and occupational functioning and analysis.
• Practice Placement BU 1: This first, six week, practice placement enables you to apply the theoretical skills you have learnt in your first year to practical environments.

Core units

• Research for Professional Practice: This unit is another where you will be studying with students from other programmes. You will be building your research and problem-solving skills so that you can engage critically with evidence informed practice.
• Professional Reasoning for Occupational Therapy Practice: During this unit you will explore the relevance of professional reasoning and best evidence in relation to decision-making and intervention planning.
• Occupational Therapy in Action 2: Developing your skills of implementing occupational therapy practice, you will be able to select, apply and critique a broad range of assessment and intervention approaches to a diverse range of situations.
• Practice Placement BU2: This ten week practice placement unit will help you plan, analyse and apply occupational therapy theories, knowledge, legislation and clinical governance in practice.
• Community Engagement in Occupational Therapy: In this unit you will explore the occupational needs of individuals, groups and communities and identify opportunities to work in partnership with them using occupation to promote participation, health and wellbeing.

Core units

• Research for Occupational Therapy Practice: You will investigate the role of research in occupational therapy practice by searching for research literature, analysing the quality and outcomes of the research and then relating those research findings to a specific area of practice. In addition, you will put together a proposal for research in your chosen area.
• Innovation in Occupational Therapy Practice: Drawing on experiences of different sectors and wider economic and socio-political issues, you will evaluate an occupational therapy innovation of your choice.
• Team Working for Service Improvement: Working with students from other professions, you will work collaboratively to explore an area of service where you can enhance the experience of people using the service.
• Practice Placement BU3: This final ten week practice placement will ensure you qualify as a confident and proficient professional, capable of providing high quality, safe and autonomous practice. In this unit you will also consolidate your understanding of the expectations of a newly qualified occupational therapist enabling you to make a smooth transition into professional practice.

Programme specifications provide definitive records of the University's taught degrees in line with Quality Assurance Agency requirements. Every taught course leading to a BU Award has a programme specification which describes its aims, structure, content and learning outcomes, plus the teaching, learning and assessment methods used.

Whilst every effort is made to ensure the accuracy of the programme specification, the information is liable to change to take advantage of exciting new approaches to teaching and learning as well as developments in industry.

If you have been unable to locate the programme specification for the course you are interested in, it will be available as soon as the latest version is ready. Alternatively please contact us for assistance.

With practical learning being integral to your degree, we provide practice simulation suites to mirror both clinical and community workplace settings and provide a safe environment.

There are state-of-the-art facilities in the £48 million Bournemouth Gateway Building.

Visit our facilities page to find out more – you can also take a 360° tour to get a feel for where you’ll be studying while you’re based on our Lansdowne Campus.

You will undertake the following placements:

Year 1: A six-week placement

Year 2: A ten-week placement

Year 3: A twelve-week placement.

When you start each placement, you will be assigned a practice placement educator (PPE) and will usually follow their shift pattern. This may include weekend and shift working (early or late shifts), but you will not be expected to work more than 37.5 hours a week.

If you do work on a Saturday or Sunday, you will usually receive a day off in lieu in the week, although this can vary.

Practice learning placements will be in a variety of places within Dorset, Somerset, Hampshire and Wiltshire, in order to provide the necessary breadth of experience. This will involve travel, and you may need to find short-term accommodation to participate in placements.

This course contains a significant amount of placement experience, often undertaken in outlying areas rather than solely in local towns/cities. You need to consider this when making your application and be clear about what will be expected of you.

To help you with this, the NHS learning support fund may be able to support eligible UK students with placement travel expenses and dual accommodation costs.

Occupational Health (OH) Checks

This course is physically and mentally demanding and you will  need to be mentally and physically able to undertake your chosen course. Places are offered subject to passing an OH check, and this will be carried out by the Dorset Healthcare University NHS Foundation Trust.

Health conditions need to be dealt with on an individual basis e.g. deafness, blindness, eczema (or other dermatological allergic reactions) on exposed areas, epilepsy, back problems, or mental health conditions, eating disorders and other disabilities. These do not automatically exclude you but please ensure that you fully disclose your condition  to OH.

The University can then consider the recommendations made by OH and whether reasonable adjustments can be made to support you on your chosen course. If you require more guidance please contact us for more information.

You will be required to provide a record of your immunity status or be vaccinated or have the required blood tests. You may need to ask your GP or current OH department or find your childhood vaccination record for details of your past immunisation records. You should be aware that there may be charges made (for which you will be liable) relating to your gaining the appropriate immunity required prior to starting your training programme.

Refusing Immunisations

The University has an expectation that all students will comply with the vaccination programme as it is Public Health England requirement for health care workers to have certain immunisations. This ensures that you will be able to undertake the wide range of training placements that your course will require and aims to keep you, as well as the people in your care as safe as possible. Please note that at this time Covid-19 vaccinations are not a mandatory requirement for healthcare workers and so are therefore not a mandatory requirement for healthcare students either. Occasionally some vaccinations are contraindicated in certain medical conditions. Occupational Health (OH) will advise the University in these cases. The University will consider students on an individual basis. Refusal to have immunisations may result in the student not being allowed to attend practice placement and being withdrawn from the course. There is no opportunity to appeal against the requirements of the immunisation policy.

Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) Check (previously known as CRB)

All successful applicants will be subject to an Enhanced Disclosure and Barred List check; this will be a condition of offer and will need to be completed prior to commencing the course. Please see the Government website for the most up to date information.

We are looking for applicants who can show that they have a clear understanding of the profession. This can be demonstrated by gaining hands on experience (paid or voluntary) in different health and social care settings or clear insight in the field of work being applied for. Examples of experience candidates have gained are:

• Working as an occupational therapy assistant.
• Care roles such as in a nursing home or working with children, the elderly or people with disabilities.

You can also gain an insight into the role through shadowing or talking with occupational therapists and having examined relevant websites such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

We'll use this information to shortlist applicants so it must be evidenced clearly on your UCAS application form in the employment history section and in your personal statement. 

AccessBU: AccessBU provides you with the opportunity to tell us about your circumstances that are not always evident in your UCAS application. This widening access initiative also considers relevant criteria such as being in care or if you live in an area with a low participation rate in Higher Education - if you are eligible, your offer could be up to 16 UCAS tariff points below the published tariff.

Apprenticeships: We recognise the transferable knowledge and skills gained through apprenticeships and welcome applications from students with a Level 3 Advanced Apprenticeship recognised by the Institute for Apprenticeships. Each application will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

Deferred entry: We are happy to consider eligible applicants for deferred entry. If you have already submitted your application, please submit your deferral request through our website.

Direct entry: We welcome applications from students who have previously studied at degree level at other institutions and wish to transfer onto a BU course. Our Recognition of Prior Learning (RPL) procedure enables credit awarded from one institution to contribute to a BU award, subject to an application process. Please visit our RPL webpage for more information.

Mature applicants: We recognise that mature applicants may have a wealth of experience rather than formal qualifications, so we’ll consider your application on these merits if included in your application. You’ll need to apply to BU in the usual way through UCAS and you may be invited to an interview to discuss your suitability for the course based on the experience you tell us about in your application.

Knowledge and understanding of the profession

We are looking for applicants who can show that they have a clear understanding of the profession. This can be demonstrated by having spent time shadowing or talking with occupational therapists, by gaining hands on experience (paid or voluntary) in different health and social care settings where occupational therapists work, and having examined relevant websites such as the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

Commitment, motivation and resilience

We are looking for applicants who have a thorough knowledge of the course and the profession and can demonstrate that they are committed and motivated to becoming an occupational therapist. We are also looking for applicants that can demonstrate that they have the skills and attributes to succeed in undertaking a demanding course.

Personal qualities

We are looking for applicants who can demonstrate that they have:

• Good communication skills
• Problem solving skills and are able to use their initiative
• A preparedness to learn at an undergraduate level
• The capacity to study independently and in groups

Our courses are built around the NHS’ constitution values, and when assessing your application we will take these values into consideration:

• Working together for patients
• Respect and dignity
• Commitment to quality of care
• Compassion
• Improving lives
• Everyone counts.

Find out more about the NHS Constitution principles.

In the healthcare sector IT is now a vital tool for accessing and maintaining patient records, accessing literature to client care and conducting clinically-related research. As a student you will receive an introduction to IT near the beginning of your course and you will be provided with computer access and your own email address.

During the course you will be expected to use your developing IT skills to produce assignments, to conduct literature searches, and to use client-related record systems in the clinical setting. Following instruction some of your study will be undertaken through web-based learning tools, for example by participating in online discussions.

We select candidates for this course by looking at your application. For that reason, make sure your application really stands out from the crowd, and leave us in no doubt as to why you should be joining BU.
 
For our health and social care courses our admissions team use the DRIVE criteria to assess your application and evidence of this must be show in your personal statement. You can also find some handy hints about filling in your UCAS form on our how to apply web pages.

Additional reference

In addition to the reference on your UCAS form, once we’ve received your application we will contact you to ask for a second reference; depending on the course you’ve applied for, this may be an academic reference, or from an employer or person who knows you in a professional capacity.

Interviews 

Interviews are part of our selection process and you must be able to demonstrate at interview that you show the necessary insight into occupational therapy, as well as the motivation and commitment to become an occupational therapist.

What to expect at the interview

Your interview will take place online, on a free online video communication platform.

A member of the Admissions Team will email you with joining instructions and information about what to expect at interview.

Your individual interview is where you will have the opportunity to tell us a little more about yourself and why you would be a great candidate for the course. You will be scored using a common template and offers will be made based on these scores.

If you are invited to interview, you will also be able to access online on-demand information presentations, course talks, virtual campus tours and more which you can watch before your interview.

We look at individual applications and make a tailored offer based on your potential to succeed on the course considering a range of factors, including your academic achievements, work and other experience, reference and personal statement, and in some cases, your performance at an interview or a portfolio review. Typically, we make an offer at the bottom of the tariff range.

If you are unable to meet the entry requirements, we may be able to make you an offer through AccessBU if you meet certain criteria e.g. you have been in care or live in an area where fewer people typically progress to Higher Education. If you don't meet our published tariff, we will accept you at least 8 points below if your personal circumstances match our AccessBU criteria.

Our offer-making will typically be based on your most recent qualifications, including any required subjects where applicable. We'll consider all qualifications when assessing your application, although these may not be part of our offer.

If you do not meet the criteria of your original offer, we may still offer you a place. We will review your whole application and consider all academic qualifications (including those not in the offer) to see if you have the academic potential to succeed on the course. If we feel the answer is yes, we will confirm your place.

You will be ideally placed to progress into a career as a clinical specialist, allowing you to focus on an area that particularly interests you, for example paediatrics or chronic physical disability. Other possible roles include:

• Occupational therapist in the NHS
• Occupational therapist in social care
• Researcher
• Teacher
• Community learning facilitator.

Once you graduate, you are eligible to register as an occupational therapist with the Health & Care Professions Council (HCPC), which will allow you to work overseas as well as in the UK. You can also apply for professional membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (COT).

Once you have completed an undergraduate Honours degree, you can further develop your education by studying for a postgraduate degree. Please visit our postgraduate section for further details about our range of Master's degrees.

What’s included in your tuition fee?

Your tuition fee covers expenses associated with your course including tuition materials, access to facilities, mandatory field trips and the following:

• Materials for laboratory and mandatory field-based teaching activity.
• Support for finding placements (UK or abroad) and/or fieldwork and non-financial support whilst on placement.
• A range of student services – advisors, help desks, counsellors, placement support and careers service.
• Access to Brightspace, our virtual learning environment, which offers a responsive and personalised learning experience with powerful learning analytics capabilities, integrated social media and advanced video features.
• The Library – access to a wide range of electronic resources (databases, e-journals and e-books), print and multimedia collections, subject librarians and study spaces.
• IT labs (some open 24/7), wireless network, AV equipment to borrow.
• Free software download to your personal device of Microsoft Office 365 ProPlus while you are studying, as well as access to applications provided on AppsAnywhere, subject to licensing and compatibility restrictions
• Disability and additional learning support, according to individual circumstances.
• The BU Language Centre to help you develop/improve foreign or English language skills.
• 24 hours a day, 365 days a year security team.
• Professional body accreditation of the course.
• Occupational Health Services and checks are included but you will be charged if you do not attend Occupational Health appointments without giving appropriate notice.You are also responsible for travel costs to Occupational Health appointments. 
• We will provide you with one standard set of uniform. Additional uniform items must be ordered by students, and this will incur an additional cost. Students will need to purchase their own appropriate footwear.

Additional costs

We are committed to offering you value for money and ensuring there are no hidden costs while you are studying with us, therefore we have listed below any additional costs you may incur that are not covered by your tuition fee:

• Laptops, tablets and mobile devices and any software used on personal devices. Access to a personal computer is strongly recommended for your study. If you are experiencing financial difficulty, visit our website for information regarding hardship funds
• Textbooks, general stationery and other supplies. Our award-winning library is stocked with a large range of textbooks and online resources, free of charge. The Students’ Union shop stocks a wide range of stationery supplies.
• Accommodation and living costs. Our accommodation price guide can be found on our website
• You will need to meet the cost of an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check as a condition of enrolment, including any Post Office verification charges. You will be required to pay the fee of £54.22 in full at the Post Office when they are verifying your ID.
• Travel costs to and from the University campus for taught sessions (and occupational health referrals if required). An annual bus pass can be purchased alongside your rent if you are living in halls of residence/Unilet accommodation or may be purchased separately
• Your placement could be at various locations across the southwest region. You will need to pay for travel costs to and from your placement (including car parking charges) and for accommodation. Eligible UK students may claim reimbursement towards travel and accommodation costs from the NHS. Please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website for more information. International students will need to cover these costs in addition to their course fee. 
• You may be able to claim reimbursement from the NHS. Please visit the NHS Business Services Authority website for more information: https://www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/nhs-learning-support-fund
• There may be an additional charge for replacement uniforms
• SportBU membership
• You may need to pay for immunisations if they are not covered by your GP.

If you need to repeat one or more units during your studies (with or without attendance) the pricing will be pro-rata of the full-time fee.

Occupational therapy may be eligible for a government training grant of at least £5,000 a year, which you will not need to pay back. The funding will be given to all new and continuing degree-level nursing, midwifery and many allied health students.

Students starting in September received at least £5,000 a year, with further funding available for eligible students, including:

• Parental Support allowance of £1,000, on top of the £1,000 already on offer. 
• Up to £1,000 specialist subject payment for subjects such as mental health nursing. 
• A regional incentive payment in areas of the country which have seen a decrease in people accepted on some nursing, midwifery and allied health courses.

Students will not need to apply for specialist subject or incentive payments as they will be automatically added to their account, if eligible. 

This means that some students could be eligible for up to £8,000 per year, with everyone getting at least £5,000. 

Please note that this funding is not available for students on the Foundation Year, however you will be able to access it once you complete the foundation year and move onto the degree. Eligibility criteria applies to any grants.

Preetee is HCPC registered Occupational Therapist. She has completed her master’s degree in Occupational Therapy – Neurosciences from Mumbai, India and currently pursuing her PhD in Occupational Therapy.

She has worked in Clinical Occupational Therapy practice (Neurorehabilitation) in Mumbai, India for around eight years. She has also worked as an Assistant professor in Occupational Therapy at Occupational Therapy Training School & Centre, Seth G.S. Medical College & K.E.M Hospital, Mumbai, India from 2017 to 2021.

Preetee has joined as Lecturer (Academic) in Occupational Therapy at Bournemouth University in December 2021.

Juliette qualified as an occupational therapist (OT) in 1990. She has undertaken a range of clinical roles and began specialising in neurological rehabilitation in 1993. She has redesigned out patient neurological services in Southampton to facilitate the development of a work rehabilitation service.

In 2003 Juliette joined the OT lecturing team at the University of Southampton, she combined this role with her Clinical Specialist role in OT / vocational rehabilitation. Between 2007-2014 she undertook a PhD which explored how people with traumatic brain injury perform in the workplace and how they might be better supported. In 2018 Juliette joined the lecturing team at Bournemouth University.

Juliette delivers teaching and postgraduate doctoral supervision in her areas of expertise: neurological rehabilitation and vocational rehabilitation.

Dr Bernadette Waters is a Principal Lecturer in the Faculty of Health and Social Sciences and is currently the Professional and Programme Lead for the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme.

Dr Waters has always been enthusiastic to ensure that the student experience is excellent and that occupational therapy (OT) students are thoroughly prepared for the world of practice. Her teaching is primarily with the OT students but she also actively contributes to interprofessional education. Dr Waters has worked with the professional and statutory bodies over many years and has contributed to the development and evolution of QAA Subject Benchmarks, HCPC Standards and COT accreditation documents. She has worked as an External Examiner for seven universities and Visitor to many others in the capacity as reviewer or advisor.