Introduction

Occupational therapists help people to live, not just exist – enabling them to do the things they need and want to do, and regain quality of life. Occupational therapy is a growing healthcare role in the UK. With an increase in patients with long-term and complex health needs, alternative treatment pathways are essential to provide a framework of options to support patients. Our pre-registration Masters degree will prepare you to join this area. Our full-time Masters degree is open to graduates with excellent communication skills, who are resourceful, practically minded, comfortable in various environments and want to support people regain their lives. We welcome applications from positive, motivated and solution-focused people from a variety of backgrounds.

As an occupational therapist, you'll assess people's needs, and use your expertise and experiences to co-create plans to help them re-engage in everyday life, despite their health and social difficulties. In University we’ll support you to take a whole-person approach to both mental and physical health, and wellbeing. On placement, you’ll experience various settings including community services, NHS Trusts, local authorities and private providers. Most of your theory will be taught in Year 1, alongside preparation for placements. In Year 2, you’ll spend most of your time out on block placements, which last around 5-6 weeks each. Read more about placements. We’ll prepare you for your future career, through our skills facilities, access to specialist occupational therapy equipment and training provision with expert lecture practitioners. You’ll benefit from being part of the School of Allied Health, with interprofessional learning opportunities, resilience and wellbeing being integral to the course. On graduation you’ll be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council and Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

How you'll be assessed

We use a variety of summative assessments to ensure you are able to integrate your theoretical and practical knowledge with relevant contextual understanding. Assessment types for this course include: MCQ, short answer and SBA exams; practical clinical examinations (OSCE); critical writing; presentations; patchwork text; reflective writing; and Placement Assessment Documents (PAD).

Careers

On successful graduation you’ll be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) as an occupational therapist with the NHS in professional practice, local authority or the private sector. Graduation doesn’t have to be the end of your time with us. You could choose to continue your academic career with a PhD programme at ARU.