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How we will deliver your course in 2021: Occupational Therapy (undergraduate)

Programmes this information applies to: 

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy 

1. Content of the course 

There are no planned changes to the course content.

2. Length of the course 

There are no planned changes to the length of the course.

Returning students 

Due to a back log in placements across the sector there may be some anticipated changes based on the availability of practice education placements. Students may need to trail a placement if it cannot be sourced when required. 

3. How your course will be delivered 

 

New students 

FHEQ Level 4 – All Core Blocks

Assessments:

Students will carry out one practical examination on campus (Knowledge and Skills for Practice I), two essays submitted online (Knowledge and Skills for Practice II and Professional Development), one online exam (Reasoning as an Occupational Therapist), a practice placement with continual assessment of student performance (Practice Placement 1) and a placement portfolio submitted online.

Study:

Term 1

Students should expect to be attending campus 2-4 times per week in Term 1.

Knowledge and Skills for Occupational Therapy & Human Sciences

For these merged study blocks students study a series of cases and have a workbook for each case with directed study activities to structure their asynchronous, online study.  Your workbook will have with links to recorded lectures, readings and other learning activities.  Synchronous seminars will be delivered in person, on campus.   Practical workshops for functional movement and clinical skills will also be delivered in person, on campus.

Professional Development

For this module students will have a workbook with directed study activities to structure their asynchronous, online study.  Students will have weekly sessions which will be a mixture of synchronous live seminars and in person, on campus practical workshops. 

Term 2

Students should expect to be attending campus 2-4 times per week in Term 2.

Knowledge and Skills for Occupational Therapy & Human Sciences

These blocks will continue in Term 2 with case-based study.

Term 3

Students will be on placement in Term 3

Practice Placement 1  

This placement will be 4 weeks full time study usually in person at a placement site though occasionally placements will be virtual or a mixture of virtual and in person study.  You will have a half day per week self-directed study and placement briefings and debriefings will be synchronous and online. 

Preparation for Year 2 Studies

This is a short block following student’s first clinical placement at the end of the year with a half day of synchronous, live lecture/Q&A and asynchronous, directed study to be carried out over the summer to prepare students for their Year 2 Studies. 

Returning students 

FHEQ Level 5 – All core blocks

Assessments:

Students will submit two essays online (Practice in Context and Therapeutic Use of Activity and Occupations), one poster and viva in person, on campus, two 8-week practice placements (Practice Placement 2 & Practice Placement 3) with continual assessments and two placement portfolios submitted online.

Study:

Term 1

Students should expect to be attending campus 1-2 times per week in Term 1 (Week 1-5) before going on Practice Placement 2.

Core Professional Skills 2

Study will be a mixture of practical workshops (in person, on campus), asynchronous online work (recorded lectures, online learning and directed study) and synchronous virtual seminars over 5 weeks.

Theory of Occupation

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous online work (recorded lectures, online learning and directed study using workbooks) and synchronous in person, on campus seminars over 5 weeks.

Practice Placement 2

This placement will be 8 weeks full time study usually in person at a placement site though occasionally placements will be virtual or a mixture of virtual and in person study.  You will have a half day per week self-directed study and placement briefings and debriefings will be synchronous and online. 

Term 2

Students should expect to be attending campus 2-4 times per week in Term 2. 

Occupations for Health and Wellbeing  

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous study (recorded lectures and directed study using workbooks) and synchronous sessions.  Synchronous sessions will be a mixture of synchronous live seminars, in person, on campus student and lecturer led therapy groups and live, online student and lecturer led therapy groups.  Students are expected to carry out group work and other group activities (e.g. community outing). 

Evidence-Based Occupational Therapy  

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous study (recorded lectures and directed study using workbooks) and in person, on campus synchronous sessions (seminars and themed symposia). 

Term 3

In Term 3 students will complete Practice Placement 3.

Practice Placement 3

This placement will be 8 weeks full time study usually in person at a placement site though occasionally placements will be virtual or a mixture of virtual and in person study.  You will have a half day per week self-directed study and placement briefings and debriefings will be synchronous and online. 

FHEQ Level 6 – All core blocks

Assessment:

Students will carry out an essay and research proposal both submitted online (Research Methods and Research Proposal), a presentation and viva carried out live, online (Service Development), a timed live, online assessment (Professional Practice), an 8-week placement with continual assessment (Practice Placement 4) and a placement portfolio submitted online. 

Study:

Term 1

Students can expect to be on campus 1-2 times per week.

Core Professional Skills

Asynchronous work consists of directed study online.  Synchronous activities include live lectures and seminars online.

Occupational Therapy Provision and Service Development

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous online work (recorded lectures, online learning and directed study using workbooks) synchronous live online seminars, and in person, on campus workshops.

Research Methods  

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous online work (recorded lectures, online learning and directed study using workbooks) synchronous live online seminars, and in person, on campus workshops.

Professional Practice  

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous online work (recorded lectures, online learning and directed study using workbooks) and synchronous online seminars. 

Term 2

Students will complete Practice Placement 4 for 8 weeks then can expect to be on campus once per week for 4 weeks.

Practice Placement 4 

This placement will be 8 weeks full time study usually in person at a placement site though occasionally placements will be virtual or a mixture of virtual and in person study.  You will have a half day per week self-directed study and placement briefings and debriefings will be synchronous and online. 

Core Professional Skills

This block will continue in Term 2 with a synchronous live, online career day.

Research in Occupational Therapy

Study will be a mixture of asynchronous lectures and directed study, synchronous on campus, in person seminars, 1:1 supervision (live, online) and online research showcase. 

Term 3

Students will have no scheduled study activities.

4. Cost of the course 

There are no changes to the cost of the course.

Access to a laptop or desktop PC is required for joining online activities, completing coursework and digital exams, and a minimum specification can be found here.
If you have any concerns about accessing a suitable device, please complete and return this form to enquire about the University’s loan laptop scheme.

5. Award

There are no planned changes to the qualification that is being awarded.

6. Feedback and consultation

We provide set times where you can talk to your lecturers and module leaders, either in person or via phone or MS-Teams, to discuss academic matters relating to your course. You can also use these opportunities to obtain and discuss feedback on an assessment. 

You can find availability on Blackboard Learn or email your lecturer to book an appointment. Please give as much notice as possible to help your lecturer find a time that suits you.

7. Personal tutoring

Your personal tutor is responsible for monitoring and supporting your academic and personal development both in your transition to university and between years. It is someone you can discuss, in confidence, your academic progress with or any special requirements you may need. 

If you are a first year student, these sessions will be included in your timetable every other week. 

If you are a second year, final year, or postgraduate student you can request to have a session at a time that is convenient for you.  

You can attend our virtual ‘drop-in’ sessions which are advertised on Blackboard Learn, or request a session by emailing your personal tutor.

8. Departmental communications and events

You can keep up with subject and module updates through Blackboard Learn. We will also send important updates to your student email account, so please keep an eye on those. 

We occasionally host whole cohort drop-in meetings and other events where you can get updates and join in conversations with peers and lecturers from your department, you will receive an invite by email.

9. Student-led academic representation

Student reps are elected to represent the views of their course, department or college to improve the academic experience at Brunel. They gather views and opinions from students on things such as lectures, exams, assessment and feedback and then take a collective view to the University and Union in order to develop the student experience at Brunel.

We welcome feedback from our student community on matters relating to your experience through your student representatives or through your programme leaders. 

Find out who your course rep is here. You’ll also receive an email from your programme leader who will confirm your contact.

10. Peer-to-peer opportunities

You can join our student societies, we have one for each subject area including Politics, History, Sociology, and Anthropology. You can join these societies through the Union of Brunel Students or contact your course rep to find out more. We have Facebook groups for these societies too.

Our department also has a Postgraduate Research Society, if you would like to join this please contact your PGR Director.

You can join our social media groups to keep in touch with your peers and exchange knowledge.  Find out how to do this by contacting your course rep.

Contact us 

If you have any specific questions about the above information, please email: CHMLS-TPO-biosciences@brunel.ac.uk

 

Disclaimer: We have used our best endeavours to plan for the coming academic year and to ensure the information on this page is correct at the time of publication. The information provided here is intended for the general guidance of students studying the University’s degree programmes listed above in the academic year 2021/22. The University will deliver the course of study as described unless there are changes outside of our control related to COVID-19. In such circumstances, the University will adjust the delivery of the course accordingly, and use its best endeavours to ensure equivalence.

Date of publication: 16.07.21