Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) MSc

Occupational Therapy at Brunel is one of the largest, longest established and most highly regarded programmes in the world. In fact, we're the original ‘London School of Occupational Therapy’ which was founded in 1934. So if you’re positive, a motivator, good at coming up with solutions to problems and looking for a career that’s rewarding and really makes a difference to people’s lives then this could be the course for you.

The MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) provides a master’s level route for you to become an occupational therapist. The course integrates theory with practice. Our Mary Seacole Building is purpose-built for occupational therapy and physiotherapy. The rooms reflect the type of clinical environment that you will work in as an occupational therapist. You’ll learn your practical skills here so that you’ll be confident and experienced in time for your first placement.

Our lecturers are still active in their field and have close links with colleagues in the NHS, social service and voluntary organisations around London. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to do your 1,000 hours of practice placement at a variety of settings including some of the top hospitals in the world such as the National Hospital for Neurology at Queens Square and Imperial Hospital.

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.

The programme is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT), the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and the US Accreditation Council for Occupational Therapy Education (ACOTE). It is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy.

When you graduate from this programme you’ll be eligible to:

• Apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
• Sit for the US national certification examination administered by the National Board for Certification in Occupational Therapy (NBCOT)
• Apply for membership of the British Association of Occupational Therapists/Royal College of Occupational Therapists

You’ll benefit from the extensive area of expertise at Brunel. In the first year of study, you’ll undertake components from some of the current BSc course and from courses across the areas of physiotherapy, social work and community health and nursing studies. Where learning is shared with the undergraduates, the content has been integrated into master’s level modules and is assessed at master’s level.

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.

You’ll develop, explore and critique the core concepts and skills of the profession. Your first year will involve a balanced mix of study and two practice placements, allowing you to develop your theoretical knowledge and then to use this in the workplace environment. You'll learn how to apply research to a clinical situation.

In year two you’ll perform critical analysis and evaluate theoretical concepts. There will be two practice placements, one at the beginning of the year and one at the end. In addition, you’ll study one optional module that will enable you to learn a specialist area in greater depth.

Optional modules are indicative and available subject to numbers.

After successfully completing the course you are eligible to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council in order to practise as an occupational therapist. You’ll be able to work in areas such as physical rehabilitation, mental health settings, with children in schools or clinics and with people with learning disabilities, based at a hospital or as part of a community reablement team. As well as opportunities to work in the health and social care sector there’s also demand for occupational therapists in the voluntary sector, private practice, schools and industry.

At the time of application, you must have a completed a UK first or 2:1 Honours degree, or equivalent internationally recognised qualification, (any subject) with strong applicants demonstrating a science profile (health and social care experience relevant to OT) and evidence of informed insight into the profession of occupational therapy. 

Applicants with a 2:2 Honours degree in a subject relevant to occupational therapy (for example biology, psychology, human sciences and sociology) and who have extensive experience of working in a health or social care setting relevant to OT will be considered and assessed on an individual basis.

Evidence of academic achievement in the last five years will be required. 

Please note: This course may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, also known as regulated activity. Where this is the case, students are required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application (previously known as a CRB check). The application currently costs £51.86, but this is subject to change. For the most up to date information please visit the Home office website.

A satisfactory health declaration is required. 

Selection Days

Applicants may be invited to attend an Interview. 

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.

• IELTS: 7 (min 6 in all areas)
• Pearson: 64 (51 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 70% (min 60% in all areas)

You’ll be taught by lecturers who are still active in their field and have close links with colleagues in the NHS, social service and voluntary organisations around London. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to go to some of the top hospitals in the world such as the National Hospital for Neurology at Queens Square and Imperial Hospital. You’ll also benefit from their up-to-date practical expertise.

At Brunel we have an impressive record of research, innovation and many of our lecturers have produced publications in the field. You’ll benefit first hand from their leading-edge findings and this will form part of your course.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

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 methods 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 you’ll be provided with the assessment schedule, including assessment and feedback dates. This will be provided verbally and in the programme handbook.