Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Overview

The human body is amazing but when things go wrong, either mentally or physically, people often aren’t able to do activities that matter to them. What are the barriers to activity? Are there ways to overcome these barriers? These are the questions you’ll be finding the answers to as an Occupational Therapist.

At Brunel, you’ll be integrating theory with practice. You’ll learn to examine the physical, psychological and contextual aspects of a patient. This can be from the acute stage through to the general rehabilitation in the community. You’re encouraged to be creative in your approach and to develop ways to solve their problems; for instance, you could be helping someone who has had an amputation to use a wheelchair and identifying ways to have their kitchen adapted. On the course, you’ll be encouraged to use your own skills and hobbies to aid rehabilitation which can be anything from art or music to hair braiding.

You’ll learn to use research and literature and to look at evidence to help your understanding of a patient’s condition. Eventually you’ll learn the skills to create your own research.

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 is the course for you.

The NHS Values are shaped by 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.

Financial Support

Studying at university can be financially challenging so here at Brunel, we want to draw your attention to the UK Government support scheme – NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) aimed to reduce this cost burden. This scheme is aimed primarily at British Nationals and British residents. There are some eligibility criteria to be met but it means that eligible students can access a non-means tested grant of £5,000 for each academic year of study and more info can be found here. This grant does not need to be paid back and neither are you committed to working in the NHS on graduating and registering. Please note that the application process and awarding of this grant is totally independent of the university, and unfortunately, are unable to advise or intervene on your behalf. Further information including a short video can be found here.

It’s likely that all students going on clinical placements will incur some travel expenses in excess of their normal travel to and from the university. Very occasionally, students may have a travel journey in excess of 2 hours each way to and from placement in which case they would be eligible to stay local to their placement during the working week which would naturally incur extra expenditure for accommodation too. UK students are eligible for reimbursement of excess travel or accommodation costs incurred due to undertaking practical training on a clinical placement. This money does not need to be paid back and further information can be found here.

In addition to the basic Training Grant - UK students who have parental responsibility for a child may be eligible for an additional grant of £2000 for each academic year. This grant does not need to be paid back and further information can be found here.

UK students may apply for an additional exceptional support grant of up to £3000 for each academic year which does not need to be paid back. Further information can be found here.

To register for an NHS Training Grant, you will need to set up a Learning Support Fund Account which takes around 5 minutes. Click here to start the process. And remember that you can still apply for a re-payable student loan in addition to the NHS Training Grant.

Dean’s International Scholarship: This course is eligible for a £2,000 fee waiver, per academic year, subject to availability. This scholarship is for full-time, international students only. Find out more.

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Course content

The course integrates theory with practice. Periods of campus-based study will prepare you for practice placements, and then information and experience gained on placements provides much of the case study material used in university study. There is also a mix of individual and group work. Your course will follow four themes which will form the basis of your learning throughout the three years. These themes are:

Occupation
The word ‘occupation’ in occupational therapy refers to people’s everyday activities such as work, hobbies, looking after yourself etc. You’ll learn human biology (anatomy and physiology) and psychology, which will inform you how illness or chronic disease can affect a person’s ability to carry out these daily activities.

Enquiry
You’ll learn to read literature and research and evaluate evidence. You’ll be taught about the research process and how it applies in the context of being a health professional. You will become proficient users of existing research, be able to help your patients to understand what it means and eventually you’ll have the skillset to create your own research projects.

Professional performance
You’ll learn the professional language and terminology used in occupational therapy and be able to use clinical reasoning. You’ll understand and use a range of occupational therapy procedures. As an occupational therapist you’ll be dealing with vulnerable people in society so this theme also covers the importance of professional integrity and conduct.

Practical skills
You’ll learn how to assess patients, work out their difficulties and to resolve their problems. This can be helping people with dementia to maintain their quality of life, working with people with physical difficulties to help them with self-care and independent living techniques or working with mental health patients to redevelop either social or vocational skills. These are just a few examples. Our purpose-built Keep Living Suite and our specialist equipment will help you to learn about the type of equipment you will use when you’re working as an occupational therapist. You’ll learn to fit equipment such as commodes and bath seats, how to advise patients on sitting positions, desk or table configurations and the use of equipment in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. There are opportunities on campus and as part of your course to help with Brunel’s wheelchair basketball team, use sensory integration equipment and help with children who have developmental coordination disorder.

Brunel is the top-ranked university in London for Occupational Therapy (Complete University Guide 2022)

Year 1

Compulsory

Professionalism and the Developing Occupational Therapist 1: Professional Knowledge, Doing, Being and Becoming
This initial module helps students become aware of the profession of occupational therapy and the theory that guides it, including occupational science. There is a focus on what being a professional means and why people engage in occupations to enrich their lives. The module includes 70 hours of volunteering experience in the community, to inform reflection about professional communication skills and the importance of engaging in occupations, alongside personal development.
Enabling Occupation 1: Working with Older Adults
In this module students start to explore occupational therapy theory to understand the biological, social and psychological challenges of aging including common physical, mental health and social issues experienced by older people. Study will help students understand how occupational therapists work with older people and their carers, to help them maintain, build and learn new ways to engage in valued occupations both at home and in the community. Students learn about evidence based occupational therapy in this area and a range of practical skills that are valued by older people.
Enabling Occupation 2: Working with Adults of Working Age
Students continue to study occupational therapy theory, here to explore a range of biological, social and psychological challenges experienced by working age adults. Theory and practical skills sessions help students develop more understanding about how occupational therapists can work with adults to maintain, build and learn new ways to enhance their occupationas at work, home and in lesiure settings. Underlying sciences in this and other enabling occupation modules include anatomy, mental health practice and exploring cultural influences on people engaging in occupations.
Evidence Based Practice & Research 1
This module introduces students to understanding the importance of research and other forms of professional evidence that inform their practice and approach to academic study. The learning helps students become confident in finding, reading and interpreting the right kind of quality evidence to support their learning about occupational therapy.
Practice Placement 1A
This small module prepares students for live placement settings with members of the public by ensuring they meet the necessary conduct, health and training requirements for placement. There is a 40 hour simulated placement experience to rehearse some of the skills, examine fundamental knowledge for practice and explore the demands of working in an occupational therapy environment.
Practice Placement 1B
This placement module is for students who have suceeded in placement 1A. Students will spend 4 weeks in a professional occupational therapy setting with a registered occupational therapist, who is their practice placement educator. The placement allows students opportunities to see and participate in occupational therapy in that setting, as well as engage with professional supervision and feedback.

Year 2

Compulsory

Professionalism and the Developing Occupational Therapist 2: Working with Others
This module enables students to focus on the skills that are needed to work well with a range of people, including understanding group dynamics. The advantages of working with colleagues from other professions and agencies will be highlighted. The module includes 90 hours of volunteering experience in the community, which will inform reflection and personal development about the importance of using occupation with people accessing occupational therapy services.
Enabling Occupation 3: Working with Groups, Communities and Global Perspectives
In this module, students are encouraged to take a public health perspective to working with groups and communities, helping their health and wellbeing from an occupational perspective. Students are encouraged to think broadly about developments in the profession, and consider co-production methods to working in diverse settings with people who have needs in common. Whether working with communities at a local, national or international setting, this module enables students to focus on a group or community of their choice and how occupational therapy can help people live healthier lives.
Enabling Occupation 4: Working with Children and Young People
Students examine occupational therapy theory alongside developmental, biological, social and psychological challenges for children and young people. Theory and practical skills sessions help students develop their existing understanding and apply this to the work of the occupational therapist when helping younger people to gain occupational independence at school, home and in leisure or play settings. Underlying sciences include a focus on child development as well as guiding principles for working with families.
Evidence Based Practice & Research 2
This module builds on developing understanding of research methods and other means of gathering evidence in practice settings, such as service evaluations and audits in occupational therapy. The module is designed to help students think about how research is designed and what reasoning guides those decisions.
Practice Placement 2
Students will spend 12 weeks in a professional occupational therapy setting with a registered occupational therapist, who is their practice placement educator. The placement allows students opportunities to be involved in offering occupational therapy services, apply the theory they have learnt and work alongside people using the service, their carers and colleagues. They will engage with professional reflection, supervision and feedback.

Year 3

Compulsory

Professionalism and the Developing Occupational Therapist 4: Leadership and Entrepreneurial Practice
This module enables students to think about the organisational structures that shape how occupational therapy services are delivered and what policy, legislation and professional guidance influence this. Examining leadership skills will inform students to appreciate expectations to become leaders at a qualified level with the resilience required to work along change, provide a quality occupational therapy service, be aware of the impact of digitalisation and be both effective and efficient.
Enabling Occupation 5: Specialities for Practice
Students use this module to explore some specialised areas of practice that can shape their career development when they become experienced occupational therapists. As well as developing a project to examine a speciality of their choice, students will have practical skills sessions to experience some specialise techniques and discuss their application within occupational therapy.
Evidence Based Practice & Research 3: Research Project
This module allows students to work collegiately alongside colleagues and with a research supervisor in formulating a research protocol. They will used confident reasoning to select and justify a suitable research method for a chosen research project of interest to occupational therapists. The module is designed to help students think about the logistics of research and its ethical implications.
PH3604 - Practice Placement 3
Students will spend a final 12 weeks in a contrasting professional occupational therapy setting from placement 2, again with supervision from a registered occupational therapist. The placement allows students opportunities to participate in occupational therapy services showing the responsibilities and skills they will need as registered practitioners. They will apply and evaluate the theory they have learnt in practice when working alongside people using the service, their carers and colleagues. They will be responsible for a small service development project in liaison with the setting and engage with professional reflection, supervision and feedback.
Professionalism and the Developing Occupational Therapist 5: Preparing for Career Development and Professional Practice
This module encourages students to look beyond graduation. With emphasis on the professional obligations of qualified practice and career development, the module will enable students to be proactive in securing their first post as competent practitioners. The module helps equip students with the knowledge required to inform their continuing professional development and lifelong learning.

This course can be studied undefined undefined, starting in undefined.

This course has a placement option. Find out more about work placements available.

Please note that all modules are subject to change.

Careers and your future

Professional Registration

After graduating 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. Some graduates go on to become case managers, expert witnesses, work with engineers to design equipment or start up their own business or private practice.

In your final year the Professional Practice module covers essential areas such as continuing professional development, preparing for interviews and developing a personal statement designed to help you make strong job applications.

Successful completion of the programme also provides eligibility to apply for professional registration with regulatory bodies in other countries, for example: Canada, New Zealand, Australia, Hong Kong, Singapore, Ireland and India and many others. For current information on the specific requirements and registration process for each country we recommend that you consult the webpages of the relevant regulatory body.

Rights to Work in the UK for International Students

International students graduating from this programme may be eligible to apply for a Health and Care Worker Visa that provides the right to work within the UK healthcare sector. This visa also provides the right for dependants to come to the UK and exemptions from UK health insurance surcharges. Further information about the current benefits of the Health and Care Worker Visa and rules for applying can be found at the UKVI website.

Information on further visa options is available on our Post Study Work Options webpage

UK entry requirements

2026/7 entry

All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

A satisfactory health declaration is required.

Mature students: A high percentage of our intake are mature students, and these applicants are considered on individual merit, relevant work experience and evidence of recent academic achievement. Grade C or grade 4 at GCSE in both English and Maths is 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. 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.

The University will send you more information as part of your admissions process. For further guidance please Contact Admissions.

GCSEs

A minimum of five GCSEs are required including GCSE Mathematics (grade C/4), and either GCSE English Language (grade C/4) or GCSE English Literature (grade B/5).

A-level

Standard Offer: GCE A level BBB including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health and Social Care, Sociology or Physical Education

Contextual Offer: GCE A level BBC including grade B in one of the following: Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health and Social Care, Sociology or Physical Education