Occupational Therapy MSc
About this course
Occupational Therapy help people to live meaningful and independent lives, supporting people to do what is important to them. Present in hospitals, communities, schools, workplaces, prisons, care homes and many other settings, Occupational Therapists provide help to individuals to support them to overcome barriers and carry out activities that are meaningful to them.
Occupational Therapy is a career that offers many exciting opportunities, and this course will ensure you gain the knowledge and real-world experience, skills and confidence to embark on a successful career and develop a strong professional identity as an Occupational Therapist.
This MSc is a stimulating and rewarding course, and choosing to study at Masters level, you'll get to conduct in-depth research, hone your leadership skills, and really focus on developing your identity as a professional, and as an Occupational Therapist.
Why you should choose Occupational Therapy at NTU:
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Two-year accelerated course
Study with us on an accelerated two-year course with 45 weeks of teaching per year.
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Putting your skills into practice
Complete four placements during the course totalling over 1,100 hours of experiential learning as an Occupational Therapist.
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Study in our state-of-the-art facilities
You’ll study in our purpose-built Health and Allied Professions Centre on our Clifton Campus, featuring mock hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, creative teaching spaces, and specialist equipment.
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Learn from the experts
at a university rated TEF ‘Gold’ for teaching and learning.
What you’ll study
Optimising Occupational Performance
This module enables you to apply knowledge of human sciences and a range of pathologies to apply skills of Activity/Occupational Analysis. Building on this learning you will investigate assessment and intervention stage of the Occupational Therapy Process across the Lifespan, including application of detailed professional reasoning to enable learners to develop skills in articulating decision making. This module will run concurrently with Occupation for Health and Wellbeing and Professional and Scholarly Skills, where learning can be applied across modules for a more in depth learning approach.
Occupation for Health and Wellbeing
On commencing this module learners will have gained knowledge about the history and evolution of Occupational Therapy and will continue to build an in-depth critical knowledge about the core philosophy and theoretical base of the profession. You will examine Occupational Science and apply knowledge across a range of varied practice areas. Whilst gaining a strong professional identity and examining a unique occupation focused lens, you will critically reflect on the role of other professions in health and social care, alongside understanding of the context in which they work. This module will equip you with theoretical knowledge that can be further applied in the Optimising Occupational Performance which will run concurrently across the academic year.
The Evidence-Based Occupational Therapist
This module will build on knowledge and skills of scientific enquiry, enabling you to rigorously evaluate the evidence base and contribute to evidence based practice. You will further skills and knowledge in critical appraisal, synthesis of evidence and interpretation through assessment in aspects of the research process.
Professional and Scholarly Skills in Occupational Therapy
This module introduces an understanding of the key values, behaviours and skills that Occupational Therapists use across practice. This will include analysis of the role of the Occupational Therapist in safe and effective practice as well as understanding the legal and ethical boundaries you may encounter. You will have the opportunity to participate in experiential learning in key skills, where you can utilise knowledge around reflection and both written and verbal communication.
Practice Placements 1 and 2
During the course you will undertake four placements. Two of these placements will be in your first year.
Global to Local Perspectives in Occupational Therapy
This module will enrich your theoretical understanding of occupational wellness and prevention of ill health from a global to local perspective. Focusing on a community and population approach, you will develop an extensive knowledge and skill set that enables you to respond to occupational issues that are impacted from social and health inequalities, diversity and human rights issues.
Occupational Therapist as Researcher
This module enables you to use originality and intellectual independence to explore a topic within Occupational Therapy of your choosing. Knowledge and skills gained in the Evidence based Occupational Therapist module is built upon, and allows you to use your initiative within the research field. You will create a research proposal, and go on to create a research question, research design, literature review and supporting documents that would need to be included if submitted to ethics committee.
Practice Placements 3 and 4
During the course you will undertake four placements. Two of these placements will be in your second year.
We regularly review and update our course content based on student and employer feedback, ensuring that all of our courses remain current and relevant. This may result in changes to module content or module availability in future years.
Q&A - MSc Occupational Therapy
How you're taught
The MSc Occupational Therapy is a two year accelerated course, divided into 45 weeks of teaching per year.
The nature of the teaching is collaborative, with sharing and development of ideas. As a student you will build on leadership skills both through practice based learning and within the course, developing knowledge to promote a positive culture in your future roles. You will be part of a larger department with peers from Nursing, Paramedicine and Public Health, enabling interprofessional opportunities to give a wider perspective. The course has been created alongside people with lived experience, Occupational Therapists in practice, and learners from other programmes within the department.
Learners will be allocated an individual personal tutor from the Occupational Therapy academic team. Learners will be placed within a Personal Tutor Group and be offered group personal tutor sessions throughout the course at key points in the academic year, for example, soon after the course starting, during placement. Learners will be able to also contact their personal tutor for an individual meeting.
At NTU we also offer a BSc Occupational Therapy course, creating a community of learners, preparing for the exciting opportunities ahead. A range of simulation teaching spaces such as our brand new therapeutic kitchen, domestic suite, ward, consulting room, virtual reality suite and access to green space for outdoor teaching, allows for experiential learning, in a safe friendly environment.
The Institute of Allied and Health Professions in which the Occupational Therapy course is situated has international links and the MSc course takes a global focus to enrich our learning and thus provide a more inclusive experience to our students and to the people we work with. Our aim is that you feel empowered through the journey of becoming an Occupational Therapist and that you take that experience to empower the people you will have the privilege to work with both within placement and as a registered Occupational Therapist.
How you're assessed
Assessment types include:
- Essays
- Reflective accounts
- Objective structured clinical examination (OSCE)
- Presentations
- Academic posters
- Professional discussion
- Group exercises
Assessment is also included in the four Practice Based Learning modules and you will need to pass all placements in order to be eligible to apply for registration to the Health and Care Professions Council.
Careers and employability
Successful completion of the course will provide eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) under the protected title of Occupational Therapist.
Occupational Therapy is a career that can provide many exciting opportunities, working with individuals, groups and communities across public, private and third sector organisations. Our course will prepare you through the development of strong links to East Midlands NHS Trusts, Schools and private sector organisations.
As a student you will experience practice based learning across a number of settings, meaning you gain real life experience to ensure you have the confidence, knowledge and skills within Occupational Therapy to embark on a successful career. The provision of four placements enables the opportunity for role emerging placements, which promote the value of Occupational Therapy in new areas of health and social care. These placements enable learners to develop a strong professional identity as an Occupational Therapists.
Some students may also be choose to continue on to further study such as a PhD.
Employability team
If you’d like to know more about NTU’s groundbreaking Employability Promise, and the support you’ll receive both during and after your course, visit our Careers and Employability page.
Campus and facilities
You’ll mainly be studying in the purpose-built Health & Allied Professions (HAP) Centre. The 34,000 square foot building features mock hospital wards, consultation and counselling rooms, creative teaching spaces and specialist equipment.
Our self-contained, community-focused Clifton Campus has been designed to keep our students busy between lectures. Catch-up with your coursemates in the Pavilion’s barista café and Refectory; brainstorm group presentations in chic and stylish study spaces; enjoy some proper R&R in The Point, home of our Students’ Union. The campus also hosts the multimillion-pound Clifton Sports Hub, offering great options for everyone — whatever your interests, and however competitive you’d like to get!
You’re also right next to the bright lights of Nottingham — one of Britain’s top 10 student cities, and one of Europe’s top 25. All through termtime, a dedicated on-campus bus service will get you to the heart of the action (and back) in under 25 minutes. You’ll find a city stuffed with history, culture, and well-kept secrets to discover at your leisure: enjoy lush green spaces, galleries, hidden cinemas and vintage shopping by day, and an acclaimed food, drink and social scene by night.
Take our virtual tour to get a real feel for the campus.
Entry requirements
UK students
- An undergraduate degree in any subject other than pre-registration Occupational Therapy at 2.2 or above, and
- GCSEs – English and Maths grade C / 4 or Level 2 (or above).
Additional requirements for UK students
- a 300 – 500 word written statement in which you should outline reasons for wishing to undertake the MSc Occupational Therapy. We will be looking to ensure that you have a sound rationale for joining the course based on:
- A demonstrated desire to study Occupational Therapy
- An understanding of the Occupational Therapy role
- Transferable skills that may include academic study, volunteering, or work experience
- A consideration of professional values such as trustworthiness and integrity
- How your study experience will prepare you for Masters-level study.
- Candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited to attend a selection activity involving an interview with academics, occupational therapy practitioners, or service users. This will explore candidates' values in line with the HCPC Code of Ethics, and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) professional standards, alongside your knowledge and commitment to the profession.
- If you have been offered a place, you will also be expected to complete a good-health check through health screening and attend a follow-up occupational health review as required.
- Successful candidates will also be required to complete an Enhanced-Level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Vaccinations
As a healthcare student, you have a duty of care towards patients and other staff, including taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself and others from communicable diseases. We therefore require you to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases if you do not already have immunity to them. Whilst we cannot force you to have a vaccination, the University and our practice partners strongly recommend you do.
Failure to undertake the required immunisations and blood screening may lead to you not being able to be placed in certain clinical areas which may adversely impact your ability to complete the required practice hours and clinical competencies.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
Getting in touch
If you need more help or information, get in touch through our enquiry form.
International students
Academic entry requirements: An undergraduate degree in any subject other than pre-registration Occupational Therapy at 2.2 or above or equivalent. We accept equivalent qualifications from all over the world. Please check your international qualifications on our international entry requirements page.
Other requirements: GCSE English and Mathematics at minimum grade C /4 or Level 2 (or above)
English language requirements: See our English language requirements page for requirements for your subject and information on alternative tests and Pre-sessional English.
Additional requirements for international students
- a 300 – 500 word written statement in which you should outline reasons for wishing to undertake the MSc Occupational Therapy. We will be looking to ensure that you have a sound rationale for joining the course based on:
- A demonstrated desire to study Occupational Therapy
- An understanding of the Occupational Therapy role
- Transferable skills that may include academic study, volunteering, or work experience
- A consideration of professional values such as trustworthiness and integrity
- How your study experience will prepare you for Masters-level study.
- Candidates who have been shortlisted will be invited to attend a selection activity involving an interview with academics, occupational therapy practitioners, or service users. This will explore candidates' values in line with the HCPC Code of Ethics, and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) professional standards, alongside your knowledge and commitment to the profession.
- If you have been offered a place, you will also be expected to complete a good-health check through health screening and attend a follow-up occupational health review as required.
- Successful candidates will also be required to complete an Enhanced-Level Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.
Vaccinations
As a healthcare student, you have a duty of care towards patients and other staff, including taking reasonable precautions to protect yourself and others from communicable diseases. We therefore require you to be vaccinated for some infectious diseases if you do not already have immunity to them. Whilst we cannot force you to have a vaccination, the University and our practice partners strongly recommend you do.
Failure to undertake the required immunisations and blood screening may lead to you not being able to be placed in certain clinical areas which may adversely impact your ability to complete the required practice hours and clinical competencies.
English language requirements
View our English language requirements for all courses, including alternative English language tests and country qualifications accepted by the University.
If you need help achieving the language requirements, we offer a Pre-Sessional English for Academic Purposes course on our City campus which is an intensive preparation course for academic study at NTU.
Other qualifications and experience
We welcome applications from students with non-standard qualifications and learning backgrounds and work experience. We consider credit transfer, vocational and professional qualifications, and any work or life experience you may have.
You can view our Recognition of Prior Learning and Credit Transfer Policy which outlines the process and options available, such as recognising experiential learning and credit transfer.
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Getting in touch
If you need advice about studying at NTU as an international student or how to apply, our international webpages are a great place to start. If you have any questions about your study options, your international qualifications, experience, grades or other results, please get in touch through our enquiry form. Our international teams are highly experienced in answering queries from students all over the world.
Policies
We strive to make our admissions procedures as fair and clear as possible. To find out more about how we make offers, visit our admissions policies page.
