School of Allied Health and Midwifery

BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

BSc (Hons) Full-time 3 years

Occupational therapists recognise the interaction between the person, their environment and the activities that they complete in everyday life.

Occupational therapists recognise the interaction between the person, their environment and the activities that they complete in everyday life.

Award
BSc (Hons)
Start date(s)
September 2024, September 2025
UCAS Code
B920
Course specifications
Course length
Full-time (3 years)
Campus location
University: Walsall Campus
School
School of Allied Health and Midwifery
UCAS points calculator

Why choose this course?

Occupational therapists recognise the interaction between the person, their environment and the activities that they complete in everyday life. They promote independence by taking a ‘whole-person approach’ to both mental and physical health, thus enabling individuals to achieve their full potential.

This BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy course enables you to develop the knowledge and skills to become a safe, competent and effective occupational therapy practitioner. Upon successful completion of the course you can apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to practice as an occupational therapist.

What's unique about this course?

  • Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession
  • Realistic simulated learning on campus to prepare you are your career ahead including use of a 'home environment' and learning opportunities with service users
  • The course has been designed in collaboration with local employers, service users, and carers to ensure graduates meet the expectations and requirements of the local community you will be working within
  • You will be taught at the friendly, self-contained Walsall Campus which is home to other health and social care students, giving you the opportunity to make friends and learn from your fellow students

What happens on the course?

You will to study a range of subjects that provide the foundations of effective occupational therapy practice.

The course prepares you to work with people of all ages who, through illness, disability, trauma, or personal circumstances, have complex personal health and social challenges to overcome. You will learn the importance of occupation to the health and well-being of individuals, families and communities and understand how occupational performance is influenced by environmental factors. There will be opportunity to think creatively, solve problems, analyse complex situations effectively to develop tailored and innovative interventions in order to facilitate therapeutic change and transformation.

The course incorporates practice-based learning placements throughout the three years of study which will be in a variety of settings to include physical and mental health. These placements will enable you to apply your developing occupational therapy skills and knowledge in the real world setting. During your placement you will be supported by who will assess your progress, and these placements need to be passed in order for you to become an occupational therapist.

You will also develop essential research skills to enable you to promote high-quality services upon qualification.

 

 

Course Modules

Potential Career Paths

Upon registration with the HCPC you will be able to work with people of all ages in a variety of in-patient and community settings including mental health, physical health, and local authority as well as within public, independent, private and charitable settings, such as prisons and schools.

You will also be able to work in research, and leadership and management roles, as well as education settings as you progress in your career.

As occupational therapy education in the UK is well respected around the world there are employment opportunities for you to work overseas, although some countries may have additional registration requirements.

Additional Information

Everything you need to know about this course!

 

  • We're number 1 in the West Midlands for Student Satisfaction: The Complete University Guide, 2025 Subject League Tables.

    We're top 10 in the UK for Student Satisfaction: The Complete University Guide, 2025 Subject League Tables.

  • The course has been designed in collaboration with local employers: service users, and carers to ensure graduates meet the expectations and requirements of the local community you will be working within.
  • You will be taught by a teaching team committed to working to the standards of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists / World Federation of Occupational Therapists: for their occupational therapy programmes.
  • There is a focus on the interaction between the health, public health, and social aspects of interventions: to enable the service user to achieve their optimal function.
  • Visiting and honorary lecturers / speakers from a wide range of healthcare and related fields: bring contemporary and real-world examples of practice into the classroom.
  • We will provide a personalised, interactive, and engaging learning and teaching experience: for your optimal academic achievement.
  • We ensure you will receive a range of placement opportunities to allow you to experience the diversity of occupational therapy practice: this will provide you with the underpinning knowledge and skills to work in a variety of occupational therapy workplaces.
  • You will be taught at the friendly, self-contained Walsall Campus: which is home to other health and social care students, giving you the opportunity to make friends and learn from your fellow students.

This honours degree course will enable you to:

  • Achieve the HCPC Standards of Proficiency [HCPC, 2013] providing eligibility to apply for entry to the HCPC register as an occupational therapist
  • Develop as a confident, compassionate, reflective and accountable practitioner who can prioritise the complex needs of patients, families and other professionals, and who can deliver safe and effective person-centred care and support in a variety of settings.
  • Learn with, from, and about other healthcare professionals so that you contribute with skill and confidence to working to ensure the needs of service users and their family are addressed
  • Contribute to the health and wellbeing of our society through the rigorous and considered application of occupational science to individuals, groups, and populations
  • Critically analyse the complexity of professional, ethical, and legal frameworks and their impact on occupational therapy decision-making
  • Analyse the wider political, cultural, economic and social context of current health and social care provision as an influence on occupational engagement
  • Develop a wide range of transferable skills including leadership and management skills, information technology skills, and the ability to investigate and apply research evidence
  • Facilitate your development as a change agent, who is able to critically evaluate the outcomes of interventions and service delivery strategies and respond to a dynamic practice environment

 

 

Location Mode Fee Year
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2022-23
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2023-24
Home Full-time £9250 per year 2024-25
International Full-time £13450 per year 2022-23
International Full-time £14450 per year 2023-24
International Full-time £14950 per year 2024-25

The University is committed to a transparent fee structure, with no hidden costs, to help you make an informed decision. This includes information on what is included in the fee and how fees are calculated and reviewed

You must have

  • GCSE Maths, English and Science (science subject could be Biology; Physics; Chemistry; Psychology; Health and Social care) at Grade C+/ 4 or equivalent.  Equivalent qualifications include Key Skills Level 2; Learn Direct Level 2; and Functional Skills Level 2.

Please note we do NOT accept GCSE Short Courses or GCSE Equivalence Tests from other institutions or organisations.

English language requirements for International applicants require a minimum overall IELTS of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in any element.>.

PLUS EITHER

  • 104 UCAS points
  • A Levels: grades BCC from three A Levels, one subject to be a Science (including Health and Social Care, Psychology, Social Science or Science subject)  not including General Studies, Critical Thinking or Extended Project.
  • T Levels:  Equivalent to 104 UCAS points or higher in Health or Healthcare Science
  • BTEC National Diploma: at a D*D in a Science, Health or Care subject (not including Public Uniformed Services)
  • BTEC QCF Extended Diploma: at grade DMM in a Science, Health or Care subject  (not including Public Uniformed Services)
  • CACHE Extended Diploma: Equivalent to 104 UCAS points or higher in Health or Healthcare Science
  • Access to HE Diploma (60 credits): of which a minimum of 45 must be at Level 3 (104 UCAS point equivalence, minimum 15 credits at distinction) in a Health or Science subject.   If applying with an Access course you only need GCSE Mathematics and English Language at grade C/4 or above or accepted equivalent. You are not required to hold three GCSEs in total and GCSE Science is not required

Use the UCAS Tariff calculator to check your qualifications and points

If English is not your first language, evidence of proficiency must be dated within the last two years, evidencing achievement of IELTS with an overall band score of 7.0 with a minimum of 6.5 in each element.

 

If you've got other qualifications or relevant experience, please contact The Gateway for further advice before applying.

 

In addition, You will need to demonstrate that, on entry to the programme, you have capability for digital and technological literacy to meet course outcomes. Evidence of your digital literacy and technological literacy capability is linked to the online application process.

 

Other Requirements

Those meeting the above entry criteria and successfully shortlisted on their personal statement will be invited to a selection day.  The selection day will consist of a number of tasks to identify teamwork, communication and adaptiveness.

The University will make reasonable adjustments for any candidate who has a disability recognised under the Equality Act, 2010 but we ask that you contact the University in advance to enable us to make adjustments.

You must bring with you photographic evidence of your identity e.g. passport or new style driving licence. If these are not available, alternative documents, such as a current College or Work ID are acceptable.  You can bring other forms of ID to the interview but you will require a full set of ID for the Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) checks. Please check the DBS website to ensure you have the correct identification.

Read further information regarding interview preparation

 

Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) Checks

Due to the professional nature of this course and the potential that this will include work with vulnerable adults and children you are also required to complete an enhanced  Disclosure & Barring Service (DBS) check to provide evidence of good character.  Students will not be able to commence placement until satisfactory occupational health and DBS checks have been completed,   which must be completed prior to commencement of the programme.   You will be expected to meet the costs associated with the DBS clearance process.

Health Screening (Declaration of Health)

All  students  accepted  on  to  the  course  are  required  to  pass  an advanced occupational health screening. This will include the requirement to undergo any necessary blood tests and immunisations as part of a conditional offer. The cost of the health screening is covered by the University, except for any evidence from health or general practice services which is required (i.e. a letter from your GP).

If you have accepted a Conditional Offer made by the University of Wolverhampton you will receive correspondence asking you to complete an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check. The charge for this will be a DBS fee of £40.00 and a £6.00 ID check service fee. You will also need to complete an occupational health assessment questionnaire prior to starting the course.

 

References & Personal Statement

Satisfactory references are a condition of the programme.  This will normally be from your educational institution,   work or voluntary experience.  The University reserves the right to request an additional reference.

Applicants will also be required to provide a satisfactory personal statement.

 

The University offers help and advice for personal statements and it can be found on our web site.

 

Voluntary or work experience

You must demonstrate that you have had some personal, voluntary or work experience in a customer care/health related field or situation. We would regard this as anything that involved attending or working with people or patients in need of caring services. It does not have to be full time but should demonstrate that you have had some exposure to this type of experience where you are able to demonstrate and/or develop your caring and compassionate aptitude towards those in need of care.

 

Previous Study

Please note we will not accept applicants onto our professional courses who have been unsuccessful on professional courses at other institutions of higher education

Please note than an offer of a place at the University does not guarantee eligibility for student funding. To confirm that you meet the residency criteria go to www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies or telephone SFE on 0300 100 0607.

Applicants who are classed as ‘overseas’ for fee purposes ukcisa will still be considered as long as their country of domicile is the United Kingdom and do not require Tier 4 sponsorship or are in the UK on a Tier 2 visa.

Please note than an offer of a place at the University does not guarantee eligibility for student funding. To confirm that you meet the residency criteria go to www.gov.uk/student-finance/who-qualifies or telephone SFE on 0300 100 0607.

"Health and Care Professions Council, the (HCPC)"

Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist.

College of Occupational Therapists (COT)

Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession.

Tuition Fees Loan (Home Fee Status):

Most students will be able to apply for a loans to pay for these subject to eligibility. To find out more information please refer to the government Student Finance website.

Changes for EU students:

The UK government has confirmed that EU students starting courses from 1 August 2021 will normally be classified as having Overseas Fee status. More information about the change is available at UKCISA:

EU citizens living in the UK with 'settled' status, and Irish nationals living in the UK or Ireland, will still be classified as Home students, providing they meet the usual residency requirements, for more information about EU Settlement Scheme (EUSS) click here.


Self-funding:

If you don’t want to take out a loan to pay your fees or if you aren’t eligible to receive a loan, you might want to take advantage of the University’s scheme to pay by instalments: See How to pay.

For more information please contact the Gateway.


Your employer, embassy or organisation can pay for your Tuition fees:

If your employer, embassy or organisation agrees to pay all or part of your tuition fees; the University will refer to them as your sponsor and will invoice them for the appropriate amount.

We must receive notification of sponsorship in writing as soon as possible, and before enrolment, confirming that the sponsor will pay your tuition fees.


Financial Hardship:

Students can apply to the Dennis Turner Opportunity Fund.

for help with course related costs however this cannot be used for fees or to cover general living costs.


Bursaries and Scholarships:

In addition the University also offers a range of Bursaries and Scholarships packages

You can find more information on the University’s Funding, cost, fee and support pages.

Telephone

01902 32 22 22

Email

enquiries@wlv.ac.uk

Online

Order a prospectus

How We Compare

Find out how our course is rated on Discover Uni, the official website for comparing UK higher education courses

Full-time Course