Occupational therapists work collaboratively with people to help them engage in those activities (occupations) which they need or want to do, enabling them to lead fulfilling and healthy lives. Occupations are practical, meaningful and purposeful activities that allow people to develop a sense of identity for example self-care, work or leisure tasks. Working with people of all ages in different situations, you’ll assess their needs and collaboratively develop interventions facilitating them to achieve their potential and enjoy maximum quality of life.

• This will assist you in developing an in-depth understanding of occupational therapy through placements in different settings including people’s homes, hospitals, local authorities, schools, charities and prisons.
• Our purpose-built occupational therapy skills lab enables you to learn in authentic simulated environments.
• You’ll have the opportunity to hear the experiences and viewpoints from service users and carers, who are part of the Public Partnership Group.
• Occupational therapists work interprofessionally alongside other healthcare professionals, therefore you’ll study alongside students from other healthcare professions including physiotherapists, nurses, midwives, operating department practitioners and podiatrists.
• You’ll have the opportunity to carry out a research project and develop entrepreneurial and change management skills.

Our course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). You’ll learn how to integrate underlying theory and principles of occupational therapy and apply what you learn to different areas of practice. You’ll also have the opportunity to develop both the teamwork and autonomous practice skills required to work in a rapidly changing health and social care context.

Upon successful graduation you could work within the NHS, social services, charities, education services, social enterprises, community interest groups, medico-legal firms or you could work in independent practice. There may also be opportunities in education, research or overseas, as occupational therapists are also needed internationally. The course is accredited by the World Federation of Occupational Therapy (WFOT). Wherever your career path takes you, you could gain great job satisfaction from knowing that you’ve have made a positive and meaningful impact on the quality of life of others.

Placements

Practice education is an important and compulsory part of the course, so placements will be undertaken throughout the three years. You're required to successfully complete 1000 hours of assessed professional practice throughout the course in a range of health, social and third sector care settings within the West Yorkshire region. This will be equivalent to placements of seven weeks in Year 1, 12 weeks in Year 2 and 10 weeks in Year 3.

Your Career

Our graduates have gone on to work as Occupational Therapists in NHS, private and voluntary healthcare services.**

Additionally, you may diversify into related areas of work including healthcare management, the educational sector or research.