Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Course Content

• Course Details

  The University of Northampton’s Occupational Therapy degree equips you with the knowledge and skills that you will require for professional practice through combining the study of occupational and human sciences with hands-on learning in a practical setting.

  We were one of the first Occupational Therapy courses to be established in Britain. We have strong connections in the local area and offer a wide range of exciting local, national and international practical placement opportunities.

  You will have an opportunity to engage in professional practice within a variety of health and social care settings across public, private, voluntary and independent sectors. The range of placements in traditional and non-traditional settings enables you to develop and advance your skills in assessment and intervention with clients. You will be encouraged to consider the evidence base for current practice throughout the Occupational Therapy course.

  This degree in Occupational Therapy is delivered in three formats:

  • Full-time route
  • Full-time Extended route
  • Apprenticeships

  All the programmes are accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council and the Royal College of Occupational Therapy.

  All of the University of Northampton’s Occupational Therapy BSc graduates gain an academic degree which will then allow you to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to obtain a licence to practice and become a member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

  You will be taught by qualified Occupational Therapists who also have additional teaching qualifications, Masters or PhD qualifications. Our teaching staff have a variety of clinical backgrounds and expertise from acute/community/forensic mental health, acute physical, hand therapy, neuro rehab, community social service, primary care, learning disabilities, and paediatrics.

  • The Full-Time BSc Occupational Therapy degree is approximately 20 hours of direct contact plus 15 dedicated study hours per week across standard university semesters.
  • The Full-Time Extended BSc Occupational Therapy course is approximately 14 hours of direct contact plus additional study hours per week, extended over 45 weeks of the year.
  • The Degree Apprenticeship includes work based learning and 7 hours direct contact plus additional study hours per week, extended over 45 weeks.

  Please note the modules shown here relate to the academic year 25/26. The modules relating to the academic year 26/27 will be available from June 2026.

  • Stage 1
    • Interprofessional Education (IPE)
      Module code: FHS_IPE20

      Status: Compulsory
    • Personal and Professional Skills (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH1110

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop a range of skills essential to Occupational Therapy practice, students explore occupational therapy core skills theory and apply these skills through case studies in practical workshops.
    • Foundations of Professional Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH1111P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to introduce the student to the practice and profession of occupational therapy. Preparatory academic studies in addition to work placements under the guidance of a practice educator and professional supervision will introduce students to the occupational therapy intervention process. Students will gain the opportunity to apply theory to practice and develop professional practice skills.
    • Understanding Occupational Beings (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH1123

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to give an introduction to understanding people as occupational beings. It explores the concepts of occupation that underpin Occupational Therapy Practice through the use of occupational theories. The aims of the module are: - to develop an understanding of how occupations relate to health and well being. - to develop an understanding of human occupations and the context in which they occur.
    • Functional Human Sciences (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH1124

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to explore how anatomical and psychological components contribute to everyday functional activity. Students will also explore how daily life is affected by illness, physical impairment, mental health problems or learning difficulties. Students will develop an understanding of how individuals at different life-stages function within their environments, cope with impairment, activity limitations and participation restrictions in relation to disease processes.
  • Stage 2
    • Occupational Engagement (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH2108

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to develop reasoning in the selection, interpretation and application of the profession?s generic theory base when used to promote occupational engagement across a variety of potential instances of occupational disruption arising from illness or disability using an experiential-based learning approach.
    • Professional Skills for Practice (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH2109

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable the student to develop personal and professional skills in order to analyse and facilitate occupational performance. Through the integration of theory into practice, students will engage in a range of practical workshops before collaboratively undertaking a social volunteering activity that serves to promotes health and wellbeing.
    • Research Methods (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH2110

      Status: Compulsory
      Occupational therapists are required to employ a sound research evidence base for practice. This module will introduce the student to the components and process of research and evaluation within healthcare and occupational therapy specifically. It will equip and prepare the student to conduct an independent project at Level 6. This module is a pre-requisite for the Independent Study Module.
    • Development of Professional Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH2111P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable the student to assimilate and apply new knowledge and demonstrate professional reasoning through active engagement in the occupational therapy process. It will comprise academic studies and an assessed placement working under the guidance of a practice educator and professional supervision.
  • Stage 3
    • Occupational Therapy Specialist Skills (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH3109

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enable students to consolidate the learning that they have had in the previous levels regarding ?Occupational Therapy Skills for Practice?. This module will provide students the opportunity to focus on specific specialist clinical areas of personal professional interest. This module will develop students proficiency in the use of therapeutic actions, interventions and the use of occupation as a means and ends. This module prepares students to become qualified Occupational Therapists, developing their employability skills including preparation for job interviews in their chosen clinical area.
    • Consolidation of Professional Practice (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH3110P

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to draw together skills and learning from all previous modules studied at levels 4 and 5 and introduced at level 6. The module will explore the current professional contexts and drivers that influence present and future service delivery, as an occupational therapist. This module aims to prepare the student for final placement supporting transition from student to qualified practitioner.
    • Enhancing Occupational Therapy in Communities (20 Credits)
      Module code: OTH3115

      Status: Compulsory
      The purpose of this module is to enrich the students understanding of communities by developing their professional thinking in designing, implementing and evaluating occupational therapy services which aim to meet the health and well-being needs of diverse groups of people.
    • Independent Study (40 Credits)
      Module code: OTH4105

      Status: Designate
      The purpose of this module is to provide final year students with the opportunity to plan, participate in and evaluate an independent study following a research process. The independent study will be relevant to the profession of occupational therapy

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• Student Opportunities

  Studying the BSc Occupational Therapist degree offers you many opportunities including:

  • Short Overseas Exchange: during Stage two you will have the option to take part in a student exchange programme where you can spend one week studying on the Occupational Therapy degree programme at a university in Finland. This is an excellent cultural professional exchange experience. Please note that you will have to pay for flights and accommodation.
  • You are encouraged to participate in extracurricular activities during your studies such as Naidex; an annual equipment exhibition, RCOT conference or the OT Show or the many activities/courses on campus such as social entrepreneurship activities. You will be invited to take part in Heath Roadshows to promote the profession and the university, Open days and Discovery Days to contribute to the recruitment and joining of successive student cohorts.

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• Professional Practice Placements

  The World Federation of Occupational Therapists stipulate that occupational therapy students need to complete 1,000 hours of assessed practice. You will complete four placements across the programme that will meet this requirement.

  Placements are available in a variety of settings and we work closely with the students to provide a range of practice opportunities.

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• Student Perks

  At the University of Northampton, everything we do, from funded trips to paid internships, is to give you everything you need to make a difference when you leave.

  If you join our full-time Occupational Therapy degree at the University of Northampton, you will receive a laptop when your course begins*. The laptops are built to a bespoke custom specification ideal for use in the seminar room, collaborative group work or studying at home.

  Whatever your ambitions, we’re here to help you to achieve them. We’ll support you to identify the skills you’re learning during your occupational therapy course, find your strengths and secure practical experience so that when it comes to applying for jobs or further study you’ll feel confident in standing out from the crowd. We’ve created the Northampton Employment Promise because we are so confident that if you focus on your studies and complete one of our awards you’ll be highly employable by the time you graduate. Putting you in a great position to secure employment or continue your studies.

  To check out the full list of perks, visit our Student Perks page or dedicated International Perks page.

  * UK fee payers only (see Terms and Conditions for further details)

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• FAQs

  What is the difference between the different routes?

  We have 3 routes in the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy:

  • Full-time (FT): students are available for teaching and self-directed study Monday to Friday for traditional university terms. Placements are full time.
  • Full-time Extended (FTE): students are in university 2 full days per week, with an additional day needed for independent study. Therefore, FTE students are required to attend for more weeks of the year in order to complete all of the modules. Teaching continues into June/July for FTE students.  Placements are part time (22.5 hrs) in the first 2 years, and full time in the final year.
  • Apprenticeship: students are in full time employment or being recruited to an apprentice post the health and social care sector. Students are nominated for the degree by their employer, they attend university one day per week, complete work-based learning tasks and complete full time placements.

  Some modules are completed with FT, FTE and apprenticeship students together. All routes are completed within 3 years.

  How will I be taught on the Occupational Therapy degree?

  Our occupational therapy degree incorporates a range of learning and teaching methods to engage you in active learning. This includes technology enhanced learning through online workbooks, activities and interactive discussions: classroom based learning through seminars, skills workshops, tutorials and practice–based learning. You will be a collaborator in learning with your tutors, peers and practice educators.

  We are working with local partners in strategy development and are encouraging of social entrepreneurship with resources and expertise within the staff team.

  How will I be assessed on the Occupational Therapy course?

  A diverse range of assessments are included in the course to ensure academic and professional competence and to prepare you for the role of an Occupational Therapist. This includes written assignments, multiple choice question tests, poster presentations, group work, reflective essays, case studies, OCSE’s, Blogs and placement assessment. You may work together in pairs/small groups for some assignments.

  Support is provided by tutors for all module assignments in the form of assessment tutorials and marking criteria.

  What extra curricular course events or activities are there?

  There are opportunities throughout the course to get involved in events and activities. We have excellent links with local organisations for volunteering.  We have a strong Occupational Therapy community, the student Occupational Therapy Society arrange regular activities, we participate in National OT Week and various events throughout the year.

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