• Reflect and utilise a range of evidence to support your professional occupational therapy practice.

• Take the opportunity to study on a programme with a long, esteemed history and join the many hundreds of successful graduates from all over the world. You will learn to apply up-to-date knowledge of research and theory, to enhance your creativity and flexibility, and to develop the academic skills needed to work effectively in modern health and social care settings.
  
  
• Become an evidence-based practitioner, equipped to manage and lead in busy and constantly changing settings. Take the opportunity to study in an inter-professional setting with inter-professional core and optional modules.
  
  
• Join an enthusiastic team of occupational therapists, undergraduate, postgraduate and PhD students who are pushing forward the boundaries of knowledge on occupational science and occupational therapy.
  
  
• Choose this occupational therapy pathway and study four core modules (applying evidence to practice, occupational therapy practice: supported study, project design for research, research dissertation) and choose three further modules that are profession specific and/ or shared with the generic MSc Advanced Professional Practice programme.

• Shape your learning journey – you can step off the pathway with a postgraduate certificate (three modules) or postgraduate diploma (six modules) if you wish, or you can continue on to a master’s degree. 
  
  
• Learn about research and plan and carry out your own research project as part of the masters degree, with the support of experienced occupational therapy tutors.
  
  
• Complete the programme in a year, with the introduction of a one year full-time study option. Alternatively, balance work and caring commitments by studying part time over two/three years and up to a maximum of five years.

• Take advantage of the flexibility our programme offers. You can take some of the programme by distance learning. Modules taught face-to-face are delivered in short, intensive blocks in Plymouth to enable you to complete them with minimum travel and time away from your other commitments.
  
  
• Tailor your learning in the workplace through module assignments and the supported independent study module.
  
  
• Learn within our supportive multi-professional and inter-agency environments. Our programme is delivered by experts in a setting where innovative thinking regarding advanced professional development is put into practice.
  

• Programme overview
• Pathways in this programme will include the following shared modules: applying evidence to practice; developing self and others; project design for research; and the research dissertation. The pathways will all have at least one pathway specific module and two programme optional modules. To gain a postgraduate certificate, you’ll need to earn 60 credits. You’ll study three modules worth 20 credits each: applying evidence to practice; a pathway specific module or a programme option module if no specific pathway is being pursued; and a programme option module. To gain a postgraduate diploma, you’ll need to earn 120 credits. You’ll study three modules worth 20 credits each: project design for research; developing self and others; and a pathway specific module or programme option. To be awarded the full masters degree, you’ll need to earn a total of 180 credits. You’ll study the same core modules as the postgraduate diploma, with the extra 60 credits coming from your research dissertation.
  
  
  For further information on the modules that make up this programme please visit MSc Advanced Professional Practice module information.
  

  Core modules

  • ADV702 Applying Evidence to Practice

    Focusing on the application of evidence based practice (EBP) to professional practice; you’ll learn how to use research to guide best practice. You will also identify a question relevant to your area of practice, review and critique the literature in this area, and plan and evaluate any necessary change to professional practice.

  • ADV715 Project Design for Research

    You’ll explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module you’ll formulate a research proposal. You’ll learn how to define and refine a research question, select and appraise methodology, address ethical considerations, and select and appraise data collection and analysis techniques.

  • ADV716 Research Dissertation

    You’ll complete your dissertation as part of your Advanced Professional Practice Masters programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

  Optional modules

  • ADV750 Occupational Therapy Practice: Supported Study

    This module is specifically designed to enable Occupational Therapists to develop their own occupational therapy professional practice by undertaking and reflecting on learning and experience gained through a period of supported independent study related to agreed learning objectives.

Every postgraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the programme aims, the programme structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.

The following programme specification represents the latest programme structure and may be subject to change:

MSc Advanced Professional Practice Occupational Therapy FT 4466

You’ll normally have a first degree (BSc (Hons) at 2:1 or above or European first cycle equivalent) in Occupational Therapy. If you are a non UK-based candidate you must be recognised as a Occupational Therapist within your own country.

You may be a health or social care professional with a first degree or have related academic degrees. If you do not have a degree but have appropriate experience related to the programme or to any of the chosen pathways you may be eligible to apply.

You must also provide evidence of competence in written and spoken English in accordance with the University’s Admissions Code of Practice - IELTS requirement is 6.5 average with a minimum of 5.5 in each category. If you need to improve your English language to get onto a degree programme at Plymouth University, you can book a pre-sessional academic English course.

You’ll be assessed individually for your ability to study at this level and therefore an interview may be necessary. You’ll normally be required to submit a short piece of writing as part of the admissions process.

AP(E)L

Claims for credit for prior learning, whether certificated or experiential are accepted and will be assessed following University regulations and faculty procedures.

European Credit Transfer and Accumulation System (ECTS)

This programme is equivalent to 90 ECTS credits (second cycle) with 30 ECTS credits at postgraduate certificate, 60 credits at postgraduate diploma and 90 credits at masters degree. Each 20 credit module is the equivalent of 10 ECTS credits and assumes a notional student effort of between 200-300 hours.

Successful completion of this pathway does not lead to eligibility to apply for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Social Care Professions Council.

When to apply

Applications for this programme can usually be made throughout the year. Please check the closing date and apply as early as possible as our programmes are popular.

Apply for this programme

Applications should be made by using the relevant PDF or Word application form.

Postgraduate application form DOC – A ten page DOC application form for postgraduate students to print, fill in and mail to the University

Postgraduate application form PDF – A ten page PDF application form for postgraduate students to print, fill in and mail to the University

International student postgraduate application form DOC – Postgraduate taught programmes application form for international students

International student postgraduate application form PDF – Postgraduate taught programmes application form for international students

Printed application forms are also available and can be obtained from the Professional Development Unit. Please send your completed application form to the address or email listed below:

Professional Development Unit
4th floor, Rolle Building
Plymouth University
Drake Circus
Plymouth PL4 8AA

Email: pdu@plymouth.ac.uk

Tel: +44 1752 586951

What happens after I apply?

You will normally receive a decision on your application within four weeks of us receiving your application. You may be asked to provide additional information, to take part in an interview (which in the case if you are an overseas student may be by telephone or video conference) or you will be sent a decision by letter or email.

If you have a disability and would like further information about the support provided by Plymouth University, please visit our Disability Services website.

Support is also available if you an overseas students applying to the University from our International Office.