MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

• Programme overview

• To successfully complete the programme and be eligible to apply for a professional registration as an occupational therapist you must complete a specified number of practice placement hours along with your theoretical study. This is a requirement of the Health and Care Professions Council. As such, you will only be able to take personal holidays during specified leave periods including induction week, where it is vital you attend all sessions. You will experience inter-professional learning and explore your role in preparation for placement or as a potential leader and manager in future practice. You will develop the core understanding of occupational theory, occupational science and skills, and understand and appraise evidence-based practice issues and the applicability of a wide range of research methods. Placement opportunities will enable you to develop professional practice skills in distinctive service settings under supervision. 

  Core modules

  • Practice Placement 1 (OCTP403)

    This module enables students to experience occupational therapy within wider contexts of inter-professional or multi-agency practice. Students will experience collaborative working with colleagues from other disciplines. Through supervised practice, students will develop basic skills underpinning occupational therapy, relating this to campus based study.

  • Occupational Studies Core Skills 1: Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice (OCTP717)

    This module aims to evaluate theoretical foundations of occupational therapy. Links will be made between the impact of occupation, the person and the context on occupational engagement in different life stages. Core skills for professional practice that promotes occupational engagement will be analysed.

  • Occupational Studies Core Skills 2: Applying Theory for Occupational Therapy Practice (OCTP718)

    Building on knowledge of occupational performance and analysis, and foundational sciences, this module explores application of occupational therapy tools for practice, including digital literacy. Students will demonstrate critical understanding of the causes and impact of occupational challenges. Students will learn how to promote continued engagement in occupation that contributes to health and wellbeing.

  • Preparation for Practice (SOHP701)

    This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and evaluation of the inherent standards expected of them. Critical analysis of the characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.

  • Project Design for Research (OCTP715)

    Students will explore methodology and methods relevant to the development of a research project and by the end of the module will formulate a research proposal. The module will explore defining and refining a research question, selecting and appraising methodology, ethical considerations, selecting and appraising data collection and analysis techniques.

  • Occupation as the Focus of Contemporary Practice (OCTP722)

    This module explores occupation in contemporary occupational therapy practice. This includes current and emerging theory and research on occupation, occupational performance and models of practice. The module develops students ability to reflect on, challenge and articulate application to practice.

• Final year

• Core modules

  • Practice Placement 2 (OCTP503)

    The module builds on occupational therapy knowledge, skills and experience gained. Students will actively participate in the occupational therapy intervention process, demonstrating increased autonomy whilst being supervised. Knowledge and skills underpinning inter professional working will be further developed.

  • Practice Placement 3 (OCTP603)

    This module will require the student to demonstrate a range of core skills that will be required of a competent entry level practitioner. The student will develop increasing autonomy, working at times independently demonstrating professional reasoning skills and decision making relevant to clients’ needs and contexts of practice.

  • Occupational Studies Core Skills 3: Occupation for Health and Wellness of Communities (OCTP719)

    This module evaluates the importance of applying health and wellness principles to contemporary occupational therapy practice. It analyses current and emerging theory and research on the impact of occupation to promote health and wellness of communities. Students will consider how to help empower communities to find ways of facilitating meaningful occupations in a sustainable manner.

  • Research Dissertation (SOHP703)

    Over the course of this module students will complete their dissertation as part of their Masters programme under supervision from the module team and a named dissertation supervisor.

  • Contemporary Leadership (OCTP723)

    This module aims to share the contemporary thinking in relation to leadership theory and its relevance to professional practice. Students will be supported to relate this theory to their own personal and professional development in addition critically exploring its capacity to impact on global, organisational and team dynamics.

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 Occupational Therapy (Pre-registration) Programme Specification 2022-23_6943