Strong graduate and career preparation
Hands-on, real world experience
State-of-the-art facilities




Details
Year 1
Core modules
OCT406
Occupational Studies: Biological and Psychological Foundations for Occupation
20 credits
A knowledge and understanding of the structure and function of the human body, from both a biological and psychosocial perspective are important foundations for understanding occupation and application to occupational therapy practice. This module is designed to introduce students to the fundamentals of human anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology.
100% Examinations
OCT407
Occupational Studies: Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice 1
20 credits
This module introduces philosophical and theoretical foundations of occupational therapy, introducing the student to concepts of the person, environment, occupation and performance. Core skills underpinning the professional practice of occupational therapy will be introduced.
100% Coursework
OCT408
Occupational Studies: Foundations for Occupational Therapy Practice 2
20 credits
Students will use occupational analysis to identify and explore the components of occupational engagement. An introduction to occupational interruption and the impact on health and wellbeing. Students will study the interaction between person, occupation and environment and how this impacts meaningful occupations.
100% Coursework
OCT409
Occupational Studies: Humans as Occupational Beings Through Community Engagement
20 credits
This module will examine occupational science perspectives of humans as occupational beings across the life span. The dynamic relationship between engagement in occupation, health and well-being for individuals, groups and communities will be explored. Reflection on personal experience of community engagement will be included.
100% Coursework
OCT410
Practice Placement 1
20 credits
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.
100% Practicals
SOHP401
Preparation for Practice
20 credits
This inter-professional module will introduce students to professional practice and the inherent standards expected of them. The characteristics and identity of allied health professionals, as evidence based practitioners, will underpin learning.
100% Coursework
HIPL400
Interprofessional Learning 1
Year 2
Core modules
OCT528
Occupational Studies: The Young Person; Interruptions and Transitions
20 credits
Students will apply the core skills of occupational therapy and occupational science to children and adolescents working with individuals, groups or communities. Assessing and applying appropriate skills and practice tools to sustain occupational engagement. Students will analyse and evaluate transitions and interruptions and their impact on performance of the central occupations relevant to this stage of the lifespan.
100% Coursework
OCT529
Occupational Studies: Adults; Interruptions and Transitions
20 credits
Students will apply the core skills of occupational therapy and occupational science to adulthood working with individuals, groups or communities. Assessing and applying appropriate skills and practice tools to sustain occupational engagement. Students will analyse and evaluate transitions and interruptions and their impact on performance of the central occupations relevant to this stage of the lifespan.
100% Practicals
OCT530
Occupational Studies: The Older Person; Interruptions and Transitions
20 credits
Students will apply the skills of occupational therapy and occupational science to older adulthood working with individuals, groups or communities. Assessing and applying appropriate skills and practice tools to sustain occupational engagement. Students will evaluate transitions and interruptions and their impact on performance of the central occupations relevant to this stage of the lifespan.
100% Coursework
OCT531
Practice Placement 2
20 credits
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.
100% Practicals
OCT532
Occupational Studies: Exploration into Practice
20 credits
This module provides the opportunity to select and explore a particular area of occupational therapy practice of the students’ choice. Enabling an examination of an area of interest to broaden the profile of knowledge. Specific areas chosen will reflect current trends and developments in practice for occupational therapists as well as established practice specialisms, across a broad range of settings.
100% Practicals
SOHP502
Relevance of Evidence to Practice
20 credits
This module is aimed at understanding the relevance of evidence based practice (EBP) to professional practice. The students learn how to use research to guide best practice. They will identify a question relevant to professional practice, analyse and evaluate the literature in the area
100% Coursework
HIPL500
Interprofessional Learning 2
Year 3
Core modules
OCT605
Occupational Studies: The Innovative Practitioner
20 credits
This module provides students with the opportunity to critically explore the concept of innovation, change management, clinical leadership, entrepreneurism and intrapreneurship and their links with practice development.
100% Coursework
OCT606
Occupational Studies: The Contemporary Practitioner
20 credits
This module provides students with the opportunity to critically explore current and emerging trends in practice. Development of skills and confidence to support the transition into clinical practice. Considers the changing landscape of health and social care services locally, nationally and internationally.
100% Coursework
OCT607
Practice Placement 3
20 credits
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.
100% Practicals
OCT608
Occupational Studies: Occupation for Promoting Health and Wellness of Communities
20 credits
This module evaluates the importance of applying health and wellness principles to contemporary occupational therapy practice. It critiques and syntheses current and emerging theory and research on the impact of occupation to promote health and wellness of communities.
100% Coursework
SOHP602
Inter-professional Working in Health and Social Care
20 credits
Students will explore, in depth, areas of inter-professional working to include quality enhancement of service provision and the patient experience.
100% Coursework
SOHP604
Project Design for Research
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
HIPL600
Interprofessional Learning 3
Final year
Core modules
OCTP716
Investigating Trends in Occupational Therapy Practice
20 credits
This module enables students to explore current trends within professional practice and wider political and socio-economic context. Students will have facilitated in exploring an identified trend through an opportunity to engage in shadowing in a relevant practice context.
100% Coursework
OCTP721
Enhanced Professional Reasoning
20 credits
This module will provide students with opportunities to consolidate and further develop their professional reasoning. A range of clinical and professional reasoning models will be critiqued. These models will be applied to scenarios from practice in order to provide a deeper level of interpretation.
100% Coursework
SOHP705
Research Dissertation
40 credits
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. Students will undertake an individual research project and this is presented as an individual project report/ article. Formative: presentation to peers.
100% Coursework
OCTP723
Contemporary Leadership
20 credits
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.
100% Coursework
Optional modules
SOHP706
Innovation in an Ever Changing Marketplace - Entrepreneurship for Health and Social Care Professionals
20 credits
This module will be delivered using a blended learning approach. Through a series of seminars, tutorials, webinars and e-learning students will explore the concepts of marketing, entrepreneurship and innovation relating to independent practice, social enterprise, charitable organisations and the NHS. Students will examine and gain an understanding of law and policy related to their field of interest.
50% Coursework
50% Practicals
SOHP707
International Perspectives and Practice Requirements for Health and Social Care Practitioners
20 credits
This module will enhance students' knowledge of their profession within a global context. It will provide the opportunity for health and social care practitioners to explore current research and development related to a range of countries.
100% Coursework
Alternative pathways
Every undergraduate taught course has a detailed programme specification document describing the course aims, the course structure, the teaching and learning methods, the learning outcomes and the rules of assessment.
The following programme specification represents the latest course structure and may be subject to change:
Experience
First-class facilities to prepare you for your career

The community suite in InterCity Place is a fantastic facility and really helps prepare you for going out into placement and dealing with patients by providing a safe environment to practice your skills and build your confidence. We also have the opportunity to work alongside other health profession students throughout the course, so you get a really good insight into how each profession works together to support patients and what a career as an occupational therapist will look like.
Occupational Therapy graduate

Hands-on learning
The placement opportunities I was allocated from the University provided me with a wide breadth of experiences and opportunities to reflect and learn, developing my skills and confidence to practise as an occupational therapist. In each placement my educators were experienced and knowledgeable, and I was able to learn from their different ways of working. For me, the placement experience has been positive and insightful, and although challenging at times, I was provided with insights into the realities and rewards associated with working in healthcare as an occupational therapist.



Enhancing your experience
As part of my community engagement project, I was required to participate in a day's volunteering, looking at how occupation enhances the health and wellbeing of communities. As a cohort we were provided with numerous volunteering opportunities and Blooming Well was the option I chose. Blooming Well is a gardening therapy group, provided for free by the Mustard Tree, for individuals recovering from cancer. Participants of the group learn a wide range of gardening skills, such as planting and sowing seeds, raising beds, using tools, propagation techniques, compositing, gardening maintenance, and so much more. Not, only do participants learn practical skills but they experience the benefits of being absorbed in nature and building friendships with a mutual understanding of their diagnosis, in a safe and nurturing environment.



Learn from experienced occupational therapists

Fiona Fraser
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy (Education)

Miss Melissa Jacobs
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy

Dr Tanja Križaj
Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
Join our occupational therapy society 'OTSoc'

Life in Plymouth
The overall vibe of the city is perfect. You are by the sea so it is still laid back, but you have all the conveniences of living in a city.
Current student



Careers
I am currently working as an occupational therapist in a mental health unit, my role is to assess the new admissions for any required assessments and interventions. I run therapeutic groups such as cooking, relaxation creative sessions and physical exercise. I also do psychoeducation and work with the clinical psychologists to create 1:1 plans for patients.
Occupational Therapy graduate

I am currently a band 5 occupational therapist working in part of the in-patient department, the work is fast paced but rewarding, I have learnt so much.
Occupational Therapy graduate

Fees and funding
Tuition fees
£9,535 per year
£795 per 10 credits
Tuition fee price changes
£18,650 per year
Tuition fee price changes
Fund your studies
You may be eligible for a £5000 NHS training grant
Supporting students with the cost of living

Apply
Entry requirements
136 UCAS points
You may be eligible for a contextual offer
GCSE
A levels
International Baccalaureate
GCSE equivalence: Higher Level = 4, Standard Level = 5 in Maths, English, and Science.
If overseas and not studying English within the IB, applicants must have IELTS 7.0 overall with 6.5 in all elements.
Access to HE Diploma
T level
BTEC RQF National Extended Diploma/ QCF Extended Diploma
Other qualifications
Applications from recent graduates
Applicants who have not completed their studies in the English language
Extended entry requirements
- You must pass
disclosure and barring service and occupational health checks satisfactorily in order to be able to start this course. - If English is not your first language and you do not have GCSE English grade C or above you will have to achieve an IELTS or equivalent qualification at the grades stated above.
- Meeting the academic minimum is the first stage of an application being considered. Applicants must also submit a strong personal statement in order to be considered further.
- Students must be 18 years old or over at the start date of this programme.
Further information
Deferred entry
Ready to apply?
B931
P60
4 years
(with placements)
Full-time
Plymouth
Entry requirements
136 UCAS points
BSearch entry requirements for your country
English language requirements
Ready to apply?
Need support with your application?
- Personal statement guidance
- student visa support
- travel and arrival information
- and more.
B931
P60
4 years
(with placements)
Full-time
Plymouth