Occupational therapy interviews with the Faculty of Health

Learn more about the interview process for our BSc (Hons), MOccTh (Hons) and MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) programmes.

Welcome to our interview guidance page. 
Here you will find details on:
  • interview preparation
  • interview itinerary
  • important FAQs
  • important documents.
We hope that this helps you to prepare for your upcoming interview, but should you have any further questions please contact our interview team on interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk. 
Please note that for September 2023 entry we will continue to offer interviews online via Zoom. 
The following preparation should be completed if you have been invited to interview for the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy, MOccTh (Hons) Occupational Therapy and MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) programmes.
Ahead of your interview please complete the below health forms and return to applications@plymouth.ac.uk
Once received, these will be added to your application and processed by our admissions team. 
Top tips for interview
  • Have a good think about the reasons you wish to study with us and why you wish to follow this career path.
  • Consider how you will manage the demands of studying for this degree and how you will overcome them.
  • We advise you to consider the NHS constitution and your personal commitment to these values. Additional information can be found on the NHS website.
  • Take a detailed look at the University of Plymouth’s website course page, as well as the professional and regulatory body websites for occupational therapists, which will provide you with details and links for preparing your application and how to succeed in your interview.

For your online interview please ensure you have with you:

  • A form of photo identification such as your passport or driving license. We will not be able to complete your interview without this.
  • Pen and paper should you wish to make notes

Our interviewing tutor will send you a link to your zoom meeting by emailing you. Where possible our tutors will contact you 24 hours before your interview.

We offer either morning or afternoon interview sessions. Our morning sessions will run from 09:00am until 12:45pm, with our afternoon sessions commencing at 13:15 and finishing at 17:00. All sessions will include: welcome and introduction, 45 minute individual interview, a group task, presentation and informal Q and A at the end of the session.

You will be sent an interview schedule and Zoom link directly from interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk at least 24 hours ahead of the interview session.

You can access Zoom via your web browser. However, if you would prefer to install the programme ahead of your interview, you can do so by visiting the Zoom website.

If you have not used Zoom before, please visit their Help Centre FAQs to familiarise yourself with the software.

After your interview

If you are successful at interview and are made a conditional offer, as part of your offer you will need to complete a DBS and Occupational Health check. If you do not pass these checks satisfactorily, you will not be able to start a course with us. For more information on how to complete these checks, please visit our Health and human sciences – additional checks page.

FAQs

How do I book my interview?

Upon successful submission of your application, you will be sent an email with a unique link to our online booking system. You can use our online system to select an interview date that best suits your availability.

If you have not received this email, please be sure to check your junk or clutter folders.

What if I need to reschedule my interview after I have booked onto one?

You can change, move or reschedule your interview at any stage using the online booking system.

If you are unable to attend any of the dates shown, then please contact our Course Enquiries and Interviews Team by emailing interviewtostudy@plymouth.ac.uk or by calling +44 1752 585858.

What if I have applied for more than one programme?

If you have applied for more than the programme listed, you will require an additional interview for the other course, to establish if you are suitable for that programme.

What happens after my interview?

If you are successful at interview, your offer will be conditional on meeting the academic requirements for the course, satisfactory occupational health and DBS checks. For further information, please visit the Health and Care Professions Council’s website.

Message from the Admissions Team

Congratulations on being invited to interview for our Occupational Therapy programmes. On this page, we have provided information regarding the tasks we would like you to complete in advance. It is vital that you are prepared and can talk about these tasks when you meet us.
During the interview day we will:
  • Help you to give the best account of your skills, experience and character. This enables us to decide if you will thrive in the University of Plymouth's culture.
  • Explain more about the University, the School of Health Professions and your programme.
  • Enable you to understand as much as you can about the way we work with our students and what it means to become a University of Plymouth student occupational therapist, to develop into a healthcare professional graduate.
The University of Plymouth is required to select applicants using a ‘values based’ approach for pre-registration health professions programmes. This is to ensure we recruit the right students with the right values, to ensure the delivery of excellent patient and service user care. All aspects of the interview are aligned with the core values of the NHS constitution. These NHS values are:
  • Working together for patients.
  • Respect and dignity.
  • Commitment to quality of care.
  • Compassion.
  • Improving lives.
  • Everyone counts.
Please ensure you read the interview pre-work below carefully as this provides information on what you need to do before attending your interview and what you need to bring with you on the day.
We look forward to meeting you at your interview and if you should need any help or assistance please do not hesitate to contact us. 
Best wishes,
Admissions Team
MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) 
School of Health Professions