BSc Occupational Therapy
About this course
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy is a health and social care degree centred on enabling individuals to participate in everyday occupations and overcome the challenges of illness, disability, and ageing. Core topics include Research Methods, Ethics & Professional Practice, and Design & Creative Practice. The course is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists and prepares graduates to practise as registered occupational therapists in the UK. The first year covers core theory and foundational practice through Exploring Professional Perspectives of Occupation, Understanding Health and Well-being, Health and Well-being: Understanding Impact on the Individual, Core Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice, Enabling Engagement in Occupation, and Placement 1. The second year builds professional reasoning and clinical skills through Exploring Evidence to Inform Practice, Exploring Inequalities and Inclusive Practice, Placement 2, Placement 3, Principles Informing Practice, and Rehabilitation Skills. The final year focuses on autonomous practice and service evaluation through Becoming an Autonomous Practitioner, Developing Creative Practice in Communities, Placement 4, and Embedding Evidence to Inform Practice.
Written by AI from the university's course page and module list. It can get details wrong, so check the official course page before you rely on it.
Entry requirements
You will need one of the following qualifications (or equivalents): Three A Levels at BBC or above (in subjects other than General Studies) BTEC : 18 units; or Cambridge Technical graded DMM Merit at T Level Access to Higher Education course with 45 credits at Merit or above Open University minimum 60 credits. Please note that NVQs at any level are not accepted. We welcome applications from students with a mix of A levels and BTEC/Cambridge Technical qualifications. Other Entry Requirements: All Occupational Therapy BSc applicants must have: You will need to have five GCSEs including Maths and English at Grade C/4 or above You will need to provide evidence of successful recent study at degree entry level. We will also consider other recognised professional courses that are not listed above, please contact our Admissions Team to discuss this on an individual basis. Each application is considered on its own merit so if you are unsure if you have the skills, knowledge, or qualifications to apply, please contact us . All offers of a place on the occupational therapy university programme are subject to: successful Occupational Health Screening , satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) report, and successful interview by the University. Occupational Health Clearance: All healthcare students are required to undertake a standard Occupational Health Clearance which will assess your health and immunisation record and assess your fitness for the programme you have chosen. Courses such as midwifery, dental nursing and paramedic science also require an enhanced Occupational Health clearance and appropriate immunisation to undertake exposed prone procedures (EPP). Without the enhanced occupational health clearance your ability to attend some clinical placements/activities i
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What students say
Based on about 18 final-year students who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Teaching on my course: 87%
- Learning opportunities: 90%
- Assessment and feedback: 87%
- Academic support: 86%
- Organisation and management: 85%
- Learning resources: 92%
- Student voice: 95%
Do students stay on the course?
Based on about 45 students who started
- Continued on course: 85%
- Left higher education: 10%
What graduates do next
Based on about 26 graduates who answered (a small group: a rough guide only)
- Working: 85%
- Working and studying: 10%
- Unemployed: 5%
Most common jobs
- Therapy professionals: 85%
- Administrative occupations: 5%
- Managers, directors and senior officials: 5%
- Business and Financial Project Management Professionals: 5%
- Find their work meaningful: 75%
- Feel on track for their future plans: 75%
- Use what they learnt on the course: 75%
Where graduates work (5 years on)
Based on about 50 graduates, across similar courses at this university
- East Midlands: 40%
- West Midlands: 5%
- East of England: 20%
- London: 5%
- South East: 15%
- South West: 5%
Who gets in
Based on about 45 students who started
- A levels: 55%
- Access course: 5%
- A degree: 15%
- Other HE qualification: 20%
Accreditation & quality ratings
- Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession.
- Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist.
TEF 2023 (whole university): Silver overall, Silver for student experience, Silver for student outcomes.
Modules
- Exploring Professional Perspectives of Occupation
- Understanding Health and Well-being
- Health and Well-being: Understanding Impact on the Individual
- Core Skills for Occupational Therapy Practice
- Enabling Engagement in Occupation
- Placement 1
- Exploring Evidence to Inform Practice
- Exploring Inequalities and Inclusive Practice
- Placement 2
- Placement 3
- Principles Informing Practice
- Rehabilitation Skills
- Becoming an Autonomous Practitioner
- Developing Creative Practice in Communities
- Placement 4
- Embedding Evidence to Inform Practice
Questions about this course
How much do graduates of BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton earn?
The median salary is £28,500 after 15 months, £25,500 after 3 years, £30,500 after 5 years. After five years the middle half of graduates earn between £23,000 and £33,000. The £30,500 median after five years is £1,000 more than the UK median for Counselling, psychotherapy and occupational therapy.
What do graduates of BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton do next?
95% were in work or further study 15 months after finishing (Graduate Outcomes 2022-23).
Are students happy with the teaching on BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton?
87% of final-year students were positive about the teaching in the National Student Survey 2024-25.
What grades do I need for BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton?
The typical offer is BBC at A level. The average entrant had 127 UCAS points.
Is BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton accredited?
Yes. Accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) for the purpose of ensuring graduates are fit for the profession. Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) for the purpose of providing eligibility to apply for registration with the HCPC as an occupational therapist.
How many students continue on BSc Occupational Therapy at University of Northampton?
85% of students continued into their second year, and 10% left higher education.