PgDip/MSc Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

This course will attract people holding an undergraduate honours degree who may want to change career to become an occupational therapist. It is an intensive course of study which will develop theoretical, analytical, practical and evaluative skills.

Occupational therapists assess people’s disengagement from their occupations and provide ways for them to re-engage in their occupational roles or provide alternatives in order to improve their quality of life. Modules reflect the nature of occupational therapy, which is concerned with the relationship between people’s occupations and their health. The course prepares graduates to work in diverse practice contexts.

EXIT AWARDS: MSc (210 credits) PgDip (120 credits)
Delivery: At QMU and on placement
Single Modules: It is not possible to study single modules

Duration: Full-time: 2 years (with additional time for the MSc)
Start date: September
Application deadline: 31 May 2013.
Teaching, learning and assessment: This course uses a wide range of learning and teaching methods, focusing on the personcentrednature of the work of an occupational therapist. Problem-based learning using case studies is a major feature with students working independently and collaboratively. Your performance will be assessed by a variety of methods including case studies, essays, projects and presentations. Practice education
forms a core element of the programme and your personal performance is also assessed. There are four placements in total :

Placement 1 - full-time 6 weeks
Placement 2 - part-time 17 weeks
Placement 3 -part-time 14 weeks
Placement 4 -part-time 17 weeks

There will be additional travel costs for all placements and an accommodation cost for Placement 1.

Teaching hours and attendance: Each module which you study on-campus will require you to attend classes and carry out independent work. The PgDip academic modules require you to attend from 9.15am - 4.15pm.
Links with industry/professional bodies: You will gain membership of the College of Occupational Therapists and eligibility to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to work as an Occupational Therapist.