Occupational Therapy

NB. Limited places available in Carlisle for 2013 entry. Lancaster is closed for 2013.

This course is also offered as a part-time route, over four years.

Why study with us?

This course has an excellent reputation, is fully accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists and has an outstanding record for its graduates finding employment. You can study full time at either the Carlisle or Lancaster campus and we offer our MSc accelerated route for graduates.

About one third of the course is spent on placement, working with qualified therapists principally in the north west of England, but also further afield. Subjects can include children, people with physical or mental health problems, the elderly and people with learning disabilities, as well as palliative care and forensic work. You can choose where you undertake your final placement, either in this country or abroad.

What can this course lead to?

Our graduates have excellent job prospects in a wide range of posts in hospitals, private practice, industry, special hospitals, social services, legal work, accident and emergency, and community work. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This enables you to work in the NHS and with social services. The qualification is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, giving you the chance to work abroad.

Entry requirements

280 UCAS tariff points

Find out more about qualification options on the UCAS tariff table.

Please check selection criteria for any additional entry criteria.

Credit and UCAS requirements UCAS code: B920 UCAS points: 280 Selection criteria

We strongly recommend you visit an Occupational Therapist prior to interview as you will be asked about your understanding of their role at interview.

Amendments to entry requirements (for both full and part time BSc)

We also accept the Access to Higher Education diploma with 60 credits to include 45 credits at level 3 with merits. English Language GCSE grade C or above. We will accept 12 credits in English level 2 as part of an Access course. Please note that we do not accept Adult Literacy Level 2 as equivalent to English Language GCSE for this course.

Interview Process

Students who are selected for interview attend an information session and campus tour, followed by an individual interview. The selection is based on the academic profile, personal statement, and reference, as well as demonstrating a good understanding of Occupational Therapy. This understanding would be greatly enhanced, either by taking part in work experience or visiting at least two work-places. Interests and experience are also considered, but, above all, we look for motivation, commitment and potential.

Provision for students with disabilities

There are robust procedures in place for ensuring availability of reasonable adjustments to promote positive access and participation for disabled students in line with the Special Needs and Disability Act (2001), as well as the Health Professions Council Guidelines. For more information please contact the following admissions tutors:

Costs

Click to view information on your study type and home location.

Home students

At the moment, this course is funded by the NHS, so you won't have to pay a penny. In addition to having your tuition fees paid in full, you may also be eligible for a £1,000 grant, a means-tested bursary and a non-means-tested student loan. This is subject to confirmation by the NHS.

Find out how much you're eligible for using the NHS bursary calculator.

For more information about NHS funding and how to apply, visit our student finance page.

Practice placement expenses

The cost of journeys between term time residence and placement can be reimbursed where appropriate, providing the cost is in excess of your normal daily travel.

If you incur additional accommodation costs whilst on placement, either because you have to retain accommodation on campus or because you have to pay for accommodation in your placement, then you may be able to claim the excess costs. This support is means-tested. For more information, visit the health student finance page.

More financial support

Access to financial support doesn’t end at registration. We have several support funds available to our current students, including:

• Access to Learning Fund
• Utilities trust

EU students

This course is currently funded by the NHS, so you won't have to pay a penny. Funding for 2013 is subject to confirmation from the NHS.

For more information about NHS funding and how to apply, visit our student finance page.

Practice placement expenses

The cost of journeys between term time residence and placement can be reimbursed where appropriate, providing the cost is in excess of your normal daily travel.

If you incur additional accommodation costs whilst on placement, either because you have to retain accommodation on campus or because you have to pay for accommodation in your placement, then you may be able to claim the excess costs. This support is means-tested. For more information, visit the health student finance page.

International students

The tuition fee for the 2013/14 academic year is £12,385.

Fees are billed annually and may be paid by the student or a sponsor. 75 percent of the annual tuition fees must be paid before or at registration. For students requiring a Tier 4 Student Visa, a deposit of £3,500 is expected as a minimum before a CAS (Confirmation of Acceptance for Studies) will be issued. For more information, visit our international student finance page.

Early payment discount

If you are paying your own fees, you may be eligible for an early payment discount of £1,000. This discount is awarded to students who pay in full before registration.

Additional financial support

Our money doctors will be on hand throughout the year to help you manage your money while you’re in the UK. However, if you do happen to run into financial difficulty during your time here, you may be able to access a small emergency support fund.

Additional contact information

BSc (Hons) full-time and part-time at Lancaster
Name: Ken Beesley
Tel: 01524 384625
Email: Ken.Beesley@cumbria.ac.uk
Fax: 01524 384591

BSc (Hons) full-time and part-time at Carlisle
Name: Mike Doak
Tel: 01228 616022
Email: Mike.Doak@cumbria.ac.uk
Fax: 01228 616235

UCAS Link

Visit UCAS

Course summary

Our graduates have excellent job prospects in a wide range of posts in hospitals, private practice, industry, special hospitals, social services, legal work, accident and emergency, and community work. Graduates are eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). This enables you to work in the NHS and with social services. The qualification is recognised by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, giving you the chance to work abroad.

Case studies

"The class sizes are quite small and you’re given your own personal tutor who you can go to with any issues, either course problems or more general issues. The tutors all have different teaching styles so you learn in different ways, and each style suits different types of students. You have five placements in a variety of settings which will help you prepare for real life, for example in hospital, in the community, mental health and paediatrics. There is also the opportunity to have your final eight week placement abroad. I’m based at Lancaster, it’s a really nice friendly campus."

"The tutors are always there to support you if you have any issues on your placement. I’m really enjoying the Occupational Therapy course."

- Jess Schofield, 2nd year OT student