Occupational Therapy - Accelerated Route

Why study with us?

You will gain the knowledge and skills required to apply for registration with the Health Professions Council to practice as an occupational therapist. You develop your problem-solving abilities and are encouraged to use skills of critical analysis and clinical reasoning to integrate the theory of occupational therapy to its practice contexts.

You also learn during your 1,000 hours on placements in a variety of supportive practices, where you can develop your assessment, treatment and evaluation skills. Practice placements can be in hospitals (NHS and private), the community, schools and health centres across north west England, southern Scotland and the Isle of Man.

If you are applying for these courses your fees will be paid by the NHS. You need to select self funding for the online application form.

What can this course lead to?

With the MSc, you are eligible for membership of the College of Occupational Therapists and registration with the Health Professions Council which is the regulatory body. Occupational Therapists may work in the NHS, in the private and voluntary sectors, and overseas. This is an exciting time for the profession with expansion of its role and opportunities to lead new developments.

Entry requirements

1st or 2nd class honours degree

Students with other qualifications may be admitted to the course via APL procedures

More about levels and credits

Credit and UCAS requirements Credit: 180 credits Selection criteria

In addition to a degree, candidates should have a GCSE grade C or above in English Language.

If you have an unrelated first degree, but also experience in occupational therapy, your application will be considered. Applicants unable to meet the formal academic entry requirements, but who hold another relevant professional qualification such as a diploma in physiotherapy, nursing, chiropody or podiatry are welcome to apply.

Candidates will need to show post-qualification academic performance, a range of continuing professional development (CPD), and relevant professional experience. We look for a clear understanding of the work of an occupational therapist, so it is useful if you have undertaken some work experience or shadowing. The programme is intensive and you need to be a committed, independent learner.

Overseas students and language requirements

We welcome applications from overseas students. If English is not your first language we also require one of the following qualifications:

• IELTS - an overall mark of 7 with no less than 6.5 in any one component
• TOEFL - 550 points paper-based or 213 points computer-based
• Cambridge proficiency grade C.

Additional contact information

Janice Bell, Programme Leader for MSc in Occupational Therapy.
E-mail: Janice.Bell@cumbria.ac.uk
Phone: 01228 616341

Modules

Most modules mix academic and practical elements which cover the following areas:

• Human Occupation
• Professional and core occupational therapy skills
• Client centred practice
• Assessment, interventions and evaluation
• Critical thinking and graduate skills
• Evidence based practice
• Research methodologies
• Professional practice
• An optional study module e.g. psychological therapies, music in therapy, palliative care, horticulture
• A masters level research project.

Course summary

This is an intensive, accelerated programme of study which requires highly motivated and committed people. The learning opportunities include face-to-face contact with academic tutors, lectures, practical workshops, eLearning activities, group work, student-led seminars, peer teaching and practice placements. There will also be elements of inter professional learning with students from other health disciplines. Much of the study will be self-directed and outside timetabled hours, allowing students to take responsibility for addressing their own learning needs and to meet the demands of this accelerated programme of study.

Each module is credit rated. You are assessed in various ways including coursework presentations, reflective writing, vivas and reports. Assessment of clinical placements do not form part of the masters level assessed credits but does contribute to your qualification and you will be graded to give you an indication of your performance.