BSc(Hons)

Occupational Therapy

3 good reasons to study Occupational Therapy at Salford:

A Health Professions Council (HPC) approved course facilitating eligibility to register with the HPC
Excellent student support and recognised good practice within teaching and learning
Designed to equip you with the knowledge and skills for the current demands of the workplace

Occupational therapists work with people from a wide range of backgrounds and cultures and across all age groups, helping them to cope with a variety of physical and psychological problems. Occupational therapists work with a person to consider how their physical health, mental health and social environment affect their ability to carry out daily living activities such as personal care, domestic tasks, socialising, leisure and work.

You will combine academic study with practice placements and develop a variety of personal skills such as advanced communication.

Course details

You will gain an understanding of function and dysfunction in the mind and body and the use of occupation in assessment and treatment of illness. You will also look at the societal and institutional contexts of illness and health, and ethical issues in health care delivery.

This course has five key themes:

Person/occupation/environment
Therapeutic and professional relationships
Occupational therapy process
Professional reasoning
Behaviour and contexts of practice.

The importance of evidence based practice within occupational therapy practice is emphasised throughout the course.

Year 1

Concepts in Healthcare

This module will enable you to develop an awareness of the common skills and knowledge shared by health care workers.

Introduction to Key Concepts

The foundation element of the module will focus on the theoretical framework of occupational therapy practice and will introduce to you the history, philosophy and structure of the occupational therapy profession.

Reflection in Practice

Introduces the concept of reflective practice and is the foundation for placement education during the course. It also includes mandatory moving and handling training.

Occupation, Health and Function

Explores the relationship between occupation and health and considers impact of the dysfunction on occupational performance.

Introduction to Occupational Therapy Skills

A practical based module that requires you to develop the skill of activity analysis in relation to a variety of occupations. You will also consider self management, integrated with reflection and applied, at a basic level, to the concept of teaching and learning.

Professional Reasoning

You will focus on clinical and professional reasoning and the theoretical material that underpins this. Main topics covered will be on models of practice and an introduction to research.

Occupational Therapy in Practice

You will consider the ethical and contextual factors of working with clients within health and social care. Issues such as consent, confidentiality and documentation will be considered alongside relevant legislation.

Year 2

Current Issues in Health and Social Care

This module is designed to help raise awareness of current issues, initiatives and developments that surround the provision of health and social care. You will have the opportunity for the sharing of knowledge between fellow students, tutors, professionals, and potentially clients.

Therapeutic Strategies

You will consider the concept of occupation relating to health, well being and personal meaning. You will apply and appraise models used by the occupational therapist within the context of the client or problem, the occupational therapy process and the current evidence base.

Effective Therapy Skills

This is a skills based module where you will have the opportunity to apply the occupational therapy process, especially intervention strategies, to a particular client group with considerable input from clinicians, who will also be involved in the assessment of the module.

Evidence in Practice

The aim of this module is to help you to apply the occupational therapy process in practice, and also to use research and other sources of evidence to inform your practice.

Occupational Therapy in Context

You will develop an understanding of the models used by occupational therapists, apply these to clients and interventions, and discuss different meanings which occupations might have in relation to physical and psychological needs and socio-cultural influences.

Personal and Professional Development in Practice

A placement module focussing on the ability to describe and apply all areas of the occupational therapy process will be explored as well as looking at the range of factors which impact upon a client's occupational performance.

Year 3

Development of Role in Practice-PP5

The aim of this placement is to work with an organisation - which doesn't have an established occupational therapy role - and its service users to identify a potential emerging role for occupational therapy. You will negotiate and, where appropriate, apply elements of an occupational therapy service to individuals or groups within the specific setting.

Holistic Occupational Therapy

You will look at occupational therapy in diverse settings and specifically with clients who are not necessarily referred via health and social care. You will be encouraged to look at each client holistically and to use advanced communication skills to address aspects such as periods of transition, spirituality and sexuality with a client.

Engagement in Productivity and Leisure

You will explore the concepts of function, form and meaning and their relationship with health and well being. You will have the opportunity to observe a productivity occupation of their choice and participate in a leisure activity which you will analyse.

Contributing to the Evidence base of Occupational Therapy

This is an independent study module where you will be supported via Blackboard to complete either a research proposal or write up of a short research project.

Into Employment

This module will prepare you for transition into the workplace. You will discuss the role of professional and regulatory bodies, and be prepared for your first post destination with practice in interview techniques, communication skills and CV preparation.

Competence in Practice – PP6

This module consists of a 10-week full-time placement. You will take responsibility for organising the placement, and will select an environment and type of practice that complements your existing placement experience. The aim is for you to achieve and demonstrate professional competency, and to carry a small case load independently, while being supervised by an occupational therapist educator.

Course Enquiries

For course enquiries please call us on:

T: +44 (0) 161 295 4545

Or Email us at:

Home/EU students
E: enquiries@salford.ac.uk

International students
E: international@salford.ac.uk