Postgraduate MSc/PgDip/PgCert

Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration)

School of Health and Society

Attendance

Full-time

Course

Two year

Next enrolment

September 2024

Introduction

In a nutshell

This accelerated programme will provide you with a master's level academic qualification together with eligibility to apply for a licence to practice which is a pre-requisite for registration to the Health and Care Professions Council. 

This programme offers you the opportunity to become occupational therapy practitioners at the forefront of occupational therapy. This will be achieved by developing a systematic understanding of knowledge and a critical awareness of current challenges and developments in the field of occupational therapy.

Home applicants: the closing date for applications to the 2024 entry for this programme is 31st May 2024.

International applicants: please check the international intakes page for the latest information and application dates.

 

You will:

  • Gain an academic qualification and eligibility to apply for licence to practice with the HCPC
  • Have the opportunity for a clinical placement
  • Be prepared to enter the workplace on completion of this programme
Placement

options available

International

students accepted

Course accreditations

The Royal College of Occupational Therapists
The Health and Care Professions Council
Course details

All about the course

Over the two years, you will engage with four modules and four practice placements as detailed below.

You can read our full FAQ document here: FAQ's here

 *Please note this programme is going through the normal and required process of updating the course, and therefore it's modules, for 2024 delivery. As such, the modules currently listed below are subject to change*

If you require more specific information on modules for 2024 entry, please email: SHS-OTAdmissions@salford.ac.uk

Modules

People as Occupational Beings

To enable you to gain critical knowledge of basic sciences and their relevance to human occupation. 

To enable you to gain critical knowledge of occupations and occupational performance across the lifespan. 

To provide you with the opportunity to volunteer in a relevant service. 

 

Theory and Practice

  • To enable you to recognise, apply and critically evaluate the core knowledge, skills and values of an occupational therapist. 
  • To understand the need to respect and uphold, the rights, dignity, values and autonomy of service users.
  • To enable you to engage in a variety of placement experiences in order to apply and develop learning expertise.

 

Ready for Practice

  • To apply the philosophy, core values and skills of occupational therapy to service development, delivery and practice. 
  • To learn from and with other learners from relevant professions.
  • To reflect on personal and professional development and prepare for employment.

Theory and Practice 2

  • To identify current issues relevant to occupational therapy and critically evaluate their accommodation/ implementation in practice.
  • To explore the theoretical relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing within the context of models of practice and evaluate the application of the models.
  • To demonstrate the ability to apply and evaluate a range of evidence-based occupational therapy strategies. 

What will I be doing?

TEACHING

The content of the programme is delivered by academic staff, practitioner colleagues and service users. A wide range of teaching methods which match the requirements of the subject matter and different learning styles are utilised. 

A mixture of the following will be used as relevant throughout the modules.

  • Lectures
  • Tutorials
  • Simulation experiences including working on real-world problems and engagement in a volunteering role.
  • Workshops
  • Groupwork
  • Seminars
  • Placement experience
  • Individual Scholarly Activity - self-directed learning, personal reflection,
  • Online Learning Resources -delivery of supporting resources such as study guides, lectures and tutorials through technologies such as the virtual classroom, podcasts, blogs, wikis, suggested reading, links to web-based reading or activities and online learning forums. 

This programme uses a cognitive pedagogy which emphasises conceptual development through integration and co-creation of ideas, opportunities for reflection and for ownership of a given task. This approach provides interactive environments and appropriate challenges encourage experimentation and the discovery of broad principles and frames learning outcomes in meta-cognitive terms to encourage the development of autonomy. You will have an identified MSc Tutor who will work with you and your peers to develop these skills and attributes.

ASSESSMENT

Assessment focuses on conceptual understanding (applied knowledge and skills), processes as well as outcomes, crediting varieties of excellence and the development of self- and peer-evaluation skills. The following assessment methods are utilised to collect evidence of academic and professional suitability:-

  • Essays
  • Practical Report
  • Case Study
  • Critique
  • Practice experience Assessment: Learning Agreements
  • Research Proposal
  • Presentations

Professor Matthew Molineux

We are delighted to announce that Professor Matthew Molineux of Griffith University, Queensland,  Australia was appointed as Honorary Professor at the University of Salford in 2023.

Matthew is an occupational therapist and occupational scientist who has worked in Australia and the United Kingdom for over 30 years and is passionate about occupational therapy and the unique perspective the profession has on humans and health. He is known for encouraging, and sometimes challenging, students and occupational therapists to reflect critically on how their practice aligns with the profession’s unique occupational perspective. Matthew will be working with staff and students, contributing to teaching and learning, and programme development.

On his appointment, Matthew said “I'm very excited to be working with the occupational therapy team at the University of Salford as they continue their work in creating innovative educational experiences for students.”

The School of Health and Society

We are focused on enhancing the health and wellbeing of patients, service users and athletes and our commitment to public involvement help us retain our strong focus on real-world issues.

Rehabilitation Flat

Our purpose built rehabilitation flat provides the opportunity to test occupational therapy skills within a secure environment.

The flat has a bathroom, kitchen and bedroom with a range of equipment and daily living aids such as:

  • Specialist knives and adapted cutlery
  • Utensil holders and openers
  • Non-slip mats and reachers
  • A variety of dressing aids
  • Bath lift and grab rail

The flat is used to demonstrate equipment and the way in which an occupational therapist may assist a client to learn a new way to perform an activity and maintain their independence. You will also have access to the occupational therapy resource room, equipment relating to ADL, splinting and personal care, and use of community resources for experiential learning.

Take a 360 tour of the facilities here

Employment and stats

What about after uni?

As a qualified occupational therapist, the University is committed to supporting your continuing professional development and offers a range of short courses and study days throughout the year to keep you at the forefront of new developments within the profession.

You may also choose to pursue further study and research on our Professional Doctorate (Health and Social Care/Advanced Practitioner/Social Work)

Career Links

Through the programme, you will develop a sound level of competence in occupational therapy required to meet professional standards and the UK Health and Care Professions Council Standards of Proficiency for Occupational Therapists.

You will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council to obtain a protected title and license to practice as an occupational therapist in the UK.

You will be able to work in a range of practice environments such as paediatrics, older people’s care, long-term mental health settings and learning disability services. Alternatively you may develop your career into medico-legal work, management, education and research. In addition to the NHS services, employers may include prisons, private hospitals, litigation services, voluntary organisations and private and/or independent practice.

FURTHER STUDY

As a qualified occupational therapist, the University is committed to supporting your continuing professional development and offers a range of short courses and study days throughout the year to keep you at the forefront of new developments within the profession.

You may also wish to pursue further academic study through a research degree on completion of this course.

Requirements

What you need to know

 This course is suitable for people with a first degree in any subject looking for an accelerated course to prepare them to work as an occupational therapist. 

You can read our detailed FAQ document here: FAQ's here

English language requirements 

If you are an international student and not from a majority English speaking country, you will need IELTS 7.0 with no element below 6.5. We also accept a range of other English language qualifications. If you do not have the English language requirements, you could take our Pre-Sessional English course

Additional requirements

Applicants who have previously been enrolled in an occupational therapy pre-registration programme or any other health professional education programme must submit a self-declaration confirming no previous fitness to practice concerns if an offer is made for a place on the programme.

Standard entry requirements

Undergraduate degree

An Honours Degree 2:1 or above in any subject area. Normally we would expect this to have been completed in the last five years, but relevant work-related CPD or other studies could be considered (with evidence).

GCSEs

5 passes at grade A - C or 9 - 4 for GCSE, to include English Language, maths and a science or equivalents.

    • The English language, maths and science could also be evidenced through a higher qualification e.g. A level or aspects of your degree. (this will be automatically reviewed and considered at Admissions stage and the decision made will be final)
    • Equivalents accepted: maths and English level 2 function skills 

International Students

We accept qualifications from all around the world. Find your country to see a full list of entry requirements.

How much?

ADDITIONAL FUNDING SUPPORT FOR HEALTHCARE STUDENTS

The NHS Learning Support Fund is available to students studying the following courses:

  • Diagnostic Radiography
  • Occupational Therapy (including pre-registration Master's)
  • Physiotherapy
  • Podiatry (including pre-registration Master's)
  • Prosthetics and Orthotics
  • Midwifery
  • Nursing (adult, child, mental health, learning disability, joint nursing/social work; including pre-registration Master's)

Visit the NHSBSA website for further information. 

Type of study Year Fees
Full-time home 2024/25 £9,250.00per year
Full-time international 2024/25 £16,380.00per year

Additional costs

You should also consider further costs which may include books, stationery, printing, binding and general subsistence on trips and visits.

Apply now

All set? Let's apply

Enrolment dates

September 2024