Finding a fulfilling career at Salford: Wing's experiences studying MSc Occupational Therapy

Why Salford?

“I chose to pursue my studies in the UK because of my longstanding passion for the English Language and my admiration for British culture, as well as the UK’s architectural beauty. The iconic red brick structure of the Peel Building definitely caught my eye! Studying in the UK feels like a natural extension of my passions and a chance to grow both academically and personally in a setting that truly inspires me.

I was drawn to MSc Occupational Therapy at the University of Salford because the University is one of the largest providers of health education in the UK, with teaching and research excellence, as well as strong links with both hospital and community settings. The programme is accredited and highly reputable, offering students abundant placement opportunities within the Greater Manchester area to work across a wide spectrum of specialities in different settings. I was confident that I would be equipped with the professional knowledge, skills, and attributes needed to support service users in participating in meaningful occupations.”

MSc Occupational Therapy

“With group projects, essays, presentations and placements, the course has enhanced my verbal and written communication, which has been beneficial in my clinical practice to facilitate service user engagement, multi-disciplinary collaboration, delivery of interventions, and clear documentation.

We were taught to take a holistic approach when working with individuals. Throughout the course, we were trained to consider the interplay between a person’s characteristics, the environment, and their occupation and analyse how these factors interact and have an impact on an individual’s occupational performance.

Placements are an integral part of the course. There are four placements in the programme, and you must complete 1000 hours of placement hours to register with the Health and Care Professions Council and work as an occupational therapist in the UK.

I completed my placements in various physical and mental health settings. These diverse experiences have offered me the opportunity to work with a broad spectrum of patients with different health conditions, from children to adults and older people. This combination of placement experiences has been beneficial in building a comprehensive skill set, thereby laying a robust foundation for my future clinical practice.”

Outside the classroom

"I’m truly grateful for the wide range of support I received during my time at the University. The academic support included weekly tutorials, regular meetings with my academic tutor, and post-assessment feedback, which really helped me improve my performance and grow as a student. The encouragement I received throughout was a true source of strength that kept me going during moments of difficulty. I also benefited from career support from the Careers and Enterprise team, including CV writing tips and interview preparation, which made it much easier to secure a job and step into the workforce with confidence.

Some of my favourite memories at Salford were having library study sessions with my incredible friendship group. The course could be quite demanding at times, requiring a great deal of dedication and perseverance. We supported one another through all the highs and lows - we were each other’s cheerleaders, snack suppliers, and life coaches.

Taking a nice stroll in Peel Park is also my favourite activity when I need a breather. My favourite time of the year was the beautiful cherry blossom season, around March and April."

Life after graduation

"Within about a month, I received the offer for my current role that aligned well with my interests and goals. I'm truly grateful for how things unfolded and for the support I had along the way.

After two years of hard work and dedication, I’m now a Paediatric Occupational Therapist supporting children with special educational needs to maximise their full potential through client-centred, holistic, and compassionate care, while also offering essential support to parents and teachers."