Course summary
About this course Become an Occupational Therapist and improve patients' lives with BSc Occupational Therapy at the University of Southampton, a course ranked 3rd in the UK (Complete University Guide 2026). On your three-year BSc Occupational Therapy degree you'll gain the knowledge and skills needed to treat people with psychological, physical or social disabilities. You'll learn how to work effectively with patients, their families, and carers, as well as with other healthcare professionals and you'll be supported by world-leading academics* who are actively shaping the profession and are there to help you every step of the way from student to registered healthcare professional. This programme gives you all the knowledge and skills to start your career along with eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council as an Occupational Therapist. This programme is also accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. Key features of the course:
- Develop a strong professional identity as an occupational therapist and gain a clear understanding of how the role contributes to multi-disciplinary teams
- Study in our purpose-built facilities, which include a multisensory environment, a biomechanics laboratory and an adapted flat
- Gain experience across the 1,000 placement hours you'll complete in the community, social care and hospitals
- Graduate you’ll be eligible to register as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).
- 92% of our research has been classed as world leading or internationally excellent Research Excellence Framework, 2021.
Modules
Throughout this course you'll explore occupational therapy within health and social care, working with people across the life span who may encounter physical, mental health or leaning disability needs that impact on their ability to engage in the everyday activities. Year 1: Understanding people as occupational beings and building the foundations for occupational therapy practice. Year 2: Developing and applying your occupational therapy skills and knowledge to deliver creative occupational therapy that supports people in reaching their occupational potential. Year 3: Advancing your occupational therapy skills and knowledge to equip you to address complex health, social and occupational needs and become leaders and innovators of occupational therapy and health and social care services. You will learn in a variety of ways across your programme including discussion and debate, role play and simulation, practice placements and real-world projects with our clinical and community partners. For a full list of modules available please visit the course page.
Assessment method
Throughout your degree you'll be supported to achieve your best in assessments by our vibrant Health Sciences community, your Personal Academic Tutor, and your Practice Mentor. The learning activities for this course include the following: lectures, classes and tutorials, coursework, individual and group projects and independent learning (studying on your own). We’ll assess you using: essays, oral presentations, written and practical exams and placement assessment.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- The World Federation of Occupational Therapists
- Occupational Therapists, College of
How to apply
This is the deadline for applications to be completed and sent for this course. If the university or college still has places available you can apply after this date, but your application is not guaranteed to be considered.
Application codes
- Course code:
- B920
- Institution code:
- S27
- Campus name:
- Main Site - Highfield Campus
- Campus code:
- -
Points of entry
The following entry points are available for this course:
- Year 1
Entry requirements
Qualification requirements
UCAS Tariff - Not accepted
A level - BBB
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DDM
Access to HE Diploma - D: 24 credits M: 21 credits
Scottish Higher
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Diploma (first teaching from September 2016) - DD
Pearson BTEC Level 3 National Extended Certificate (first teaching from September 2016) - D
Pearson BTEC Extended Diploma (QCF) - DDM
Pearson BTEC Diploma (QCF) - DD
Pearson BTEC Subsidiary Diploma (QCF) - D
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme - 30 points
WJEC Level 3 Advanced Skills Baccalaureate Wales - B
Extended Project - Not accepted
Leaving Certificate - Higher Level (Ireland) (first awarded in 2017) - H3, H3, H3, H3, H3, H3
Cambridge International Pre-U Certificate - Principal - M2, M2, M2
T Level - M
GCSEs: Minimum of GCSE Maths and English Language (A*-C or 4-9). GCSE Science (A*-C or 4-9) also required if not offered as a level 3 qualification. Recent relevant study must have been within 3 years You may be required to attend a selection day and complete satisfactory Occupational Health and Police Checks.
Please click the following link to find out more about qualification requirements for this course
https://www.southampton.ac.uk/courses/occupational-therapy-degree-bsc#entry-requirements
Additional entry requirements
Criminal records declaration (DBS/Disclosure Scotland)
Health checks
Interview
English language requirements
| Test | Grade | Additional details |
|---|---|---|
| IELTS (Academic) | 7 | with a minimum of 6.5 in all components. |
Student Outcomes
The number of student respondents and response rates can be important in interpreting the data – it is important to note your experience may be different from theirs. This data will be based on the subject area rather than the specific course. Read more about this data on the Discover Uni website.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Wales | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £9535* | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £9535* | Year 1 |
| EU | £24400 | Year 1 |
| International | £24400 | Year 1 |
*This is a provisional fee and subject to change.
Tuition fee status depends on a number of criteria and varies according to where in the UK you will study. For further guidance on the criteria for home or overseas tuition fees, please refer to the UKCISA website .
Additional fee information
Provider information
University of Southampton
Highfield
Southampton
SO17 1BJ
