Course summary
This course will give you the knowledge and practical skills that you need to develop a new career as an occupational therapist in two years. It is delivered full-time and you will complete a number of placements that enrich the learning experience and prepare you for a diverse practice context. This course attracts people holding a relevant undergraduate honours degree who wish to change career and become an occupational therapist. It is an intensive professional programme of study; developing theoretical, analytical, practical, evaluative and reasoning skills as well as professional values. The course is unsuitable for applicants already holding a qualification in occupational therapy.
Modules
Year One Foundations of Occupational Therapy Practice (40 credits): This module will enable you to develop a critical understanding of the key theories, skills and values for the practice of occupational therapy and the influence of context in shaping praxis. Preparation for Practice-based Learning (0 credits): The activities within this module enable you to demonstrate that you have completed all of the mandatory learning activities and tasks required in preparation for practice-based learning. Occupational Therapy Process and Practice (40 credits): This module teaches you everything about the occupational therapy process, from assessment and evaluation to intervention planning and therapeutic decision making. You will engage in critical debate, utilising an evidence-based approach throughout. Practice-based Learning 1 (20 credits): This practice-based learning module will orientate you to the dynamics of the practice setting, and enable you to establish foundational skills for professional practice. Practice-based Learning 2 (20 credits): This practice-based learning module will enable you to demonstrate practice knowledge and apply the occupational therapy process in a service context. Year Two Elective module (20 credits): You will be able to choose from a number of options on offer (these may change each year, depending on availability), for example: transitions and occupation across the life course, working with people who are neurodiverse, working with individuals affected by dementia, occupation-based social transformation. Research Methods (20 credits): This module will enable you to develop the research skills and knowledge necessary to undertake an independent research project. Transforming Occupational Therapy Practice (40 credits): In this module you will critique occupational therapy practice and contexts, developing skills and knowledge to transform practice, in order to improve the health, wellbeing and occupational lives of individuals, carers and communities. Practice-based Learning 3 (40 credits): This module will enable you to articulate and critique specific practice knowledge and systematically apply an occupational therapy process in a service context. Practice-based Learning 4 (40 credits): In this final practice-based learning module, you will be able to practice and demonstrate competencies commensurate with those of an entry level practitioner. Dissertation project (60 credits): In this final module of your studies, you will develop and apply the skills of research and enquiry to a topic of your choosing. NB The modules and placements listed are correct at time of posting (October 2023). In the event that modules change, QMU will seek to use reasonable endeavours to ensure that there is no detrimental impact on students. Please check our website for updates.
Assessment method
The course philosophy integrates academic and placement study. It employs adult learning perspectives including: learner responsibility, active participation, collaboration, autonomy, and learning as a community. Problem-based learning using practice scenarios is a major feature of the learning experience, where students work to develop professional reasoning, evidence-informed decision making, and interpersonal and team working skills. Learning is thus a facilitated process of acquiring enquiry skills, interpreting information, group discussion, exchanging of perspectives, creation of knowledge and arriving at a position or judgment. Teaching methods incorporate self-directed study, practice scenarios, group work, workshops, eLearning modules, digital technology, reflection, lectures and placements. Assessment methods include peer and self-assessment, written assignments, viva voce, presentations, projects and placements. Practice placements form a core element of the course and your personal performance is also assessed.
Professional bodies
Professionally accredited courses provide industry-wide recognition of the quality of your qualification.
- Occupational Therapists, College of
- Health and Care Professions Council
Qualified teacher status (QTS)
To work as a teacher at a state school in England or Wales, you will need to achieve qualified teacher status (QTS). This is offered on this course for the following level:
- Course does not award QTS
Entry requirements
•Evidence of a first degree at honours level 2:2 or above in an appropriate area including: health, biological sciences, physical sciences, social sciences, education or humanities. •You will be required to provide evidence of English language competence at no less than IELTS 6.5 with no individual component score less than 6.0. You need to be aware that in order to be eligible to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC), you are required to be able to communicate in English to an IELTS standard equivalent to 7 with no element below 6.5. •Evidence of knowledge and commitment to occupational therapy as a positive career choice. •Evidence of a written research project, a research module or research experience. •Demonstrate substantial involvement and responsibility with diverse groups of people (inclusive of marginalised people or those with impairments) in a personal, employment or voluntary capacity, in the health, social care, education or third sector context. Substantial involvement might be indicated by a time period of at least six months or equivalent. •Mature applicants who graduated more than 10 years ago will be considered if they have experience and evidence of equivalent CPD. •Mature applicants who graduated more than 10 years ago will be considered with the condition that they engage in a module at master’s level study (SCQF Level 11) if they do not have equivalent CPD. •Two satisfactory references, one should be academic, the other, professional. •All successful applicants will participate in a values-based group interview.
Fees and funding
Tuition fees
| England | £11710 | Year 1 |
| Northern Ireland | £11710 | Year 1 |
| Scotland | £11710 | Year 1 |
| Wales | £11710 | Year 1 |
| Channel Islands | £11710 | Year 1 |
| Republic of Ireland | £11710 | Year 1 |
| International | £22970 | Year 1 |
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
No additional fees or cost information has been supplied for this course, please contact the provider directly.
Provider information
Queen Margaret University, Edinburgh
Queen Margaret University Drive
Musselburgh
Edinburgh
EH21 6UU