Occupational Therapist Degree Apprenticeship


Institution code	H36
School of study	School of Health and Social Work
Course length	Part Time, 3 Years
Location	University of Hertfordshire, Hatfield

Entry requirements

UCAS points A Level BTEC
104 BCC DMM - DDM
Acceptable level 3 qualifications as an alternative to A Levels or BTEC
BTEC National Extended Diploma: 'D, M, M'
BTEC National Diploma: 'D, D' with a GCE A2 at a minimum of a 'C' grade in an appropriate subject studied concurrently
BTEC National Extended Certificate: 'D' with one GCE A2 at a minimum of 'C' grades studied concurrently and one other GCE
Access Diploma to HE in a health-related subject: At least 12 level three credits at Distinction and 18 x level three credits at Merit. This should normally include at least 24 credits
Extended or Foundation Degree: usually with an average of 60%
Certificate in Higher Education: usually with an average of 60%
Please note we do not accept NVQ3 level 3 qualifications on their own, but you may be able to take a 10-week bridging programme to prepare you for the degree. If you have an NVQ level 3 and have any questions around the bridging programme and applying, please contact degree-apprenticeships@herts.ac.uk
Essential qualifications
5 GCSE's at grade 4/C or above to include science. Must have maths & English or the ESFA acceptable equivalent. If they do not hold the other GCSE's, higher qualifications will be considered.
GCE A2s (A-levels): BCC* equating to 104 UCAS Tariff points
This course is due for revalidation for the Sept 24/25 intake.

UCAS points	A Level	BTEC
104	BCC	DMM - DDM

About the course

Apprenticeship Standard: O ccupational Therapist

Final Award: BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy

This Degree Apprentice programme is to prepare learners for their future careers as Occupational Therapists. It recognises the diversity of occupational therapy practice and embraces a commitment to produce practitioners who are cognisant of health and social disparities and promotes an inclusive and participatory society. A Degree Apprenticeship is a job which provides work-based learning alongside studying to a BSc (Hons) level, promoting the growth of the employers’ existing and future workforces. The programme affords learners the opportunity to acquire the knowledge, skills and competencies for eligibility to apply for registration as Occupational Therapists with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and to become members of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT). The programme aligns to all required benchmarks and standards including those related to the degree apprenticeship (ST0517).

The programme integrates academic study with practice-based learning across all three years of study. Drawing on an enquiry-based approach, learning is designed around scenarios involving individuals, carers, families, groups and communities from birth to end of life. These are used as triggers for discussion of the learning and to plan self-directed study. By delivering curricula using adult learning theories, critical thinking, reflection, problem-solving and decision-making skills that are key to risk assessment and autonomous Occupational Therapy practice, are enhanced. This enables a graduate to be adaptable, resourceful and responsive to changes in health and social care provision. Active learning methods foster deep learning and encourage professional and personal development enabling the graduate to form a clear identity as an Occupational Therapist. It also recognises learners’ past and current experiences and their value and contribution to the learning process.

This integrated approach embeds knowledge of occupational science and best evidence, thereby leading to the learners’ ability to become autonomous, enterprising and innovative practitioners who are active research consumers and evidence-based practitioners. It also fosters leadership skills and enables graduates to work as part of a multidisciplinary team. The acquisition of the core Occupational Therapy knowledge and skills is facilitated through empowering the learner to be responsible for their learning and to be able to apply this learning to practice. It also encourages, from the outset, a commitment to lifelong learning and continuing professional development. Practice placements are introduced in year 1 and continue throughout the programme. These placements provide a range of experiences in different settings and sectors enabling a broad understanding of the value and contribution of Occupational Therapy.

Why choose this course?

The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship) programme offers a dynamic approach to the study of Occupational Therapy and provides you with the problem-solving abilities to become a competent professional integrating ‘on’ and ‘off the job’ learning.
Approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT).
96% satisfaction for academic support (NSS, 2024, based on the average of Q15-16)
You will gain a solid knowledge base and placement experiences to provide you with the skills and knowledge for contemporary Occupational Therapy practice.
Excellent career prospects in your own place of work, NHS or Social Care, private sector, independent and charity sectors.
Work closely with other health care professionals in our interprofessional education sessions.
Access to a range of simulation facilities at the University to support your learning.
A wide variety of practice placement experiences across physical and psychosocial settings.

What will I study?

The occupational therapy degree apprenticeship combines learning at university, ‘on-the-job’ learning and practice placements. Apprentices spend one day a week at university gaining theoretical knowledge and practical skills and 4 days a week in their workplace. There are 5 full time practice placements over the 3 year course. Teaching integrates academic study with practice-based learning. Occupational science and human occupation are core concepts throughout the programme. An enquiry-based approach is used with teaching being designed around case scenarios to use as triggers for discussion of the learning and to plan self-directed study.

Level 4

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Transition to Occupational Therapy Apprentice	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module provides the foundation through which apprentices begin to transition towards a registered occupational therapist. Content includes core concepts underpinning the profession and practice, the role of professional, regulatory bodies, relevant Codes of Conduct, principles of reflection, using portfolios, maintaining an appropriate work-life balance and seeking help if required.
Occupational Foundations for Person Centred Care	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module includes the meaning of occupation, people as occupational beings, occupational science, occupational balance, occupational performance and impact of occupational deprivation. A range of occupational models, frames of reference and occupational analysis will be covered. Person-centred care and developing a therapeutic relationship with users, families and carers are explored.
Professional Values and Ethics	15 Credits	Compulsory
Drawing on a range of scenarios involving service users, carers and communities, the following professional regulations and areas will be discussed. Apprentices will reflect on their practice, values and beliefs recognising the importance of equality, diversity and maintaining awareness of occupational issues which occur due to social and health disparity.
OT Practice Education 1 - Respect and Dignity	15 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will develop an understanding of and demonstrate how the value of respect and dignity applies in everyday work within all occupational therapy settings (statutory health, social care, third sector and independent services). Apprentices will normally undertake the module in practice areas outside their own work setting, developing skills below in 11b
Occupational Lifespan Perspectives	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will focus on aspects of foundation sciences required to understand occupational engagement in the lifespan. The module will outline functional anatomy, physiology, psychology and sociology concepts with links made between how these systems enable occupational performance. This will include the major schools of psychology, culture, equality, and stigma.
Occupational Perspectives: Adults of Working Age 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the apprentice to the central occupations of adults of working age and a range of common biopsychosocial occupational interruptions. The concepts of occupational science, occupational therapy models and frames of reference and core skills of the occupational therapy process will be examined. Topics are outlined below.
Occupational Perspectives: Older Adults 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the apprentice to the central occupations of older adults and a range of common biopsychosocial occupational interruptions. The concepts of occupational science, occupational therapy models and frames of reference and core skills of the occupational therapy process will be examined. Topics are outlined below.
Occupational Perspectives: Children and Young People 1	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will introduce the apprentice to the central occupations of childhood and adolescence and a range of common biopsychosocial occupational interruptions. The concepts of occupational science, occupational therapy models and frames of reference and core skills of the occupational therapy process will be examined. Topics are outlined below.

Level 5

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Research Methods	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module enables learners to further develop their knowledge and understanding of research principles, processes and methods and to engender a critical understanding of their application within health and social care settings. The module introduces to the concepts of audit, service evaluation and quality improvement.
Groups and Communities	15 Credits	Compulsory
Drawing on theoretical concepts of group work and group dynamics, this module explores the role of the occupational therapist in promoting occupation within a range of environments relating to groups and their wider communities, accessibility, motivation and impact. The impact of a range of interventions and evaluation will be considered.
OT Practice Education 2 - Compassion	15 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will develop an understanding of and demonstrate how the value of compassion in practice applies in everyday work within all occupational therapy settings (statutory health, social care, third sector and independent services). Apprentices will normally undertake the module in practice areas outside their own work setting, developing skills below:
OT Practice Education 3 - Everyone Counts	15 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will develop an understanding of and demonstrate how the value of everyone counts in practice applies in everyday work within all occupational therapy settings (statutory health, social care, third sector and independent services). Apprentices will normally undertake the module in practice areas outside their own work setting, developing skills below:
Occupational Perspectives: Adults of Working Age 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will analyse and critically discuss the occupations of adults of working age experiencing a range of complex biological- psychological-sociological occupational interruptions. Occupational science, occupational therapy theory and the evidence base for intervention and outcome measurement as part of the occupational therapy process, will be discussed and examined.
Occupational Perspectives: Older Adults 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will analyse and critically discuss the occupations of older adults experiencing a range of complex biological- psychological-sociological occupational interruptions. Occupational science, occupational therapy theory and the evidence base for intervention and outcome measurement as part of the occupational therapy process, will be discussed and examined.
Occupational Perspectives: Children and Young People 2	15 Credits	Compulsory
This module will analyse and critically discuss the occupations of children and adolescents experiencing a range of complex biological- psychological-sociological occupational interruptions. Occupational science, occupational therapy theory and the evidence base for intervention and outcome measurement as part of the occupational therapy process, will be discussed and examined.
Occupational Therapy - Contemporary Practice	15 Credits	Compulsory
Drawing on theory and practice principles from well-established areas for occupational therapy, this module will enable apprentices to consider the potential of their professional and therapeutic skills to newer areas of practice. The module will discuss changing, emerging and peripheral settings for occupational therapy in local, national and international contexts.

Level 6

Module	Credits	Compulsory/optional
Leadership and Autonomous Practice	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module presents theories of leadership and practical skills required to be an effective, compassionate leader and role model. Different leadership styles and the context in which individuals lead are discussed. This will be supplemented by up to 2 weeks shadowing experience with professional leaders in practice. Topics indicated below.
Quality Improvement	30 Credits	Compulsory
This module enables learners to demonstrate their understanding and application of quality improvement methodology through the use of appropriate systematic methods of inquiry, knowledge and skills which are used to critically analyse, develop and evaluate current practice / service through the process of undertaking a quality improvement project in practice.
OT Practice Education 4 - Working Together	15 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will develop an understanding of and demonstrate how the value of working together applies in everyday work within all occupational therapy settings (statutory health, social care, third sector and independent services). Apprentices will normally undertake the module in practice areas outside their own work setting, developing skills below:
OT Practice Education 5 - Improving Lives and Quality Care	30 Credits	Compulsory
Learners will develop an understanding of and demonstrate how the value of improving lives and quality care applies in everyday work within all occupational therapy settings (statutory health, social care, third sector and independent services). Apprentices will normally undertake the module in practice areas outside their own work setting, developing skills below:

Professional Accreditations

Eligibility to apply for professional membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists https://www.rcot.co.uk/ and registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

Careers

Upon graduation, you'll be eligible to register as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and join the Royal College of Occupational Therapists as a full member. Graduates of this programme will have the opportunity to enjoy a range of professional career opportunities that may be within your own place of work, the NHS, Social Care, charities, voluntary and private sectors in the UK or overseas. For more information you can visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website https://www.rcot.co.uk/

What job can I get?

Occupational Therapists work in the NHS and other statutory services, charities and independent practice. Occupational therapists are qualified to work in physical health and psychosocial settings working holistically with a focus on occupation in all of these settings. Occupational therapists work with individuals, carers, families, groups and communities from birth to end of life.

Work placement
Throughout your studies on the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme, practice placements will be interspersed with study of academic modules giving you a breadth of valuable experience of Occupational Therapy. More specifically the indicative number of practice placement weeks per year are:
- Level 4: One 4 week placement
- Level 5: Two 5 week placements
- Level 6: One 6 week placement and one 10 week placement
These placements will give you the opportunity to link the theoretical knowledge and practical skills learnt in the University setting, into the broad areas of Occupational Therapy practice. The five practice placement experiences will cover a breadth of settings and will include a psychosocial setting, and normally an acute setting and a community setting During practice placements you will be given support, supervision and education from highly qualified practitioners while maintaining links to tutors back at the University.

Course fact sheets
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship)	Download
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship)	Download

Programme specifications
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship)	Download
BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy (Degree Apprenticeship)	Download

Additional information
Sandwich placement or study abroad year	n/a
Applications open to international and EU students	No

Find out more

Become an apprentice Employ an apprentice