Everything you need to know...
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What is the fee?
Home: See fees section below
International/EU: £18,655 per year -
How long will I study?
4 Years
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Where will I study?
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What are the entry requirements?
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What is the UCAS code?
BB15
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When do I start?
September 2025
1. Course summary
- Develop your understanding of the role of occupation for health and wellbeing.
- Explore how occupational engagement is shaped environmentally and personally.
- Deliver person-centred occupational therapy inclusively and collaboratively.
- Apply your learning in a range of stimulating practice-based placements.
- Employ creative adaptations of everyday activities to enhance health, wellbeing and quality of life.
Aligned with professional and ethical standards, this course trains you as an occupational therapist who meets the contemporary needs of diverse populations. You’ll support people to take part in what they want, need, and are expected to do – modifying occupation and environment to maximise health and wellbeing. You’ll connect with their lived experiences, collaborating to enhance occupational performance and recommend meaningful activities.
The Foundation Year course is designed for anyone who feels they would benefit from extra preparation before undertaking degree-level study or who does not meet the entry requirements for the BSc (Hons) course (due to lower predicted grades or lower performance at a selection event). The academic staff leading selection event processes are well placed to advice on the benefits of additional study or wider preparation in advance of joining a degree course.
2. How you learn
Our course is designed around a set of key principles, enabling you to engage with the world and collaborate with others. We’ll challenge you to think in new ways and provide you with a supportive environment in which you can thrive.
Teaching and learning is enriched by research, meaning you’ll develop research and inquiry skills over the programme. You’ll be supported to develop academically and professionally throughout the course, building your learning, assessment and practice skills.
You’ll also have opportunities to learn with other health and social care students, understanding how to work collaboratively with other professions. We’ll provide you with the knowledge, skills and values to enhance your employability so you’ll be ready for future practice.
You learn through:
- Seminars, lectures and practical sessions
- Remote learning and digital learning packages
- Work-related learning
- Independent learning
- Applied learning
Key Themes
The curriculum is designed to scaffold and develop your knowledge, skills and confidence as you progress through the course.
In your first year you’ll build a strong knowledge base of occupational therapy. In your second year you’ll be able to apply your learning to practice-based learning experiences while embracing more complexity and criticality. Then in your final year you’ll advance into practice and prepare to work as a colleague.
Course Support
You’ll be supported in your learning journey towards highly skilled, graduate-level employment through several key areas. These include:
- Access to specialist support services to help with your personal, academic and career development.
- Access to our Skills Centre with one to ones, webinars and online resources, where you can get help with planning and structuring your assignments
- Specific employability activities such as live projects, learning in simulated environments and networking/volunteering opportunities
Course leaders and tutors
Student View
Hear our BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy student Amelia discuss how she is making a difference to people's lives and why she chose to study for a career in occupational therapy.
Applied learning
Live Projects
You’ll apply the theory you study to practice-based learning experiences. These will help you to develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice, preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional. These experiences are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes. They’ll help you build your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity.
You’ll have a range of experiences linked to the Royal College of Occupational Therapists’ pillars of practice: professional practice, facilitation of learning, leadership and evidence, research and development. These will prepare you to be a confident practitioner.
Work Placements
You’ll have mandatory placements at all levels of study. They’ll take place in various practice-based learning environments, reflecting the diverse ways occupational therapy services are currently delivered. This might include blended learning experiences, real-world experiences of services delivered face-to-face to service users, and be connected to the aforementioned pillars of practice.
We’ll ensure that the practice-based learning element of your course complies with the requirements of the Professional and Statutory Regulatory Body (PSRB) governing the occupational therapy profession. By the end of your course, you’ll have the opportunity to demonstrate that you meet the requirements to register as an occupational therapist.
Networking Opportunities
You’ll have the opportunity to get involved with SHOUT, Sheffield Hallam’s academic society for occupational therapy, plus other healthcare students and professionals who are interested in occupational therapy.
You’ll benefit from guest lecturers from a variety of healthcare backgrounds, as well as employer presentations. You’ll have opportunities to meet with clinicians who lecture within the modules, and we have excellent links with employers to promote job opportunities.
We also seek to enhance your learning with extra-curricular activities, which may include recruitment or professional development activities.
3. Future careers
Upon full completion of the course, you’ll have the opportunity to show your eligibility to apply for registration with Health and Care Professions Council, allowing you to practise as an occupational therapist.
Previous graduates of this course have gone on to work for:
- The NHS
- Local authority social services
- Extended scope areas
- Schools
- Private practices
- Charities
- Other health and social care environments
- International roles
- Teaching
- Research
4. Where will I study?
You study at City Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
City Campus
City Campus is located in the heart of Sheffield, within minutes of the train and bus stations.
City Campus map | City Campus tour

Adsetts library
Adsetts Library is located on our City Campus. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn more5. Equipment and facilities
Delivery of teaching on campus is in a range of classroom and practical spaces which include:
- Modern teaching facilities with specialist rooms
- Practice rooms and simulated ward environments
- Home environments
- A range of innovative equipment, eg for anatomy teaching
- Using a range of specialist software to facilitate learning
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries and study spaces designed by our students.
Media Gallery
6. Entry requirements
All students
UCAS points
- 64
This must include at least 24 (Grade D) from one A level or equivalent BTEC National qualifications. For example:
- DDE at A Level.
- MPP in BTEC Extended Diploma
- Pass overall from a T level qualification with D or E from core
- A combination of qualifications, which may include AS levels and EPQ.
You can find information on making sense of UCAS tariff points here and use the UCAS tariff calculator to work out your points.
GCSE
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents*
- Maths at grade D or 4 or equivalents**
- English Language or Literature at grade C or 4 or equivalents***
*GCSE Science equivalents
- OCR Science level 2
- Science units gained on a level 3 BTEC or OCR National Diploma or Extended Diploma qualification
- Science credits gained on Access to Higher Education Diplomas (at least 12 credits at level 2 or 6 credits gained at level 3)
- Science equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
**GCSE Maths equivalents
- Level 2 Key Skills/ Application of Number/ Level 2 Maths credits from an Access course
- Maths equivalency test from www.equivalencytesting.co.uk
***GCSE English equivalents
- Level 2 Literacy
- Level 2 Key Skills
• Access - an Access to HE Diploma from a QAA recognised Access to HE course in a science based subject. Normally we require 15 credits at level 2 and 45 at level 3.
If English is not your first language, you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 or above, with a minimum score of 6.5 in each skill.
Additional information for EU/International students
If you are an International or non-UK European student, you can find out more about the country specific qualifications we accept on our international qualifications page.
For details of English language entry requirements (IELTS), please see the information for 'All students'.
Modules
Important notice: The structure of this course is periodically reviewed and enhanced to provide the best possible learning experience for our students and ensure ongoing compliance with any professional, statutory and regulatory body standards. Module structure, content, delivery and assessment may change, but we expect the focus of the course and the learning outcomes to remain as described above. Following any changes, updated module information will be published on this page.
Compulsory modules
Module Aim
This module will develop your knowledge and understanding of academic, personal, and professional skills that enable transition into Level 4 study and future employability.
The module will be delivered through a combination of face-to-face and digital lectures and seminars, practical's, Academic advising, and simulations.
Indicative content
Content of the module is agile and flexible to allow for changing professional situations and contemporary perspectives. Typical indicative content includes:
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Fundamental principles of health care
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Key organisations, agencies, services, professional bodies.
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Professionalism, Professional standards, and code of conduct/ethics/practice within relevant work-related roles.
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Equality, Diversity, and Inclusion
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Academic writing conventions
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Sciences related the 11 health professionals including biology, physics and chemistry.
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All sciences will cover fundamentals and basic overview also exploring links to professional specific knowledge.
Module Aim
In this module you will develop your knowledge and understanding of a range of contemporary issues that currently influence healthcare. It will focus on developing your ability to find, select and apply appropriate research and evidence.
The module will be delivered through workshops and seminars.
Also, Academic advising session within this module.
Indicative content
Content of the module is agile and flexible to allow for changing professional situations and contemporary perspectives. You should be able to:
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Search and identify appropriate evidence.
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Explore issues impacting on Healthcare.
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Identify policies and actions that lead to sustainable healthcare.
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Explore the challenges of working with diverse communities.
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Recognise strategic delivery partners Healthcare.
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Examine the use of interventions to address challenges in healthcare.
Compulsory modules
This module introduces you to the biopsychosocial, cognitive, political, economic, and medical factors which influence the health and wellbeing of individuals, diverse populations and communities. You’ll work with peers from other professions to consider how collaborative practice impacts on health and wellbeing outcomes, and helps you thrive in your own professional practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Models of care, support and empowerment
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Social capital and cultural humility
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Social accountability and determinants of health
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Safeguarding practice
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Public health agendas, inquiries and evidence-based reports
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Building effective, trusting relationships
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Community profiles and place-based care systems
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Person-centred service delivery
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Behaviour change and microaggressions
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Diversity and inclusion
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The effects of planetary health on wellbeing
This module explores the theory and models which influence occupational performance across the lifespan, including environment, social and psychological factors and a person’s health, wellbeing and functional ability. You’ll explore the human systems and psychosocial elements that interact to enable people to take part in occupations that are meaningful to them, considering how changes in health and function can impact directly on occupational performance.
You’ll study topics such as:
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A range of relevant theoretical models
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The impact of changes in a person’s health and wellbeing across the lifespan
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Occupational performance areas across the lifespan
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Activity analysis
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Humans systems of anatomy, physiology, perception, cognition and psychology
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Occupations to support health and wellbeing
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Neurodiversity
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The impact of trauma
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Occupational performance through a sustainable lens
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Inequalities and social/commercial determinants of health
This module introduces you to how theory and evidence are used to support practice. You’ll understand your personal and professional responsibilities as an OT and how to practise inclusively, preparing you to apply your knowledge in on the Practice Based Learning 1 module.
You’ll study topics such as:
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The history and philosophy of the profession
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Global perspectives of occupational therapy
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The occupational therapy process
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Occupational therapy practice models
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Activity analysis
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Developing skills to identify evidence to support practice
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Developing knowledge of inclusive practice
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Developing reflective skills for CPD
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Professional skills for practice
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Current practical and therapeutic skills
This module gives you a foundation in practice-based learning. You’ll be able to apply the knowledge you’ve gained so far across the four RCOT pillars of practice, with the close support of a practice educator.
You’ll apply skills and learning such as:
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Person-centred practice
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Organisational arrangements and practices
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Communication
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Risk and self-management
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Assessments and interventions
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Theory, models and processes
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Interdisciplinary working
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Professional and practical skills
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Supervision and reflective practice
This module consolidates your progression to graduate-level study and professional practice, reflecting on your role as a professional who delivers safe and effective person-centred care. You’ll be supported to identify influencing factors on your professional practice – developing strategies which support you to thrive personally, professionally and academically.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Reflective practice and writing skills
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Personal and professional development and identity
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Emotional intelligence
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Self-perception, privilege and introduction intersectionality and allyship
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Self-management, feedback and leadership
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Ethics in professional practice
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Communication methods and techniques
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Contemporary policy for professional practice
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Teamwork and collaborating across professional boundaries
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Personal behaviour and self-assessment techniques
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The impact of behaviours, values, research and anti-oppressive and inclusive practice
Compulsory modules
This module is your chance to apply your professional knowledge, skills and values in an integrated manner. You’ll work collaboratively with peers from other disciplines to assess, intervene and overcome the challenges of complex health and social care situations – supporting individuals, groups and communities.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Drivers for integrated and person-centred health and social care
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Inter-professional teamworking across multiple service interfaces
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Shared ethical decision-making, collaboration and co-production
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Assessment, treatment planning, evaluation and risk management
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The realities of living with long-term conditions and multi-morbidities
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Mental capacity, best interest assessment, equality and reasonable adjustments
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Resilience, communication, breaking bad news, difficult conversations
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Interpersonal and systemic discrimination in health and social care
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Inclusive language and terminology including challenging microaggressions
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Technology-enabled care and digitalisation within integrated care systems
This module develops your understanding of clinical reasoning and how to apply it throughout occupational therapy. You’ll analyse how theory, evidence and person-centred care affect clinical reasoning, expanding your professional knowledge and skills in preparation for Practice Based Learning 2.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Clinical reasoning
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Applied occupational therapy process, theory and practice models
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Common pathways for people occupational therapists work with
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Skills to critically evaluate practice and evidence
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Therapeutic use of self and non-discriminatory practice
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Lifelong learning skills for improving practice and personal development
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Professional skills for practice
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Current practical and therapeutic skills
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Disability narratives
This module introduces you to research and enquiry design and methods. You’ll be able to apply them to an area of investigation – considering factors that impact on literature appraisal – preparing you to undertake and manage an investigation as a professional practitioner.
You’ll study topics such as:
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What makes a good question
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Research design, types of evidence and suitability of methods
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Co-production – patient and public involvement
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Inclusive perspectives of research
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Data collection methods, strengths and weaknesses
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Analysis techniques
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Usefulness/impact and implications for practice
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Ethics and governance
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Sample of existing appraisal tools
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Searching and critically reviewing the literature
This module develops understanding of occupational therapy in a range of specialist and innovative areas, helping you to use and critique the evidence-base. You’ll demonstrate a wide professional lens and critically consider physical, environmental, social, cultural and political factors that impact occupational performance, with a service-user-centred practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
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A range of therapeutic and groupwork interventions
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Clinical reasoning, theoretical models and outcome measures
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Technological innovations
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Inclusive design, environmental adaptations and sustaining diverse communities
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Persistent health conditions and recovery through activity
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A range of mental health areas, including trauma-informed practice
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Primary care and case management
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Public health agenda, health promotion and lifestyle management
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Social approach within occupational therapy
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Neurodiversity
This module gives you an opportunity to apply and evaluate assessment, decision making and interventions across the four pillars of practice, supported by a practice educator. You’ll be able to articulate your practice-based reasoning based on previous knowledge, learning to use supervision as a forum for reflection and analysis of your practice.
You’ll apply skills and learning such as:
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Person-centred practice
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Organisational arrangements and practices
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Communication
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Risk and self-management
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Assessments and interventions
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Theory, models and processes
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Interdisciplinary working
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Professional and practical skills
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Supervision and reflective practice
This module gives you an opportunity to devise, apply and evaluate assessment, decision making and interventions across the four pillars of practice, supported by a practice educator. You’ll be able to work more independently, showing self-motivation, insight into own abilities, and an ability to identify own learning needs,
You’ll apply skills and learning such as:
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Person-centred practice.
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Organisational arrangements and practices
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Communication
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Risk and self-management
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Assessments and interventions
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Theory, models and processes
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Interdisciplinary working
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Professional and practical skills
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Supervision and reflective practice
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Policy, procedures and evidence-based practice
Compulsory modules
This module develops your systematic understanding of leadership and education concepts in practice. You’ll critically reflect on these in the context of collaboration within health and social care practice – considering how you can effectively support people who use services, their carers and families, and communities who have complex health and care needs to thrive.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Differences between management, leadership and the role of the critical follower
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Leadership theories, models and styles most relevant to health and social care
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Self-awareness and seeing ourselves as leaders
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Recognising our own personal impact, rank, power and privilege
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Professional cultures, traditional hierarchies and becoming an agent of change
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Leading psychologically safe, anti-racist and inclusive teams
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Resilience, volatility and acknowledging the wellbeing needs of the workforce
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Sustainable practice, quality improvement and leadership
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Tackling inequalities in health and social care through advocacy and education
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Technology-enabled care and digitalisation within integrated care systems
This module considers the national and global complexities of the profession, examining the social determinants of health and wellbeing. You’ll critically analyse how the profession is responding to political and social drivers, seeking opportunities for entrepreneurship and new practice areas for the profession.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Social determinants of health
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Occupational justice
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Global south approaches to occupational therapy
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Evaluate heath disparities that exist in society
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Disaster awareness
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Promoting health and wellbeing
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Current government policy drivers
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Entrepreneurship in occupational therapy
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Evaluating interventions
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Assessing and demonstrating the value of OT interventions
This module makes your first steps from student to newly qualified practitioner, developing as an independent practitioner engaging in complex situations, with support from your practice educator. You’ll reflect, review and develop your practice, working in a client-centred way, integrating your knowledge and experience to critically appraise your practice.
You’ll apply skills and learning such as:
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Person-centred practice
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Organisational arrangements and practices
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Communication and interdisciplinary working
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Risk and self-management
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Assessments and interventions
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Theory, models and processes
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Professional and practical skills
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Supervision and reflective practice
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Incorporating evidence-based practice
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Mapping skills and experience to newly qualified roles
This module enables you to undertake a sustained, in-depth piece of independent learning, demonstrating a critical understanding and applying appropriate research methods within a piece of work. This work will challenge and contribute to improvements in areas of practice through the dissemination of findings to professional communities.
You’ll apply learning and skills such as:
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An individual independent project/dissertation
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Creating and contributing to research and evaluation for practice
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Application of approaches to research
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Research, improvement and evaluation methodologies
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Addressing inclusivity in your research process
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Dissemination of project outcomes
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Challenges in applying research outcomes to practice
This module prepares you for your final practice placement – a chance to consider your progression from student to autonomous practitioner, ready for HCPC registration. You’ll critically reflect on your knowledge, skills and professional behaviour, which you’ll then critically appraise against a range of professional standards, frameworks and the four pillars of practice.
You’ll study topics such as:
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Health, social care and non-statutory organisations
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Professional HCPC standards and RCOT career development framework
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Self-appraisal audit
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Reflective models and practice
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Contemporary professional practice
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Employability -preparation for employment
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Self-management and autonomous working
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Supervisory processes and reflection on learning in practice
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Continuing professional development and portfolio building
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Mandatory training such as moving and positioning with dignity, basic life support and infection control
8. Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students on full-time undergraduate degree courses in 2025/26 is £9,535 per year. These fees are regulated by the UK government and therefore subject to change in future years.
If you are studying an undergraduate course, postgraduate pre-registration course or postgraduate research course over more than one academic year then your tuition fees may increase in subsequent years in line with Government regulations or UK Research and Innovation (UKRI) published fees. More information can be found in our terms and conditions under student fees regulations.
International students
Our tuition fee for International/EU students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £18,655, which includes an annual placement supplement of £1,500.

Health and social care funding
Home fee-paying students can access a non-repayable maintenance grant of at least £5,000 per year. You may also be eligible for additional financial support based on your circumstances.
Additional course costs
The links below allow you to view estimated general course additional costs, as well as costs associated with key activities on specific courses. These are estimates and are intended only as an indication of potential additional expenses. Actual costs can vary greatly depending on the choices you make during your course.
General course additional costs
Additional costs for Health and Social Care (PDF, 165.7KB)Legal information
Any offer of a place to study is subject to your acceptance of the University’s Terms and Conditions and Student Regulations.