Employability
100% of our graduates are in work or further study fifteen months after graduating (2018/19 Graduate Outcomes Survey).
Everything you need to know...
-
What is the fee?
Home: £21,240 for the course
International/EU: £35,490 for the course -
How long will I study?
2 Years
-
Where will I study?
-
When do I start?
January 2026
Course summary
- Tackle complex occupational challenges with solutions to enhance people's lives.
- Think critically to develop future services and meet evolving needs.
- Complete mandatory placements, gaining real-world experience in various settings.
- Work with students from diverse health disciplines, gaining interdisciplinary knowledge.
- Understand the significance of occupational engagement at every life stage, enhancing holistic care.
Get real-world experience in health and social care on this two-year masters course, plus eligibility to register as an occupational therapist. You’ll be able to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) when you graduate, and to apply to become members of the British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists.
Accredited by
This course is approved by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). Graduates are eligible to apply to register with the HCPC and can apply to become members of the British Association of Occupational Therapists and College of Occupational Therapists. You must be registered with the HCPC in order to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK.
Come to an open day
Find out more at our postgraduate open days. Book now for your place.
How you learn
Your lecturer's view
On this course you'll benefit from an eclectic approach to teaching. With a combination of active, problem-based and enquiry-based learning, we’ll simulate authentic, real-life scenarios across the modules you study. There are no exams –instead we focus on your personal development through reflective practice, skills and employability.
You learn through:
- Group work
- Lectures and seminars
- Simulated and practical workshops
- Campus-based placements
- Our state-of-the-art practice ward environment
- Academic study and coursework
- Conducting research through a planned dissertation
- Action learning sets
Key Themes
The course combines an integrated educational approach in both academic and practice environments. You’ll build your competence in both theoretical and practical aspects of practice. You’ll also prepare for the changing face of health and social care, to help you meet the needs of people across communities.
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
Nick Pollard
Senior LecturerNick Pollard teaches occupational therapy students at undergraduate and postgraduate level
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
You’ll apply your learning to real-world scenarios and experiences to enhance your skills, confidence, creativity, resilience, integrity and curiosity.
Live Projects
You’ll apply theory to practice-based learning experiences. Here you’ll develop critical and ethical approaches to your practice – preparing you to become a life-long, competent professional.
They’ll take place in different practice-based learning environments – reflecting the range of ways services are currently delivered. This might include simulated learning and virtual placements, alongside real-world experience of services delivered face-to-face to service users.
Work Placements
Your practice-based learning experiences include four mandatory work placements. These experiences are compulsory to achieve the course’s practice-based learning outcomes
We’ll ensure 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 also benefit from guest lecturers from a variety of healthcare backgrounds, as well as employer presentations.
Future careers
You must be registered with the HCPC in order to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK.
Graduates have secured positions across the UK and in international locations.
Previous graduates for this course have gone on to work for:
- The NHS
- The Education Authority
- Charities
- The independent private sector
- The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)
Where will I study?
You study at Collegiate Campus through a structured mix of lectures, seminars and practical sessions as well as access to digital and online resources to support your learning.
Collegiate campus
Collegiate Campus can be found just off Ecclesall Road, a bustling student district.
Collegiate Campus map | Campus facilities
Collegiate library
Collegiate Library can be found just off Ecclesall Road. It's open 24 hours a day, every day.
Learn moreEquipment and facilities
We’ve invested over £100m in new facilities to help you study how and when you want. This means 24-hour libraries, a clinical simulation suite and study spaces designed by our students.
Entry requirements
All students
You need a first degree recognised in the UK at 2:1 or above in a related subject for example psychology, sociology, biology, health sciences and humanities. Applicants with a 2:2 in the above subjects will be considered on an individual basis. Applicants who have a 2:1 in a subject other than those above will also be considered on an individual basis which would take into relevant subjects studied at level 3.
or
a professional qualification at degree level such as teaching, nursing, social work or an allied health profession
and
GCSEs in
- Science at grade C or 4 or equivalents
- Maths at grade C 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/ Grade D at GSCE Maths/ 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
IELTS
If English is not your first language you will need an IELTS score of 7.0 overall and a minimum of 5.5 in all skills, or a recognised equivalent. If your level of English language is currently below IELTS 7.0 we recommend you consider an appropriate Sheffield Hallam University Pre-sessional English course which will enable you to achieve the required level of English.
Helping your application succeed
Experience
Experience of interacting with members of the public from a range of backgrounds in different settings is essential when applying to a health or social care course. This is so you will have an understanding of the diversity of the population who access health and social care. It is important to be able to understand and explain how your experiences relate to the activities and qualities which are required for the profession at your interview.
Reference
You must provide a reference from a current or recent employer or educational institution.
Interview
If you are shortlisted, we will invite you to an online interview. To confirm your identity on the day please bring a valid form of photo ID with you, preferably a passport or photo driving licence.
View our interview guidance to ensure you understand the interviews process and how you can prepare for this.
Course enrolment - professional requirements
Before enrolling you must fully declare the following information on the pre-admission declaration form provided during the admissions process:
- unfiltered criminal convictions, cautions, reprimands or warnings. For further information on unfiltered offences please see the Disclosure and Barring Service website.
- involvement in disciplinary proceedings during paid or voluntary employment or education establishments
- involvement with safeguarding proceedings, social services or related organisations
- enrolment on a health or social work professional course at another University
In addition
Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Criminal Record Check
- you will be required to undertake an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) criminal record check prior to or during the enrolment week of your course. This will be provided by the University free of charge.
- you will need to present valid identity documents (PDF) (PDF, 38.1KB) as part of the application process
- if you have lived outside of the UK for more than six consecutive months in the last five years you must provide an overseas criminal record check. Further information on obtaining an overseas criminal record check.
- where your DBS Enhanced Disclosure certificate contains any recorded information you must present this to the Professional Issues Team within ten working days of receipt of the certificate.
Occupational Health Screening
You will need to undertake occupational health screening to determine your suitability to undertake the course. This will be provided by the University free of charge. As part of this assessment you are expected to provide all relevant, truthful and accurate information to ensure a safe environment for yourself and service users.
Immunisations
You must undertake a programme of immunisations as required by the Department of Health and meet the immunisation and immunity requirements of placement providers. This will be provided by the University free of charge. Please obtain details of your immunisation history from your doctor so you can submit this during your Occupational Health Screening.
Pre-course Day
After completing the above professional checks, if you reside in the UK it is important for you to make every reasonable attempt to attend a Pre-Course Day event to undertake the next stage of the professional requirements for your course. The pre-course day is also a good opportunity to meet fellow applicants on the health & social care courses who will be starting their studies at the same time as you, as well as some current students and teaching staff. We will look forward to welcoming you on the day.
Other professional suitability information
Your full enrolment on your course will be confirmed when the Professional Issues Team have verified that your Enhanced DBS Disclosure (and overseas criminal record check where relevant) indicates that you are suitable to work with vulnerable groups including children and clearance from your health screening has been received.
If your personal circumstances change in relation to any of the professional requirements, from when you apply to the end of your course, please tell the Professional Issues team immediately by calling 0114 225 5637 or emailing HWB-Professional-Issues@shu.ac.uk.
Disability support
We strongly recommend that you tell us about any long term health conditions, learning difficulty or disability you may have. This is so we can assess whether we can deliver the course in such a way that you can meet the Health and Care Professions Council standards of proficiency and take part without disadvantage both in University and on placement.
You can contact our University student support staff and explore any issues you may have.
The Disability Disclosure booklet provides information for students on health and social care courses and will help you understand the importance of disclosing your disability at the earliest possible stage. This is so you can be assessed for the support you may require to succeed on the course.
Open day
Our open days give you an opportunity to chat to our teaching staff and current students. You can explore the campus and view our facilities, as well as asking any questions you may have. To book your place at one of our open days, please follow this link University open days.
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.
Year 1
Compulsory modules
Evaluating Research Methodologies
Occupational Therapy Core Skills - Application Of Occupational Therapy Tools For Practice
Occupational Therapy Foundations – Developing Core Professional Understanding And Identity
Occupational Therapy Practice Experience 1
Occupational Therapy Practice Experience 2
Final year
Compulsory modules
Creating Original Practice
Evaluating Complexity In Practice
Occupational Therapy Leaders Within Changing Contemporary Practice
Occupational Therapy Practice Experience 3
Occupational Therapy Practice Experience 4
Fees and funding
Home students
Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 is £21,240 for the course. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time. Our tuition fee for UK students starting full-time study in 2025/26 are: Year 1: £10,620 Year 2: £10,620.
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 £35,490 for the course which includes a placement supplement. The tuition fee displayed above is for the full course. If the full course is more than one year in duration, the fee will be divided into annual payments which will then be rounded. This may mean the total fee you pay is slightly higher than the fee stated above. If you take a break in study or have to re-take part of the course, you may also be charged an additional fee and will be notified of this at the time.
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.
