Overview
Occupational therapy is a science-based health and social care profession that is regulated by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC). The title of Occupational Therapist is a protected title that only those on the professional register can use.
Occupational therapists help people, of all ages, and from all backgrounds to develop, recover, or maintain the skills to perform daily activities (occupations) that they need for their wellbeing and independence. These ‘occupations’ may include self-care tasks, work responsibilities, school activities, sport and leisure pursuits, and social interactions. The primary goal of occupational therapy is to help them to overcome challenges to support people to live their best lives.
Occupational therapists work with adults and children who have a wide range of conditions, which may include physical disabilities, learning disabilities, mental health conditions etc. They work in many settings including in NHS hospitals and clinics, GP Practices, schools, rehabilitation centres, social services, community centres, care homes, places of work etc.
Occupational therapists consider the relationships between the activities or occupations alongside the challenges a patient faces. Based on these assessments, they then create person-centred intervention plans, and practical adjustments targeted at supporting recovery and improved function and the achievement of the service-users goals and aspirations.
This apprenticeship has been developed to offer a pre-registration route to professional registration as an occupational therapist. The apprenticeship has been developed in association a range of stakeholders including with local healthcare providers and service users. Its development recognises the demand locally, regionally and nationally to grow the existing occupational therapy workforce.
This apprenticeship programme offers you an exciting opportunity to train for professional registration, with the support of an employer, whilst earning a salary. You would study part-time and work part-time. The course is offered via blended learning. This means you will attend some face-to-face sessions, many of these will be conducted online, some face-to-face sessions will be delivered at our Bournemouth campus but, where possible, we have grouped on campus activities, to reduce travel and over-night accommodation costs. Â You will also undertake practice-based learning and need to engage in. Engage in asynchronous activities via our virtual learning environment (Moodle). The asynchronous activity can be completed at a time that suits you. In addition, tri-partite reviews will be held four times a year between the apprentice, apprenticeship tutor, and workplace supervisor. These meetings are designed to support your progress through the apprenticeship.
The course is designed to align to the requirements of:
- The apprenticeship standard for occupational therapists from the Institute for Apprenticeships and Technical Education (IfATE);
- The standards of proficiency of the regulator for the profession, the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)
- The Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) learning and development standards for pre-registration education.
This means on successful completion you would be eligible to join the professional register and become a full member of the professional body.
Who is this course for?
To join the occupational therapy apprenticeship, you will need to be working in a suitable role for at least 30 hours per week and have the support of your employer. If you would like to become an occupational therapist via the apprenticeship route, you will need to apply for an apprenticeship role with an employer.
Employers advertise degree apprenticeships throughout the year. You cannot apply directly to the University for a degree apprenticeship, please register your interest below and request an Expression of Interest form, and we will seek to advise you further.
Vacancies for apprenticeship roles can also be found on the NHS Jobs website. You will need to check there regularly.
If you are an employer and are considering supporting one of your team to complete the apprenticeship, please register your interest below and request an Expression of Interest form, and we will seek to advise you further.
How is this course structured?
 The course runs over a three-year period, where you will study part-time, alongside working for your employer.
Through a combination of academic study; hands-on practice-based learning in clinical settings and mentorship, you will develop a comprehensive understanding of knowledge, skills and values required of an occupational therapist.
You will learn how to work under pressure and to make important decisions in pressured environments. You will develop your ability to think critically and analytically, and you will become a resilient, reflective and empathetic practitioner able to respond to the complex needs of your clients.
The course emphasises the importance of occupation in human life, the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing, and the power of occupation to transform lives.
You will develop effective solutions to the challenges your clients face and be ready to work with patients of all ages and backgrounds and contribute to transforming the lives of individuals, groups, and communities.
Under the guidance of mentors and educators you will have the opportunity to apply theoretical concepts in practice with service users from various backgrounds, and to collaborate with interdisciplinary healthcare teams to deliver excellent occupational therapy services.
For each unit of study, you will have a number of off-the-job learning hours, this refers to the indicative protected learning time designed and planned for a typical apprentice to achieve the level of competence required to successfully achieve this apprenticeship. Off-the-job learning will include: learner contact time (on campus face-to-face, live online learning) this could include seminars, workshops, practical sessions etc, tutor-guided learning, workplace planned learning hours, and independent study for you to extend your learning and prepare for assessments.
Health Sciences University offers state-of-the-art healthcare education provision supported by:
- Opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning
- AI enabled simulated clinical environments,
- Onsite clinics and services,
- Â imaging services,
- treatment rooms etc.
Our links with NHS and independent service providers, provide excellent opportunities for occupational therapy apprentices to undertake practice-based learning to train and develop across the breadth of environments where occupational therapists work.
Please note: This course is subject to validation
Course Details
The is delivered across three trimesters each year and the programme takes three years to complete.
Your academic studies include theoretical subjects which underpin the profession, including the study of the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing; research, audit and service improvement and how to support excellent service-user centred care for people with diverse needs. You will also develop a strong understanding of what it means to be a registered professional.
The units also align to the four pillars ofpractice of: professional practice, facilitation of learning, Â leadership, and evidence, research and development. This ensures you will be ready to start your career and have a framework for your further professional development.
You will undertake 1000 practice-based learning hours, supported by a practice-educator, which allow you to consolidate your academic learning and develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours required to form your identity as an occupational therapist and become a reflective autonomous practitioner. This practice-based learning will take place alongside occupational therapists working in a range of environments.
Some of your units will be studied alongside apprentices from other allied health professions, namely diagnostic radiography, podiatry and speech and language therapy. Together you will undertake units that cover some key concepts common to all AHP professions such as professionalism, leadership, communication skills and health behaviour. You will also learn the skills to undertake research and quality improvement initiatives to enhance and improve practise in your chosen profession. These units will have some shared sessions but also profession specific sessions where appropriate.
You will become a reflective practitioner, able to critique and reflect upon your clinical practice decisions, monitor and review interventions allowing you to modify care and instigate change to improve the service as necessary.
You’ll be assessed through a combination of assessment methods, that may include:
- Written reports and essays
- Presentations
- Practical activities
- Online examinations
- Portfolio of Evidence
To be able to apply for this course you must already be employed in a suitable area that will support your apprenticeship.
It may be possible to undertake some of your practice-based learning hours within the organisation (not in the department) where you are employed. However, to ensure you cover the entire scope of practice for occupational therapists and that you experience different working environments, you will be required to undertake practice-based learning hours in a number of settings.
You will need to be working a minimum of 30 hrs per week. Your employer is required to support your off-the job development time, this time may be spent attending classes at the University or online or on a placement or undertaking self-directed study.
Additional Information
Health Sciences University offers state-of-the-art healthcare education provision supported by:
- Opportunities for multi-disciplinary learning
- AI enabled simulated clinical environments,
- Onsite clinics and services,
- Imaging services,
- Treatment rooms etc
Our links with NHS and independent service providers, provide excellent opportunities for occupational therapy apprentices to undertake practice-based learning to train and develop across the breadth of environments where occupational therapists work.
The Royal College of Occupational Therapy (RCOT) has published an education and career framework for occupational therapists, which provides guidance for the career progression for the profession. The framework is structured around the four Pillars of Practice and whole career development depends on expanding your knowledge and skills across all four pillars. You may chose to develop your career in a specialist area e.g working with children, or you may choose to maintain breadth in your work.
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do I need? 
What qualifications do I need?
Level 5 qualification i.e. FdSc Assistant Practitioner OR
Three A Levels BBB-BBC or above to include a Science OR
BTEC: DMM or above in a relevant Extended Diploma for example: Applied Science, Medical Science or Health and Social Care. OR
Access to HE Diploma: A total of 112-120 UCAS points in a relevant Access to HE Diploma for example; Science, Medicine, Human Science, Allied Health Professions. OR
International Baccalaureate: Overall grade of 30-32 points or higher to include either Biology/Human Biology/Mathematics/Chemistry or Physics at Higher Level. OR
T Level: Merit in any Health and Science pathway accepted
You must also have GCSE pass (A-C or 4-9) English and Maths or equivalent e.g. level 2 functional skills in English and Maths, prior to the end-point assessment.
Anything Else Needed
In addition, apprenticeship funding comes with the following requirements:
- You must be employed for a minimum of 30 hours per week, at least 50% of these hours must be working in England.
- Your employment must be linked to this apprenticeship course.
- You must have resided in the UK for a minimum of 3 years.
- You must be eligible for apprenticeship funding through your employer.
- You must not be enrolled on another apprenticeship.
International registrants who are employed and have relevant visas can access apprenticeship programmes, please see the international section for information on the English language required for this programme.
If you are not sure about anything listed here, talk to our Apprenticeship team by emailing apprenticeships@aecc.ac.uk complete the form below or call us on 01202 436200 and we will be happy to answer any question you have
International
For further information on English language requirements, please see the dedicated English language requirements page.
More information on permission to study in the UK can be found on our Visas and immigration page.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, please see our latest policies.
Please note to be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English. For this course, the HCPC Standards of Proficiency suggest that for entry into Occupational Therapy must: ‘Be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing System, with no element below 6.5. Applicants are required to achieve the equivalent of an IELTS (academic) score of 7.0 or above with no less than 6.5 in each section.
Evidence of prior learning
At interview you will undertake a skills scan, where relevant prior academic learning and experience relevant to the course learning outcomes, will be identified. Consideration will be given to recognition of this prior learning. Prior learning will be reviewed to ensure it meets the learning needs of the course and meets the learning outcomes of any units where exemption is requested.
Register your interest
Register your interest
To register your interest now or ask any questions about the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
Occupational Therapy – This apprenticeship has been allocated to the £24,000 funding band.
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Why choose Health Sciences University
There are many benefits to studying at Health Sciences University, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
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