Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) MSc

Postgraduate

Occupational therapist assists man to pour teapot

As a registered Occupational Therapist, you will have the privilege to work with people of all ages to help them participate in occupations that hold personal meaning and value to them.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

2 years full-time

Course code

SHCT007

Start date

January 2026

How to apply

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At Coventry University, we continuously review the courses we offer to ensure we reflect industry-relevant emerging best practice and technology. As a result, this course is undergoing continuous improvement assessment and will be launched with a renewed curriculum starting in September 2025. Module content and titles will be updated. Course title, learning outcomes and assessments may also change. We expect our new curriculum to be fully updated by May 2025. Please return to this page to see the final course details.

Course overview

Occupational Therapists are the only profession that uses occupation (the things people do every day which can affect their health and wellbeing) as a therapeutic tool to improve their health, wellbeing and quality of life, enabling them to live the life they want.

Throughout the course you will have the opportunity to enhance your attributes as a compassionate and caring critical thinker with an inquisitive and problem-solving mind, as well as developing your communication skills with people of all ages and abilities.
You will undertake three professional practice placements during the course in diverse, contemporary and community environments which are tailored to learning needs^2,5.
The two-year postgraduate course leads to eligibility to register with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (additional costs may apply).
All eligible home students on this course can apply for a minimum payment from the Government of £5,000 per year, with additional payments for students incurring childcare costs⁶.

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Ranked 9th Modern University in UK by the Times

The Times and Sunday Times Good University Guide 2025

Ranked 8th for Overall Satisfaction in PTES

Postgraduate Taught Experience Survey (PTES) 2024

Why you should study this course

This master’s level, pre-registration qualification in occupational therapy has been designed to enable the potential for accelerated career opportunities and provides the opportunity to also gain an additional qualification in leadership from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)¹ with the intention to enable you to make a valuable contribution to improve the quality of services.

The skill set you will have developed on successful completion of this course can allow you to work in specialities such as paediatrics, elderly care, mental health, learning disabilities, end-of-life care, forensics, schools and emergency services, to name just a few.

Coventry University offers an advanced learning environment for healthcare professionals. Facilities of particular relevance to occupational therapists include two fully equipped community houses to help you to develop your clinical skills in simulated practice scenarios and explore developments in assistive and adaptive technologies⁴.

The distinctive features of this course include:

Embedded leadership skills and a specific CMI-accredited qualification (see accreditation section for further information)
Innovative and varied assessment, specifically designed to reflect skills required in occupational therapy practice
Collaborative working with service users to simulate real-world environments
Collaborative working across multi-professional groups enhancing professional identity, knowledge and behaviours
Guided development of an employability portfolio designed to enhance career opportunities
A commitment to working in collaboration with students to continually develop and further enhance the programme
Strong links with a wide range of local health trusts, social services, private health, charitable and voluntary organisations that provide practice development activities².

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited¹ by the following bodies:

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists until 2025. This enables you to become a student member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (subject to application and additional costs).

When enrolled on the course, you have the opportunity to become a student member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (subject to application and additional costs). Please visit the Royal College of Occupational Therapists website for more information, or speak to your Course Director to find out more.

Health and Care Professions Council

This course is accredited by HCPC for the 2023/24 intake.

As an accredited course by the Heath and Care Professions Council, this course aims to educate you to become a graduate occupational therapist who is eligible to apply for registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) (subject to application and additional costs).

Chartered Management Institute (CMI)

As part of this course, you will undertake a professional development module which is currently accredited by the Chartered Management Institute for the 2023-24 intake. Upon successful completion of this module, you will gain the CMI Level 7 Certificate in Strategic Management and Leadership Practice at no additional cost.

What you'll study

The first year aims to introduce you to relevant science and theory of occupational therapy and enable you to begin to apply this during your first two placements. The Chartered Management Institute qualification will also be completed during this year.

Modules

Human Body, Mind and Occupation - 20 credits

Occupational Science - 10 credits

This module introduces you to the core concepts and theoretical underpinnings of the occupational therapy profession. You will explore the relationships between the person, environment and occupation and how this may impact on health and wellbeing. You will further develop your understanding of these concepts by critically reflecting upon your own occupational identity from an occupational science perspective.

Compulsory

Communication and Professionalism - 10 credits

This module introduces an understanding of the key values, behaviours and skills and their impact relevant to occupational therapy practice including the process of reflection, the complexity of communication and an understanding of teamwork. You will gain an understanding of communication and professionalism skills in the context of developing their therapeutic use of self to enable you to work with individuals across the scope of occupational therapy practice.

Compulsory

Occupational Therapy in Practice One - 20 credits

This module provides you with your first professional practice-based learning experience^2,5. The placement, which is sourced for you by the university, takes place 3 days per week for 10 weeks. It builds upon the theoretical foundations of occupational therapy enabling you to further understand the role of the occupational therapist and the knowledge, skills and behaviours required. Through interactive and experiential learning you will develop the necessary skills to deliver occupation-centred assessment, planning, intervention and evaluation.

Compulsory

Leading Diverse Workforces (CMI module) - 10 credits

This module aims to provide you with a framework of knowledge and understanding of how to effectively lead and develop people in a strategically diverse and inclusive way. You will explore, for example, the influence and impact of leadership theories, culture, wellbeing, and approaches to developing better equality, diversity and inclusion strategies and practices that can be used creatively within a leadership role in different types of organisational scenarios.
Ultimately, you will be given the opportunity to develop strategic priorities for leadership, equality, diversity and inclusion. Finally, the module requires you to reflect critically on your personal learning and development needs and how you work with others, from an ethical and professional standpoint to encourage your continuing professional development.

Compulsory

Occupational Therapy in Practice Two - 20 credits

This practice-based module will enable you to build on the practice experience within occupational therapy in practice one^2,5. The placement, which is sourced for you by the university, is a full-time placement lasting 10 weeks. You will have had the opportunity to reflect on knowledge and professional skills gained during this placement and you will be expected to demonstrate the transference of these skills. The emphasis will be on clinical reasoning, reflective practice and the application of theory into practice.

Compulsory

The second year aims to consolidate learning of occupational therapy skills and theory providing a more in-depth application to the final placement. This year will also provide a focus on research and will culminate with a service improvement project.

Modules

Facilitating Occupational Change - 10 credits

This enquiry-based module will focus on how occupational therapy can facilitate occupational change. It builds on your learning to enhance the application of theory, reasoning and decision-making to all stages of the occupational therapy process. You will identify and articulate the contribution of occupational therapists across the breadth of occupational therapy practice and service delivery and consider your professional values.

Compulsory

Evidence-Based Practice for Occupational Therapists - 20 credits

This module aims to examine the theoretical and philosophical basis of research and to critically appraise different methodological approaches, designs and methods used in healthcare-related research and related fields of practice. There will be emphasis on the importance of evidence-based practice and applying research and guidelines to enhance clinical decision-making.

Compulsory

Occupational Therapy in Practice Three - 30 credits

This practice-based module will enable you to build on your first two practice placements^2,5. The placement, which is sourced for you by the university, is a full-time placement lasting 10 weeks. You will have had the opportunity to reflect on knowledge and professional skills gained during the first and second placement and will be expected to demonstrate the transference of these skills.

Compulsory

Applied Research and Service Improvement - 30 credits

The dissertation module is designed to allow you to undertake an in-depth individual study in an area of interest relevant to your practice which will demonstrate an understanding and application of research at an advanced level. You will have the opportunity to work with real-life practice issues to identify service improvements within a relevant clinical area and work alongside clinicians in practice to design and plan a service improvement project.

Compulsory

We regularly review our course content, to make it relevant and current for the benefit of our students. For these reasons, course modules may be updated.

How you'll learn

You are encouraged to engage in a variety of discussions, simulation, practical and group-work learning activities and have the opportunity to share your own learning and practice experiences with lecturers and peers.

Service users and carers, special visiting lecturers and representatives from health and social care, work in collaboration with lecturers in delivering the course in order to deliver educationally transformative learning experiences.

Teaching contact hours

Contact hours for teaching vary according to the modules you are studying. In a typical week during semester one you will have up to 12 contact hours of teaching per week which is made up of lectures, workshops and seminars.

In addition, you will be expected to undertake a minimum of 20 hours of self-directed study each week, e.g. working on course assignments and group work. There will also be clinical skills workshops in preparation for clinical practice placements, which include moving and handling, CPR and hand washing.

During semester two you will complete two weeks of online learning before starting a 10-week part-time placement for 3 days a week. Alongside this placement, you will have some additional teaching and will study the CMI module. Placements two and three are full-time placements within practice (approximately 37 hours per week).

The contact hours may be made up of a combination of face-to-face teaching, individual and group tutorials, and online classes and tutorials.

As an innovative and enterprising institution, the university may seek to utilise emerging technologies within the student experience. For all courses (whether on-campus, blended, or distance learning), the university may deliver certain contact hours and assessments via online technologies and methods.

Since COVID-19, we have delivered our courses in a variety of forms, in line with public authority guidance, decisions, or orders and we will continue to adapt our delivery as appropriate. Whether on campus or online, our key priority is staff and student safety.

Assessment

Course assessment has specifically been designed to reflect the skills required in occupational therapy practice and includes:

Presentations
Critical reflections
Reports
Case-based oral assessment.

The Coventry University Group assessment strategy ensures that our courses are fairly assessed and allows us to monitor student progression towards achieving the intended learning outcomes.

International experience opportunities

Opportunities for an international experience exist across the department, school and university. An example of this would be a study tour to experience health care within a different country².

Please note that all international experience opportunities may be subject to additional costs, competitive application, availability and meeting applicable visa and travel requirements are therefore not guaranteed².

Entry requirements

Typical offer for 2024/25 entry.

Previous relevant degree 2:2 or above – preferably completed within the last 5 years or evidence of recent CPD met, however applicants who do not have recent qualifications or CPD will be considered on a case-by-case basis.

GCSE in Maths and English at grade 4/grade C or above.

Evidence of experience and understanding of the role of an occupational therapist demonstrated through the face-to-face values-based interview (which can be done online if necessary) or supplementary information submitted following a successful interview.

Enrolment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and an Occupational Health assessment, to assess fitness to undertake the clinical component of the degree⁵.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

Select your region to find detailed information about entry requirements:

You can view our full list of country specific entry requirements on our Entry requirements page.

Alternatively, visit our International hub for further advice and guidance on finding in-country agents and representatives, joining our in-country events and how to apply.

Typical entry requirements

GCSE in Maths and English at grade 4/grade C or above.

Enrolment is subject to a satisfactory Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service check and an Occupational Health assessment, to assess fitness to undertake the clinical component of the degree⁵.

We recognise a breadth of qualifications; speak to one of our advisers today to find out how we can help you.

English language requirements

IELTS: 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5.

If you don't meet the English language requirements, you can achieve the level you need by successfully completing a pre-sessional English programme before you start your course.

For more information on our approved English language tests visit our English language requirements page.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,250 per year	Not available
EU	£9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary £18,600 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£18,600 per year	Not available

For advice and guidance on tuition fees³and student loans visit our Postgraduate Finance page.

We offer a range of International scholarships to students all over the world. For more information, visit our International Scholarships page.

Tuition fees cover the cost of your teaching, assessments, facilities and support services. There may be additional costs not covered by this fee such as accommodation and living costs, recommended reading books, stationery, printing and re-assessments should you need them.

The following are additional costs not included in the tuition fees:

Any optional overseas ﬁeld trips or visits: £400+ per trip.
Any costs associated with securing, attending or completing a placement (whether in the UK or abroad).

*Irish student fees

The rights of Irish residents to study in the UK are preserved under the Common Travel Area arrangement. If you are an Irish student and meet the residency criteria, you can study in England, pay the same level of tuition fees as English students and utilise the Tuition Fee Loan.

**EU Support Bursary

Following the UK's exit from the European Union, we are offering financial support to all eligible EU students who wish to study an undergraduate or a postgraduate degree with us full-time. This bursary will be used to offset the cost of your tuition fees to bring them in line with that of UK students. Students studying a degree with a foundation year with us are not eligible for the bursary.

How do you know if you need to pay UK or international tuition fees?

We carry out an initial fee status assessment based on the information you provide in your application. Your fee status determines your tuition fees, and what financial support and scholarships may be available to you. The rules about who pays UK (home) or international (overseas) fees for higher education courses in England are set by the Department for Education. The regulations identify all the different categories of student who can insist on paying the home rate. The regulations can be difficult to understand, so the UK Council for International Student Affairs (UKCISA) has provided fee status guidance to help you identify whether you are eligible to pay the home or overseas rate.

If you meet all the criteria required by any one category, including any residence requirements, your institution must charge you the home rate. You only need to find one category that you fit into.

Facilities

Our teaching facilities⁴ in the Alison Gingell Building include dedicated laboratories for anatomy, electrotherapy and manual skills, hospital wards, critical care settings, community housing and other real-life environments relevant to practice.

Alison Gingell Building

The Alison Gingell Building features mock hospital wards, an operating theatre, critical care settings and other real-life environments.

Students and a tutor with a manikin in the hospital ward

Mock Hospital Wards

Our mock hospital wards and critical care settings give you the chance to experience patient scenarios in a real-world environment.

Community Houses

Our two full-size community homes can be used for sessions simulating working with patients outside of a hospital setting.

Careers and opportunities

On successful completion of the course, you will be able to:

Evidence a critical understanding of the complexity of human occupation and its centrality in relation to health and wellbeing
Demonstrate an understanding of the core principles and values of occupational therapy and their application to person-centred practice across the lifespan for individuals and groups within and across communities
Critically evaluate therapeutic reasoning and practice and the contribution of occupational therapy knowledge, skills and behaviours to service delivery and communities of practice
Critically appraise intercultural competencies at a national and international level, to practice as an autonomous healthcare professional, and to be able to appraise your own intercultural development in order to enhance your lifelong learning
Apply collaborative capabilities that promote integrated learning and working within public, private and third sector organisations, for the health and well-being of people in our community
Manage your own personal health and wellbeing and have insight and self-awareness of when and how to access support, as emotionally intelligent and resilient individuals
Appraise and create research as evidence-informed practitioners within the context of health and social care
Critically examine your leadership capabilities to enable you to continually improve and influence service development
Be an innovative and creative practitioner who critically engages and participates in an evolving technological arena demonstrating digital fluency
Demonstrate knowledge and understanding of the principles required to lead diverse workforces and the theories and practices of strategic leadership.

On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply to register with the HCPC as a registered Occupational Therapist (additional fees to HCPC apply).

The master’s level curriculum has been designed to develop the potential for accelerated career opportunities and provide an additional qualification in leadership from the Chartered Management Institute (CMI)¹ to enable you to make a valuable contribution to improve the quality of services. In addition an employability portfolio will enable regular reflection upon the development of skills and learning and will provide the potential for enhancement of employability and career development prospects. 

Where our graduates work

Occupational Therapists have a wide range of employment opportunities including the NHS, social care, charities, education, private employers and within independent practice.

How to apply

UK students

To apply to study for a postgraduate course at Coventry University, you can apply online. Please read the entry criteria page before applying.

Full-time applications

For further support or more information about your course get in touch with us today.

+44 (0)24 7765 2222

ukadmissions@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

International students

Full-time international students should apply directly to the university. Please read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for postgraduate degrees view our International hub.

You can also download our international mini guide for an overview of study options and why you should study with us.

Get in touch with us today for further advice and guidance.

+44 (0)24 7765 2152

applications.io@coventry.ac.uk

Complete our contact form.

Disclaimers

Coventry University together with Coventry University London, Coventry University Wrocław, CU Coventry, CU London, CU Scarborough, and Coventry University Online come together to form part of the Coventry University Group (the University) with all degrees awarded by Coventry University.

¹Accreditations

The majority of our courses have been formally recognised by professional bodies, which means the courses have been reviewed and tested to ensure they reach a set standard. In some instances, studying on an accredited course can give you additional benefits such as exemptions from professional exams (subject to availability, fees may apply). Accreditations, partnerships, exemptions and memberships shall be renewed in accordance with the relevant bodies’ standard review process and subject to the university maintaining the same high standards of course delivery.

²UK and international opportunities

Please note that we are unable to guarantee any UK or international opportunities (whether required or optional) such as internships, work experience, field trips, conferences, placements or study abroad opportunities and that all such opportunities may be unpaid and/or subject to additional costs (which could include, but is not limited to, equipment, materials, bench fees, studio or facilities hire, travel, accommodation and visas), competitive application, availability and/or meeting any applicable travel, public authority guidance, decisions or orders and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand any visa requirements, please contact the International Office.

³Tuition fees

The University will charge the tuition fees that are stated in the above table for the first Academic Year of study. The University will review tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, if Parliament permit an increase in tuition fees, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study in line with any such changes. Note that any increase is expected to be in line with inflation.

For international students, we may increase fees each year, but such increases will be no more than 5% above inflation. If you defer your course start date or have to extend your studies beyond the normal duration of the course (e.g. to repeat a year or resit examinations) the University reserves the right to charge you fees at a higher rate and/or in accordance with any legislative changes during the additional period of study.

⁴Facilities

Facilities are subject to availability. Access to some facilities (including some teaching and learning spaces) may vary from those advertised and/or may have reduced availability or restrictions where the university is following public authority guidance, decisions or orders.

⁵Placements

Satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure is also required. As part of the health clearance checks, you will be required to provide information about your immunity and vaccination status. The information you provide will be used to determine your eligibility to go on placement(s). Placements are provided at the placement provider’s discretion. The University is, therefore, unable to guarantee the provision of placements or the location and type of placement offered.

⁶NHS payment

The rules may be subject to review by the Department of Health and Social Care (DHSC) in the future and as a result may change. Please, therefore, check the NHS Business Services Authority (NHSBSA) website for up-to-date information before applying.

Student Contract

By accepting your offer of a place and enrolling with us, a Student Contract will be formed between you and the university. A copy of the current 2024/2025 contract is available on the website for information purposes however the 2025/2026 contract will apply for the 2025/2026 intake. The Contract details your rights and the obligations you will be bound by during your time as a student and contains the obligations that the university will owe to you. You should read the Contract before you accept an offer of a place and before you enrol at the university.

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Occupational Therapy (pre-registration) MSc