Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes

Two students in an allotment, one person in a wheelchair and the other sitting on the wooden frame around the vegetable patches

Occupational therapists have the privilege of working with people of all ages, helping them to participate in occupations that hold personal meaning and value to them.

Course option

Degree with foundation year

Year of entry

2025-26 2026-27

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

UCAS codes

HU09

Start date

September 2025

How to apply

Book an Open Day

Download a prospectus

Course overview

Occupational therapists work with individuals, groups, communities or populations to promote health and wellbeing through participation in activities of everyday life, or occupation. Of vital importance to this role is the ability to think critically and creatively, challenge where needed, advocate and empower others to live their best lives. In addition to developing practice skills, this course is designed to help you develop the mindset needed for this life-changing career.

Leads to eligibility to apply for professional registration as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) and membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT) and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT) (please see Accreditation section for more information).
Learn to empower and support others with challenges in key areas of occupation such as self-care (e.g. washing, dressing, or eating), restorative activity and productivity (e.g. managing finances, working or studying), as well as activities that develop social connections and provide a sense of purpose and fulfilment.
Professional placements, sourced by the university, offer practice-based learning opportunities in traditional, contemporary and role-emerging settings (you’ll need to successfully complete a minimum of 1000 hours of supervised practice)^2,5.
Strong focus on cultural humility and anti-discriminatory practice.
Focus on one academic module at a time, with five weeks of learning followed by one week of assessment per module.
You’ll be encouraged to think critically about the potential of digitally enabled occupational therapy (e.g. use of AI and wearable technology) and the future direction of the profession.
All eligible 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.

Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

Top 5 Student City in England (Coventry)

QS Best Student Cities Index 2025

Why you should study this course

Becoming an occupational therapist enables you to work in partnership with other people. Your values, skills and mindset will all be key in addressing barriers that prevent people from engaging in activities that provide meaning and purpose, shape identity and enhance health and wellbeing.

Our approach supports you to develop a strong sense of professional identity as an occupational therapist from the outset. In addition, you’ll have the opportunity to learn to thrive in dynamic health and care environments and multidisciplinary teams, developing your relationship and teamworking skills.
Your practice placements can be in a range of settings^2,5. These could include charities, businesses, sports and leisure facilities, independent practice, the private sector and community facilities.
Colleagues with lived experience as users of health and care services support teaching, learning and assessment.
The diversity of our learner community is a key strength of the course, offering a space in which everyone can thrive.
We offer opportunities to learn in a safe but realistic practice environment through simulation in our industry-relevant facilities.
Engagement with the global occupational therapy community to foster the delivery of sustainable and inclusive occupational therapy.
Access to success coaches, placement supervisors and specialist support for mathematics and academic writing⁴.

Studying in the School of Health and Care

Gain the skills and experience to transform lives, communities and the future of healthcare delivery. We aim to empower you to become a stand-out healthcare professional, capable, competent and confident in your field and role within the wider healthcare team.

While continuously developing your sense of professional identity as an occupational therapist from day one, you'll also collaborate with learners from other School of Health and Care fields, learning in an environment that puts inclusivity, diversity and dignity at its heart.

5th

Coventry University ranked 5th for Health Professions

Guardian University Guide 2024

Accreditation and professional recognition

This course is accredited¹ and recognised by the following bodies:

Health and Care Professions Council

The degree is currently accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)¹. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025-26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement of our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

The degree is currently accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)¹. Following changes that have been made to improve the course, we will apply for re-accreditation for entrants of 2025-26. If any changes occur with respect to our accreditation, we will notify applicants and students as soon as possible.

This is a normal part of the process of continuous improvement of our courses to ensure they remain up-to-date and reflect best practice.

When enrolled on the course, you are eligible to become a student member of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists (subject to application and additional costs may apply).

What you'll study

All modules are compulsory.

Modules

An Occupational Perspective on Health and Wellbeing - 20 credits

In this module, you will explore the occupational nature of human beings and the opportunity to take part in ‘occupation’ as a human right. You will examine the complexity of human occupation from different perspectives and how it has the potential to influence health and wellbeing across the lifespan and in varied contexts. You will analyse these concepts further through reflection and application to your own experience with the aim of helping you understand and justify ‘occupation’ as the central component of occupational therapy in practice.

Compulsory

Mind, Body and Human Occupation - 20 credits

This module introduces foundational knowledge of human anatomy, physiology and psychology. You will explore how this relates to the observable skills required to carry out everyday living tasks and the performance of human occupations across the lifespan. You will aim to develop your understanding of how this learning is applied by occupational therapists in occupation-centred practice. The module is designed to help you develop the skills to communicate your understanding of the human mind and body, which is essential to support shared decision-making and collaboration in health and social care.

Compulsory

Theoretical Foundations of Occupational Therapy - 20 credits

In this module you will explore the theoretical foundations of occupational therapy. You will examine models and frameworks that inform the practical delivery of occupational therapy and explore how these support occupational therapists to think and practise in a way that is centred, focused and based upon occupation. You will explore the assessments, interventions and outcome measures used by occupational therapists. You will aim to develop digital fluency and skills in co-production and collaboration alongside experts with lived experience of health and care, preparing you for the delivery of inclusive and sustainable occupational therapy in diverse practice settings.

Compulsory

Placement 1: Foundations of Professional Practice - 20 credits

During this placement-based module^2,5, you will be expected to demonstrate the values, behaviours and attitudes required of a health and care professional. You will explore the foundations of occupational therapy assessment, intervention and evaluation, and the importance of ethical practice, personalised approaches and collaborative working. You will be expected to use weekly supervision to reflect upon your learning and to identify goals you can work towards to support your development. You are required to obtain clearance from the Disclosure and Barring Service and Occupational Health, and to ensure the satisfactory completion of all mandatory training, prior to attending the placement.

Compulsory

Becoming a Professional Practitioner - 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with the values, behaviours and actions essential for professional practice. We will support you to develop your personal and academic skills, providing you with opportunities to reflect on your knowledge, skills and values. We will work with you to foster a culture of professionalism, collaboration and valuing diversity to prepare you to work within multi-professional environments.

Compulsory

Evidence: Your Profession in a Global Context - 20 credits

This module aims to equip you with the knowledge and skills required to understand and appreciate the role of evidence in both your profession and the wider health and care sector. The module supports you in understanding how your personal views and experiences may influence your thinking in developing your professional identity. This module will help you develop critical thinking skills by encouraging you to question, challenge and reflect. You'll learn to use evidence to build your approaches, making you a more inclusive, evidence-based practitioner.

Compulsory

All modules are compulsory.

Modules

Occupational Therapy: Enabling Performance and Participation - 20 credits

In this module, you will develop and apply the theory and therapeutic skills used during occupational therapy when working with individuals and groups, in person or across digital platforms. You will learn how to use your skills and emotional intelligence to build rapport, develop person-centred relationships, maintain the well-being of self and others, challenge discrimination and use yourself as a change agent throughout the occupational therapy process. You will have the opportunity to appraise groupwork theory and approaches used by occupational therapists to plan, facilitate and evaluate groups delivered in practice, and draw upon this theory to develop your own practical groupwork skills.

Compulsory

Enabling Occupation with Communities and Populations - 20 credits

This module explores the diversity of professional practice within local, national and global communities and populations, and aims to help you develop cultural self-awareness and humility. You will have the opportunity to critically evaluate theoretical and strengths-based approaches to community-centred occupational therapy with diverse communities and appraise the strategies used by occupational therapists to promote health and wellbeing through occupation in this context. You will aim to develop your understanding of the societal issues that shape contemporary practice. The module also explores how, as an occupational therapist, you can influence change in traditional and role-emerging practice settings, for example through health promotion, approaches to self-management, reducing health inequalities and delivering sustainable health and social care.

Compulsory

Exploring the Complexity of Occupational Therapy - 20 credits

This module is designed to develop your ability to understand and work with complexity throughout the process of occupational therapy. You will aim to demonstrate how decision-making is informed at each stage by professional reasoning, a critical application of theory, contextually relevant evidence and understanding the opportunities offered by a digitally evolving practice environment. You will have the opportunity to evaluate how personal bias and responses to cultural difference can influence the outcomes of occupational therapy and identify approaches to ensure your practice is respectful and inclusive of all with whom you work.

Compulsory

Placement 2: Developing Professional Identity - 40 credits

This placement-based module^2,5 focuses on the development of your professional identity as an occupational therapist, through critical reflection on practice, professional reasoning and the critical application of relevant theory and evidence. You will be expected to take increasing responsibility for your learning, make effective use of professional supervision and opportunities for interprofessional working, demonstrate cultural awareness and adhere to the required professional standards, policy and practice guidance.

Compulsory

Exploring Knowledge Through Curiosity - 20 credits

This module explores methods of enquiry utilised in daily practice. You will aim to develop your ability to analyse the knowledge, theory and practice-based evidence within health and care. This module explores how daily inquiry methods can be transformed into more systematic approaches to data collection and analysis. It covers quantitative and qualitative research, evaluation and audit techniques. Through exploration and debate, you will aim to develop an appreciation of interdisciplinary and profession-specific evidence and how to use this learning within the practice context.

Compulsory

All modules are compulsory.

Modules

Enhancing Employability for Occupational Therapy Practice - 20 credits

In this module, you will have the opportunity to identify and appraise the occupational therapist values, knowledge, skills and behaviour you have developed during the course. You will reflect upon your own university and practice-based learning and experience and how these have enhanced your employability. You will have the opportunity to articulate your strengths and areas for development, whilst also responding to employer specifications about the role requirements in different employment settings. You will aim to use appropriate career development frameworks to support your pathway into the occupational therapy workforce and your ongoing professional journey as a lifelong learner who can influence sustainable improvements and innovation in delivering inclusive health and social care.

Compulsory

Occupational Therapy Across Care Pathways and Settings - 20 credits

This module is designed to encourage you to think creatively and to develop curiosity about diversifying your practice. You will aim to deepen your knowledge about specialised and emerging areas of practice in occupational therapy and develop confidence with digital fluency and innovation in health and social care. You will aim to develop your ability to work with complexity across care pathways and in areas of practice highlighted as a local, national, or global priority.

Compulsory

Placement 3: Becoming an Autonomous Occupational Therapist - 40 credits

This placement-based module^2,5 is designed to give you the opportunity to develop as an autonomous and innovative practitioner. You will be expected to make informed, reasoned decisions in response to complex situations, whilst demonstrating an understanding of the limits of your own competence and scope of professional practice. You will aim to demonstrate that your practice is equitable, lawful and sustainable.

Compulsory

Leading for the Future as a Health and Care Professional - 20 credits

Our health and care workforce is required to lead the delivery of high-quality care, whilst navigating a complex health and social care ecosystem. This module aims to foster confident and accountable leadership through an interprofessional learning experience. By collaborating with colleagues from different backgrounds, you'll explore fresh perspectives and analyse contemporary theory, practice and evidence to redefine leadership for yourself. The module aims to foster your development as a reflective leader.

Compulsory

The Evidence-based Practitioner: Professional Project - 20 credits

In this module, you'll learn to critically evaluate, interpret and apply the latest national and international research to improve care. You will aim to gain the skills to analyse, safely use and share these findings, ultimately shaping best practices in your field. This module should also equip you with the skills to conduct an independent study. We'll support you as you develop your research and communication abilities, empowering you to share your findings with healthcare professionals, policymakers and the public.

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

We understand that everyone learns differently, so this course will consist of structured teaching sessions which can include:

lectures, seminars and workshops
peer learning and group work
experiential and reflective learning
problem-based learning
self-directed learning
contextualised learning
professional practice-based learning opportunities^2,5.

Teaching contact hours

As a full-time undergraduate student, you will study modules totalling 120 credits each academic year. A typical 20-credit module requires a total of 200 hours study. This is made up of teaching contact hours, guided and independent study.

Teaching hours:

Teaching hours vary each semester, year of study and due to module selection. During your first year you can expect 15-18 teaching hours each week. You will also have the option to attend optional sessions including time with a progress coach or to meet with staff for advice and feedback. As you progress through your studies, teaching hours may reduce.

Practice-based learning:

Practice-based learning forms an essential and significant part of your learning experience. Practice hours will differ between placements and different health and care courses. You will have access to university staff, but should expect to spend the majority of your contact time with practice collaborators undertaking placement activity. Overall, the hours you undertake in practice-based learning will need to satisfy the eligibility requirements set by the professional body regulating the profession, the HCPC. No less than 1000 practice-based hours gained from a combination of placement and simulated learning will need to be completed over the course of your degree.

Guided and independent study:

Throughout your studies, you will be expected to spend time in guided and independent study to make up the required study hours per module. You’ll be digging deeper into topics, review what you’ve learned and complete assignments. This can be completed around your personal commitments. As you progress through your studies, you’ll spend more time in independent study.

Online learning:

As an innovative university, we use different teaching methods including online tools and emerging technologies. So, some of your teaching hours and assessments may be delivered online.

Assessment

This course will be assessed using a variety of methods which will vary depending upon the module.

Assessment methods may include:

case study
coursework
practice placement^2,5
portfolio
professional project
presentations.

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.

Entry requirements

Typical entry requirements:

Requirement	What we're looking for
UCAS points	112
A level	BBC (Excludes General Studies).
GCSE	GCSE maths and English at grade 4 / C or Functional Skills Level 2, or other equivalent Level 2 awards.
BTEC	DMM in a Health, Sport or Science based subject.
Access Diploma	The Access to HE Diploma in a Health related subject to include 36 Level 3 credits at Merit or Distinction. Plus GCSE English and Mathematics at grade 4 / C or above.
International Baccalaureate Diploma Programme	29 points to include 16 points at Higher level

Additional requirements

Interview.
Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section⁵.

Other qualifications and experience

Our students come from a variety of backgrounds, each with a unique story. We recognise a breadth of qualifications. If your qualifications differ from the above, contact our Admissions Team who will be happy to discuss your qualifications and routes into your chosen course.

Contextual offers and Fair Access Scheme

If you meet the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme, you could automatically receive a contextual offer that may be up to 24 UCAS points lower than our standard entry requirements. View the criteria for our Fair Access Scheme.

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.

If you do not have the typical entry requirements, you may want to consider studying an International Foundation Year - Public Health as this will provide you with the knowledge and skills you need to progress onto this undergraduate degree.

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.

Additional requirements

Interview.
Students will be subject to satisfactory health clearance and enhanced criminal record disclosure. Please refer to the full requirements in the disclaimer section⁵.

Other qualifications and experience

English language requirements

Applicants must possess a minimum IELTS of 7.0 overall (with no component part 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.

Not got the required grades? We offer this degree with an integrated foundation year.

Fees and funding

Student	Full-time	Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man	£9,535 per year	Not available
EU	£9,535 per year with EU Support Bursary £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary	Not available
International	£19,850 per year	Not available

A non-repayable grant of £5,000 and extra payments worth up to £3,000 may be available to eligible students for each year of study⁶. Read more about this in the NHS Learning Support Fund information booklet.

For advice and guidance on tuition fees and student loans visit our Undergraduate Finance page and see The University’s Tuition Fee and Refund Terms and Conditions.

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 permits 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.

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. Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

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

You'll have access to simulated learning environments including hospital wards, skills labs, and two fully equipped community houses⁴.

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.

Hospital wards

We have two fully-equipped mock hospital wards, each containing four beds. The wards are built to NHS standards and contain moveable beds, first aid equipment and patient monitoring tools.

Alison Gingell Building

Get hands-on experience simulating real-life situations with our mock ambulance, community houses, operating theatre, scrub room and therapy suites.

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

Coventry University is a well-established provider of education in occupational therapy and this course has been designed with a focus on employability. It aims to prepare you for a long and rewarding career in clinical and non-clinical settings such as acute hospital settings, community settings, public health, industry, social enterprise, independent practice, teaching and research.

Accreditation of the course by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists¹ indicates recognition of qualification by the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. This opens up the opportunity to practice as an occupational therapist abroad (subject to meeting the registration requirements of the relevant country).

How to apply

BSc (Hons) with foundation year

Apply via UCAS

C85

Institution code

View our courses on UCAS

Visit UCAS

UK students

Full-time students can apply for this course through UCAS. Read our application pages to find out your next steps to apply.

How to apply

Apply via UCAS

If you'd like 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

International codes:
SHCU009

How to apply

For further support for international applicants applying for an undergraduate degree 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

ioadmissions@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 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 COVID and visa requirements. To ensure that you fully understand the 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.

If you choose to study this course with a professional placement, the University will charge the tuition fees stated above for those on a placement during Academic Year 2025/26. The University will review professional placement tuition fees each year. For UK (home) students, the University may increase fees for each subsequent year of study, but such that it will be no more than 5% above inflation.

⁴Facilities

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 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.