Occupational Therapy BSc (Hons)

Study level: Undergraduate
Professionally Accredited Programmes
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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.

Year of entry

2025-26

Location

Coventry University (Coventry)

Study mode

Full-time

Duration

3 years full-time

Course code

HU09

Start date

September 2025


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.
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Rated Gold Overall

Teaching Excellence Framework (TEF) 2023

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5 QS Stars for Teaching and Facilities

QS Stars University Ratings

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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 settings2,5. 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:

HCPC Health and Care Professions Councils logo

Health and Care Professions Council

This course 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 Accredited logo

Royal College of Occupational Therapists

This course 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

All modules are compulsory.

Modules

All modules are compulsory.

Modules

These modules are currently under review and any changes will be updated by Summer 2024. Please refer back to this page before applying.


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 opportunities2,5.

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 placement2,5
  • 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 Minimum 5 GCSEs at grade 4 / C or above to include English and Mathematics.
BTEC DDM 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.
  • A minimum of two days occupational therapy work experience is required.
  • 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.

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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.
  • A minimum of two days occupational therapy work experience is required.
  • 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.

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.

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Fees and funding

Student Full-time Part-time
UK, Ireland*, Channel Islands or Isle of Man 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year
Not available
EU 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £9,250 per year with EU Support Bursary**
2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £19,850 per year without EU Support Bursary**
Not available
International 2025/26 fees TBC
2024/25 fees - £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 study. 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.

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).

Find out what's included in your tuition costs.

*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.


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

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

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

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).

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