
Occupational Therapy (BSc)
Welcome
Welcome to Occupational Therapy at Birmingham Newman University.
We would like to extend our warmest welcome to you all as you join Birmingham Newman University.
The teaching team are excited to meet you all and start working alongside you on your journey to becoming a qualified Occupational Therapist.
During your first few days, we will introduce you other members of the School of Nursing and Allied Health (SoNAH) such as Ronnie Meechan (Head of SoNAH), Matthew Aldridge (Head of Placements and Simulation) and Annabel Masson (Head of subject Allied Health) as well as other members of the teaching team.
As part of the course, you will be provided with practice placements. Details regarding time commitment involved for these placements will be provided by the subject area at a later point.
For on campus activities students are split into groups at enrolment. Each group will have its own timetable where some aspects can change on a weekly basis. Normally classes will be distributed across 3 to 4 days per week between 9am and 6pm.
For Occupational Therapy the on-campus days in semester 1 are:
- Monday
- Tuesday
- Thursday
Full details of your individual academic timetable, including Semester 2 timetable which may differ, will be available via your university email calendar after you have completed online enrolment and set up your student login.
We would like you to explore the different areas an Occupational Therapists can work in and have a think about what knowledge or experience you have with Occupational Therapists, as we will be discussing these during your induction phase.
It may also be helpful for you to check out the Royal College of Occupational Therapist website for more information about the Occupational Therapy profession.
Course start:
- Monday 1 September
- 10am
- Room: ST002
IMPORTANT: Please bring your photo ID with you to complete the ID verification check for Student Finance confirmation.
- Sabrina Thomas – Senior Lecturer (Programme Lead) Occupational Therapy
- Clare Jones – Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
- Amal Ahmedi – Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
The teaching in the first year will cover four modules entitled:
- Foundations of occupational therapy practice
- Understanding occupational performance
- Introduction to healthcare practice
- Health and wellbeing
The teaching in the first semester will be across three modules that will include classroom and practical sessions.
We will be providing a blended learning approach with use of case-based studies and additional online resources.
There will also be ‘pre session’ and post session work for you to complete independently to support your learning, but please be assured that we will be here to guide you to the right materials to support your learning and success.
During the November of Semester 1, you will also experience your first practice based learning block – a 2 week ‘care based placement’ where you will have the opportunity to put theory into practice.
Although your main timetabled days are Monday, Tuesday and Thursday during Semester 1, you will required to attend mandatory immunisation and training sessions which may take place on a Wednesday and Thursday.
Key information
Induction
- Monday 1 September 2025
Teaching starts
- Monday 1 September 2025
Subject Lead
- Sabrina Thomas – Senior Lecturer (Programme Lead)