Do you want to help people to live their best life? Using specialist skills, knowledge and behaviours Occupational Therapists support people of all ages to do the things they want to do whether that be at home, at school, at work or anywhere else!

The BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy* will prepare you to practice confidently, competently and safely, making a difference to peoples lives across a variety of settings. Equipping you with the skills and knowledge required to rise to the diverse challenges faced by Occupational Therapists you will be encouraged to show initiative, demonstrate critical thinking and work flexibly.

Studying alongside other student health professionals within the School of Nursing and Allied Health, you will develop vital communication and interprofessional skills to enhance your practice and enrich person centred care.

The programme will develop your theoretical knowledge and practical skills within both the university, via state of the art simulation facilities and through a variety of practice environments.

On successful completion of the course*, you are eligible to apply for registration as an Occupational Therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council and apply for membership of the Royal College of Occupational Therapists.

* subject to validation and accreditation

• The curriculum has been designed to reflect the dynamic and evolving role of the Occupational Therapist.
• With our commitment to inter-professional learning, you will learn from and with other health care professionals to enhance your practice and person centred care.
• You will learn from a highly experienced and passionate teaching team who will provide support you to help you to achieve your ambition.
• We work with a number of practice partners to give you essential practical experience across a range of settings.
• You will benefit from our new clinical skills suite including a state-of-the-art immersive lab.
• Our Occupational Therapy programme is subject to accreditation by the Health and Care Professions Council

To support you to develop the skills, knowledge, behaviours and values required to be eligible for registration as an Occupational Therapist, you will study a wide variety of content both academically and practically. This will include:

• An Introduction to Professional Healthcare Practice
• Person Centred Care through the Lifespan
• Human Functioning in Health and Disease
• Population Health
• Empowering Self and Others
• Challenges in Rehabilitation
• Collaborative Care
• Leading Change
• Using Evidence to Transform Practice
• Transitioning to Professional Life

Practice placements are introduced in year 1 and continue throughout the programme. These placements provide a range of experiences in various settings and sectors facilitating a strong understanding of the value and contribution of Occupational Therapy.

Consent to participate in practical sessions

The development of practical and clinical skills is integral to your development as an Occupational Therapist. Participation in interactive practical sessions is therefore essential to your education. During these teaching sessions, you may be asked to act as a ‘model’ for others. Acting as a model may, by necessity, involve the removal of clothing that enables adequate observation and/or examination of movements or body parts. Therefore, before commencing practical classes, all students are given detailed information regarding this issue and are required to sign the relevant section of a consent form. The issue of consent will be explained in more detail during the induction week and revisited throughout the programme.

If you feel that there is an issue which may have an impact on your ability or willingness to act as a model, please contact the programme leader to discuss this. We will make every effort to put mechanisms in place to address your concerns. We want everyone to feel valued and included whilst ensuring that everyone gains the practical and clinical skills needed to successfully complete the programme of study.

Integration of theory and practice is central to the programme at Birmingham Newman University. You will undertake over 1000 hours of practice based learning during your three years of study. Placements will take place in each year of the three years of your programme.

To reflect the evolving role of the Occupational Therapist, as a student on the BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy programme at Birmingham Newman University, you will experience a diverse range of placements.

Your practice based learning experiences may take place in:

• different sectors of health and care including the independent sector, the NHS voluntary organisations or the civil service
• different settings including people’s homes, GP practices, acute hospitals, , care homes or workplaces
• pillars of practice including clinical, evidence based practice and leadership – at all levels.

Practice based learning experiences across different sectors, settings and pillars of practice will provide you with the opportunity to understand the breadth of Occupational therapy practice. Whether your placement involves providing rehabilitation, leading a service, researching new insights or supporting others to develop, it will help you to understand the importance of your skills as an Occupational Therapist across different environments and the many ways in which you can help people to live their best life.

Placements are automatically organised on your behalf by the practice partnerships team at Birmingham Newman University. Placements may be located anywhere within the West Midlands region but we aim to give you the breadth of experience you require, closest to your term time address. You will not be expected to commute for more than 90 minutes by car or public transport to any of your placements locations.

All placements are full time, that is 37.5 hours per week. Depending on the setting of your placement experience, start and finish times will vary and may include working between the hours of 8am and 8pm Monday to Sunday.

During all practice placements you will be supported by qualified and experienced HCPC registered practice educators and a link tutor from the university, who will work together to maximise your placement experience.

You will be assessed throughout the duration of the programme using a range of methods which will vary depending upon the module. Assessment methods may include:

• Objective Structured Practical Exams (OSPEs)
• Written assignments such as essays and case studies
• Exams (multiple choice, short/long answer)
• Portfolio completion
• Poster presentations
• Group work

During your practice based learning (placements), you will be assessed using a Practice Placement Assessment Form (PPAF). You will be assessed on a pass/fail basis in year one. In years two and three you will receive a percentage score.

All assessments have a pass mark of 40%.

On successful completion of this course you will be eligible to apply for registration with the HCPC as an Occupational Therapist*. Within the profession, there are a wide range of job opportunities and new occupational therapy graduates generally have the advantage of a structured career path with good long term prospects.

Opportunities exist within the NHS such as hospitals, community clinics or GP surgeries or within the public sector such as schools or Government agencies or within the private sector such as within Industry. Many occupational therapists practice independently too. There are significant opportunities to work in partnership with different agencies to help people to live their best life.

*subject to validation

Placement Expenses (Essential)

There may be some costs for travel or temporary accommodation associated with placements. The NHS Learning Support Fund can assist with these costs. For Information regarding the fund including what it covers and eligibility criteria please see: NHS Learning Support Fund (LSF) | NHSBSA

General Costs (Optional)

We recommend that you budget £75 a year for photocopying, memory sticks, printing charges, binding and specialist printing.

Books (Optional)

All module essential texts will be available for you to access via the University library but in limited numbers for physical copies. If you choose to purchase your own copy, books can cost up to £60 each.

Accommodation & Living Costs (Essential)

The cost of accommodation and other living costs are not included within your course fees. More information on the cost of accommodation can be found in on Accommodation – Newman University, Birmingham

Newman University is located in Britain’s second city – Birmingham. With one of the youngest city populations in Europe, it is a vibrant and dynamic place to study.

Studying at Newman University, you have the advantage of being near to the city, but living in, or commuting to peaceful and comfortable surroundings on campus.

Dining out

Birmingham has lots of wonderful places to dine out with a range of different cuisines. Places where you can dine out include; Brindley Place, Mailbox and Hagley Road (just 10 minutes’ from Newman).

Entertainment

Whether you like to go to; the theatre, gigs or clubs, or enjoy: sports, shopping visiting art galleries or exhibitions – Birmingham will not disappoint and you will be spoilt for choice!

Location

Getting around Birmingham is easy via train, bus or by car. Birmingham has excellent transport links to the rest of Britain, making it easy for those weekend getaways!

Why not explore the city for yourself by visiting one of our Open Days?

Want to find out more about Birmingham? Then take a look at some Birmingham City Secrets.