This innovative, two-year, accelerated, problem-based-learning course provides the opportunity to study for an MSc in Health Through Occupation where students examine human occupation as an essential component of health and wellbeing as well as a postgraduate diploma in occupational therapy, preparing them for professional practice in the ever diversifying role of an occupational therapist. The degree benefits from sharing facilities and expertise with physiotherapy and podiatry course teams as well as joint learning events with students in medicine, social work and nursing.
The School of Health Professions was rated 'excellent' by the Quality Assurance Agency.
Full-time: 2 years (Accelerated)
Course structure
The intensive programme runs over 45 weeks per year. It has a student-centred, problem-based learning philosophy. The structure maintains a balance between campus-based study and clinical practice. On campus, students work in small groups together with a tutor to address real-life occupational therapy problems or scenarios. In this way, all subjects and skills are integrated as in real life, thus students are able to develop problem-solving skills relevant to the practice of a modern occupational therapist. Various clinical placement settings provide the environment, educational support and role models to apply the principles and skills acquired in campus-based study to practice. Understanding the occupational nature of human health and wellbeing is also examined through student participation in various activities such as cooking, craft, horticulture, performing arts and pottery. Assessments provide various opportunities for feedback in essential professional skills including written critique, report writing, team working, presentation skills, and verbal/written presentation of intervention. On completion of the programme successful students will graduate with a postgraduate diploma in occupational therapy which allows them to apply to the HPC for licence to practice. The MSc degree is awarded to students on submission of a research dissertation undertaken throughout the second year.
Areas of study
You will examine topics such as theories of occupation and occupational science (causes of occupational problems); occupation related to population health; clinical reasoning; occupational therapy process (assessment, treatment, and evaluation); occupational therapy skills (creative, productive, leisure and daily living); research methods and professional issues.
Syllabus
Year 1
Human Occupation (including two-week Beginner Practitioner placement)
Assessing Occupational Capacities
Novice Practitioner (practice placement)
Maximising Occupational Capacities
Intermediate Practitioner (practice placement)
Evaluating Occupational Therapy
Year 2
Occupational Therapy: Teams
Diverse Practice (practice placement)
Occupational Therapy: Settings
Competent Student Practitioner (practice placement)
Occupational Therapy: Consumers
Achieving Best Practice
Research project
Typical entry requirements
individual offers may vary
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7 overall with no element below 6.5 (to meet requirements of the Health Professions Council).
Other:
Two separate 500-word reports on a visits to occupational therapy setting to include a mental health and physical health setting, one of which should be with adults. These reports should be in addition to the personal statement and separate from the application form. Two academic/professional references. On entry to the programme, successful applicants will be also required to undertake basic life support training. Incomplete applications without the additional entry criteria will not be considered.
Degree and/or experience:
Degree 2:2 or above in any subject, obtained in the last 10 years. You need to supply a copy of the original certificate. Work experience in health or social care preferred but not essential.
After professional registration with the HPC graduates are eligible to take up opportunities in health and social care, in the NHS, social services, and the private sector. There are now many new and exciting possibilities for occupational therapists nationally and worldwide.
Tuition fees for this course for UK/EU students are paid by the NHS. Students meeting residency requirements are also eligible to apply for a means-tested bursary and a non-means-tested loan.
Further information can be found on the NHS student bursaries website www.nhsbsa.nhs.uk/students.
| Health Through Occupation (MSc) (Full time) | [L2BH013] |
| UK/EU (Full Time) | For advice on fees for this course please contact fees@brighton.ac.uk, +44/0 1273 642449. |
| Island Students (Full Time) | For advice on fees for this course please contact fees@brighton.ac.uk, +44/0 1273 642449. |
| International (Full Time) | 16,740 GBP |
You should not apply unless you can meet all the entry requirements for this course. Please contact the course team before applying if you are unsure about any of the specific entry requirements.
Entry requirements
For non-native speakers of English:
IELTS 7 overall with no element below 6.5 (to meet requirements of the Health Professions Council).
Other:
Two separate 500-word reports on a visits to occupational therapy setting to include a mental health and physical health setting, one of which should be with adults. These reports should be in addition to the personal statement and separate from the application form. Two academic/professional references. On entry to the programme, successful applicants will be also required to undertake basic life support training. Incomplete applications without the additional entry criteria will not be considered.
Degree and/or experience:
Degree 2:2 or above in any subject, obtained in the last 10 years. You need to supply a copy of the original certificate. Work experience in health or social care preferred but not essential.