Entry requirements
The entry requirements listed here are our typical offer for this programme, for those who wish to begin studying with us in 2021. They should be used as a general guide.
Academic requirements
Apprentices will be expected to provide evidence of academic achievement at Level 3 or above, equivalent to at least one subject at A-level. This could be a BTEC National Extended Certificate, an Access to HE qualification or a Cambridge Technical Extended Certificate. Normally, this will have been awarded no earlier than the summer 10 years before the September start date.
GCSE
Grade C/4 or above from GCSE maths and English language. Level 2 Functional Skills will be accepted.
Non-academic requirements
A 500-word report which demonstrates the applicants understanding of the diversity of occupational therapy. Each applicant is responsible for gaining the knowledge required to write the report. Applicants who work in an occupational therapy setting may wish to draw on their experience, but it will be expected that a range of services will be referred to including physical, mental health, hospital or community settings. All applicants are encouraged to use resources such as books, journal articles, and web-based sources. The report will not be expected to cover all occupational therapy practice settings.
The report is in addition to the personal statement and should be uploaded as a separate document on the personal statement section of our admissions portal.
References
Two references. References should not be from personal acquaintances, and apprentices should consider referees who can best support their suitability for the programme.
Applications
Please ensure applications meet the above criteria and are complete in order to be considered for interview. Please indicate that applications are supported by the employer when completing the form. The deadline for applications is Friday 16 April 2021, however we reserve the right to close the course before this date if all places have been filled. Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) and occupational health screening must be undertaken by the employer and satisfactorily cleared as a condition of an offer of a place on the apprenticeship.
Deferred applications
We are not able to accept applications for deferred entry onto this course. If you wish to apply for a later year of entry, we recommend waiting until the admissions cycle for that year opens – this is usually in October of each year.
Teaching and assessment
Tuition on the programme is provided by experts based within the university, visiting Occupational Therapists and others based within public and private healthcare organisations, as well as those with lived experiences as experts in the teaching. This contributes to ensuring the relevancy and currency of the curriculum.
The innovative curriculum uses a problem-based learning approach, where apprentices examine real-life scenarios together in small groups with a tutor. This type of education reflects the ideas of pragmatism and active learning on which Occupational Therapy itself was founded.
A variety of therapeutic skills are also practised, for example in arts and crafts, cooking, ceramics, technology and horticulture, considering how these may be adapted for people with different needs. In order for apprentices to be aware of their responsibilities during these sessions, they are asked to sign a statement of consent agreeing to act in client-role-playing as well as practitioner roles in classes.
A range of summative assessment methods that reflect tasks an Occupational Therapist might encounter in practice are used throughout the programme. These are related to module aims and learning outcomes, allowing apprentices with a range of abilities to succeed, and include:
- practice placements
- individual and group presentations
- written reflections
- patient treatment plans
- vivas.
Upon completion of the qualification apprentices must complete an End Point Assessment (EPA) comprised of:
- a portfolio of workplace evidence
- demonstration of practice
- professional discussion.
Employer and apprentice commitments
In order to deliver the programme, the employer undertakes to:
- conduct a workplace induction and set out a contract of employment
- provide an appropriately qualified workplace mentor to support the apprentice
- attend apprentice's progress review (twice a year)
- ensure that an Occupational Health Screening and an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check has been undertaken by the employer
- release apprentice for scheduled off-the-job training
- have an Apprenticeship Agreement in place from the start of the programme.
Throughout the programme, apprentices will:
- attend the workplace for the agreed pattern as set out in the employment contract
- record all training sessions and off-the-job learning
- attend scheduled university learning sessions and complete all assessments as required by the university and End Point Assessment Organisation
- behave in a safe and responsible manner at the workplace and university
- engage with regular progress reviews
- complete, throughout the apprenticeship, a professional development portfolio.
Fees and funding information for apprentices
Course fees
As an apprentice the cost of your learning programme is covered by your employer through their Digital Apprenticeship Service (DAS) account.
Student finance
Higher and degree level apprentices are not eligible for any element of student finance. This is because they receive a salary instead of the student loan package. However, if you are experiencing any financial difficulties, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 642 888.
Learning support
Apprentices studying at Higher and degree level may be able to access funding in relation to additional support but this is available through the university and not Disabled Students Allowance. Apprentices may also be able to apply for Access to Work funding for work-based equipment and software. Please contact the Disability and Dyslexia team on 01273 643 799.
Living costs and benefits
Higher and degree level apprentices must fulfil the standard eligibility criteria in order to apply for means tested benefits such as Universal Credit, Child Tax Credit and Housing Benefit. If you have any questions about entitlement to benefits, please contact the Student Advice Service on 01273 643888.
Higher and degree level apprentices who are undertaking a full-time mode of study can be treated as being exempt from paying Council Tax. Although some programmes require study on a day-release arrangement, this can still be classed as full-time study. You will need to obtain a letter from the Student Information Desk at any campus and send this to your Council Tax department when you enrol on the programme.
Other
Brighton & Hove bus discount
NUS card