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A line of masters students all wearing blue sashes

European MSc in Occupational Therapy

  • Intro
  • Course
    content
  • Careers
  • Entry
    criteria
  • Fees
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Intro

The European MSc in Occupational Therapy allows you to study in five different countries. The awarding university is the University of Applied Sciences (HvA) in Amsterdam, the Netherlands.

The aim of this course is to give you, as an occupational therapist, the tools to get ahead of current developments and meet the demands of today's clients. With an increase in the average age, the number of people who have disabilities and those with chronic conditions, there is a need for highly qualified occupational therapists who are equipped to innovatively deal with complex situations in therapy and health promotion. On completion you will be able to offer a high quality service geared to individual needs.

Studying across different European countries will allow you explore the development of occupational therapy theories by looking at the similarities and differences between cultures. This can facilitate the study of effects of the environment in the shaping of human beings' everyday occupations and social participation.

The institutions where you will be studying:

  • University of Brighton, Eastbourne (UK)
  • Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences, Amsterdam (The Netherlands)
  • Zürich University of Applied Sciences, Winterthur (Switzerland)
  • University College Zealand, Næstved (Denmark)
  • Karolinska Institute, Stockholm (Sweden)

Key facts

Location Five European locations

Part-time 24 months

APPLY ONLINE

Apply directly to the Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences. Find out more on their website.

Course content

What to expect

  • Small class sizes
  • Interaction with an internationally renowned faculty and like-minded professionals
  • High quality education of five participating universities, some of which are ranked in the top of Europe
  • An international focus on occupational therapy
  • Occupational therapy and occupational science from a cross-cultural point of view
  • The development of your analytical and clinical reasoning skills
  • The opportunity to grow professionally and as a researcher
  • The opportunity to visit several exciting European towns and cities
  • New career perspectives both in your home country and abroad.

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Course structure 

The programme starts in September and lasts 24 months. Hours of study per week will be approximately 28 and there will be six modules including a thesis.*

Each module consists of 280 study hours and has three phases at one of the participating universities.

Each phase consists of preparatory work in your own country (56 hours), class work in the country hosting the module (10 working days / 80 hours), and independent study in your own country (200 hours).

In your home country you work under supervision on your thesis. You support and review each other's work in action learning groups at a distance (840 hours).

During the first year you will have four modules, in each module you have two weeks of intensive classes and nine weeks for making assignments.

It is possible to take these first modules separately, in which case each module costs 2,000 Euros.

Each module combines theoretical topics within Occupational Therapy and Occupational Science with scientific method and theory.

Greynore building at the Eastbourne campus

Timetable 

Timetable by module
Module and activitiesStudy phaseTime*

Module 1

Exploration of concepts of occupation and research

Preparatory work at home

Contact hours in Eastbourne

Assignments at home

Weeks 35 and 36

Weeks 37 and 38

Submission in week 46
Resubmissions

Module 2

Qualitative research methods and human occupation, diversity, culture and participation

Preparatory work at home

Contact hours in Amsterdam

Assignments at home

Weeks 47 and 48

Weeks 49 and 50

Submission in week 8

Resubmissions

Module 3

Quantitative research methods in relation to evaluating and enhancing occupational performance

Preparatory work at home

Contact hours in Winterthur

Assignments at home

Weeks 9 and 10

Weeks 11 and 12

Submission in week 20
Resubmissions

Module 4

Socio-cultural perspectives of human occupation

Preparatory work at home

Contact hours in Naestved

Assignment at home

Weeks 21 and 22

Weeks 23 and 24

Submission in week 32

Resubmissions

Module 5

Planning a research project within the body of knowledge of the OT discipline

Independent study at home

Submit draft research plan for final feedback by supervisor

Submit research plan for marking by examiners

Examination of research plan by oral presentation and Master classes on research methods in Stockholm

Week 35 until 45

Week 45

Submission in week 43

Week 46

Resubmissions of research plan

Module 6

Conducting a research project within the OT discipline

Independent study at home

Submit thesis to Director education

Marking and feedback sent to student

Oral presentation of thesis and graduation in Eastbourne

Week 47 until 24

Week 25 submit

Week 33

Week 38

Resubmit


Submissions and resubmissions are always due on the Wednesday of the mentioned week.

Year 1 

Module 1: Exploration of Concepts of Occupation and Research

University of Brighton in Eastbourne

  • Introduction to OT-EuroMaster: skills for postgraduate learning and competence based teaching and assessment
  • Concepts of Occupation
  • Epistemology
  • Ontology (philosophy underpinning science)
  • Ethics
  • There will be a mix of preparatory work at home, contact hours in Eastbourne and assignments at home.

Module 2: Qualitative research methods and human occupation, diversity, culture and participation

Amsterdam University of Applied Sciences

  • Understanding and Applying Qualitative Methods
  • Developing Skills in Qualitative Methods
  • Dynamic Interaction of Human Occupation with Diversity, Culture and Participation
  • There will be a mix of preparatory work at home, contact hours in Amsterdam and assignments at home.

Module 3: Quantitative research methods in relation to evaluation and enhancement of occupational performance

Zurich University of Applied Sciences

  • Understanding and Applying Quantitative Methods
  • Developing Skills in Quantitative Methods
  • Development of Assessment for Measuring Occupational Performance
  • Implementation of Research
  • There will be a mix of preparatory work at home, contact hours in Zurich and assignments at home.

Module 4: Socio-cultural perspectives of human occupation

University College Zealand in Næstved

  • Societal and Sociological Perspectives on Human Occupation, Population Health and OT Practice.
  • Political, Economic, Healthcare and Cultural Conditions and the Relationship(s) to Human Occupation in different Social Situations and Cultural Settings
  • There will be a mix of preparatory work at home, contact hours in Naestved and assignments at home.
Occupational Health students

Year 2 

Module 5: Planning a research project within the body of knowledge of the OT discipline

Karolinska Institutet

This modules will involve:

  • Literature review as background study
  • Methodological master classes connected to the research plans
  • Independent study at home
  • Submission of a draft research plan, for final feedback by supervisor
  • Submission of a research plan, for marking by examiners
  • Examination of research plan by oral presentation and Master classes on research methods in Stockholm

Module 6: Conducting a research project within the OT discipline

This module will involve:

  • Independent study at home
  • Submission of thesis
  • Grading by thesis examiner
  • Marking and feedback sent to you
  • Your oral presentation of thesis and graduation
Students in Eastbourne

Travel and accommodation 

Our European Master of Science in Occupational Therapy offers you the high quality education of five participating universities. It gives you the exciting opportunity to visit several European cities and to learn and travel. The organising universities provide advice and assistant in finding suitable accommodation.

During the first year you travel five times to attend classes in the country that delivers the module. Each trip will last two weeks. First you will visit Eastbourne, United Kingdom, then Næstved near Copenhagen in Denmark, followed by Amsterdam in the Netherlands.

The fourth module is in Winterthur, Switzerland, and finally in the fifth module you go for one week to the Swedish capital Stockholm. The presentation of the research findings will take place at an examination seminar held in one of these countries.

Careers

This programme helps you to become better equipped in enhancing and delivering occupational therapy.

Most graduates report a change in their work situation after graduation such as: 

  • achieving an increase in income and in job satisfaction
  • taking on more responsibility within their team
  • changing their position and moving into education, research or management.
ergotherapie_rawdaten08

Entry criteria

Entry requirements

For entry requirements and information on how to apply, please visit www.ot-euromaster.eu/prospectivestudents.

Fees

Course fees

All students (full-time) 2,006 Euros

What's included

You may have to pay additional costs during your studies. The cost of optional activities is not included in your tuition fee and you will need to meet this cost in addition to your fees. A summary of the costs that you may be expected to pay, and what is included in your fees, while studying a course in the School of Sport and Health Sciences in the 2022–23 academic year are listed here.

  • Where health course includes a placement
    • UK students – travel costs which are over and above your daily journey to university and dual accommodation costs may be reimbursed by the NHS learning support fund.
    • Overseas students are not covered by the NHS scheme, this means that any additional travel or accommodation costs for this course will be your responsibility. Travel to placement may be up to 90 mins each way/ travel on public transport at peak time cost, and you may incur additional accommodation and living costs if staying away from your usual home base for the length of your placement.
  • An initial set of specialist clothing and uniforms, where required, are included in the course fees.
  • DBS checks and occupational health checks, where required, are included in the fees.
  • Course books are available from the university but you may wish to budget up to £100 if buying your own copies.
  • In sport courses, UK-based field trips are available in some option modules in the final year. You do not have to take these option modules to complete the degree programme. Where a field trip is present costs are covered but you are expected to make a contribution towards food. Typically this is £50.
  • For sports courses which require a placement, you’ll be expected to pay for your living costs and travel. Physical Education (QTS teacher training) students can claim travel costs to their school placement.
  • The school runs a number of day trips which students do not pay for. There may be some food and drink costs and you should budget around £30 per year.

You can chat with our enquiries team if you have a question or need more information. Or check our finance pages for advice about funding and scholarships as well as more information about fees and advice on international and island fee-paying status.

Info

The fee is exclusive of travel and accommodation expenses and the costs of study material. The fee is payable annually and further tuition fees are payable for each subsequent year of study.

Location and student life

Campus where this course is taught

Eastbourne campus

Our campus is within 15 minutes' walk of the beach, South Downs National Park and the Eastbourne's busy town centre.

Campus learning facilities include the Queenwood library, computer rooms, a media centre and a learning and technology suite. Welkin halls are also on campus.

Eastbourne Student Centre provides services including careers, volunteering, counselling and wellbeing, student advice, disability and dyslexia support and chaplaincy.

Queenwood Library at Eastbourne

Accommodation

Eastbourne

We guarantee an offer of a place in halls of residence to all eligible students.

Welkin halls
Located in the Meads area of Eastbourne, right next to the Students' Union and Student Services, Welkin halls are a short walk or bike ride to other areas of the campus.

  • Ensuite halls with a choice of room and flat sizes.
  • All rooms are self-catered with access to shared, fully equipped kitchen facilities.
  • Rent includes all utilities, 24/7 security and support, contents insurance and cleaning of communal areas.

Private renting
Eastbourne offers good choice when it comes to student accommodation.

There’s a good supply of affordable, high quality private rented accommodation and plenty of support and advice from us if you choose this option. Every summer we provide online events and resources, as well as other advice services, for students looking for a place to live and people to share with.

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Student accommodation in Eastbourne

Welkin bedroom

Student bedroom in Welkin halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Modern kitchen in Welkin Halls

Local area

Easy-going Eastbourne

The South Downs National Park, the bustling town centre and the beach with the pier, prom and bandstand are all within a 15-minute walk of our Eastbourne campus. Officially the sunniest place in the UK, Eastbourne has loads on offer: a year-round calendar of sporting events, the independent shops and cafes of Little Chelsea, music and arts festivals, theatres, galleries, great restaurants and high street shopping.

Every June, leading tennis players descend on Eastbourne for one of the main warm-up tournaments for Wimbledon. One of the UK's biggest free extreme sports festivals, Beach Life, takes place on the seafront in July, bringing hi-octane action on land and sea. The international airshow Airbourne is another summer highlight.

Every autumn our students and staff participate in and support the Beachy Head Marathon, one of the UK's largest off-road marathons with challenging climbs and descents along the Seven Sisters.

The beach and the South Downs provide sports opportunities including horse riding, mountain biking, paragliding, sailing, canoeing, body boarding, kayaking, windsurfing and kite surfing.

The Towner Art Gallery has world-class exhibitions of modern and contemporary art and entry is free. Eastbourne also has four theatres, two cinemas and hosts a varied programme of arts and music events throughout the year.

It's only 90 minutes by train from Eastbourne to central London and less than 40 minutes to Brighton. There are also daily direct trains to Ashford International and Gatwick Airport.

Map showing distance to London from Brighton
Enjoying sport above Eastbourne

Maps

Eastbourne campus map

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Support and wellbeing

Your course team

Your personal academic tutor, course leader and other tutors are all there to help you with your personal and academic progress. You'll also have a student support and guidance tutor (SSGT) who can help with everything from homesickness, managing stress or accommodation issues.

Your academic skills

Our Brighton Student Skills Hub gives you extra support and resources to develop the skills you'll need for university study, whatever your level of experience so far.

Your mental health and wellbeing

As well as being supported to succeed, we want you to feel good too. You'll be part of a community that builds you up, with lots of ways to connect with one another, as well having access to dedicated experts if you need them. Find out more.

Students talking in a social area

Sport at Brighton

Sport Brighton

Sport Brighton brings together our sport and recreation services. As a Brighton student you'll have use of sport and fitness facilities across all our campuses and there are opportunities to play for fun, fitness or take part in serious competition. 

Find out more about Sport Brighton.

Sports scholarships

Our sports scholarship scheme is designed to help students develop their full sporting potential to train and compete at the highest level. We offer scholarships for elite athletes, elite disabled athletes and talented sports performers.

Find out more about sport scholarships.

Students playing frisbee

Student views  

Headshot of Vera
The European MSc in Occupational Therapy was a really great opportunity for me because it gave me the possibility to work as an international coordinator and lecturer.

Vera, graduated Jan 2016

Headshot of Nazir

The structure of the programme was very helpful for me. It allowed me to really quickly implement what I had learned.

Nizar, graduated Jan 2016

Headshotof Kim and Marielle

I wanted to start the European Master mostly because of the international aspects of this programme. In our cohort we are 22 students coming from nine different countries.

Marielle, student 2016-2018

Stay in touch

Watch this short video about the European Master of Science in Occupational Therapy at ZHAW

If you have a question about this course, our enquiries team will be happy to help.

01273 644644

Alternatively, you are welcome to contact principal course lecturer, Dr Jon Wright: J.Wright@brighton.ac.uk

Skype: jonathan.james.wright

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