Occupational Therapy Pre-registration (MSc)

You'll need the minimum of a 2:1 degree (or equivalent) in a related discipline. This must include a research training component and must have been awarded 5 years before the start of this course. Examples of relevant degrees include, but are not limited to, human biology, psychology, sociology and professional degrees related to health and social care.

Find the equivalent international qualifications for your country.

You will also need a Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) check.

English language requirements

If English isn't your first language, you'll need to complete an International English Language Testing System (IELTS) to demonstrate your competence in English. You'll need all of the following scores as a minimum:

We accept other English language tests. Find out which English language tests we accept.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000

The MSc Occupational Therapy master's requires commitment and energy. It has a wide variety of core practice and research modules, all of which you must complete successfully in order to pass.

The course is 2 years long and incorporates 1,000 hours of practice placement, in accordance with RCOT and HCPC requirements, and prepares you to work within a diverse range of health and social care contexts, including:

• in the community
• social care
• hospitals

On your practical placements, you'll experience current occupational therapy practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight.

In your first year, you'll take 8 modules, of which 3 are practice placements.

In the second year, you'll take 5 modules, of which 2 are practice placements.

Want more detail? See all the modules in the course.

Learning

This occupational therapy MSc uses creative, experiential and reflective learning approaches supported by practice placements. Learning is reinforced by internationally recognised researchers into occupational therapy.

Throughout this master's degree you'll benefit from:

• case-based learning
• practical anatomy classes
• lectures
• seminars

You'll also get a chance to collaborate with other students through small tutorial groups and inquiry seminars as you learn.

Assessment

Assessments will take the form of:

• written exams
• practical exams
• oral presentations

We'll also assess your clinical skills in practical and clinical situations throughout the programme.

Dissertation

You'll need to carry out a piece of independent research, following on from the development of a protocol in the critical inquiry module.

Academic Support

You will have a designated supervisor or supervisory team, who will have suitable academic and professional expertise.

Our creative and forward-thinking course prepares you to confidently work in the changing UK and international health and social care landscape. Our graduates take on roles in a broad range of contexts including the NHS, local authorities, charities, industry, schools, private practice and government agencies.

You can specialise in working with children, adults or older people across the lifespan, and pursue a career as a practitioner, researcher, manager, lecturer or consultant.

You can expect excellent career prospects in a whole range of healthcare environments where occupational therapy is practiced. Occupational therapy graduates are in high demand in the UK and abroad.

Careers services at Southampton

We're a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers and Employability Service will support you throughout your time as a student and for up to 5 years after graduation. This support includes:

• work experience schemes
• CV/resume and interview skills workshops
• networking events
• careers fairs attended by top employers
• a wealth of volunteering opportunities
• study abroad and summer school opportunities

We have a thriving entrepreneurship culture. You'll be able to take advantage of:

• our dedicated start-up incubator, Futureworlds
• a wide variety of enterprise events run throughout the year
• our partnership in the world’s number 1 business incubator, SETsquared

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

• UK students pay £9,250.
• EU and international students pay £28,902.

Check fees for other versions of this course.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fee covers the full cost of tuition and any exams.

Find out how to pay your tuition fees.

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. Explore:

• accommodation costs

• living costs

• budgeting advice

10% alumni discount

If you’re a graduate of the University of Southampton you get a 10% discount on your postgraduate tuition fees.

Postgraduate Master’s Loans (UK nationals only)

This can help with course fees and living costs while you study a postgraduate master's course. Find out if you're eligible.

NHS Learning Support Fund

As a student on this course you may be entitled to help from the NHS Learning Support Fund.

This can include a training grant of £5,000 per academic year, parental support of £2,000 for students with at least one dependent child under 15 years, or under 17 years if registered with special educational needs, and help with travel and temporary accommodation costs for placements.  

Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website. 

Other postgraduate funding options

A variety of additional funding options may be available to help you pay for your master’s study. Both from the University and other organisations.

Funding for EU and international students

Find out about funding you could get as an international student.

1. Use the 'apply for this course' button on this page to take you to our online application form.
2. Search for the course you want to apply for.
3. Complete the application form and upload any supporting documents.
4. Submit your application.

Application deadlines

Places are limited and we allocate them on a continuous basis from 4 January 2023, until all places are filled. We advise you to apply early to avoid disappointment.  

We expect to close applications for this course on Friday 31 March 2023 (11:59pm UK time).

This course may remain open after the expected closure date if places are still available.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for a postgraduate taught course.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees and is payable per application. It covers the work and time it takes us to assess your application. You’ll be prompted to pay when you submit your application which won’t progress until you've paid.

If you're a current or former University of Southampton student, or if you’re applying for certain scholarships, you will not need to pay the fee. PGCE applications through GOV.UK and Master of Research (MRes) degree applications are also exempt. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

Your application must include the following: 

• a completed online application form including details of all previous qualifications - we’ll assess you against your whole education history
• 2 references

We withdraw applications if they remain incomplete after 30 days.

If you have any questions you can email or phone us on: 

• AdmissionsPGT.ELS@southampton.ac.uk
• +44 (0) 23 8059 7778

What happens after you apply

You'll be able to track your application through our online Applicant Record System.

We'll assess your application on the strength of your:

• academic achievements
• relevant professional experience
• personal statement
• academic references

We will aim to send you a decision 6-8 weeks after you have submitted your application.

If we offer you a place, you will need to accept the offer within 30 working days. If you do not meet this deadline, we will offer your place to another applicant.

Unfortunately, due to the volume of applications we receive, we may not be able to give you specific feedback on your application if you are unsuccessful.

We may invite you to an interview, which will take place by phone if you live abroad. You'll get an email from the admissions tutor if we'd like to talk to you before offering you a place.

Equality and diversity

We treat and select everyone in line with our Equality and Diversity Statement.

Got a question?

Please contact us if you're not sure you have the right experience or qualifications to get onto this course.

Email: enquiries@southampton.ac.uk
Tel: +44(0)23 8059 5000