About this course

Change the lives of others for the better with our accelerated occupational therapy MSc. Develop a strong professional identity as an occupational therapist and gain a clear understanding of how the role contributes to multi-disciplinary teams.

When you graduate you’ll be eligible to register as an occupational therapist with the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC).

This occupational therapy master's explores the impact of health conditions and life events on people’s sense of self, relationships and occupations. It combines a range of areas including:

psychology
human anatomy and physiology
sociology
pathology
learning disabilities
mental health

You'll study health and social care by exploring its origins, philosophy and priorities. Including the promotion of good health as well as the management of illness. Throughout the course, you'll develop the confidence to treat people with psychological, physical or social disabilities. You’ll also learn to work with patients, their families and carers, as well as other healthcare professionals.

Working in our purpose-built facilities will give you a great opportunity to apply the skills you learn. We have a multi-sensory environment, a biomechanics laboratory and an adapted flat.

Support for students with a disability/health condition

We are fully committed to supporting students with disabilities who wish to join programmes of study which require the acquisition and practise of professional competencies.

We offer students personal, informal advice by telephone, email or face to face, and we are happy to discuss your specific needs prior to you applying. This could include how your specific needs may impact on your ability to meet the clinical competencies. This will not affect your application in any way, but may help you to select the right programme for you.

Please contact the admissions team for further details.

Course lead

Dr Rachel Dadswell qualified as an occupational therapist from St Andrews, Northampton in 1991 and has held a range of clinical, managerial and leadership roles within the NHS. Before this role, Rachel was a Consultant Occupational Therapist, with a special interest in mental health rehabilitation and recovery. In addition to all things related to mental health Rachel has an interest in leadership, professionalism and service quality and the effects of staff attitude on people’s ability to perform at their best in a clinical setting.

For more information view Rachel’s staff profile

Accreditations

British Association of Occupational Therapists and Royal College of Occupational Therapists (RCOT)

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

Course location

This course is based at Highfield.

Awarding body

This qualification is awarded by the University of Southampton.

Download the Course Description Document

The Course Description Document details your course overview, your course structure and how your course is taught and assessed.

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

ODT

Download 2021-22 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

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 within the last 5 years. Examples of relevant degrees are human biology, psychology, sociology, and public health.

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:

IELTS score requirements

overall score: 7.0
reading: 7.0
writing: 7.0
speaking: 7.0
listening: 7.0

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

Course structure

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.

Modules

Changes due to COVID-19

Although the COVID-19 situation is improving, any future restrictions could mean we might have to change the way parts of our teaching and learning take place in 2021 to 2022. We're working hard to plan for a number of possible scenarios. This means that some of the information on this course page may be subject to change.

Find out more on our COVID advice page.

For entry in Academic Year 2020-21

Year 1

Year 2

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 7)

At the heart of this interprofessional module is the belief that all health care students should not only share the same core values and skills that underpin their professional practice, but they should also have learning opportunities that enable them to...

Applied Occupational Therapy Practice

This module sets out to develop a broad evidence-based, integrated approach of Occupational Therapy management with clients with multiple problems. It will integrate theoretical principles of Occupational Therapy practice explored during the preceding mod...

Critical Inquiry - Research Protocol

This module culminates in a research protocol ready to be carried out in the Critical Inquiry Research Project module. The development of your protocol is supported by both taught sessions on research methods and supervision.

Foundations and Principles of Occupational Therapy Practice

This module provides a bridge between previous learning as a graduate in any discipline and occupational therapy, with its emphasis on human health and well-being. The learning will introduce you to the health, biological psycho-social and occupational sc...

Practice Placement 1 OT

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placements will be in health or social care settings. You will work alongside an experienced therap...

Practice Placement 2 OT

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in health or social care settings. You will be supervised by an experienced thera...

Practice Placement 3 OT

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire and the Isle of Wight. Principle providers of placement will be in health or social care settings. You will work with an experienced therapist wh...

Therapeutic Processes in Occupational Therapy

This module will develop your therapeutic dialogue skills and reinforce the principles of evidence-based practice to underpin the development and expansion of assessment, treatment and evaluation skills relevant to a range of physical and psycho-social ...

You must study the following modules in year 2:

Complex Therapeutic Engagements

This module seeks to maximise the effectiveness of therapeutic skills and engagement across a range of complex scenarios to facilitate client /patient participation. You will be asked to evaluate and reflect on professional and personal effectiveness in s...

Critical Inquiry - Research Project

This module allows you to carry out a piece of independent research, following on from the development of a protocol in the Critical Inquiry - Research Protocol module. Further to carrying out research, you will also gain experience in other aspects of re...

Influencing Innovation and Change (Level 7)

Tomorrow’s healthcare professionals will work in a context characterised by continual change, challenging environments, rapidly evolving technologies and the need for innovation. To operate successfully in this context, these professionals must be able to...

Practice Placement 4a OT

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding counties. Principle providers of placement will be in health or social care settings (with some additional pla...

Practice Placement 4b OT

This module provides an opportunity to experience current practice in a variety of locations across Hampshire, the Isle of Wight and surrounding counties. Principle providers of placement will be in health or social care settings (with some additional pla...

Learning and assessment

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.

Careers

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 2020). 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

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £26,950.

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:

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.

Funding for EU and international students

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

How to apply

You can apply directly through our online form by using the apply button on this page. Applications for this course open on 4 January 2021.

You must also complete the 'Additional Questions' document to apply for this course.

This 'Additional Questions' document gives you information and guidance about applying and tells you the 2021 interview dates. We recommended that you read this document in full before you begin your application.

Application deadlines

You must submit your application by the end of the day on 1 July 2021. You must supply all supporting documentation at least 2 weeks before starting your course.

We cannot guarantee you'll be able to start your course if you do not meet these deadlines.

Application assessment fee

We’ll ask you to pay a £50 application assessment fee if you’re applying for any postgraduate taught course that starts in or after September 2021.

This is an extra one-off charge which is separate to your tuition fees. 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, if you're applying for a Master of Research (MRes) degree, or if you're applying for a PGCE course via UCAS, you will not need to pay the fee. Find out if you’re exempt on our terms and conditions page.

Supporting information

Your application must include all the following:

Completed online application form. You must include details of all previous qualifications on this form as we’ll assess you against your whole education history.

Completed ‘Additional Questions’ document.

2 references (please see the 'Additional Questions' document for more information).

Incomplete applications will not be considered and will be withdrawn after 30 days if they remain incomplete.

Detailed guidance on deadlines can be found in the 'Additional Questions' document.

If you have any questions please:

email: AdmissionsPGT.ELS@southampton.ac.uk

or tel: +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'll get back to you within 6 weeks with a decision about your application.

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

Occupational Therapy Pre-registration (MSc)

About this course