Learning, growing, working, managing our homes, and caring for our families and ourselves are daily ‘occupations’ of life. Physical, emotional, or other challenges can prevent people from participating fully in the job of living. For example, stroke, injury, depression and developmental disabilities can make it difficult for people to do everyday tasks or be as active and as independent as they would like. As a profession, occupational therapy enables people to recover from injury and illness and to regain independence to enjoy life to its fullest.

As an Occupational Therapy student you will be taught within our purpose-built facilities that include a Social Care Setting and Clinical Skills area. This will allow you to develop and practise your skills before using them in the work place. You will benefit greatly from the practice placements which are integrated throughout the four years of the course. You will also spend significant periods of time undertaking ‘situated learning activities' within the local community, gaining experience and learning about people and their day to day situation and activities within the community.

The Occupational Therapy course has an international link with LaCrosse University, USA. This provides opportunities for exchange visits within your third year, enabling you to gain experience of health and social care in another country.

Year 1 

In year 1 you will develop a basic understanding of the relationship between humans, occupations, health and the environment as well as gaining foundational knowledge, self-awareness, organisational and study skills. You will be taught certain core modules along with students from physiotherapy, diagnostic radiography and sport science courses.

Year 2

In year 2 you will explore wider issues in the theory of occupational therapy, clinical sciences and social studies and explore media and treatment programmes commonly used in practice. Some second-year modules are shared with students from physiotherapy and diagnostic radiography, reflecting the shared experiences within the working environment.

Year 3

In year 3 the emphasis will be placed on greater independent study and increasing competence in practice placements. You will be challenged with regard to wider issues concerning occupation, international perspectives and the value of occupation.

Year 4

Year 4 gives you the opportunity to evaluate basic occupational therapy skills, the wider issues of professional practice including interdisciplinary practice and the working environment. You will engage in in-depth self-directed study, acquire an increased breadth of understanding and develop a critical approach to practice, extend your awareness of the work setting and lifelong learning, and gain the confidence to be flexible in approach to professional practice and self evaluation.

Throughout the course you will be required to reflect on your academic and professional development and consider your future learning needs. Other threads running through the course include Health Improvement, User-Perspective, Leadership, Public Health, Research, Culture and Diversity, Partnership Working, Information Management and Technology.

SQA Higher: BBCC to include English and either Human Biology or a Biology subject. Maths is required at Standard Grade 2 or above.

GCE A Level: CCC to include a subject requiring the use of English and either Human Biology OR Biology OR Biological Sciences. Maths is required at GCSE B or above.

ILC Higher: B2B2C1C1 to include English and either Human Biology OR Biology OR Biological Sciences. Maths is required at Ordinary Level B or above.

IB Score: 26 to include English and Biology at Higher Level Grade 4. Maths is required at Standard Grade 4 or above.

Alternative Qualifications: Equivalent overseas qualifications, SQA, BTEC, S/NVQs and some Access programmes may be considered. Students with evidence of recent academic study are considered on an individual basis. HNC in Occupational Therapy Support may allow advanced entry to year 2.

English Language Qualifications: All applicants whose first language is not English are required to have an IELTS (International English Language Testing System) score of 7.0 or an appropriate equivalent.

Special Requirements: Medical screening, evidence of immunisation and satisfactory PVG clearance (previously an enhanced disclosure) are a requirement for all successful applicants prior to commencement on the course. For more details about the PVG scheme please visit Disclosure Scotland.

Interview: All shortlisted applicants are invited to attend a selection visit providing an opportunity to meet the Occupational Therapy team. The visit also includes a short interview, group communication session nd team-working exercise.

Practice Visit: All applicants are required to demonstrate that they have visited an Occupational Therapy department. 

*All entry requirements listed here should be used as a guide and represent the minimum required to be considered for entry. Applicants who are made a conditional offer of a place may be asked to achieve more than is stated.

Placements

The five practice education placements take place in a variety of settings throughout Scotland and are designed to help you integrate and apply occupational therapy skills and knowledge. There may be the opportunity for you to undertake a placement abroad or within areas of ‘role emerging' practice, such as the prison service or voluntary sector.

Find out more about one placement and project opportunity:

• Pioneering work at Craiginches Prison 

Find out more about  Health Professions Placements & Professional Links

Professional Accreditation

The degree is a professional qualification which is accredited by the College of Occupational Therapists and meets the standards of the World Federation of Occupational Therapists. It is also approved by the Health & Care Professions Council, registration with which is a requirement of employment in the NHS and other statutory bodies.

UK/EU Students 

Fees

If you are a Scottish resident or EU national you are not liable to pay fees and should apply to SAAS for full payment of tuition fees.

Financial Assistance

Students from Scotland, England, Wales, N Ireland should also apply to SAAS for an income-assessed Scottish Executive Health Department bursary.

For up-to-date information please visit http://www.saas.gov.uk/  

For a student loan, students from Scotland should apply to SAAS and students from England, Wales and N Ireland should apply to the appropriate student finance body.  

• Scotland - http://www.saas.gov.uk/ 
• England - http://www.direct.gov.uk/en/EducationAndLearning/UniversityAndHigherEducation/StudentFinance/index.htm
• Wales - http://www.studentfinancewales.co.uk/
• Northern Ireland - http://www.studentfinanceni.co.uk/

Practical Placement Expenses

• If you have to go on a practical placement away from University and you have extra travel or accommodation costs, you may receive assistance with these from SAAS.
• You can claim up to £10.08 each day for placements during term-time and £8.57 each day for placements during the summer.
• You should complete form AB24, available from the University. This form should not be used for normal daily travel expenses from and to University during term-time. These should be made in the normal way - refer to the Travelling Expenses section of this leaflet.

All course fees are reviewed annually and subject to change. Published fees apply to the course's mode of delivery.

All full-time undergraduate course applications to Robert Gordon University must be made through UCAS at www.ucas.com/apply. It is important that you keep track of your application process using the UCAS website, as it will update you on whether you have been offered a place from the University. It is also where you should respond to offers and receive confirmation of your place within your chosen course, rather than contacting the institution in the first instance.

A career in occupational therapy offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and increasingly important area of health and social care. Occupational therapists work in hospitals, social work services, rehabilitation units, housing services, schools, day care facilities, patient homes, third (voluntary) sector, prison service and addiction services.