Occupational Therapy

Year 1

You will develop a fundamental understanding of the relationship between the person, occupation, health, wellbeing and the environment. You will learn the determinants of health and wider psychosocial and cultural influences on health and the concept of health promotion. The theoretical and practical components of occupational therapy are embedded throughout, and development of professional identity is initiated through the use of interprofessional learning opportunities.

Year 2

You will explore wider theory of the impact of health on human occupation, and the application of occupation-based practice within a range of settings throughout the lifespan. Interprofessional education, evidence based practice, situated learning and practice placement opportunities develop clinical reasoning and critical thinking skills to underpin current and contemporary professional practice.

Year 3

You will have further opportunities to apply clinical reasoning skills and occupational therapy skills, with the integration of academic theory, practice placements learning and aligned with the multi-professional study of research methods. You will develop your critical thinking, team working, and entrepreneurial skills in relation to professional practice and interprofessional learning, leadership and management.

Year 4

You will develop enhanced skills in critical and professional reasoning in relation to understanding the importance of integrating a public health approach, and provision of quality evidenced based, person-centred care. You will undertake a research project which will further develop research skills attained in Stage 3, culminating in a focus of primary research or scoping review. Your practice placement experience will also be augmented by an elective practice placement, which provides some choice whilst ensuring that remaining outcomes are achieved.

Student stories

Hear from our students and graduates about their experiences studying this course:

Learning Methods

The Master of Occupational Therapy involves a combination of academic, practice-based and community learning experiences. You will attend lectures, tutorials and workshops, and practical sessions are taught within the purpose-built clinical skills and home setting environments, engaging with volunteer patients to simulate patient scenarios which are reflective of practice. You will also be directed to engage with additional digital resources which aim to enhance and augment learning. You will also engage in continuing professional development activities, and integration of skills of reflection and clinical reasoning with person-centred evidence-based practice.

Activity Summary

• Lectures - 44-100 students per group, 1-2 hours per week
• Seminars - 44 students per group, 2-4 hours per week
• Tutorial - 6-44 students per group, 4-6 hours per week
• Project Supervision - 5-7 students per group
• Practical class or workshop - 5-44 students per group, 4 hours per week
• Placement / Work Based Learning - 1-2 students per group, 35 hours per week (lasting 6 weeks per term)

How long is a MOccTh Occupational Therapy course?

An Occupational Therapy degree can be successfully completed in 4 years, in which the opportunity to receive the necessary skills are obtained.

Independent Study

You will be expected to engage in independent study for each module, engaging in a variety of resources to support and augment learning.

Staff Delivering on this Course

All academic staff teaching on this course are qualified occupational therapists or allied health professionals, with an extensive range of experience gained in a variety of clinical and geographical settings. Industry experts and guest lecturers also contribute to the academic and practice-based teaching, with the use of online platforms increasing the capacity and availability of specialist teaching and the use of the lived experience which provide rich learning for students.

Assessment

Typically students are assessed each year:

Year 1

• 1 written exam, typically for 2 hours
• 4 written assignments, including essays
• 1 practical skills assessment (placement)

Year 2

• 2 written assignments, including essays
• 1 oral assessment
• 1 practical skills assessment (placement)
• 1 podcast

Year 3

• 1 report
• 1 portfolio
• 2 oral assessments
• 1 practical skills assessment (placement)

Year 4

• 1 dissertation
• 2 oral assessments
• 2 practical skills assessments (placements)

Feedback

We aim to provide you with feedback within 20 working days of hand-in for all written exams, coursework and practical exams.

Academic Support

The Inclusion Centre advises and supports students who disclose a sensory or mobility impairment, chronic medical condition, mental health issue, dyslexia and other specific learning differences. Applicants are encouraged to arrange a pre-entry visit to discuss any concerns and to view the facilities.

Online Learning & Support

All undergraduate and postgraduate students, whether you are learning on campus or by online learning, benefit from using our collaborative virtual learning environment, CampusMoodle. You will be provided with 24/7 online access to your learning material and resources, along with the ability to interact with your class members and tutors for discussion and support.

Study Skills Support

The Study Support Team provides training and support to all students in:

• Academic writing
• Study skills (note taking, exam techniques, time management, presentation)
• Maths and statistics
• English language
• Information technology support

Library Support

The Library offers support for your course, including the books, eBooks, and journals you will need. We also offer online reading lists for many modules, workshops and drop-ins on searching skills and referencing, and much more.

Placements

Practice Placement experiences take place in a wide range of health, social care and third sector organisations throughout Scotland. The first four placements are sourced and predominantly arranged by the course Practice Placement Coordinator. The fifth is an elective placement sourced and arranged by you and may take place in traditional or contemporary emerging area of practice, either in the UK or internationally.

• Year 1: One six week placement in Term 2
• Year 2: One eight week placement in Term 2
• Year 3: One eight week placement in Term 1
• Year 4: Two six week placements (One per Term)

Study Abroad

To enhance your understanding of alternative healthcare systems and cultures, and to support your employability in the global workplace, you may decide to complete your elective practice placement with a alternative healthcare provider, or internationally.

Job Prospects

A career in occupational therapy offers the opportunity to work in a dynamic and increasingly important area of health and social care.

Is Occupational Therapy a good career choice?

Previous graduates of Robert Gordon University have gone on to pursue Occupational Therapy careers in the following environments:

• Hospitals 
• Social work services 
• Rehabilitation units 
• Housing services 
• Schools 
• Day care facilities 
• Community rehabilitation  
• Third (voluntary) sector 
• Prison service 
• Addiction services

Additionally, with the Master’s qualification, you will have the enhanced skills and attributes required to strategically influence workforce planning developments and be equipped to provide evidenced-based, quality services within and beyond statutory sectors. This ensures your readiness for current and future practice, whatever direction you may decide to take.

What entry requirements are needed for a MOccTh Occupational Therapy course?

Standard Entry Requirements

• SQA Higher: BBBC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and one from a science or humanities subject. Maths and a science subject are required at National 5 level grade B or above if not held at Higher.
• GCE A Level: BCC to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and one from a science or humanities subject. Maths and a science subject are required at GCSE grade 6/B or above if not held at A Level.
• Irish Leaving Certificate Higher: H2H3H3H3 to include English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and one from a science or humanities subject. Maths and a science subject are required at grade O2 if not held at Higher.
• IB Diploma: 27 to include Higher Level English (or a written subject requiring the use of English) and one from a science or humanities subject. Maths and a science subject are required at Standard Level grade 4 if not held at Higher.

Minimum Entry Requirements

The minimum entry requirements for widening access applicants are:

• SQA Higher: BCCC to include English or a written subject requiring the use of English. Maths plus one from Biology, Chemistry or Physics is required at National 5 B if not held at Higher.

International Students

International students who do not meet our direct entry requirements for this course can gain additional entry points through our International College at Robert Gordon University.

English Language Requirements

Applicants whose first language is not English should have an IELTS of 7.0 overall, with no component lower than 6.5, or an equivalent.

These are the requirements of the HCPC and supersede the standard University English Language requirements.

We accept a variety of in-country and secure English language tests, find out more:

Please note, some courses may require a higher standard of English than stated in this page. Contact admissions@rgu.ac.uk for further information.

Additional Costs​

• Accommodation: £1000 approximately to cover potential accommodation costs incurred during practice placements which you may be able to claim from funding body
• Costs associated with your placement/study abroad
• Protection of Vulnerable Groups clearance: £60 approximately – please note this is currently covered by Scottish Government but agreed on an annual basis
• Student membership of professional body – CROT: £6 per month approximately
• At the beginning of your course and during all practice placements you are required to purchase and wear an official uniform. If you are a student from Scotland, this uniform will be paid for by the Scottish Government. All other students (the rest of the UK (RUK) and international students) will have to purchase a tunic at £5.59 each and trousers at £7.04 each. Where uniforms become damaged or for any other reason unsuitable, you are responsible for the cost of the replacement.
• Students from out with Scotland (the rest of the UK (RUK) and for any international students) must pay for PVG membership - £59 (new member) or £18 (existing member) as well as health checks which are variable depending on needs, but online screening is essential £22.70
  • Online Health Screening - £22.70
  • Additional Health Screening - £48.70 / £72.20
  • Hepatitis B Vaccination x 3 - £26.60 each
  • Hepatitis B Blood Titre Test - £32.00
  • TB Mantoux Test / BCG Vaccination - £33.00 / £24.00
  • MMR Vaccination x 2 - £22.45 each
  • MMR Blood Test - £31.00
  • Varicella Blood Test / Vaccination - £21.00 / £33.00