About this course

Occupational Therapy at Southampton is ranked fourth in the UK (Counselling, Psychotherapy and Occupational Therapy, Complete University Guide 2025).

This BSc Occupational Therapy degree will give you the knowledge and skills to treat people with psychological, physical or social disabilities. You’ll learn how to work effectively with patients, their families and carers, as well as with other healthcare professionals.

You’ll develop a strong professional identity as an occupational therapist and gain a clear understanding of how the role contributes to multi-disciplinary teams.

Occupational therapy combines a range of areas including human anatomy and physiology, psychology, sociology, pathology, learning disabilities and mental health. You’ll explore the impact of health conditions and life events on people’s sense of self, relationships and occupations.

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

Our purpose-built facilities include a multisensory environment, a biomechanics laboratory and an adapted flat. You’ll complete 1,000 hours on placements in the community, social care and hospitals.

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

Funding to support your learning

Subject to eligibility, UK and Irish students joining this degree can apply for a Tuition Fee Loan to cover the full cost of tuition fees. UK students may also be eligible to apply for an additional maintenance loan to help with living costs.

Additionally, UK students studying this course at University of Southampton may well be able to receive a training grant of £5,000 per academic year from the NHS and entitled to have some of the additional costs of attending a practice placement reimbursed. Students with parental responsibility for one or more children may receive a £2,000 Parental Support payment per student, per academic year. Find out more on the NHS Learning Support Fund website

If you are normally resident in Ireland, you are encouraged to apply for financial support from SUSI.

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.

Foundation year

If you have not studied the required Science subjects for this course, you may be eligible to apply for and enter through our Science Foundation Year.

We regularly review our courses to ensure and improve quality. This course may be revised as a result of this. Any revision will be balanced against the requirement that the student should receive the educational service expected. Find out why, when, and how we might make changes.

Our courses are regulated in England by the Office for Students (OfS).

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

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.

Download

ODT

Download 2024-25 Course Description Document

Entry requirements

Academic year filter options

A-levels

BBB including one science or social science subject

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level including a science or social science subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-Level subject or D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus BB in two A-level subjects.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health Studies or Science. If an Science A-Level is studied alongside the BTEC the following BTEC subjects would be considered: Creative Arts, Engineering, Music, Performing Arts and Childcare

QCF BTEC

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-Level subject D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A-level subjects.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C), Mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) and Science (minimum grade 4/C) if not offered at a level 3 qualification.

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 3 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

A-levels

BBB including one science or social science subject

A-levels additional information

Offers typically exclude General Studies and Critical Thinking. Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

A-levels contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all applicants with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise an applicant's potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme, as follows: BBC including one science or social science subject.

or

International Baccalaureate Diploma

Pass with 30 points overall with 15 points at Higher Level including a science or social science subject.

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

Acceptable science or social sciences are Biology, Chemistry, Physics, Sociology and Psychology.

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

Offers will be made on the individual Diploma Course subject(s) and the career-related study qualification. The CP core will not form part of the offer. Where there is a subject pre-requisite(s), applicants will be required to study the subject(s) at Higher Level in the Diploma course subject and/or take a specified unit in the career-related study qualification. Applicants may also be asked to achieve a specific grade in those elements. Please see the University of Southampton International Baccalaureate Career-Related Programme (IBCP) Statement for further information. Applicants are advised to contact their Faculty Admissions Office for more information.

or

BTEC

DDM in the BTEC National Extended Diploma DD in BTEC National Diploma plus B in A-Level subject o D in the BTEC Extended Certificate plus BB in two A-level subjects.

RQF BTEC

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

Additional information

We accept Health studies or science. If an Science A-Level is studied alongside the BTEC the following BTEC subjects would be considered Creative Arts, Engineering, Music, Performing Arts and Childcare

QCF BTEC

DDM in the BTEC Extended Diploma DD in BTEC Diploma plus B in A-Level subject D in the BTEC Subsidiary Diploma plus BB in two A-level subjects.

We are committed to ensuring that all learners with the potential to succeed, regardless of their background, are encouraged to apply to study with us. The additional information gained through contextual data allows us to recognise a learner’s potential to succeed in the context of their background and experience. Applicants who are highlighted in this way will be made an offer which is lower than the typical offer for that programme.

or

Entry requirements filter options

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

Applicants must hold GCSE English language (or GCSE English) (minimum grade 4/C), Mathematics (minimum grade 4/C) and Science (minimum grade 4/C) if not offered at a level 3 qualification.

Non-academic entry requirements

You must have completed recent, relevant study within 3 years

Occupational Health and Vaccinations

Completion and confirmation of a satisfactory health screening including confirmation of appropriate vaccinations will be a condition of your offer. All students must comply with the vaccination requirements of the programme which must be met in order to undertake placements. The list of vaccinations required is updated by the NHS and may change over the course of your programme.

Declaration of Good Character and Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS)

You will be required to complete a satisfactory, University of Southampton Self-Declaration of Good Character form. You will be subject to an enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service Check (DBS) as this is a legal requirement for those involved in contact with children or vulnerable adults. The DBS certificate will be reviewed by the School of Health Science in conjunction with your Declaration of Good Character, the University’s Fitness to Practice Policy and Nursing and Midwifery Council guidance or Health and Care Professions Council guidance. At the start of each subsequent year of study you will also be asked to complete a Self-Disclosure form.

Applicants who have been resident outside of the UK within the last 5 years will normally be required to provide information of criminal record checks from the appropriate organisation in your country of current/previous residency. All documentation must be officially stamped and translated into English, proving authenticity of the documents. See GOV.UK website

Got a question?

Please contact our enquiries team if you're not sure that 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

You’ll take a number of core modules each year, and they must all be passed.

Around half of your time will be spent learning on campus.

The remainder will be on practice-based learning, amounting to 1,000 hours over the course of the 3 years. These placements could be anywhere in the UK in an organisation we have a relationship with, but they are mainly in the Hampshire and Isle of Wight region.

There's also the opportunity to undertake a third-year role-emerging or diverse occupational therapy placement.

We have strong international links, so there are opportunities to get involved in global projects.

Year 1 overview

You'll undertake a practice-based learning with an experienced therapist. You'll be in contact with patients and learn in real-world settings from the start.

You’ll also:

build a solid understanding of the principles of occupational therapy
learn how to use a variety of tools to help increase occupational engagement and performance
explore the ethics of therapeutic care, including the importance of safeguarding vulnerable people
look at the meaning and impact of occupation on individuals and within society
learn to understand physiology and anatomy, pain theory and learning disabilities as well as musculoskeletal, neuromuscular and mental health

Year 2 overview

This year you’ll:

undertake 2 practice placements
learn more about the physical and psychosocial aspects of applied occupational therapy practice
explore research methods and how they apply to occupational therapy practice
take part in group projects with community organisations
learn how the design of systems, environments and objects can be used to improve occupational performance and wellbeing

Year 3 overview

You’ll do a final clinical placement and focus on being prepared for professional practice. You’ll study:

therapeutic engagements and charity partnerships
research into occupational therapy
complex occupational therapy practice
assessment, diagnostic and management strategies
innovation, leadership, influencing change and business development
skills in complex clinical case management
the legal, political and cultural context of professional practice

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

Modules

The modules outlined provide examples of what you can expect to learn on this degree course based on recent academic teaching. As a research-led University, we undertake a continuous review of our course to ensure quality enhancement and to manage our resources. The precise modules available to you in future years may vary depending on staff availability and research interests, new topics of study, timetabling and student demand. Find out why, when and how we might make changes.

For entry in academic year 2024 to 2025

You must study the following modules in year 1:

An Introduction to Professional Practice (Level 4)

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 t...

Design for Occupation 1

In this introductory module, you will discover how to investigate design features that impact upon occupation, health and wellbeing for individuals and populations. You will have the opportunity to develop and apply existing skills from other level 4 ...

Practice Placement 1 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 placements will be in health or social care settings. You will be assigned o...

Principles of Health Sciences for Occupational Therapy

This module builds upon the preceding 'Foundations of Health Sciences' module. You will advance your understanding in key aspects of musculoskeletal, neuromuscular, physiology and anatomy. You will also be introduced to fundamental aspects of pharmacology...

Principles of Occupational Therapy Practice

This module introduces the profession of occupational therapy within the current contexts and scope of practice. It considers the meaning and impact of occupation on individuals and within society. It explores the consequences of disrupted occupations an...

Therapeutic Engagements/Partnerships in Occupational Therapy Practice 1

This module will use an experiential approach to allow you to develop a range of communication skills that are required for effective therapeutic dialogue, which is a fundamental skill for occupational therapy practice. You will: - have the opportun...

Using Evidence in Occupational Therapy Practice

This module introduces you to evidence in practice and begins to equip you with skills to search for, understand, critique and use different types of evidence in practice. You will: - undertake literature searches and explore the range of literature ...

YR1 Generic Timetabling

Learning and assessment

The learning activities for this course include the following:

lectures
classes and tutorials
coursework
individual and group projects
independent learning (studying on your own)

How you'll spend your course time:

Study time

Your scheduled learning, teaching and independent study for year 1:

23%

Scheduled learning & teaching

64%

Independent learning

13%

Placement

How we'll assess you

essays
oral presentations
written and practical exams
placement assessment

Your assessment breakdown

Year 1:

25%

Written exam

50%

Coursework

25%

Practical exam

Academic support

You’ll be supported by a personal academic tutor and have access to a senior tutor.

Course leader

Rachel Dadswell is the course leader.

Careers

This course is accredited by the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists, giving you work opportunities both in the UK and abroad.

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.

You’ll be able to take part in a week-long employability programme designed specifically for our graduates.

More information about careers in occupational therapy can be found on the NHS Careers website.

Careers services at Southampton

We are a top 20 UK university for employability (QS Graduate Employability Rankings 2022). Our Careers, Employability and Student Enterprise team will support you. This support includes:

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

We have a vibrant entrepreneurship culture and our dedicated start-up supporter, Futureworlds, is open to every student.

Fees, costs and funding

Tuition fees

Fees for a year's study:

UK students pay £9,250.
EU and international students pay £23,400.

The Government has recently announced changes to UK tuition fees from September 2025 onwards. We will update our website to reflect this shortly.

What your fees pay for

Your tuition fees pay for the full cost of tuition and all examinations. Your fee also covers the cost of your uniform for clinical practice.

Find out how to:

You'll need to consider extra costs for the following:

suitable shoes for your practice placements
your own fob watch
your enhanced DBS certificate
your professional registration fee (on graduation)

On your placements you can claim travel and accommodation expenses over and above your normal daily travel costs to university. But there are limits on what you can claim. Learn more about placement costs and expenses.

There will also be other costs not covered by the tuition fee. These may include:

stationery
personal computer or laptop and data storage devices
printing

Accommodation and living costs, such as travel and food, are not included in your tuition fees. There may also be extra costs for retake and professional exams.

Explore:

Bursaries, scholarships and other funding

If you're a UK or EU student and your household income is under £25,000 a year, you may be able to get a University of Southampton bursary to help with your living costs. Find out about bursaries and other funding we offer at Southampton.

If you're a care leaver or estranged from your parents, you may be able to get a specific bursary.

Get in touch for advice about student money matters.

Scholarships and grants

You may be able to get a scholarship or grant to help fund your studies.

We award scholarships and grants for travel, academic excellence, or to students from under-represented backgrounds.

Support during your course

The Student Hub offers support and advice on money to students. You may be able to access our Student Support fund and other sources of financial support during your course.

Funding for EU and international students

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

How to apply

When you apply use:

UCAS course code: B920
UCAS institution code: S27

Apply for this course

What happens after you apply?

We will assess your application on the strength of your:

predicted grades
academic achievements
personal statement
academic reference

We'll also consider how your personal and professional values align with occupational therapy. Ways you can show this include:

work experience in occupational therapy or health and social care
life experience
extracurricular activities

If your UCAS application is successful we'll invite you to an on-line interview. We'll send an invitation e-mail which will include information on how to prepare and what to expect during the interview.

We'll aim to process your application within 2 to 6 weeks, but this will depend on when it is submitted. Applications submitted in January, particularly near to the UCAS equal consideration deadline, might take substantially longer to be processed due to the high volume received at that time.

Equality and diversity

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

Got a question?

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

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

Related courses

Occupational Therapy (BSc) is a course in the Nursing, midwifery and healthcare subject area. Here are some other courses within this subject area:

a

BSc

Audiology

MSci

Audiology

c

BSc

Cardiac Physiology (Healthcare Science)

m

BSc

Midwifery

n

MNurs

Nursing (Mental Health)

p

BSc

Occupational Therapy (BSc)

About this course

Funding to support your learning

Support for students with a disability/health condition

Foundation year

Accreditations

Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC)

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

World Federation of Occupational Therapists (WFOT)

Learn more about this subject area

Nursing, midwifery and healthcare

Course location

Awarding body

Download the Course Description Document

Entry requirements

For Academic year 202526

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

For Academic year 202425

A-levels

A-levels additional information

A-levels contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Diploma

International Baccalaureate Diploma additional information

International Baccalaureate contextual offer

International Baccalaureate Career Programme (IBCP) statement

BTEC

RQF BTEC

Additional information

QCF BTEC

Access to HE Diploma

Access to HE additional information

Irish Leaving Certificate

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2017)

Irish Leaving Certificate (first awarded 2016)

Irish certificate additional information

Scottish Qualification

Cambridge Pre-U

Cambridge Pre-U additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate

Welsh Baccalaureate additional information

Welsh Baccalaureate contextual offer

T-Level

Other requirements

GCSE requirements

English language requirements

IELTS score requirements

Non-academic entry requirements

Got a question?

Course structure

Year 1 overview

Year 2 overview

Year 3 overview