Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc
2 Years Full-Time | September Start

Your tutors will use a variety of teaching methods including enquiry-based approaches in which you will be an active participant in your learning. As with other Masters degrees there will be a major element of independent learning and self-motivated reflection.

Learning in practice is an integral part of the course. There are two practice placements in the first year and a further two in the second year. You will also undertake practical learning in our on-campus Clinical Skills Centre.

Our assessments are designed to promote academic development and professional practice. Methods include written assignments, presentations and assessments of practice during placements.

*Please Note* The programme is currently in the process of revalidation therefore there may be some amendments, for example the names of modules and updates to the content.

This course is delivered by a team of enthusiastic, research-active lecturers and contemporary clinicians with extensive knowledge and expertise relevant to the practice of occupational therapy.

Dedicated clinicians will support your learning during each of your four placements. While on campus, you’ll also learn from visiting occupational therapists and service users who will share their experiences and insights into developing better services.

To fully support your learning journey you will have a dedicated personal tutor who will be on-hand to offer help or assistance throughout the duration of your studies.

This course is based at our Coach Lane campus which houses our purpose-built Clinical Skills Centre. It will allow you to develop skills within simulated scenarios and extend your practical experience.

Our facilities are some of the most advanced in the country. They help ensure our healthcare courses keep evolving in accordance with the latest developments in the profession.

You will have access to our University library which was ranked joint first in the UK for student experience (Times Higher Education Student Experience Survey 2015/16).

Technology is embedded throughout all aspects of the course. For example you’ll receive ongoing support through our innovative e-learning platform, Blackboard, where you can access a wide range of academic resources.

As a Masters student you’ll develop your research and enquiry skills to a new level. The Research Project module will enable you to plan, develop, manage and appraise an original piece of research.

Throughout the course you’ll be an active participant in the on-going research agenda that’s at the heart of Northumbria University. Our academic events include research conferences that explore healthcare topics from interdisciplinary perspectives.

Based on your particular interests, you can choose one of your placements in a clinical area and location that reflects your career aspirations. For example you could undertake a placement in another country in order to gain experience within a fresh culture and healthcare system.

The course curriculum is designed not just to meet academic requirements but also HCPC Standards of Proficiency for occupational therapists. HCPC registration will be essential for you to practise as an occupational therapist in the UK.

The importance of people being actively engaged in occupations throughout life and periods of ill-health, transition and change is becoming increasingly recognised on a local, national and international level meaning now is a great time to enter this exciting profession.

On completion of this course you’ll be ready to seek professional registration with HCPC so that you can work as an occupational therapist with the NHS, social services, charities or private sector employers.

If you choose to continue your studies to a higher level, your experience of postgraduate research will provide an excellent foundation.

Whatever you decide to do, you’ll have the transferable skills that employers expect from a master’s graduate from Northumbria University. These include the ability to tackle complex issues through conceptualisation and undertaking research, the ability to contribute to new processes and knowledge, and the ability to formulate balanced judgements when considering incomplete or ambiguous data.