Occupational Therapy (Full-Time)

UCAS code: B920

Here's what Swansea University says about its Occupational Therapy (Full-Time) course.

Occupational therapists work to empower people to develop, maintain or improve a diverse range of activities that are relevant and meaningful in their daily lives, from basic self-care at home to work-related activities, hobbies and more.  Throughout this integrated course, you will learn the skills to help people overcome difficulties caused by illness, disability, accidents or ageing.  This could involve the use of aids and adaptations, modifying tasks or developing new skills. 

The course follows a spiral design based around 5 key curriculum themes to help you develop the knowledge, skills, understanding and confidence required to be eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a registered occupational therapist:

• Occupational Concepts for Well Being and Practice

• Enhancing Occupational Therapy

• Practice Placement

• Professionalism and Leadership

• Research, Enquiry & Digitalisation

Our teaching staff have many years of experience as occupational therapists, working in a variety of settings including NHS, Social Care, Private and Third sectors. Our students tell us that our enthusiasm and passion motivate and inspire them to work hard, think differently and succeed.

The course is approved and accredited by the Health and Care Professions Council, the Royal College of Occupational Therapists and the World Federation of Occupational Therapists.

All of the teaching team are registered occupational therapists providing professional expertise and theoretical knowledge. Our excellent facilities in the School of Health and Social Care include realistic clinical suites so you can learn practical skills in a safe, supervised environment before using them in a real-life situation. You will have access to workplace experiences across Hywel Dda and Swansea Bay University Health Boards and other health and social care settings.

Your course will be taught at our Singleton Park campus on the edge of the beautiful Gower Peninsula and thirty weeks of teaching will take place in key clinical placements within the NHS and community facilities.

Completion of this course will enable you to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council (HCPC) to become a registered occupational therapist. You can expect a starting salary of £28,407 rising to £50,056 for a highly experienced Occupational Therapist.

Occupational Therapy is a rewarding career that allows you to make a real difference to people’s independence and quality of life. There are many opportunities to specialise, for example working with older adults, in rehabilitation services, social care or with children, people with mental health issues or who have a learning disability.

In Year 1, you will typically study areas including: Professional foundations of practice Technology in Health and Social Care Occupational concepts for wellbeing and practice Practice placement

In Year 2, you will typically study areas including: Evidence based practice for occupation Developing collaboration for health and wellbeing Occupational concepts for wellbeing and practice Working with communities Practice placement

In Year 3, you will typically study areas including: Evidence based project for occupation The emergent practitioner Developing leadership and innovation in Health and Social Care The specialist practitioner Practice placement

Assessment is designed to use integrated academic skills that demonstrate professional reasoning and problem solving – the skills required in practice. There are a number of coursework submissions including essays and reports to help develop confidence in handling evidence, literature and written expression, academic posters as would be seen at professional conferences, presentations designed to mimic the challenges of responding to questions about case work and written examinations. Research is assessed through a small group research project, reflecting the teamwork approach to handling and generating evidence to support practice following qualification and placement competency will be assessed by your practice educator during formative learning such as simulation and clinical skills delivery in specialist areas.