Occupational Therapy BSc

The human body is amazing but when things go wrong, either mentally or physically, people often aren’t able to do activities that matter to them. What are the barriers to activity? Are there ways to overcome these barriers? These are the questions you’ll be finding the answers to as an Occupational Therapist.

At Brunel you’ll be integrating theory with practice. You’ll learn to examine the physical, psychological and contextual aspects of a patient. This can be from the acute stage through to the general rehabilitation in the community. You’re encouraged to be creative in your approach and to develop ways to solve their problems. For instance you could be helping someone who has had an amputation to use a wheelchair and identifying ways to have their kitchen adapted. On the course you’ll be encouraged to use your own skills and hobbies to aid rehabilitation. This can be anything from art or music to hair braiding.

You’ll learn to use research and literature and to look at evidence to help your understanding of a patient’s condition. Eventually you’ll learn the skills to create your own research.

Brunel is ranked first in London for Occupational Therapy in The Complete University Guide 2019. If you’re positive, a motivator, good at coming up with solutions to problems and looking for a career that’s rewarding and really makes a difference to people’s lives then this is the course for you.

NHS Values

Patients, public and staff have helped develop this expression of values that inspire passion in the NHS and that should underpin everything it does. Individual organisations will develop and build upon these values, tailoring them to their local needs. The NHS values provide common ground for co-operation to achieve shared aspirations, at all levels of the NHS.

Got a question about this course? Check out our FAQ's page. 

The course integrates theory with practice. Periods of campus-based study will prepare you for practice placements, and then information and experience gained on placements provides much of the case study material used in university study. There is also a mix of individual and group work. Your course will follow four themes. These will form the basis of your learning throughout the three years. These themes are:

Occupation
The word ‘occupation’ in occupational therapy refers to people’s everyday activities such as work, hobbies, looking after yourself etc.  You’ll learn human biology (anatomy and physiology) and psychology, which will inform you how illness or chronic disease can affect a person’s ability to carry out these daily activities.

Enquiry
You’ll learn to read literature and research and evaluate evidence. You’ll be taught about the research process and how it applies in the context of being a health professional. You will become proficient users of existing research, be able to help your patients to understand what it means and eventually you’ll have the skillset to create your own research projects.

Professional performance
You’ll learn the professional language and terminology used in occupational therapy and be able to use clinical reasoning. You’ll understand and use a range of occupational therapy procedures. As an occupational therapist you’ll be dealing with vulnerable people in society so this theme also covers the importance of professional integrity and conduct.

Practical skills
You’ll learn how to assess patients, work out their difficulties and to resolve their problems. This can be helping people with dementia to maintain their quality of life, working with people with physical difficulties to help them with self-care and independent living techniques or working with mental health patients to redevelop either social or vocational skills. These are just a few examples. Our purpose-built Keep Living Suite and our specialist equipment will help you to learn about the type of equipment you will use when you’re working as an occupational therapist. You’ll learn to fit equipment such as commodes and bath seats, how to advise patients on sitting positions, desk or table configurations and the use of equipment in bedrooms, bathrooms and kitchens. There are opportunities on campus and as part of your course to help with Brunel’s wheelchair basketball team, use sensory integration equipment and help with children who have developmental coordination disorder.

After graduating you are eligible to apply for registration with the UK Health and Care Professions Council in order to practise as an occupational therapist. The demand for occupational therapists is high and most of our graduates are employed in a professional/managerial job six months after graduating (DLHE 2018), earning an average salary of £24,000. You’ll be able to work in areas such as physical rehabilitation, mental health settings, with children in schools or clinics and with people with learning disabilities, based at a hospital or as part of a community reablement team. As well as opportunities to work in the health and social care sector there’s also demand for occupational therapists in the voluntary sector, private practice, schools and industry. Some graduates go on to become case managers, expert witnesses, work with engineers to design equipment or start up their own business or private practice.

In your final year the Professional Practice module covers essential areas such as continuing professional development, preparing for interviews and developing a personal statement designed to help you make strong job applications.

• GCE A-level BBB, including a Grade B in Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health and Social Care or Sociology (General Studies not accepted).
• BTEC Level 3 Extended Diploma DDD in Health and Social Care or Applied Science.
• BTEC Level 3 Diploma DD in Health and Social Care or Applied Science, with an A-level at grade B in Biology, Human Biology, Psychology, Health and Social Care or Sociology.
• BTEC Level 3 Subsidiary Diploma D in Health and Social Care or Applied Science, with A-level grades BB, to include: Biology, Human Biology, Psychology, Health and Social Care or Sociology.
• International Baccalaureate Diploma 30 points including 5 in Higher Level Biology, Human Biology, Chemistry, Psychology, Health and Social Care or Sociology.
• Access to Higher Education Diploma Complete and pass a related subject Access course with 45 credits at level 3 with Merits in all units.

Five GCSEs at grade C or grade 4 or above are also required, including English Language and Maths.

All shortlisted applicants will be interviewed.

Please check our Admissions pages for more information on other factors we use to assess applicants as our full GCSE requirements and accepted equivalencies in place of GCSEs.

A satisfactory health declaration is required.  

Mature students: A high percentage of our intake are mature students, and these applicants are considered on individual merit, relevant work experience and evidence of recent academic achievement. Grade C or grade 4 at GCSE in both English and Maths is required.

Please note: This course may involve regular access to children and/or vulnerable adults, also known as regulated activity. Where this is the case, students are required to complete an Enhanced Disclosure and Barring Service (DBS) application. The application currently costs £51.86, but this is subject to change. For the most up to date information please visit the Home office website.

The University will send you more information as part of your admissions process. For further guidance please Contact Admissions.

• IELTS: 7 (min 6.5W, 6.5L, 6.5R, 6.5S)
• Pearson: 64 (58 in all subscores)
• BrunELT: 70% (65% in all areas)

You’ll be taught by lecturers who are still active in their field and have close links with colleagues in the NHS, social service and voluntary organisations around London. This means that you’ll have the opportunity to go to some of the top hospitals in the world such as the National Hospital for Neurology at Queens Square and Imperial Hospital. You’ll also benefit from their up-to-date practical expertise.

At Brunel we have an impressive record of research, innovation and many of our lecturers have produced publications in the field. You’ll benefit first-hand from their leading-edge findings and this will form part of your course.

Should you need any non-academic support during your time at Brunel, the Student Support and Welfare Team are here to help.

As you progress through your degree studies, your performance in all modules will be assessed. A variety of assessment tools are used, reflecting the variation in subject studies. These include written examinations, essays and reports together with practical presentations. You will be assessed on each practice placement and must pass these in order to graduate.

Assessments during Level 2 and Level 3 studies will determine the classification of degree that you will be awarded.

As in all universities, Brunel assessments are subject to review by external examiners to ensure that common standards are maintained across all degrees.