Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is the health profession concerned with enabling people to engage in the activities and occupations that give their lives meaning and structure, when illness, injury, disability or the effects of ageing have disrupted that capacity. Occupational therapists work with people across the life span, in hospitals, community settings, schools, prisons, mental health services and people's own homes, helping them regain or develop the skills and strategies they need for daily life. The profession draws on a distinctive understanding of how occupation, health and wellbeing are connected, combined with knowledge of anatomy, physiology, neuroscience, psychology and the social determinants of health.

At Cardiff University, this three-year full-time programme prepares you for practice as an occupational therapist, combining academic learning with extensive clinical placement experience. You will develop the theoretical knowledge and practical skills that the profession demands, including assessment, treatment planning, intervention, adaptive equipment, environmental modification and the person-centred approaches that define occupational therapy practice. Cardiff's programme has a strong reputation within the profession, and its location in a major city gives you access to a diverse range of clinical settings and client groups during your training.

On graduation, you will be eligible to apply for registration with the Health and Care Professions Council as a qualified occupational therapist. Career paths span physical and mental health NHS services, community and social care, paediatrics, learning disability services, housing and housing adaptations, vocational rehabilitation, prisons, education and private practice. Occupational therapy is a profession in which demand consistently outstrips supply, and graduates find employment across the full range of settings.

Further study at master's level in occupational therapy, rehabilitation science or a related health profession is an option for those who want to develop research skills or move into specialist clinical or academic roles.