Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy is a healthcare profession centred on the belief that meaningful activity is fundamental to health and wellbeing. Occupational therapists work with people of all ages who are facing physical, mental or social barriers to participating in the everyday activities that matter to them, from self-care and work to leisure and social engagement. Drawing on a holistic understanding of the person and their environment, occupational therapists assess needs, design interventions and support people to overcome barriers to their independence and quality of life.

It is a profession that combines clinical knowledge, creative problem-solving and deep respect for what each person values.

At the University of Derby you will study occupational therapy over three years of full-time study, with a foundation year available as an entry route for students who want to build academic and scientific foundations before beginning the degree. Successful completion of the programme makes you eligible to apply to the Health and Care Professions Council for registration as an occupational therapist, the professional registration required to practise in the UK. You will develop knowledge of the biological, psychological and social dimensions of health and occupation, alongside the assessment and intervention skills needed to work effectively with diverse client groups across clinical, community and educational settings.

The programme includes clinical placements, giving you direct experience with real clients under professional supervision. The typical tariff of 136 reflects the professional demands of a degree that leads to a regulated health qualification.

Graduates register as occupational therapists and work across the NHS, local authority social care, mental health services, schools, hospices, the voluntary sector and private practice. The breadth of settings in which occupational therapists work reflects the fundamental relevance of occupation to human health across the lifespan. Career progression leads to specialist practice, supervision, management and academic roles, and many OTs pursue postgraduate study to develop expertise in particular client groups or practice areas.

The profession consistently attracts high levels of job satisfaction.