Overview
With its patient-centred approach, our pre-registration course provides the opportunity to expand your knowledge of the fundamental sciences behind occupational therapy.
You’ll also develop an enthusiasm for the practice, through a variety of placements including the option of AECC University College’s on-site healthcare-focused clinic. Upon graduation, you’ll be eligible to apply for HCPC registration as an occupational therapist.
Our innovative curriculum has been designed using hybrid problem-based learning (H-PBL) to ensure you are adequately equipped to respond to the complexity of your clients’ needs and provide care that’s safe, seamless and of a high standard.
You’ll learn how to develop effective solutions to your patients’ challenges by always seeking to understand their lived experience, and develop professional, leadership and employability skills, ready to work with patients of all ages and transform the lives of individuals, groups and communities.
Course Details
We utilise a diverse range of delivery approaches including:
- seminars
- workshops
- practice sessions
- placement opportunities
- peer and expert observations
- online learning
- practical laboratory sessions
Patient-centred approach
With a patient-centred approach, this course teaches you to empower people who for reasons of ill-health, disability, trauma or adverse social circumstances, face barriers and challenges which prevent them from undertaking the activities (or occupations) that matter to them.
Our course emphasises the importance of occupation in human life, the relationship between occupation, health and wellbeing, and the power of occupation to transform the lives of individuals, groups and communities.
Our contemporary curriculum is designed to ensure you are adequately equipped to respond to the complexity of your clients’ needs, and ensures that care is safe, seamless and of a high standard. You will develop effective solutions to the challenges that patients are facing, by always seeking to understand the lived experience of the patient.
Upon graduation you will be eligible to apply for HCPC registration as an occupational therapist.
For more information see our Course Specifications.
Assessments are conducted though a range of contemporary approaches. Alongside more traditional dissertation and essay assessments students will also:
- engage in practical assessments
- write blogs
- produce short videos
- engage with social media
- write consultancy reports
- engage in debates
Why study to become an Occupational Therapist at AECC University College?
We offer an innovative curriculum designed to meet the needs of aspiring Occupational Therapists. Our fantastic state-of-the-art healthcare education provision includes:
- On-site clinics
- Imaging services
- Treatment spaces
- Pro-section laboratory (including a developing on-site occupational therapy service).
This, coupled with our expertise in training healthcare professionals, and our links with both NHS and private practice providers, offers a fantastic environment in which aspiring Occupational Therapists can train and develop.
For more information see our Course Specifications.
Unit Breakdown
Core units 
Units
Core units
Provisional Units Include:
- Introduction to Professional Practice
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 1
- Foundation Science for Health, Wellbeing, and Participation
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 2
- Transforming Health and Wellbeing Through Occupation
- Occupation, Health, and Wellbeing 3
- Occupational Therapy Practice Placement 1
- Occupational Therapy Practice Placement 2
- Research Methods in Health Science
- Occupational therapy Dissertation
Placement Units
Units
- Occupational Therapy Placement 1
- Occupational Therapy Placement 2
Staff
Course Leader
Parag Sawant
Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy
Parag Sawant is a HCPC registered Occupational Therapist and joined the School of Health and Rehabilitation sciences as a Senior Lecturer in Occupational Therapy in July 2022. He has worked as an academician in Occupational Therapy for more than 5 years.
Full bio
Associate Professor in Occupational Therapy
Entry Requirements
What qualifications do I need?
What qualifications do I need?
A minimum of a 2:2 BSc (Hons) degree in a relevant science-based subject. Examples of relevant subjects include psychology, sociology, public health and human biology.
Alternatively, candidates have significant recent relevant work experience in health and social care.
Is there anything else that is required?
Is there anything else that is required?
Please note: You are required to have an occupational health screening prior to commencement on the course
If you live in the UK, we’ll need a satisfactory Disclosure and Barring Service (Enhanced DBS) check. It’s standard for all UK students and we’ll be there to guide you through the process once you’ve applied.
To gain a place on the course applicants must also successfully undergo an interview process. In light of the current Covid-19 situation these interviews will be undertaken remotely via Teams. More information about this process will be provided if/when applicants are invited to the interview stage.
International Students
International Students
International students will be required to pay a non-refundable £1,000 tuition fee deposit to secure their place on the course. Details will be provided in your offer email.
Please note to be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English. For this course, the HCPC Standards of Proficiency suggest that for entry into Occupational Therapy must: ‘Be able to communicate in English to the standard equivalent to level 7 of the International English Language Testing System, with no element below 6.5’ applicants are required to achieve the equivalent of an IELTS (academic) score of 7.0 or above with no less than 6.5 in each section.
If your qualification is not listed here, please take a look at our international entry requirements page or get in touch with our admissions team on the form below. Please note, to be accepted onto this course; you will also need to demonstrate that you meet the minimum standards of English. For further information on English language requirements, please see the dedicated English language requirements page. More information on permission to study in the UK, can be found on our Visas and Immigration page.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, see latest policies.
How to Apply
How to Apply
Applications for this course are now open.
The application deadline for this course is 30 September 2024.
Please note: Applications may close before the expected deadline if places are filled.
To register your interest for the course or ask any questions about the course, please complete the form at the bottom of the page.
For more information about our admissions policies and procedures, including our Admissions Complaints and Appeals Policy, see latest policies.
Still have questions about applying?
Course Fees
UK/ROI/ Channel Islands
£9,250 per annum
International
£18,375 per annum
Please note: that these fees are for the 2024-25 academic year only and may be subject to increase in subsequent years of study. Any increase will be in line with our Tuition Fees Policy but will not be more than 5%.
More information
The Funding Clinic (Funding information for studying the allied health professions)
Should you have any questions on course fees please see our Fees and Payment Information page or contact our admissions team on the form below.
Register your Interest
Register your Interest / Enquiry
Why choose AECC University College
There are many benefits to studying at AECC University College, from our expertise and history in teaching health sciences, to our state-of-the-art facilities, on-site clinical training, and of course our location on the beautiful Bournemouth coast.
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Find us
AECC University College
Parkwood Campus
Parkwood Road
Bournemouth
BH5 2DF