Occupational Therapy (Pre-Registration) MSc

The University of Northampton’s Occupational Therapy degree equips you with the knowledge and skills that you will require for professional practice through combining the study of occupational and human sciences with hands-on learning in a practical setting.

We have strong connections in the local area and offer a wide range of exciting local, national and international practical placement opportunities.

You will have an opportunity to engage in professional practice within a variety of health and social care settings across public, private, voluntary and independent sectors. The range of placements in traditional and non-traditional settings enables you to develop and advance your skills in assessment, intervention, along with service development and leadership skills. You will develop your knowledge and application of evidence and research to become an evidence-based practitioner.

You will be taught by qualified Occupational Therapists who also have additional teaching qualifications, such as a Master’s or PhD qualifications Our teaching staff have a variety of clinical backgrounds and expertise in acute/community/forensic mental health, acute physical therapy, hand therapy, neuro rehab, community social service, primary care, learning disabilities, and paediatrics.

Year One

During the first year, you will develop the knowledge, skills and behaviours to prepare for your practice placements where you will put this into practice. You will have opportunities to explore occupational theory, develop occupational therapy skills and develop your knowledge of conditions. You will also complete research methods where you will prepare to engage in research in the second year. Throughout the year, you will learn about professional expectations and what it means to practice as an occupational therapist.

You will experience a range of teaching and learning styles, including team-based learning, simulation and practical skills. Alongside this, you will also experience a range of assessment types, including reports, presentations, essays and OSCEs (practicals) – which will support you in developing the skills needed as an occupational therapist.

The MSc (pre-registration) will develop your academic skills in critical thinking, critical analysis, enabling you to work towards being an evidence-based practitioner.

Year Two

During year two, you will continue to engage in practice placements, developing your occupational therapy knowledge, skills and behaviours. Year two provides a variety of placement opportunities, including occupational therapy traditional practice, exploring leadership in practice, and exploring community development with third sector organisations.

You will engage in learning with both MSc (Pre-registration) Physiotherapy students and BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy level 6 students through research and preparing for transition to practice.

During the Becoming an Autonomous Practitioner module, you will develop your knowledge and skills in specialist areas of practice, selecting a range of workshops to attend. You will practice and receive feedback on interviewing skills and engage in a mentor programme with BSc (Hons) Occupational Therapy students.

You will conduct the research proposed in the research methods module in year 1, and, with the support of a supervisor, will present your research in a way that can be shared at a conference or published in a journal.